THE CRAFT - " The Feather Mechanic - A fly tyers philosophy" a film about Gordon Van der Spuy
The Craft presents a film about Gordon Van Der Spy, “The feather mechanic”, a master fly tyer who gives us his thoughts and philosophy on the craft of fly fishing and his passion for fly tying. Shot on location at the African Waters, Makhangoa Community Camp in Lesotho a country in the highlands of Southern Africa. The film is the seminal story on the small mouth yellowish of the Bokong river. Beautifully shot by Owen Bruce, with a stunning soundtrack by Alun Richards, it will take you on a journey into the majestic mountain rivers of Lesotho, home to the incredible golden slabs of small mouth yellowfish who inhabit the crystal clear waters, always ready to eat a well presented fly.
Gordon Van Der Spuy hosts trips to this spectacular venue. If you would like to experience this epic fly fishing experience please contact either Gordon himself through his instagram @the_feather_mechanic or @AfricanWaters or the links below.
africanwaters.net/camps/makha...
gordon.vanderspuy@gmail.com
To download the soundtrack please click on the link below.
distribute.avid.com/share/MTA...
hello this film is for me the maximum level of perfection. I am a young 16 year old fly fisherman a bit lost in my thoughts. I live on an island and I don't know anyone who is fly fishing. everyone calls me crazy and it makes me sad 😔. this film made me cry with happiness. a huge thank you to Gordon Van Der Spy and the creators of the film. thank you to everyone who reads this message.
We were all 16yrs old and misunderstood, that's why we took up fly fishing! Keep at it its a great sport, its all consuming and people will always tell you that you are mad throwing feathers at fish, until you catch the most and the biggest!
Follow your heart and ignore the knockers. Fly fish and be happy.
Hi Ethan, . . . I learned to fly fish as a kid and I caught a big walleye on the first fly I made then. I stoped fishing for about 20 years, and now I have picked it back up again. What a wonderfull sport. I am already fishing again for 10 years. This last season was my best ever. Keep at it ! . . . . it's the best thing to do, there's nothing like it. Fish barbless and learn the stripstrike. Greetings Wim.
Ethan, invest in books that suit your fishing opportunities. Gear comes and goes, but the knowledge from books lasts. Good luck out there! If you fish, you will find your community.
I was about your age when I started to make my own flies, shop bought were too expensive. It takes you into a world of nature, science, art, rivers and mountains, entomology, birds, feather and fur. You will discover that you can make your own version's to ",match the hatch" which are only found on your water. There is no better feeling than catching that trout you have been observing for weeks, on a fly you have designed. Tight lines mate.
"You don't choose fly fishing, fly fishing chooses you..." Well done, Gordon!
A very accurate depiction of the love that grows within the flyfisher. A beautiful film.
Who is this guy? He is simply awesome. Fly fishing is much more than fishing. It is an art and philosophy. It is a way of life and a connection to nature. This gentleman and fly angler fills the description 100%.
An absolutely stunning video. Gordon accurately expresses something here that for most of us is ineffable - the confluence of art and science and passion that for some of us is as near to affliction as avocation. I have a similar devotion to fishing, and a library that reflects that, but I count The Feather Mechanic as one of the most influential books on my shelves for the exact reason that he states - the essence of a good fly is that each material has a purpose, and perfection, if you intend to fish that fly, may not always be an advantage. What a pleasure to come across such an uplifting and resonant film - well done all, and thank you.
Thanks for watching the film, glad you enjoyed it.
Stunning Visual to drive an exceptional story! Wow!
That truly was a beautiful video and captures perfectly what fly fishing really does to your soul.
Gordon's approach and fly tying are amazing ,I first fished Lesotho and Bokong in 2005 and 2006 it was for free ,amazing times ,yearning to go back 💓
thank you very much for a beautiful and inspiring video. the scenery and story were just wonderful
Damn I love this video. Infact the video meant so much to me, it made me go and buy the book tonight. Thank you Gordon!
Absolutely fantastic! Love everything about it but especially the origin story and the passion. Books aren't bad either :)
Well done! Fly tying is very important to me in fly fishing too. The first time a trout or similar type of fish takes your fly out off all the natural food is just so amazing feeling!
What a beautiful film! Well done.
This film and thoughts are beautiful. Thank you!
Beautifully said. Outstanding production.
Love Gordon’s books. He’s pushed me to become so much more proficient and changed the way I think about my bugs.
Lovely film Gordon!! I agree about art and flyfishing!
This was a beautiful film which accurately articulated the way many of us dry fly tiers and addicts feel. Beautiful work by Gordon.
This is an outstanding perspective film. Thank you Gordon for reminding me that I need to relax my tying spirit and just breath,tie then fish with my handcrafted flies. A great film!
Glad you enjoyed it
An amazing video on the thinking of why we fly fishing this video allows an insight into this sport and way of life . More please ....!,,
wow great vid storytelling edit photography beautiful. Great story too!😎👍
Beautiful film and a well-told story! Well done; looking forward to more!
I don’t fly fish or tie flies but I do fish for bass quite often conventionally and I’ve really come to love pouring the lead and tying up my own jigs whether it be silicone, rubber, hair, feathers or flash. Seeing some of the flies that these guys tie, the materials used, and how they fish them is really an inspiration.
Glad you found it inspiring!
What a great treatise on fly tying and fishing.
Fly tying just calms me down …I tie 2/3 flies every day…it’s the best therapy I know … this film is amazing and one day it will help explain to my kids why I tie and fly fish…for that alone, thank you Gordon
Epic beautiful and spiritual - visual story telling at its finest !
Great documentary. This guy knows what is doing.
This film was expertly done. Thank you.
Wow. Now that’s film. Gordon is good too.
First I’ve ever heard of fly fishing on the dark continent; love it!
Fantastic work Owen…. WOW!!!
Gordon that was an awesome film! Thanks for your channel!
Definitely bruce wayne allen.
This is one of the most beautiful, spiritual things I have ever watched. Why we fish, why we tie, so beautifully explained. Thank you
Hello Gordon, I liked your vid. I listened all the time. The words you did say,....you are absolutely right. Keep on moving like this way. Tight lines and greetings from The Netherlands
Fantastic.
Beautiful film, great story, and inspirational message. Gordon did a wonderful job of explaining something I have been unable to. I find peace at the vise and catching something on my creation is just the icing.
Absolutely spectacular! A beautiful passion expressed artfully. Thank you
Thank you too!
Loved it, you have a great way with words Gordon!
As a young fisherman I never thought I'd want to go to South Africa to fish for yellow fish. But its now on my list lol.
That is one of the best fly fishing themed videos I have seen. Chapeau,
A wonderful piece. Great information About being a person ty
Beautiful piece of work Gordon!! Your comments about stream fishing encapsulated perfectly why I fish. Only one I take exception to is your inclusion of gardening......sorry for me it's the absolute antithesis of flyfishing😄. Tight lines brother!
Loved it
brilliant!!
I always try out the flies I am least happy with and am always amazed when they work. Have some flies I tie on the regular now that started off as "this is a total mess".
Thx for sharing. Im pretty new to tying and have a lot of flies that are a total mess. Haven't had the chance to get out on the water but ima put on my bad ones first lol.
Awesome. Just started tying flies, I suck at it but it's fun.
So very well done.
Perfect.
This is a wonderful video, Gordon! I recognize myself in every word you say, every feeling, every sensation, even if I fish in the other emisphere, it''s unbelievable. We even have the same barbel migration dynamics here in the south of Spain. Great job my friend👍💪🎣
Outstanding.
Very well done!
Simply amazing. Inspiration to the beautiful fish, insects, and locations a fly fisher seeks. Thanks
Well done Gordon and Owen, beautifully filmed, that view of the Skate Park just makes my heart sing..
Wow just wow! I have just started the tying journey!
Enjoy it my friend its so addictive
Wonderful film.
This video was amazing. I've always had some interest in fly fishing but never had anyone to teach me. I love fishing, especially for trout but felt like I was missing something... this video helped me figure out what that was!! Looking into my first fly rod and vice now! 👍🏻🦟🎣
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome! I love it when people can describe what most of us cannot put into words! From thse of us we appreciate greatly; your help! ✌🙏 Please keep your insights available to us 👍
Beautiful film, amazing work.
Great vid
Thank you for this beautiful story! I had a similar introduction to fly fishing. A family friend mentioned it, but passed before he could teach me. Coming from a family that didn't fish, it was purely my motivation and their willingness to support me that taught me to fish. Before every trip, I tied flies based on the books and magazines I had read, and after every trip, I tied flies based on what the stream, the fish and the insects had taught me. It's a wonderful way to live.
Awesome work, love it and so true fly fishing and fly tying can change you life❤
Uhauuu😮 fantastic 😊
Thank you! 😃
brilliant
Fantastic video, Gordon. Those fish and the fishing look amazing
They are!
Really appreciated this video! Fellow South African expat over here with the same feeling Gordon. I love chasing a tight line and tying up an imaginative fly. The creative pause is almost as strong of a craving as the hook up that hopefully follows when on the stream. Looking forward to reading your book! Nice to know that fellow likeminded SA anglers are out there!
Inspiring Video.. Thanks ! ! More Vidz Plz
That was absolutely beautiful, made my day
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic film . It took a while but it choose me too
I’m buying his book today!
Man I must say the deep and true description of what fly tying and fishing truly means in my life that you have put into words leaves me speechless. I wish I could message you directly and thank you for this video. I've never been able to tell my loved ones to this level of being spot on how it has changed me. I grew up in a place in time that would scare the average person. This life has changed me and saved my honestly. I try to spreed it to those who struggle like I did to help them pull out of the depths of violence addiction and find purpose. I have immediately shared this with everyone I know. So grateful my man. Beautiful poetic explanation of those who take this to a another deep level. Thank you. Good thoughts and life your way.
Wow.
I really enjoyed this. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic film bro👍
Glad you enjoyed it
This was an incredible way to start my day. Best regards from the Catskill Charmed Circle.
This was a great video have you made any other projects. I really enjoyed this!
I still need to fish the Bokong I'm in such love with Lestho the fact that I live in Clarens and Lestho being rite on my door step 🔥🔥
I’m not even a great fisherman, but it’s doesn’t matter. I feel ya bud 😂
I was in South Africa Midrand in 1999-2000, i miss your rivers. -I plan to get back and hope you will guide me Gordon 🎣
My fishing goes back to the First World War , but I was born in 1961, my grandfather was one of the best shots of his generation and went to France in 1914, the British army had 90% casualties that year alone. When the war was over he returned to Scotland, he put away his 303 rifle and took up the fly rod. On remembrance day he never went to church, he went out to the country and looked upon the waters, his son my father, encouraged me into take up fly fishing when it was obvious I was interested in angling. And so I. Took to fly fishing. And when I go I often think of them both, and on the river I visit I also think of the people have fly fished since there since the 1640’s and perhaps before. They are all in my minds eye, as is the wonderfully clear stream and the flight of the insects after they coupled to land upon the waters, for eternity.
That's a great story thank you.
I love fly fishing and tying flies. I don’t have very much time to do it but it doesn’t change my love. I understand what you feel. I will fish other ways but catching a fish on one of my flies is really nice. My flies are simple. Similar to normal patterns but simpler. They are just my flies.
I actually 100% agree with you about fly fishing… but the problem I find with it is that is more art than fishing… to the extent that you are considered an expert if you can make beautiful flies and you can make intricate casts and drifts… and the catching fish becomes optional… and then it becomes pointless …and if you go too far it is no longer considered fishing …if it is your thing sure - go for it …but if I need fish to eat - I go to dynamite, euro nymphing or nets (in this order btw 🙂)… absolutely stunning video btw, you have a real talent 👍
They look just like a yellow whitefish.
and he uses the best vise :)
Tying streamside, without a vise. That's hard core.
Are your books available in Austria??
You can get them from Germany, try Forell und Aesche. Tankred can help you.....
I've gotta go take a crap now
I quickly discovered l could make a perfect copy of an insect using modern synthetics and plastic. To the human eye..perfect.never really worked. The old style "traditionals" a scuffy representation of everything and nothing in particular always worked far better. I guess trout see something we don't.
This some real nerd shit. Gimme a box of nightcrawlers and a treble hook and i'm good to go boss.
No one taught me how to fly fish or tie flys! I started with worms at 5 and flys at 14…figured it out as I went along and still learning,now in my 70’s! Of course, with the internet, there is an almost unlimited amount of info. on this now!
Exquisite cinematography. Beautiful words. Immaculate flies. Thank you for putting this generous piece of artwork into the world. There is just one thing - Brother, I am shocked and alarmed at the distinct lack of spey rods, spey casting, and streamers in this otherwise wonderful video! Those yellowfish look a hoot. Regards from Oregon.
You'll just have to come and show us how!
And some call this a mere ' hobby '......they haven't got a clue. It's like a religion, a way of living.