FISHING-FLIES CRAFTED IN TRANSKEI 4

Transkei, Butterworth · 1984-02-10

Official

Click any photo to see it enlarged.

front

Cachet: The cachet on this cover shows two brown trout swimming beneath the surface of a river, their spotted flanks rendered in fine detail against the muted greens and browns of the streambed. Reeds and low hills line the far bank above the waterline, giving the illustration a quiet, naturalistic feel typical of angling art. The series marking "1.33 (5)" sits in the lower left corner beside a small logo, confirming this as the fifth cover in the ongoing fishing fly series. Five stamps run across the top of the cover, each showing a different hand tied fishing fly named directly on the stamp itself, from Hardy's Favourite to the Ginger Quill. Three Butterworth postmarks, each built around a leaping trout design, cancel the stamps.

Info card

FISHING-FLIES This set of five 20c stamps, printed se-tenant in one sheet, is the fifth issue in the Transkei Fishing-fly series issued annually since 1980. Silver Grey (Salmon fly) The Silver Grey dressing is attributed to James Wright, who was born at Sprouston, Roxburghshire in 1829. Mr. Wright was a famous fly-dresser of his time, he tied particularly beautiful salmon flies. The traditionally correct dressing of the Silver Grey used no less than twenty-three materials in the making. Many of these original materials are no longer available or come from protected wildlife, with the result that the modern commercial dressing is simplified. March Brown (Nymph) This dressing is the nymphal stage of the popular group of trout flies under the heading "March Brown" which is found in swift-flowing, stone-bottomed rivers. Kent's Spectrum Mohawk (Streamer) The Spectrum Mohawk is dressed on a stainless steel hook and used mainly for sea fly-fishing. The pattern was designed by Barry L. Kent in 1974. The wing is formed with dyed North-American white-tailed deer hair, and incorporates all the major colours of the spectrum for maximum visibility. This bright attractor fly has been proven to take various fish types in many different water types. It has been successful in fresh water for bass and trout in Southern Africa to shad, bonefish and barracuda in the salt flats of Florida, USA. Ginger Quill (Dry fly) The Ginger Quill is a representation of a common aquatic insect order known as Ephemeroptera, inhabiting flowing water. River and stream fly-fishermen always have a few Ginger Quill of various sizes in their fly-boxes. Hardy's Favourite (Wet fly) This wet fly of the attractor variety does not represent any specific insect. It was designed by the late J. J. Hardy of the famed fishing-tackle firm, Hardy Bros. of Britain. This is a very well-known and proven pattern that is used by fly-fishermen around the world. Text compiled with the kind co-operation of Mr Barry Kent.

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 10 February 1984 in Butterworth. It carries the fifth set of five 20c stamps in the annual Transkei fishing fly series, running since 1980. Kent's Spectrum Mohawk, the streamer pattern shown on this cover, was designed in 1974 by Barry L. Kent and has proven effective far beyond Southern African rivers, taking bonefish and barracuda on the salt flats of Florida.

Theme: Wildlife

Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.

Addressed: No

Signed: No

SAPO serial number: 1.33

Estimated value: ~US$0.12

This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.