The BMW Dullstroom Invitational
On Saturday, the 10th of May, the 2008 edition of the BMW Dullstroom Invitational was held on the most breath-taking of waters in and around Dullstroom. It was a day that every one of the forty fly fishermen participating took pleasure in and the event went down as agreeably as any glass of Glenlivet sipped abutting a roasting fire on a frosty Dullstroom winter's night.

How better to substantiate the prior assertion than by the words of one of the delighted anglers? "I enjoyed every minute of it. I have never caught so many good sized fish in one day. The dams and the venues that I fished were absolutely superb. The dinner was excellent and we had some good laughs later on in the evening after the guys had some liquid refreshments. Thank you very much for all the nice goodies that we received. Looking forward to next year's event."

This extract ultimately sums the lot up. Certainly there were "many good sized fish" caught. To be literal, the average trout measured from nose to tail-fork (there were well in excess of two hundred and fifty of them) was forty-two centimetres and more than ten fish of greater than fifty centimetres were hooked, landed and released! The "venues were superb". After all, they are exclusive and inaccessible to everyone save the owners and members. There were several "nice goodies" given away including a Scott flyfishing rod (for the angler who was blessed enough to blank) as well as a luxurious Simonsig wine compilation. I'm persuaded that all folks involved are "looking forward to next year's event" as well.

A fellow fisherman made his opinion entirely clear through this statement. "My first ever fishing competition and I really get the idea that I have started at the top. I am impressed by the spirit and sportsmanship which was displayed by all I spoke to, considering the value of the prize, it was remarkable how helpful and friendly the participants were."

It was undeniably something to be "impressed" by as this year's winner, Nick Lambrianos, won an all expenses paid trip for two to River Plate Amazon Outfitter, Brazil, where he will be flyfishing for the legendary Peacock bass on a clear water tributary to the Amazon River, all thanks to his winning 55,5cm Rainbow Trout.

The finishing touches were pleasurably put to the daytime hours with a dinner and prize giving at Walkersons Country Estate worth mentioning. After which all concerned flyfishermen could ponder what could have been and what may perhaps still befall them come the same point in time next year.