I spent the entire week holding thumbs that the weather would play along for the weekends fishing. By the end of the week I was adamant that no matter what the weather I was going to Gubu, come hail or sun. Friday night was a braai at Chris’s place for his birthday, we had earlier discussed braaing at the Dam but this was not to be. We came to the agreement we’d check first thing in the morning and decide from there. So Saturday morning, the skies turned blue but the wind was still pumping, oh well let’s go fishing… I was amped as ever to catch some trout, like a little boy on Christmas Eve. After scrambling everything together, stopping for supplies etc we eventually arrive at Gubu. After stopping by the bailiff we head straight for the water. The suns high, the crystal clear water probably still a bit warm for trout and deep down we know we should fish deep. So we kit up with sinking lines and with a slow retrieve try and reach the deep waters of the dam. One hour, two hours, three hours later… nothing! We fish on in anticipation of the evening rises and relief from the sun. The evening rise didn’t happen, maybe one or two rises. We carry on fishing and in near darkness Chris is in with a good fish. It takes him into his backing to my surprise, I help him net his fish (Still waiting for the pic off his phone) and enquire as to his fly choice (I was trying to entice a fish with a dry at this point) and he shows me a large whitish minnow pattern (no idea what it’s called). I decide to follow the same tactics but tie on a white Zonker instead. An hour later by moonlight as I’m about to lift my fly from the water it gets nailed, and with Bass inspired enthusiasm the trout is launched into the air, lucky not to pop my 4x tippet I land the fish relatively quickly. We both get one shot and that’s it, with stomachs grumbling and slightly raised spirits we decide to go set up camp.
Early Sunday we get up early and just before sunrise we’re at the edge of the dam. Its quiet, no fish, no wind and as the sun climbs higher in the sky we realize its going to be a long day! The fish can see us for miles! We realize we can only catch trout in near darkness (and also realize how clueless we are too) We give up and go to Wriggleswade for the day and come back late in the afternoon. We both get one shot at another fish, Chris missing his one and only take off the surface. My turn came much later as soon as the words “let’s go home” barely rolled off my tongue. This became a bit of a joke, as the next hour was spent saying “lets go home”. well that was our trip. hopefully before I go to Cape Town I’ll get a chance to go back.
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