Anyway, we settled into fishing – the water was clear and flow rate almost perfect. It was however as the evening before not so easy we had to work for our fish, they were not plentiful and did not show themselves – rises almost non-existent. However being on the stream all alone is pure bliss. We moved along slowly, savouring each pool and run. I recall one cast I attempted into the tail of the next run there were a lot of logs and uneven rocks, so my footing was precarious and of course my cast was awful - landing in the overhanging shrubs on the left bank. I considered giving it a good tug and re rigging, but after checking it out I saw there was a gap in the brush 15m up that I could sneak through and salvage my fly. I clambered up the bank and stood above the brush trying to locate my fly when I noticed a smallish rock midstream and five trout holding on the far side of the rock. One was a monster, 14 to 16 inches. I was now in a pickle as I knew if I climbed down through the brush to the water’s edge I would surely spook the fish but to re rig and cast over the brush was a terrible alternative. I looked at my fly in the brush and it beckoned me – I peered again at the trout – the big one did not move. I slowly climbed off the bank and got to the water’s edge beyond the brush, my fly tantalising me, 2m away, the big trout was still in his lie. I manoeuvred against the shrub, grabbed my fly, unhooked the leaves and ran my fingers along the tippet checking for damage
– all good!
Breakfast of rusks coffee and cereal done, we pair off Leslie & I got the downstream beat, Shane & Butch head upstream. Shane was courteous enough to drive us downstream to the start of our beat near the neighbouring caravan park (forget its name) about 3 or 4 km from the lodge.
What struck me first was the vast change since my last visit, the cloudburst which they experienced the end of March certainly took its toll , stumps and logs were littered all over the river bed it must have been devastating.
Leslie pensive on Karnemelkspruit 30-Apr-18
Karnemelkspruit Monday 30th April