THE DELICATE FLY FISHER

385pp., 4to., colour illus., paperback, Self-published, Cape Town, 2025

ISBN: 9781049203287

Fly fisher Ed Herbt shares his decades of small-stream fly-fishing experience, focusing on stealth, tackle, insect research, and localised fly-tying techniques tailored for trout and indigenous species.

"... undoubtedly the most in-depth work on small stream fly-fishing in the Cape and South Africa generally, perhaps even world-wide ... Whether the rod, fly, or fisher's clothing, nothing escaped Ed's attention.Rooted in insights gained from decades of experience on local beats as well as prolific reading and study of texts from elsewhere - both old and new - The Delicate Fly Fisher's approach may benefit fly fishers generally, whatever the species they pursue or nture of their water." Stephen Boshoff, split can rod builder

"Ed describes his forty-year journey as a small stream fly fishing fanatic. He touches on the history of the genre, his introduction to it, rod design, ideal lightweight reels, leaders and fly patterns among other things and references suitable history along with these aspects of small stream fishing. Through his writing, accompanied by illustrations and photographs, Ed beautifully captures the essence of the small stream theme and the unique approach required to successfully target the stunted trout that inhabit these smaller headwaters ... this book is the perfect small stream encyclopaedia for anyone who wishes to enter the Lilliput realm, or for small stream veterans who want to reflect and expand their knowledge. " Leonard Flemming

Former television news reporter Ed Herbst is a passionate fly fisher, small stream enthusiast and Cape Piscatorial Society veteran. He is the co-author (with Peter Brigg) of South African Fishing Flies, and lives in Cape Town.