Bill Mincher, Chairman of the Federation of Southern African Flyfishers NationalGary Mockler, Chairman of the Northvaal Chapter of the Federation of Southern African FlyfishersMembers of the Fosaf executive and club chairpersonsRichard Laubscher, CEO NedbankLouis Wolhuter, EditorLadies and Gentlemen There are two main reasons why I am here this evening. First, I am an avid flyfisherman and a book like the 4th Edition of the Nedbank Guide to Flyfishing in Southern Africa will occupy a prime place on my bookshelf. Second, being a central bank Governor, I have an economic interest in the growth of flyfishing both as a sport and as an attractive recreational activity in this country in order to promote tourism and job creation. For all those tourists as well as new and old participants in the sport of flyfishing, they will need a good guide when fishing in new territory. For this the 4th Edition of the Nedbank Guide To Flyfishing In Southern Africa is uniquely suited. It provides a comprehensive study of all flyfishing species throughout the country, together with maps, types of flies to use, articles on tactics and tackle and venues at which you can stay. This guide will go a long way towards boosting the interest in this sport and developing both local and international tourism around this activity. The Federation of Southern African Flyfishers, the publisher of the 4th Edition of the Nedbank Guide to Flyfishing in Southern Africa, is to be congratulated on this publication. Fosaf has played a special role in the growth of flyfishing over the years. As I understand it, the Federation began in 1986 and has since developed into a highly respected organisation. Dr Kas Hamman, Chief Scientific Officer of Cape Nature Conservation, had this to say: "In my opinion, FOSAF developed into the mature and highly respected organisation it is today because they recognised that flyfishers and conservationists need to collaborate to secure the future of freshwater angling in this country." One example of this type of collaboration is the Yellowfish Working Group, an initiative started by FOSAF six years ago. I understand that this group is currently conducting a genetic survey of yellowfish, which will be used to develop a sustainable management plan for the nine yellowfish species. We all know that flyfishing is already a growing sport in South Africa. In fact, a recent survey by Markinor, sponsored by Sappi and Mondi, shows that 300 000 people flyfished in the past year. This is very good news indeed for tourism and job creation. Of course, a major part of the credit must go to the clubs that have played a significant role in the development of flyfishing in South Africa. These clubs have provided the management and human resources for the Federation of Southern African Flyfishers (FOSAF) to function. Clubs provide expertise and manage fisheries on a volunteer basis. I am of the opinion that public waters should continue being managed by clubs with proven track records. As non-profit entities, clubs provide good quality, low cost angling, which is a prerequisite for the growth of the sport and tourism, which in turn creates job opportunities. However, we need to find creative ways of promoting flyfishing in the black community for many reasons. Firstly, we need to remove the persistent impression that this sport and recreational avenue is for whites only. Whenever I tell people about my flyfishing hobby, the natural reaction is: Oh goodness me, there goes another "darkie" into the white persons’ world. This should not be the case. This is a sport for all. Secondly, since there is such a close relationship between fishing and domestic tourism, the more black people fish, the more they will also contribute towards domestic tourism. The notion that weekends have to be spent at parties, soccer matches and hanging round the house has to be buried and forgotten. We have to develop the culture of getting to know our vast and varied countryside, which is full of beauty and highly resourced. We have to know and appreciate the environment and the