TOM SUTCLIFFE

Tom Sutcliffe

17 July 1943 to 9 April 2024

The wisdom and depth of thought embodied in these words by Tom Sutcliffe, undisputed doyen of fly fishing in South Africa, cannot be underestimated and ones that we as fly anglers should conform to.

The importance of these guidelines are no better articulated than in the words of Tom’s closest and longtime friend and fly fishing companion, Ed Herbst (instagram #ed_herbst346)

“Tom Sutcliffe legacy: Fore fronted by the ethical guidelines for fly anglers he articulated more than two decades ago. Tom Sutcliffe defines a credo which I believe will resonate with all fly anglers who care about the environments in which they fish and respect their quarry as something to be revered and protected. These guidelines will, I believe resonate with fly anglers who care about the ancient history of our sport and gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the giants upon whose shoulders we stand. He, in his time and place, was one of them.”

GUIDELINES FOR FLY ANGLERS

Tom’s love of fly fishing extended way beyond the act of fishing and the joy it brought him, all of which are wonderfully captured in his art, photography and written work. It was as much about life as the fly fishing.

In a field of sunflowers there are the rare few that stand tall above the rest, Tom was one of them.

Thank you Tom …….. Hamba kahle Nkulu.