FISHING-FLIES CRAFTED IN TRANSKEI 1
Transkei, Butterworth · 1981-01-15
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 15 January 1981 in Butterworth. It carries a set of five Transkei stamps, each depicting a fishing fly produced at the Butterworth fly factory as part of the territory's second fishing fly series. The Green Highlander featured on this cover was designed by a Mr Grant of Speyside in the late 1800s and remains regarded as one of the finest salmon flies still in use today, nearly a century after it was first tied.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet on this cover shows a fly fisherman mid cast, one arm raised high with the rod bent under tension as the line arcs out over a rushing river. He wears a wide brimmed hat and a creel slung at his hip, kneeling on the rocks with spray from the water catching around his boots. The illustration sits alone in the lower left corner without any accompanying text, letting the scene speak for the fishing theme carried through the stamps above it. Five stamps run across the top of the cover, each showing a different hand tied fishing fly in fine detail, from the Green Highlander to Jock Scott, all manufactured at the Butterworth fly factory. Three Butterworth postmarks, each featuring an illustration of two clasped trout, cancel the stamps.
Information Card
FISHING-FLIES CRAFTED IN TRANSKEI This second fishing-fly postage stamp series follows on the first series issued in 1980 and depicts another five fishing-fly designs manufactured at the world-famous fishing-fly factory plant at Butterworth. The first recorded history of fly-tying dates back to 108 A.D., when fishermen used this technique in Yugoslavia. Fly-tying is a craft requiring skill and patience. It takes the average flytier one week to learn to tie one design. Kent's Lightning (Streamer) Designed by Barry L. Kent, the Lightning is a fine bait-fish imitation. When pulled through the water at speed it assumes the shape of a small fish, inducing the trout to attack it. Wickham's Fancy (Dry fly) The Wickham's Fancy is a very popular and old established European pattern. Fished as a floating fly it catches trout, sea trout, grayling and even some species of course fish. Jock Scott (Wet fly) This dressing is a simplified version of the famous salmon fly of the same name. It is widely used in Canada for all types of game fishing. Green Highlander (Salmon fly) Designed by Mr Grant of Speyside in the late 1800's. The Green Highlander is known throughout the world as one of the finest salmon flies in use today. Tan Nymph Sometimes called the Otter Fur Nymph, this pattern imitates a wide variety of underwater life. Otter fur was once used for the body and thorax of the fly. Now synthetic fur is substituted to protect the otter populations of the world.
Theme: Other
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Estimated value: ~US$0.08
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 248 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
