Tiger fishing at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge

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Deep in a lucid dream, I cast my line into the flow of a river. With a mighty splash, a large Tigerfish bearing sharp teeth thrashed high into the air in a silver flash.

In an instant, the action was over and my eyes were thrust open wide in a dark, cold night.

It was 3:30 a.m. and this dream would soon become reality.

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A post shared by Gero Lilleike (@gerolilleike)

I had a flight to catch and I was due to rendezvous with renowned South African fish artist and avid fly fisherman, Gavin Erwin. Our destination was the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge in Namibia and our sole mission was to catch as many Tigerfish as we possibly could while also targeting other fish found in the Chobe River, such as a Three-Spotted Tilapia, Nembwe, Catfish and the rare Pink Happy Bream.

I’ve been fly fishing for over 2 decades but my experience level is best described as “average” and as this was my first tiger fishing experience, I was happy to have a pro by my side. 

Gavin Erwin has a few tiger fishing tricks up his sleeve.

Gavin needs little introduction and apart from creating magnificent fish-inspired artwork, he has hooked into a staggering variety of fish all over South Africa and abroad, including Tigerfish. His experience and knowledge would ultimately prove to be invaluable on this tiger fishing adventure.  

After meeting Gavin at the OR Tambo International Airport, we boarded a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe where we were met with fine weather and the large, happy smile of Orpheus, a local who would take us to the Botswana border.

The Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is situated on Impalila Island in Namibia where the mighty Zambezi and Chobe rivers converge, making this area the only place in the world where 4 countries meet (known as the Kazungula Quadripoint) including Nambia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Further downstream, the Zambezi River plunges into the Zambezi Gorge in spectacular fashion at Victoria Falls, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Cassius Tebuho is a knowledgeable and skilled river guide at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.

After border hopping across 2 countries, we finally stepped onto a tender boat moored on the banks of the Chobe River where we met an enthusiastic 37-year-old, Cassius Tebuho, our river guide for the next 5 days.

The Ichingo Chobe River Lodge is situated on the Namibian side of the Chobe River and after an official stamp at the local Namibian immigration office on Impalila Island, Cassius set course for the lodge which is accessible by boat. 

It was a splendid day to be on the water. The Chobe River was teeming with birdlife and wildlife. The squawking of thousands of birds filled the air, hippos bathed in the shallows and crocodiles basked in the embrace of the warm afternoon sun. This place is wild!

Wildlife is plentiful on the Chobe River.

Cassius whipped the boat around in the rapids with impeccable skill and banked us at the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge. We had arrived!

The lodge manager, 62-year-old Kennedy Ilunga, was there to welcome us with his warmth and laughter. His endearing, larger-than-life personality would become one of the major highlights of this fishing trip.

A total of 8 charming Meru-style tents under large trees overlook the river below but there was no time for sleeping — we had fish to catch!  After a quick, delicious lunch, consisting of lamb pie and salad, we were ready to commence our Tigerfish hunt in earnest.

Kennedy Ilunga with a welcoming smile and warm hospitality that you’re unlikely to forget.

Hunting Tigerfish on the Chobe River 

Armed with both fly fishing tackle and conventional tackle, Cassius fired up the boat and we set off upstream in search of Tigerfish.

Come prepared and the Chobe River will reward you…

On the way, Cassius gave us bad news. Three days before our arrival, a freezing weather system brought strong winds (bad for fishing) and lowered water temperatures. This meant that the Tigerfish were mostly off the bite and fishing was difficult. This was confirmed by other guests at the dinner table that night.

Despite this unfortunate set of circumstances, we were steadfast and resolved to forge ahead with the hunt. The wind was our enemy and with the sun setting fast, we had no choice but to accept defeat, for now…

We sat on the boat with a cold beer in hand and enjoyed a magical, golden sunset on the river.

The next day was warmer but the wind was still not helping our cause.

Cassius grew up on the Chobe River and with a wealth of experience — he had a plan. He took us up the Kasai channel, a narrow body of water that winds northwards towards the Zambezi River and effectively separates Impalila Island from the greater Caprivi strip.

The Kasai channel is a rich fishing ground with reeded banks, secluded bays, deep channels and shallower sand bars with the varying orientation of the channel providing shelter from the wind.

The Kasai channel offers excellent opportunity to catch large Tigerfish.

Gavin and I both opted for fly fishing and decided to use Clouser Minnows of varying colours including red/black, purple/black and orange/black combinations in conjunction with a fast sinking line.

It wasn’t long before Gavin opened the tallies with a juvenile Tigerfish and he soon followed up with a slightly larger specimen.

Gavin Erwin doing what he does best…

I, on the other hand, was working the water hard without any luck. We fished in the Kasai channel for most of the day, taking advantage of the shelter it provided. Gavin ended off the day with a beautiful 1.8 kg Tigerfish while I returned to Ichingo with no bites to speak of.

After a long day of fishing, Kennedy was awaiting our return. His smile was ear-to-ear and he welcomed us back with a much-needed shot of sherry and some encouragement that conditions would improve. Other fishermen reported poor results for the day, news which soothed my wounded ego.

Golden sunsets are waiting for you on the Chobe River.

The Ichingo staff lit a bonfire and we enjoyed a lovely braai and shared fish tales alongside a raging bonfire with the sound of the rushing river filling the night sky. Ichingo really is a fisherman’s dream come true!

With a full day of fishing looming ahead of us, we turned in early to get back on the river in high spirits in the morning.

After loading up with coffee and breakfast, we set off on the hunt, this time with more gusto and confidence than ever before.  Cassius positioned the boat in the rapids just upstream from the lodge and we started the day with some excellent drifts. We were still mostly focusing on fly fishing and forging ahead with the seemingly successful Clouser Minnow fly pattern. 

The catch of the day!

Gavin, once again added another sizable Tigerfish to his tally in the rapids while I focussed my concentration on perfecting my technique in the hope of catching my first Tigerfish.

As Gavin caught more fish, my frustration grew.

As a good guide should, Cassius encouraged me to persevere and remain focused on the task at hand. 

With the wind coming up once again, Cassius took us further up the Kasai channel. We fished various spots, including shallower banks with steeper drop-offs which proved successful with Gavin “the fish magnet” taking advantage of his winning streak with another two medium-sized Tigerfish landed.

I was now getting desperate.

Another Tigerfish and just another day in the office for Gavin Erwin…

We also used conventional tackle, such as spoons, spinners and lures in areas where conditions weren’t ideal for fly fishing, such as in heavily congested lily beds in the hope of catching a Nembwe (Yellow Belly Bream) but we sadly didn’t have much success.

Fly fishing, while more technically challenging, was proving to yield the best results for catching Tigerfish on the Chobe River.

Later on in the afternoon, Gavin switched to a floating line and started presenting a Flipper fly on the surface.

Bang!

He was on! Another medium-sized Tigerfish was in the bag. I was losing count but I still needed to get off the mark! 

Then, in the orange glow of the setting sun, it happened!

Gero Lilleike with his first ever Tigerfish caught on fly.

We were fishing a drift at the end of the Kasai channel when a small Tigerfish finally smashed my purple/black Clousser Minnow and with a yelp of happiness, I landed it. I was elated! It was my first Tigerfish and I’d caught it on fly!

We returned to the lodge in good spirits. I gave Kennedy the news of my catch and he flung his hands in the air in praise and celebrated the news in a way that only he can. Vibrant conversations ensued at the dinner table with some large Tigerfish caught during the day. 

Daniel Factor with a large Tigerfish caught in the Kasai channel.

One of the guests at Ichingo was renowned South African fly fisherman and fly fishing outfitter, Daniel Factor, who was enjoying time on the water with his family. Daniel is no stranger to catching big fish and he hooked into a large 6 kg Tigerfish in the Kasai channel. For Daniel and his family, Ichingo is the best place to catch Tigerfish on the Chobe River.

Experience Impalila Island, the river, the people and wildlife

The huge Boabab in Kafubu Village, Impalila Island.

One of the activities available to Ichingo guests is to visit the nearby Kafubu village, home to the Basubiya Tribe, where an impressive 200-year-old Boabab tree stands in the centre of the village with its gigantic branches reaching into the sky. Sadly though, the local Induna leader passed away during our arrival and the village was in mourning in preparation for the burial ceremony. Our visit to the village was a solemn one and we purchased some handcrafted curios in support of the local community. 

It was our last day of fishing and we wasted no time getting back on the river to hunt Tigerfish. Cassius put us on a drift just upstream from Ichingo with the warm morning sun setting the scene for a fantastic day on the river. 

The rarely seen Pink Happy Bream. Beautiful!

Gavin’s line wasn’t in the water for even 10 seconds and a Tigerfish was already thrashing wildly with the Clouser firmly set in its bony toothy jaw. Soon after, I had a small Tigerfish on the line too! What a start to the day! 

We were fishing over a rocky shelf when Gavin’s line went tight once more. This time it wasn’t a Tigerfish but instead, Gavin caught a rarely-seen Pink Happy Bream! These beautiful fish are timid and shy and are rarely tempted by a passing fly. Gavin, however, was in luck! Cassius was visibly delighted and even he admitted that it was a long time since he saw a Pink Happy Bream being caught on the Chobe. 

African Buffalo seen grazing on the banks of the Chobe River.

With hunger setting in, we returned to Ichingo for lunch and enjoyed a delicious spread of hake, chips and coleslaw. A huge hippo was basking in the sun on the opposite bank and it soon became apparent that it had been in a fight and presumably lost as it had a gaping wound on the side of its head. It appeared to be understandably grumpy. 

While we had seen many crocodiles and hippos during our fishing escapades on the Chobe River, we were keen to see more of the wildlife that this region is so well known for!

Safari by boat is a spectacular way to view game.

Kennedy suggested that we go upstream to the Chobe National Park. It was a 40-minute trip by boat and on the way, we spotted both the Zambezi Queen and the Zambezi Princesses glistening in the afternoon sun!

Wildlife abounds in large numbers here and there were no less than 30 elephants enjoying a drink at the water’s edge while a fat 6-metre crocodile lay motionless, watching…

In the shade of a tree, a pride of lions lay in the dust, napping the afternoon away while a troop of baboons yakked in the branches above. Further along the bank, African Buffalo grazed peacefully in the golden light while a bloat of hippos languished in a mud pit on the bank of the river.

Lions relax in the shade of a tree with baboons overhead.

Being on the water in a boat offers a unique perspective of the animals and the environment in which they live and a game boat cruise is undoubtedly one of the best ways to view wildlife, primarily because you can get exceptionally close to the animals, making this mode of game viewing ideal for wildlife photographers. Seeing the animals close-up in their natural environment was a fantastic experience on our last afternoon on the Chobe River. 

Hippos are happy in the mud.

With the sun fast-tracking to the horizon, we had just enough time to cast our lines out one last time. Birds streaked across a deep pastel-red sky and the life energy of the river reached its crescendo as the light of day surrendered to the darkness of the night. We sat in silence, observing, soaking in this special place.

The Chobe River had blessed us with its magic and we were going home with happy hearts and memories that would last a lifetime. This was a dream come true, a fishing adventure to top them all…

Book your dream fishing trip at Ichingo Chobe River Lodge today!

There’s always time for one last cast…

Hunting Yellowfish on the Orange River

Words and photographs by Gero Lilleike (unless otherwise stated).

It’s a well-known fact that South Africa is home to some of the most pristine fly fishing waters in Africa and the world. The sheer number and variety of locations and fish species afford the keen fly fisherman a lifetime worth of bucket list fishing opportunities, but only if you take yourself seriously…

I don’t really.

Well, not as a fly fisherman anyway.

I’m certainly keen and I’ve dabbled in the art long enough to appreciate and love the act when it occurs, however rare an occasion as that may be. 

In Golfing terms, I would be referred to as a “weekend hacker” but seeing that my fly rod mostly gathers dust in my garage for much of any given year, I am not entirely sure if there’s a term for my kind in fishing speak? A chancer, perhaps?

I digress. 

The Orange River is Yellowfish paradise. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Just over a year ago, I found myself adrift on the Orange River somewhere between Vioolsdrift and Aussenkehr on a 5-day paddling trip. It was a marvelous adventure and miraculously, I remembered to pack my fly rod – dust and all.

At the time, this incredible place was overwhelmingly beautiful and I couldn’t fathom the significance of the fish that lived in this spectacular river system.

For those with a particular penchant for targeting largemouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus kimberleyensis) and smallmouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus), yes, I had to Google that, few places in South Africa are more lucrative than the Orange River.

But not for yours truly. Not on that particular trip… 

Alone at the wall. Photo: Gero Lilleike

My trout-biased fly box was woefully under-equipped, much like me and ultimately had little to no relevance to the fish curiously eyeing me out from below.

Day 3 passed and I still hadn’t caught a single fish.

Out of sheer desperation and with great shame felt towards the fine art that is fly fishing, I gave in to the friendly instruction of, Erastus, my local Namibian guide.

I baited my fly.

A wooly bugger, with a piece of dough to put an end to my undying misery.

The result?

I caught my first-ever smallmouth yellowfish on the Orange River!  

It was a shamefully embarrassing result. I know. But I had learnt my lesson the hard way. 

That non-event, much like 2020, in fact, brings me to the purpose of these words.

A tale of revenge of sorts…

Gavin Erwin working the Orange River. Delightful! Photo: Gero Lilleike

 I’m fortunate enough to be acquainted with well-known South African fish artist and fly fishing enthusiast, Gavin Erwin. 

Plying his trade from his studio in Johannesburg, Gavin is a humble man. He’s a notably talented artist and an equally talented fly fisherman with a long and successful history of fishing that spans just about all of his 35 years on earth. Gavin and his long-time fishing compadres, Sean Bisset and Jason McIntosh were planning their first summer strike mission on the Orange River and somehow, I managed to crack an invite along with Gavin’s brother, Steve Erwin, who ironically is also an established car artist from Cape Town.

The opportunity to return to the Orange River was impossible to resist.

The river was calling and I had a score to settle…

Gero Lilleike with one of many… Photo: Sean Bisset

Weeks before the trip, Gavin offered to tie the flies necessary for success and this was something I was hugely grateful for, especially considering my glaring ignorance a year earlier. Needless to say, a bread fly was simply out of the question for this trip! 

Gavin’s fly-tying efforts were concentrated on three main fly patterns including a fine selection of nymphs, colorful weighted streamers and for the entrée, a delectable crab pattern.

Gavin assured me that the yellows would “smash” these patterns and I couldn’t have been more excited to see that happen. 

The Orange River is a source of life in this arid desert landscape. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Gavin and his crew made the long journey from Johannesburg to Vioolsdrift while Steve and I drove north from Cape Town. We met Gavin and Co at Oewerbos River Camp on the South African side of the Orange River. We shared a few cold beers as the sun set over the barren but exquisitely beautiful landscape that defines much of Namibia.

For this mission, we would focus our combined energy on the waters to the east of Vioolsdrift with the guidance of an experienced Orange River fishing guide, the ominously-named, De Villiers Uys. 

With gear at the ready, we set off on a dirt road that led us to a well-known and over-fished weir where we would open the tallies, proper. We spread ourselves out across the numerous pools and it wasn’t long before our nymphing efforts paid off with a few decent-sized smallies in the net from Gavin, Sean and Jason. Steve soon followed suit, as did I, with perhaps the smallest smallmouth of the day. 

A Blue Kurper caught and photograpghed by Gavin Erwin.

A largemouth yellowfish alludes most and it’s for this very reason that it’s known as the “fish of a thousand casts”, but here, on the Orange River, that’s far from true. Sean netted the first largemouth of the trip with seemingly little effort and Gavin followed up with a sizable Mozambique tilapia (Blue Kurper) in his net. We returned to our cabin fulfilled and the celebratory beers went down ever-so sweetly. 

The next day we returned to the weir, but this time we also had our sights set on the biggest catfish we could find. De Villiers assured us that monster catfish lurked in the pools at the base of the weir. Sean hooked into the biggest barbel of the trip…by far, it was huge! Gavin hooked another in one of the upper pools and handed me the rod to bring it in. I was amazed at how powerful these fish are! 

Sean Bisset with a beauty! Photo: Gero Lilleike

With a full moon keeping watch over proceedings, we spent the evening session throwing out crabs in the shallower runs and the some decent yellow specimens found their way into our nets. Another glorious day on the Orange! How could it possibly get better than this, I wondered?

De Villiers Uys had another ‘Uys’ up his sleeve and he was keen to take us further up the river to waters only accessible by boat. The next morning, De Villiers rigged up two inflatables and we all piled in for a slow 10 km splutter upstream.

The hunt is on! Photo: Gero Lilleike

Surrounded by only dry, rocky mountains, a nourishing river, blazing heat and not another human in sight, these were remote waters. The yellows were ‘smashing’ our nymphs viciously the moment lines hit the water! 

Each fight was cherished but we soon lost count of how many fish we had caught. Hours passed but we had to get back to base. We chased the sun back straight into a headwind, arriving at the weir cold, wet and satisfied at yet another successful day on the river. 

We knew this fishing trip would be amazing, but none of us expected it to be so magical. For me, this truly was a fishing experience of a lifetime and I couldn’t ask for much more. I had caught more fish than I have ever caught. Ever!

That’s the point, right?

Moonset on the Orange River. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Fishing the Orange River

I’m a sucker for a good outdoor adventure and in my experience, immersing yourself in nature’s flow is perhaps the most rewarding and therapeutic experience you can give yourself, especially if you are in need of mental and physical rejuvenation. Nature, after all, is a wonderful healer… 

It’s no surprise then that my excitement escalated when my equally wonderful wife decided to book a 5-day river rafting adventure on the Orange River. 

This was a bucket list travel experience and I couldn’t wait to finally do it! 

Paddling on the Orange River is a relaxing experience for the whole family. Photo: Gero Lilleike

The Orange River forms a natural border between South Africa and Namibia and a 7-hour drive from Cape Town got us to the border post at Vioolsdrif which is a stone throw away from Bundi Lodge near Noordoewer where we would start our river adventure.   

If you’ve ever been to Namibia, you’ll know, it’s hot, arid and desolate. The Orange River is a source of life here and plant and animal life is abundant along the river’s banks and as an enthusiastic fly fisherman, I was hoping to catch a fish. Any fish… 

We were due to paddle a total distance of 85 km over 5 days, but with low seasonal water levels, we would only be doing 65 km, which is a fair distance for 2 amateur paddlers.   

We were, however, accompanied by experienced and resourceful river guides, Patrick and Erastus, who would ensure our safe passage on the river. 

With views like this every day, the paddle is worth it! Photo: Gero Lilleike

With camping gear and supplies packed and loaded on our boats, we set off down the Orange River. Paddling quickly becomes the norm as the reality of the distance sinks in. Despite the aches and pains, you simply have no choice but to keep pushing on! A headwind is your worst enemy on the water and when it arrives it can make paddling exceedingly difficult and torturous as you fight for every metre gained.

For the most part, we had stunning conditions for paddling and the water was exceptionally clean and clear. The harsh landscape is oddly pretty and the vibrant colours of the dry and rocky mountains stand in stark contrast to the greenery along the river. 

Anyone for a cup of tea? Mmm… Photo: Gero Lilleike

Camping next to the river and sleeping under the stars is a particular highlight considering that the higher temperatures negate the need for a tent. 

Nonetheless, having a tent is recommended if you are worried about creepy-crawlies paying you a visit in the middle of the night… 

Other campers were apparently forced into their tents when Red Roman spiders were doing the rounds in their camp! 

A troop of noisy baboons kept us up one night with their loud barks that echoed eerily through the warm night while an owl hooted in the moonlight from a nearby tree. Sleeping in the wild definately makes the experience more exciting!

Erastus with the day’s catch. This man knows how to fish! Photo: Gero Lilleike

If you love fishing then the Orange River is paradise. A wide variety of fish species call this river home and some of these include smallmouth and largemouth yellowfish, carp, barbell, bass and kurper.

Erastus has been a river guide for 24 years and he has extensive fishing experience on the river. I was amazed at how successful his fishing exploits were. He was regularly hauling in fish and enjoying his catch over an open fire every evening. What a champion!

Perseverance does pay off in the end. Photo: Patrick Engelbrecht

By the end of the trip, I had caught 4 different species of varying sizes while some of the fish were simply too big to catch on my tackle and bent hooks were evidence of this. It goes without saying, there are some monstrously-large fish lurking in the Orange River, so be sure to come prepared. 

I was also intrigued by the names given to some of the rapids on this section of the river including Morning Shower, Rocky Waters, Snotklap, Root of Hell, Scorpions Tail and the biggest rapid on this route, Sjambok. Despite their ominous names, we found the rapids to be relatively easy to navigate, which makes this paddle a great option for families. 

Sjambok rapid can be tricky if you get it wrong. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Remember to pack lots of eco-friendly sunscreen and don’t forget to wear protective and light breathable clothing. On most days, the mountains literally bake and the heat can be stifling. We experienced temperatures close to 50°, but thankfully the river is always close enough for a refreshing dip. 

The Orange River was our home for 5 days and being in this remarkable place was both grounding and humbling. This adventure is easy to recommend and if you are in need of nature’s magical healing powers then you know what to do… 

Book your Orange River adventure with Bundi here!

The landscapes in this part of the world are breathtaking. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Fly Fishing in the Mist

Words and Photographs by Gero Lilleike

I stumble to my feet in the dark, my senses fixed on the faint hint of day. A thick mist hangs, shifting in all directions on a glassy lake. The morning rise beckons me into action. Is today the day that Lake Naverone reveals the fish that lurk in her waters? Perhaps, maybe not… I grab my fly rod and head for the boat and stroke off into the calm. The hunt is on as I cast my line out into the mist. Silence, peace and mountains surround me as I work my fly.

It’s no secret that the Drakensberg holds some of the most exquisite fly fishing waters in South Africa. Lake Naverone, situated in the Southern Drakensberg near Underberg, is but one such place.  It’s more than that though, it’s a wonderfully scenic place.

With self-catering cottages nestled along its banks, Lake Naverone is a near-perfect hideaway for fly fisherman and if your fishing luck happens to run out, head for the hills. These wilds will tame you…

A must-do hike in the area is the Three Pools Hike, but make sure you have a permit and a map. Our map-reading skills were lacking somewhat, but we went in search anyway. We set off at noon with a cloudless sky overhead and autumn leaves underfoot. High on a ridge, Eland were grazing in the sun.

We walked a bit further and suddenly a distinct bark echoed through the valley. Baboon. We spotted the troop cavorting on the hillside, while a large male locked his eyes on the two trespassers below. We never found the Three Pools that day…

Back in the boat, the mist was rising in the fresh morning glow. Trout were gnawing at my conscious, breaking me down. My fly kissed the water with grace, my mind willing a take with each retrieve. Hours passed. Then came the nibble, the first sign of life. The tip of my rod twitched vigorously, but my strike was futile. The mountains watched over me as I cast and cast some more, for days, and then some more until darkness blinded my sight. It was not to be and for now, the trout swim free.

If you wish to experience Lake Naverone for yourself, check out their website here!

Also read:

Gone Fishing the Breede River
On the fly at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway
Gavin Erwin Fish Art in South Africa

Gone Fishing the Breede River

Words and Photographs by Gero Lilleike

It’s been months since I’ve gone fishing, which is really sad, because there are so many good fishing venues within two hours of Cape Town. There’s simply no excuse for any self-respecting fisherman to not go fishing. Now was my chance and I was more than happy to put my line out. With my lady, our dog and fishing tackle ready, we set off for the town of Bonnievale on a mission to dial into the rhythm of the Breede River and hook into some fish. Or that was the idea, at least.

When it comes to choosing fishing accommodation, location is king. Then I found Bordeaux River Cottages. What a place! Three private timber cottages lie perched high on the steep banks of the Breede River and flanked by beautiful vineyards, this was prime. Wooden decks built into Bluegum trees offer splendid views over the river. And here’s the best part, the final link in the chain, the clincher. Each cottage has its own canoe, the perfect vessel to launch a fishing assault.

Wooden decks offer splendid views of the Breede River. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Tough Luck Fishing

With its source in the Swartberg Mountains, the Breede River runs some 337 km before reaching the Indian Ocean at Witsands and fish species vary depending on the region being fished. In Bonnievale, bass, barbel and carp are common and since we were hunting bass, we rigged our tackle accordingly. I was keen to give my trusty fly rod a go while my lady would attack using a standard coffee-grinder setup with a Junebug worm.  A two-prong offensive was our best shot. Akatski, the dog, would be our fish-spotter. A bit of strategy always helps, you know.

Akatski dog on the high alert. Photo: Gero Lilleike

The Breede River is a marvellous place to be, especially in a canoe, which makes exploring the nooks and crannies so much easier. The water was surprisingly clear and we saw plenty large fish cruising around beneath us, which was a positive sign. The river was alive. Birds bickered in a nearby tree and peace soon consumed us. Hours passed, drifting along slowly to the whim of the wind. This is what we came here for.

Then, it happened. The boat rocked with excitement, there was action on my line. Akaski was on high alert and after some splashing and a brief tussle, I had a small-size fish by my side, but what was it? It wasn’t carp or barbel, so my guess was smallmouth bass, but somehow I wasn’t entirely sure.

The Catch of the Day. Photo: Gero Lilleike

It didn’t really matter anyway, because over the next four days and despite countless hours of persistent perseverance, the Breede River wouldn’t yield another fish and we were left to drift along with only questions in our minds.

After exhausting our tactics, we set course for the shore, utterly outwitted and defeated. I docked the boat and proceeded with more frivolous things, like making fire and finding answers in the bottom of a wine bottle. That’s fishing for you. There’s always next time.

Fire on the Breede River. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Gavin Erwin Fish Art in South Africa

Gavin Erwin Fish Art. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Words and Photographs by Gero Lilleike, unless stated otherwise.

The story of Gavin Erwin, a professional fish artist based in Johannesburg, is both fascinating and inspiring. Specialising in painting fish, water and marine life, Gavin’s fish art is rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa. At first glance, you might think that he’s just an ordinary guy, and he is, but there’s more to Gavin Erwin than meets the eye.

Take a good look at his fish art and you will soon realise that Gavin is bursting with artistic talent and flair that deserves recognition. Look a little deeper and you will discover a man true to his heart, a man living out his dream, no matter what. There’s a lesson in that for all of us. Driven by his passion for fishing and nature in general, Gavin has harnessed and honed his artistic skills to become one of South Africa’s top fish artists, alongside renowned artists Craig Bertram Smith and Tom Sutcliffe.

Gavin Erwin, the fish artist. Photo: Gero Lilleike

A Fish Artist is born

For Gavin, life as an artist started at a very young age and time played an integral role in forging the artist he is today. “I started drawing as soon as I was old enough to hold a pencil and talk, I was probably about 5 or 6 years old when I started, maybe younger. My Dad always had a pile of scrap paper lying around, and he always said, ‘you must draw’. As kids, with my brother Steven, we used to sit and draw. We drew dinosaurs, cars, fish and pretty much anything, but the passion for drawing and painting started there”, explains Gavin.

Dry Fly by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gero Lilleike

With the support of his family, Gavin kept putting pen to paper, slowly developing his own style throughout his childhood, but it was fishing that lit a fire within him and so, a fish artist was born. “My father, Ken Erwin, was a big influence in my life. He started fishing in his twenties and he basically passed his passion for fishing and the great outdoors onto us. It has inspired me ever since to actually paint fish and obviously the angling side of it inspires me too,” says Gavin.

Fishing became an important part of Gavin’s life and provided him with much joy, but fishing also gave Gavin a unique perspective on life and brought him closer to nature and the subject matter of his art. For Gavin, fishing is a way of life.

Gavin Erwin lands a healthy looking Largemouth Bass in Zimbabwe at sunset. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Gavin explains it best, ” Fishing, to me, is a lifestyle. I love fishing. To me, fishing means getting your mates together, planning a trip, going and getting out into nature for days at a time, just enjoying yourself and appreciating the great outdoors. The thing I love about fishing is the mystery. You’re on open water, whether it be brown or blue, you don’t know what’s lurking beneath you, you don’t know what’s there, it’s about the mystery of ‘are you going to catch?’ and ‘what are you going to catch?’ and when you do catch something, you’re satisfied, you’re over moon. It’s all about the mystery. Fishing is in my blood, I can’t help it.”

Rainbow Trout on fly in the Drakensberg. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Life as a Professional Fish Artist

It was only when Gavin finished school that he had to decide what he was going to do with his life, and he was in no rush. While most of his school friends went off to pursue ‘traditional’ careers, Gavin went fishing…and decided to become a professional fish artist and he hasn’t looked back since.

The Gavin Erwin Fish Art Studio. Photo: Gero Lilleike

“I’ve been painting professionally for about 10 years now and each year has been getting better and better. People are starting to recognise me as the ‘fish artist’ explains Gavin. ” I always had the dream of becoming an artist. When I discovered that there was a demand for art in general, I decided to pursue it as a career”.

Brown Trout by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Humbly plying his trade from his art studio in Kensington, Johannesburg, Gavin has learnt to cope with the hardships associated with being an artist living and working in South Africa. Hard work and commitment towards his fish art has put Gavin on the road to success. “I have learnt that you have to work hard and work smart. Just like anything in life, the more energy you put into something, the more reward you get out. It’s not easy being an artist in South Africa, especially a ‘fish artist’, but I have found that niche market that everyone talks about and I’m just riding the wave to success from here” explains Gavin.

Fish in a rocky pool by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

The art industry is flooded with artists trying to make a name for themselves and Gavin is no different. Painting is one thing, but differentiating yourself from the crowd is something that every artist has to grapple with. How an artist deals with that dichotomy is often the difference between success and failure. Gavin shares further insight into the rigors of being a successful fish artist, “To find your fish-loving client you definitely have to market yourself hard, find something that you love painting and then get yourself out there. The only way someone is going to see your talent is by showing people the real thing, in the flesh. The current state of art in South Africa is not as good as it has been in the past, so it just means that you have to work and paint harder to make it. My art is affordable and that’s what I want, I would rather paint constantly for the rest of my life than sit on a painting for months at a time waiting for the right client with the credit” says Gavin.

Koi Fish by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Although there’s no doubt that hard work, commitment, perseverance and a sound marketing strategy contributes towards success as an artist, there is one crucial and powerful ingredient that determines the degree of any artist’s success, and that’s passion, something Gavin has in bucket loads. “Art is just an expression of the person doing it and the more passion you have within yourself, the better your art will be and the more satisfied you will be with your art. If you not fully into it and you haven’t got any passion, you not going to like what you painting and you not going to like yourself for it. Passion is key. I am basically doing what I love and painting what I love, I’m painting my passion.” says Gavin, with a smile on his face.

Giant Travally (Kingfish) by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

The Art of Fish Art

For Gavin, there’s no shortage of inspiration and his vast experience as a fisherman informs what he portrays on canvass and when it comes to painting fish, it’s all about the fish. “I love the flow of fish, the movement. If you can portray the movement of a fish and people can see what you trying to get across, that’s awesome. I love painting movement under water, the colors are amazing. There is not a boring fish out there, every fish has its own character and personality, whether it be a Tigerfish or brown Trout in a stream, each one has its beauty” explains Gavin.

Coelacanth by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Realism is something Gavin’s fish art has in common with well-known South African fish artist, Craig Bertram Smith, but perhaps so to a lesser degree. Although Gavin strives for realism in the fish he portrays, he also places value on textures to develop the character of the fish he is painting. Gavin explains his technique further, ” I usually use the fish as the main focus point, the main character, and actually try portray the character of the fish before anything else. The way that I differ in some of my paintings is that I put in a lot of textures, so it’s not only visual, but you can feel it, you can see the texture. The texture adds another dimension which I think is great. I don’t like to get too real, I work it until I get a nice character of the fish. Lines, sparkles, movement and light is what defines my fish art.”

Yellowfin Tuna in the sea by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Capturing the essence of a fish and it’s aquatic world is no easy feat but by embracing his medium, Gavin is able to bring his fish art to life. Drama is something Gavin incorporates into his fish art which adds to the overall effect of the scenes he portrays. “With paint, there’s no limits. You can put extra shadows, a bit more contrast in places where there usually wouldn’t be, but it makes it more dramatic, it’s all about making things more dramatic, making things stick out, making things pop. That means you are altering what you have in your mind, it adds drama to the painting” explains Gavin.

Koi Fish in a Pond by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Through years of trial and error, Gavin has developed his own unique approach to painting fish but he also recognises the influence that other fish artists had in his development as an artist. “From my perspective, guys like Craig Bertram Smith and Tom Sutcliffe are the best of the best. Craig Bertram Smith is brilliant, he’s an inspiration to me and has inspired me since I was a kid and his work is top-notch. Tom Sutcliffe is also very good, he’s got his own style and his focus is mainly on streams and wild trout. His art is very well done and there is a market for that” says Gavin.

Royal Coachman by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Apart from painting fish, Gavin also dabbles in fly tying, an art in its own right. As an avid fly fisherman, Gavin experiments with various materials to make his flies and uses his artistic experience to create beautiful fly art. The delicate art of fly tying has inspired Gavin to paint a wide variety of fly patterns, in various sizes, which supplements his larger body of work.

The Art of Fly Tying. Photo: Gero Lilleike

The Future of Gavin Erwin Fish Art

Although Gavin revels in the joy of fishing and painting fish, he also takes great pleasure in sharing his fish art with the public and displays his art in numerous galleries and art shops in South Africa (see list below) while also steadily breaking into international markets. “I want to get my art onto different continents. I have a few works in Miami, Florida at the moment. More of my fish art must go there because that area is very fishing orientated. There’s a big market there and I want to get my work into more galleries, I want my work to be seen. Everyone must see my work”.

Koi Fish on black by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Being a friendly, social person, Gavin enjoys the reaction his fish art generates and he holds his audience in the highest regard, “I love it, I love the reaction. Some of my artworks are in your face, as fish art goes, but it’s the reaction I get from people that makes my life worthwhile.”

At age 28, Gavin Erwin has come a long way as an artist and each and every stroke of his brush is painting his future as one of South Africa’s finest fish artists.

Buy Gavin Erwin Fish Art

Gavin displays his fish art at numerous venues in South Africa and if you would like to buy fish art then don’t hesitate to contact him directly or feel free to visit any of the venues listed below. Gavin also does commissioned fish art, so if you have an interesting idea, tied your own fly or want to portray a special fishing moment as art, Gavin will be more than happy to meet you.

Tigerfish by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gavin Erwin

Contact Details

Gavin Erwin

Tel: 072 686 0825
E-mail: gavin_erwin@yahoo.com
Website: www.gavinerwin.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Fish-Art/359639354092527

Gavin Erwin’s Office. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Fish Art Venues

Gauteng

MBW Art Gallery Nicolway Shopping Centre, Bryanston
Lonehill Art Gallery and Framers, Lonehill Village Shopping Centre, Fourways
Art Space, Bedford Centre, Bedfordview
Zoo Lake Artists Under the Sun, Zoo Lake, Saxonwold
Cafe 141, Queens St, Kensington
Boardwalk Art Market, Faerie Glen, Pretoria East

Mpumalanga

Dimitrov Art Gallery, Dullstroom.

Eastern Cape

Voila Restaurant and Gift Shop, Kenton on Sea

Sailfish on the hunt (In Progress) by Gavin Erwin. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Choosing the right surfboard with Dutchie Surf Designs

A perfect wave offloads somewhere in the Southern Cape, South Africa. What surfboard would you choose to ride on this gem? Photo: Gero Lilleike

Words and Photographs by Gero Lilleike

So, it’s the end of the month and you’re standing in your local surf shop drooling over the slick new surfboards before your eyes and the time has finally come to put your hard earned cash on the counter for a new surfboard, but what do you do? Finding the right surfboard is like finding the right women, it’s flat-out darn difficult but thankfully not impossible. It’s out there, somewhere. There are so many options to consider but what type of surfboard will be best suited to you and your surfing ability? Ultimately, the decision lies with you and you’ll have to consider many factors before making your final decision. To get the ball rolling, you should take the time to think about what type of surfer you want to be, what waves you will be riding and how you want to ride them. That way, you will most likely choose the right surfboard that will satisfy your surfing needs. It’s also useful to remember that there are no hard and fast rules when choosing a surfboard and this is because everyone approaches surfing in their own unique way and everyone will have their own personal preferences. The key however, is to choose a surfboard that will help you achieve your surfing goals while also providing the most enjoyment and satisfaction while you frolic in the surf .

For the sake of finding some answers, I managed to pick the brain of master Cape Town surfboard shaper, Dutchie, of Dutchie Surf Designs to find out more about choosing the right surfboard. Dutchie has been shaping surfboards for over 14 years with an excess of 15 000 surfboards behind his name. With a background in graphic design and an enthusiastic passion for surfing, Dutchie has become highly respected in the surfing industry for his quality workmanship and professional approach to surfboard shaping and his surfboards are being ridden in just about every ocean across the world. Dutchie is a man with a wealth of surfing knowledge and I was eager to step into his office and learn more about these things us humans ride so “gently on the surface of the sea”.

Dutchie hard at work in his den. Photo: Gero Lilleike

“Surfing these days is all about volume and your height, weight and surfing level is super important. Surfing also requires timing, balance and rhythm, and like golf, surfing is very organic in that it’s impossible to duplicate a golf shot and no waves are ever the same. The first thing a customer needs to understand is that there are different kinds of surfboards for different kinds of surf and they must decide how much volume they are comfortable with and then look at what type of surfboard is suitable for the waves they will be surfing” explains Dutchie.

Some things to think about before you break the bank

• Experience – Are you new to surfing or are you an intermediate or advanced surfer looking for a more challenging ride? Your level of experience will influence your choice in surfboards.

• Fitness – The board you choose to ride should be suited to your level of fitness. After all, there’s no point trying to surf a high performance shortboard if you can’t paddle it into waves let alone stand on it.

• Body Weight – The dimensions of your surfboard must be suitable for your height and weight.

•Waves – The type of board you choose to ride must be suitable for the waves you intend to surf.

• Surfboard Dimensions – Optimum surfboard dimensions will give you maximum enjoyment in the surf.

• Budget – How much are you willing to spend on a surfboard?

Surfboards for Beginner Surfers

Never surfed before? Well, you’re in for a big surprise as Dutchie puts surfing fitness in perspective perfectly, “The ocean, this unknown element, covers most of the earth’s surface and somehow we feel connected to it. Whenever you see people connect with the ocean, like fisherman and surfers, they don’t let go” explains Dutchie. “There’s a very strong bond to a very powerful energy source that we don’t really know anything about. The first thing you must know about surfing in general is that you are dealing with the ocean. Surfing is quite possibly the most physically demanding sport in the world because it requires so many different elements like flexibility, muscle strength, power and resilience and when you paddling out, you actually paddling against the force of the ocean, so it’s a really physically demanding sport. ”

If you are a complete newbie to surfing, you might want to keep your money warm in your pocket before buying a new surfboard that you may only ride once in a blue moon. Many beginners buy a brand new surfboard only to realise that surfing is not as easy as they initially thought and as a result that surfboard eventually finds its way to the bottom of the junk pile in the garage. If you have surfed a couple of times, you may want to weigh up your commitment to surfing before splashing out on a new surfboard. It might be in your best interest to ‘test ride’ different kinds of surfboards to get a feel for what you enjoy riding, so you may want to visit your local surfboard rental shop to do this before buying your very own surfboard.

What type of surfboard do you want you want to ride? Photo: Dutchie Surf Designs

For beginner surfers however, the best surfboards to learn on are longboards and funboards, preferably made of foam, which helps prevent injury while trying to perfect the basics of surfing. As a general rule of thumb, if you are learning to surf, start with a surfboard that has lots of volume for flotation and stability and as your confidence increases you can choose to ride something with less volume and then eventually as your skill level and confidence soars, you can shave more volume off and attempt riding shortboards which typically have less volume, but require more skill and ability to ride them properly .

Surfboards, such as your longboards and funboards, are best suited for learning because of their forgiving length, width and thickness which makes standing and surfing on a wave that much easier for just about any type of surfer. The theory is simple. The longer, thicker and wider the board, the easier it will be to paddle into waves and the easier it will be to actually stand. Longboards however can be unforgiving in terms of handling the board in the surf and are less performance orientated than a shortboard.

“Hybrid Funboards and your Mini Malibu and bigger Fish designs are very much beginner orientated and these boards are designed specifically for flotation, stability and finding your feet and are popular choices for first-time surfboard buyers” explains Dutchie.

If you simply have to buy a surfboard but are unsure about whether surfing is for you, then you may want to consider buying a cheaper second-hand surfboard until you decide whether surfing is something you want to actively pursue. A good second-hand surfboard can go a long way in teaching you the basics of surfing and it won’t be the end of the world if you ding it a couple of times while you learn to surf. However, if you are buying a second-hand surfboard, make sure that it’s in reasonable condition, meaning that it shouldn’t be severely damaged and shouldn’t be full of dings that will take on water and destroy the board over time. If second-hand is not your thing, then by all means, go big and arm yourself with a new surfboard. In the wise words of Dutchie, “There is no such thing as a cheap, good surfboard and no good surfboards are cheap”.

Gero Lilleike digs his rail into a Cape beachie. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Surfboards for Intermediate Surfers

Once you have spent sufficient time in the water coming to grips with the basics of surfing and your confidence and ability has improved, you may want to explore new surfboard territory to replace your trusty piece of drift wood that made you love surfing in the first place. As an intermediate surfer, you have probably started learning the basics of wave riding by linking maneuvers together on a wave and you will in all probability be ready to try shorter boards with less volume, but with the advantage of more maneuverability and speed.

Apart from high performance shortboards, the intermediate surfer has various surfboard shapes to experiment with, whether it be the longboard, shortboard, funboard, hybrid, fish or retro, the world is your oyster. However, your final decision should ultimately be based on your surfing ability and the type of waves you are surfing.

Not surprisingly, Dutchie offers sound advice on how to harness your ability and fine tune your wave riding skills, “You need to learn the ocean. The number one problem for people who struggle to progress in surfing is positioning. Every wave has a point A and a point B, where it peaks and where it fades or closes out, and once you position yourself in the right place and catch the wave, the line you ride between those points, and how you approach that wave, that is surfing. Your surfing ability is therefore really important and as you get better, you squeeze that volume out and refine your surfing.”

Surfboards for Advanced Surfers

I’ll go all in and say that an advanced surfer can ride a wave on just about anything, even a plank. Advanced surfers are another breed entirely and if you are lucky enough to be one, you will most likely be throwing yourself into the biggest, most powerful waves on the planet at the drop of a hat, with a fat smile on your face. Dutchie elaborates, “The beginning of advanced surfing is when you starting to control your environment in the ocean. In other words, you start surfing much bigger and more powerful waves. You are handling that, not just surviving, but actually playing in those waves. It’s like when you paddle out and there’s a 8-foot Speedies G-Land freight train coming at you and there’s a guy standing so far back, in the most dangerous position you have ever seen, and you don’t understand why the guy has a big smile on his face while everyone else is running for hills. That’s when you start to master the ocean.”

The high-performance surfboards that advanced surfers ride on a regular basis are designed with a specific purpose and wave in mind and the high level of surfing these guys engage in on any given day is something us amateurs will never comprehend. But one thing remains consistent throughout, no matter what type of surfer you are, it all comes down to what you enjoy, the wave you are surfing and how you going to surf that wave.

An unknown surfer rains buckets at the long-gone Lookout Superbank in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Photo: Gero Lilleike

Surfboards for Big Wave Surfers

Talk about pulling out the big guns! Always remember, if you want to run with the big dogs, don’t piss like a puppy! In big surf, your choice of equipment becomes critical and apart from your surfing ability, it’s the only thing that stands between you and the towering beast that’s about to break on your head. For this very reason, big-wave surfers need to be meticulous about what surfboard they choose to take into big surf.

Every big wave spot in the world will require a specific type of surfboard suited to the wave. Big wave surfboards are commonly known as ‘Big Wave Guns’ or ‘Paddle-in Guns’ and generally range from anywhere between 7 and 11-feet in length, depending on the wave you are surfing. Big Wave Guns are typically long and narrow with healthy volume and exhibit a pointed nose and tail. These typical ‘Big Wave Gun’ characteristics are attributed to the fact that big waves move considerably faster than smaller waves and the time a surfer has to make the drop onto the face of a big wave is significantly reduced and Big Wave Guns therefore allow the surfer to negotiate the critical drop-in section of the wave while generating enough speed to outrun a large breaking wave. Big Wave Guns are not necessarily designed for maneuverability but are more suitable for holding your line and hanging on for dear life. Although, the smaller Guns can be used for doing turns on the face of a big wave, but only if the wave will allow it.

In the words of Laird Hamilton, if you are “surfing in waves too big to paddle into”, then you may want to consider riding a tow-in board which are generally in the six to seven-foot range and are a bit heavier than your average shortboard which helps with stability while flying down the face of a hefty wave. Tow-in boards are usually fitted with foot straps which help the surfer maintain control of speed and chop on the face of the wave. If you plan on tackling big waves, make sure that you are using the right equipment for the wave and conditions and be sure to speak to local surfers and surfboard shapers to get the inside scoop on the best equipment to use, your life may depend on it.

The process of buying a new surfboard may seem daunting considering the vast array of options available on the market, but don’t let that deter you from your mission to find your perfect board. With a guy like Dutchie around you can be sure that you’ll get the best results. Strive to find the surfboard that is best suited to your ability, height, weight and the waves you will be riding. If in doubt, make contact with a reputable surfboard shaper, like Dutchie, and discuss the various options available to you. True to form, here is some parting advice from the legend that is Dutchie on how to choose the right surfboard, “Go to credible people and do your research because the guy who is selling that surfboard to you in the surf shop, he doesn’t have a fucking clue about a surfboard, the shaper does, he’s the doctor, the other guy is the pharmacist and you can get misdiagnosed with the pharmacist.” Most importantly, whatever you do , keep paddling and persevere with your surfing, the ocean has many gifts to give, you just need to make sure that you are there to receive them.

It was all barrels and fun at the old trusty Lookout Superbank in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa