Rob Kyle


			The tranquility of Kosi bay flanked by an ecosystem alive with land and aquatic animals that just seem suspended in time has complex subtleties which enhance its existence. Balancing the complexities of this jewel of Africa is Scotty and Dianne Kyle who have embraced the challenge for more than 3 decades, dedicating their lives to conservation of the Kosi bay system. Rob’s life has been molded around this amazing setting and his accomplishments in conservation extend far beyond his years. The large variety of animals that are raised in the Kyle homestead ranging from Gaboon Adders to Crocodiles have given Rob this natural instinct to being a part of nature and understanding its complex ways. Rob is an accomplished lepidopterist and the many hours he spend studying, collecting and developing his talent in this field realized him the honor of discovering several extensions to rare species in the Maputoland area, his private collection boasts several thousand specimens. Rob’s love for fishing goes back to his very young years when he would accompany his father on Perch tagging trips, entering areas which were virtually untouched by man. At this tender age Rob started playing his part in advanced fish handling techniques, tagging and releasing scores of perch to assist in detailed conservation projects headed by his father. The remote environment associated with Kosi bay naturally gave rise to Rob being home schooled, spending all his free time practicing angling across the spectrum of facets, whether salt or fresh water, ultra light spinning, fly, ground bait, and graduating to surf and deep sea angling. Rob’s achievements in dropshot fishing have become notorious and he regularly shares his wealth of knowledge in this facet at organized angling clinics. This very same remote position saw Rob enter the competitive angling circles late in his teens and he soon made his mark as he was selected to represent his province in 2005 and 6 for the Zululand B team and the seniors A team in 2007. Setting about starting a career he naturally followed a path that would compliment his love and dedication to angling and conservation, and was soon accepted by Ushaka Marine World as a collections aquarist, using his vast experience to collect exhibit specimens for the aquarium. This position afforded Rob the opportunity of fishing all over South Africa from struisbaai in the South to Kosi Bay in the north, both Rob and Wesley working together at Ushaka even traveled by ship to Mozambique to collect specimens. Joining the team, Rob adds another dimension of angling experience, coupled with strong conservation ethics, and a passion for the outdoors.