ACCORDING to Ros Turner, the tourism officer for Blue Crane Tourism Municipality in Somerset East, the main goal of having a tourism office is to generate publicity in order to attract visitors to the area.
However, it has become very difficult to fulfil that brief and keep the flag of the area flying high without any funding.
“Therefore it is indeed gladdening to see that Alan and Annabelle Hobson have stepped up to the plate once again and are still doing their best to make people aware of the beautiful little town at the foot of the Bosberg, albeit at their own expense,” said Turner.
Last weekend they attended the South African Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Expo at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.
This is the only Expo of its kind for the fly fishing industry in South Africa where the latest technology/tackle available in the sport, local rod makers and craftsmen producing handmade nets and apparel and several fly tiers displaying their skills and their creations are showcased.
At the inaugural event two years ago, Alan and Annabelle received the merit award for making the greatest contribution to fresh water fly fishing in South Africa over the past five years.
The show was a great success having a number of international fly fishing gurus visiting the expo.
Alan has developed a world renowned reputation as the ‘Beetle Guy’ with a featured article in the recent Mission Magazine, one of South Africa’s top fly fishing magazines. Alan’s beetle designs stirred up great interest at the Expo as did several of his innovative fly patterns.
People travel from all corners of the country to come to Somerset East to see and purchase these creations directly from the Hobsons who have a guest house, The Angler and the Antelope, where Alan makes his creations and where they are displayed.
Annabelle said she dare not stand on a ‘gogga’ at home as it might just have a hook in it.
With the use of modern day technology, the Hobson’s now courier these fly patterns to every corner of the globe and these are now used to catch fish all over the world.
“This is quite mind blowing when you consider the image painted in one’s mind of the Karoo, where one would least expect world class products and fly fishing,” said Turner.