By M.J. Tie a fly, cast, reel and hope for the best. This is a routine that Sheppie High's Liam Van Der Merwe has learned to do with skill and precision. In fact, he has done so well in fly fishing that he has been chosen to join a SAFA (South African Fishing Association) team to travel overseas and compete in a tournament in Czech Republic. From a very young age Liam, who is currently fifteen years old, has been drawn to the beach. Whether it be fishing, swimming, diving, spear fishing or body boarding you would find Liam happily among waves or sand. When not at the beach, Liam spends time with his parents and his younger brother, Declan, amongst animals of any size, kind or shape or drawing anything he lays his eyes on. At the beginning of last year, Liam's dad, Pieter Van Der Merwe who is also a renowned fisherman, entered Liam into the junior fly fishing league. Liam was competing against fellow fishermen who had been participating in these competitions their whole lives and were two to three years his senior. That did not deter Liam though, who performed phenomenally in the three gruelling meets that spanned the length of 2016 to earn himself 10th place in South African Junior fly fishing ranks and a chance to get Protea Colours and earn a place to travel overseas in the Protea team. Liam travelled to Cape Town earlier this year to compete in those Protea trials. He was placed 10th again and earned himself a place on the team going to Czech Republic. We wish Liam all the best for that competition but he whether he wins or not I know Liam will have the greatest time ever because he is only ever complete with a fishing rod in his hand.
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