The drive to Knysna from Cape Town is always pleasant. Small towns and farm stalls dot the N2 at perfect intervals, offering up fresh pies, creamy cappuccinos, and apple turn-overs to die for, meaning your holiday begins as you leave home. There are fuel stops aplenty, and all in it’s a five and a half hour drive, or perhaps seven if you’re taking it slow.

We left the Mother City a little before noon, and the shadows were lengthening as we turned into Belvidere Manor. Soft afternoon light welcomed us, warming the whitewashed walls of the grand old establishment. Down the slope from reception, the tidal lagoon – Knysna’s fulcrum – shimmered enticingly, and abundant birdlife frolicked in the trees. The Manor House presides over neat lawns that swoop around the pool and gazebo, and are bordered on two sides by free-standing cottages. After settling into ours, we strolled up to The Bell for an early dinner. Located right on site, it’s hands down the cosiest pub in town – just don’t forget to duck your head as you walk through the low front door.

Breakfast at Belvidere is a delicious affair, which explains why, the next morning, we were a bit late for our riverside meet-up with our fly-fishing guide, Chris Wood. Chris is a big man, with an even bigger smile. His welcoming manner puts you at ease – a useful trait if you’re feeling at all anxious about your fly-fishing skills. Or in my case, total lack thereof.

Chris knows a thing or two about adventuring in Southern Africa. In addition to Adventure On Fly, his guided-fishing operation that focuses on Garden Route estuaries, he co-owns Maplanga Africa with his wife Natalie. Established in 1998, it’s an adventure safari-operator business that promotes lodges and arranges experiences for travellers to Africa. Other facets of the business are TigerFishingZambezi, and VicFallsConnection.

‘Africa is in my blood,’ says Chris. ‘I was raised in Zambia, and then in 1980 moved to South Africa… I really can’t imagine living on any other continent.’ Listening to Chris’s stories of past adventures, it’s clear that sharing Southern Africa with others is his passion. And Adventure On Fly, here on the Garden Route, is an extension of that.

We met on the banks of the Knysna estuary, a little way along the famed Phantom Pass, not far from the N2 bridge that crosses the river. With his small inflatable boat and electric motor ready and waiting, Chris talked us through the plan for the day, while tying a fly to my line.

‘We’ll head a short distance downriver to some mudflats that often yield good results. We’ll fish for a few hours, hopefully get your casting action sorted, and then head back here for lunch… Tomorrow we’ll try the river at Sedgefield.‘

I fished a lot with my father, many years ago, but that was with conventional bait, and sometimes trawling with lures, so I was keen to know what sets fly fishing apart. Chris’s face lit up to the question: ‘Fly fishing is special – you’re simulating some of the target species’ prey…’ – insects – using artificial flies. That might sound a bit like traditional fishing, but it’s so much more subtle, more refined, because of the lightweight rods and reels we use, as well as the unique casting techniques.’