Try fight it in Africa!

Lesotho Report

Before the arrival of a trip away, Fly-fisherman – like any other fisherman- become fixated to the weather channel. Fly-fishing at high altitude is packaged with inherent risk. Regardless of the time of year, Lesotho is notorious for throwing all manner of weather at you in one day. However, if one fishes long and hard enough, every now and again the balance of good fortune tips in your favour. Fresh memories of relentless downpours, impassable rivers and treacherous conditions dissolved away as lady luck paid us a memorable visit.

Yes, Lesotho treated us well this year and conditions up in Kubelu valley were as near as perfect can be. Autumn is my favourite season and the drive up to Lesotho’s Kubelu valley at this time of year is as pretty as it gets. Brightly coloured cosmos lines the road side framed by kaleidoscope of autumnal reds, oranges and

Stalking Mountain Trout

yellows in the background. There is keen activity wherever one looks. Throughout the cavernous slopes vast herds of sheep and goats make their way down towards the more forgiving valley floors. Country folk are gathering firewood and farmers are bringing in the last of the seasons harvest. This hive of activity filters right down to the smallest birds and mammals. Trout are no different, feasting on the last hatches before the bleakness of winter. In my books this is river fishing at its best!

Autumn is my favourite time of year for many reasons. Roaring log fires and the mosaic of autumnal colours certainly rank high but fly fishing for mountain trout remains hard to beat! Quite frankly given the choice, I’d probably go missing somewhere around the beginning of March and reappear somewhere before the onset of May.

Last year’s journal of the Kubelu season made for interesting reading; however bear little resemblance to this season’s input and illustrate just how much two consecutive seasons can vary. Our records show that last season – a high water year – Trout were well distributed throughout most runs, riffles and glides with pools playing 2^nd fiddle to the fast water. Turn everything on its head and you’d get something close to what we found up there this year. The Kubelu – although a tad on the thin side – remained very fishable indeed. It was a case of changing our approach and slowing things down a bit. If last year was all about the ‘voss’ water (cascading runs, rapids and the faster white water), this year was all about the pools. We took a number of nice fish up to 12” amongst the deepest runs; however concentrating on the deepest pools produced some serious fish up to 18” (46 cm). Sightfishing conditions were as good as they are going to get up there but approaching within casting distance remained a challenging process. Even the daftest trout can prove tricky in thin water. However, the Kubelu’s strain of rainbow trout have survived and evolved in the most hostile mountain environs over several decades making these fish genetically predisposed to being hellishly skittish!

14 ft leaders whittled down to fine points, coupled with stealth and good team work remained the order of the day. For the dredger and streamer brigade the deep pools offered plenty of action with some serious fish to boot! Of pattern choice, small brightly coloured orange stimulators did well on

Camp life - "mountain style"

top with sparsely tied Zak’s taking most of the accolades below.

With a very healthy number of larger than average trout encountered, next year is bound to be an exciting one!

For more details on the Lesotho Trout Trekking options please email: enquiries@tourettefishing.com or call 033 343 2182

Looking back on the trip from my hotel room in San Jose

Good Sized Jack on Fly

The last few days since my last update have been ones of both highs and lows. After our first two days of absolute frantic fishing, we experienced 2 days where the sea became playable, but unpleasant. On the first day of the unpleasant wind, we were happy to have a rest, as Dave, John and myself were all sore from fighting so many big tarpon. The second day of rest was a little more unwelcome, as we were all itching to get back out on the ocean and get connected to yet another silver train.

Thankfully the unsettled weather passed pretty quickly, and in this part of the world, it doesn’t take long for the ocean to settle down. So on the forth morning of our trip, after two days of rest we were up at 4 in the morning, packing the boat and anticipating the day.

Costa Rica Tarpon

We headed north to explore a stretch of coastline that we hadn’t yet fished. Close to the Nicaragua border. The morning started slow, although there were plenty of rolling tarpon, we failed to find any that were keen to eat. Leaving the area of the rolling fish, we headed even further north, towards were we could see two frigate birds circling, a sure sign that there were fish in the area. Chasing the frigates certainly paid of, as it wasn’t long before we were solidly into the fish.

For the next 3 hours we were constantly fighting, photographing or releasing fish. Although the tarpon were smaller, in the 60 to 90 pound range, we managed to land 5 tarpon in the morning session, along with 5 big jacks in the 15 to 30 pound range. Like our previous session of casting to aggressively feeding balls of tarpon, we once again came across two such situations. Twenty to thirty poons, in a tangle of white water, fins and fleeing fish, and in amongst these were plenty of hunting jacks. In some casts, John and Dave would connect with a Tarpon, it would come off after a couple jumps, and they would reconnect with a big jack or another tarpon on the same retrieve.  Certainly stuff of dreams, and memories that will stay with us forever.

Costa RIca Tarpon

We returned to the same area that afternoon, hoping for a repeat, the fish were still there, but not in the aggressive mode of the morning session. Never the less we managed to jump a number of fish, with Dave landing a good fish of around 120lbs, along with a couple jacks.

Costa Rica

Our last two days, were ones of mixed fortune. We had become so used to absolute frantic fishing, that in times when we had to work for bites we felt a little frustrated, as if we were doing something wrong, and we kept questioning our strategy and tactics.Although the fishing was relatively tough compared to what we had experienced already, we still managed a couple of tarpon and jacks in each session.

Baby Tarpon

I am sure if we had concentrated more, we would have jumped a lot more fish, as it seems we missed a number of the more subtle takes. I think it was a product of us becoming accustomed to the hugely aggressive takes of the previous sessions, and when the tarpon became a little less aggressive and a little gentler on the take, we failed to connect properly.  The chances were certainly there, we just didn’t make use of them. This being said, these last few days have still been superb, and if every day of the trip had been exactly like these, we would have still left blown away.

The memoirs of this trip are going to haunt me until the day I am packing my bag to come back out here and hunt these incredible fish once again. I am personally very blessed to be able to frequently fish many as well as possibly the most superb and remote fishing destinations in the world, and still I am absolutely blown away. I have already cleared my calendar for September and October, and as soon as I land back in South Africa, I’m booking my ticket to come back. Whoever wants to come with me, drop me a line at rob@tourettefishing.com. Just be sure to come prepared.

Time to go have a couple last beers in San Jose to toast the trip

Cheers from Costa Rica.

Rob

Afternoon Session of the second day:

Dave with a nice Jack

The afternoon session, on this second day proved to be our best so far, and one that is certainly going to remain in a happy place in my memory until I’m old and grey. The session started by landing a number of big Jacks, in the 15 to 40 pound range. These fish are ferocious fighters, and their strength and endurance is amazing to behold.

It wasn’t long before I connected with a small tarpon, of roughly 70lbs, which I bought to the boat in relatively quick time. A couple more tarpon were jumped on fly. The pace of the fishing was so quick that while we were focusing on fighting a big jack, we had failed to notice a ball of feeding tarpon, within a couple hundred meters of our position. Solly spotted them, and after the jack was successfully released, we repositioned the boat. What followed must be one the most exciting fly fishing experience I have ever had the privilege of witnessing:

Jacks jump on fly!

Within 20 meters of the boat there were upwards of 30 tarpon, all aggressively smashing bait fish on the surface. All of these fish were well in the 100 – 160lb range, with some fish possibly getting close to 200lbs. I had to take a number of deep breaths to try and calm my nerves before presenting the fly, into what was definitely going to result in a take. One of those situations where I think a well presented lemon would have been eaten. On that first cast, as soon as I made contact with the fly, I felt the undeniable bump of a tarpon, simultaneously I could see a fish of roughly 140lbs rolling on my fly. A solid strip-strike, and the tarpon took off at an incredible speed, launching itself into a series of acrobatic somersaults, before throwing the hook on its third or forth jump. I started to retrieve the fly, to try and make another cast to the frenzied tarpon, when the fly was within 10 meters of the boat; another similar sized fish rose from the depths and rolled on the fly once again. The combination of witnessing such an amazing fly fishing sight, along with adrenaline that was still pumping through my system from jumping the previous fish, left me completely weak.  I tried to strip into the fish, and although it was “on”, I knew I hadn’t stuck the fish sufficiently. With the fish tearing towards the horizon, I lowered the tip and gave it three solid strikes from the butt of the rod. Unfortunately, it was a case of too little too late, and the giant tarpon threw the fly on its first jump. Once you are on the back foot with one of these fish, your chances seem to be near the zero mark. There is absolutely no room for any error, or half measures

Applying the pressure!

Some quick work on my frayed leader and it was time to make another cast. There were still a number of poons around the boat, so I picked out a massive fish within casting distance, and presented the fly two yards in front of the cruising giant. One slow strip and the tarpon freely rolled on the fly. This time I was ready for the strike, and stuck the fly home. I thought in my mind that I was in control of this fight, until the fish launched itself in front of me, and I suddenly realized the situation I was in. This fish I jumped was close to the 200lb mark, and I am almost thankful that it threw the fly on it first jump.  The sheer size of that poon pushed my heart rate through the roof, and left my legs in like jelly.

Having jumped three tarpon, in the space of 10 minutes, I was determined to get one to stick. I had to once again repair my leader, before making the next cast, and this gave me time to settle my nerves. Once again I cast to a bunch of

A "smaller poon" more manageable for a quick photo

feeding fish, and the same result. A big fish instantly rolled on the presented fly, and this time three strip strikes, and a number of rod strikes set the hook properly. An hour later, and 5 magnificent jumps, and the tarpon was boated. A fish estimated at around 160lbs.

During this period, I was so focused on my amazing experience, that I didn’t even realize that both Dave and John had both jumped a couple fish. One lost to a snapped hook, and one to a broken leader. The tarpon were still there, but hooking one at that late hour would have resulted in a fight well into the night, so we were happy to leave them for the next day.

This brings me back to my current position. Sitting writing this blog update, waiting for the wind to die back. I must say that I am feeling a little more rested, and all I can think about is pinning another tarpon. Time to tie up some new leaders and hold thumbs the weather settles soon!

Cheers from Costa Rica

Rob

Costa Rica Giant Tarpon – first day and half report back:

Tourette Fishing Costa Rica 2012 - flying in

I am sitting writing this update, after an amazing two and half days in Costa Rica. The reason I am getting a chance to sit in front of the computer is the fact that the weather is marginal today. The wind is blowing, and for a change we are extremely grateful. Our bodies are broken from fighting giant tarpon, and the chance to have a rest is welcome

With me in Costa Rica are two good friends who took up our offer on to join this exploratory trip –  John Wilson and Dave Smit. The purpose of this trip is to look at the tarpon potential, as well as the logistical ease of running trips here to Costa Rica. For a change we are looking at the tarpon fishing from two different angles, firstly from a traditional fly fishing perspective, and secondly from a mixed approach using both fly tackle as well as spinning gear with bucktail jigs. John and Dave are masters at this discipline, and so far they have certainly shown the Tarpon very little mercy on the bucktails.

Dave with a great Tarpon

We arrived in Costa Rica two and a half days ago. The journey here took us through the States, with a connecting flight down to San Jose, Costa Rica, and then a short charter flight to the camp on the Rio Colorado. With the benefit of different time zones, it is possible to fly out of JHB at 7pm, and being on the water by 14h00 the next day.

This is not a new destination by any means, and people have been coming here to chase giant tarpon for many years now. In most cases this would be of concern, as a general rule, the quality of the fishing deteriorates the longer it is fished,  but it seems that the fishing around the Rio Colorado has been extremely consistent throughout its history. After a mere two and half days, what we have experienced so far is exceptional.

Fighting jet lag on the first afternoon, it didn’t take long to settle into our rooms, rig the outfits, and get on the boat. This first afternoon we headed out the mouth of the river, to a colour line about 2 miles to the north of the mouth. Although the anticipation was high,  I was merely expecting a chance to get used to the boat, see the lay of the land and iron out any issues with the equipment. We only fished for 2 hours, and one of these was dedicated to John fighting our first Tarpon of the trip, an 80 pound fish, to get the proverbial monkey off our backs.

A couple glasses of wine while going over our plan for the following day, a great dinner, and it was straight to bed to get some well deserved rest after our long trip. Waking early on Saturday morning, we were quick to get our rods on the boat, and after a short 15 minute boat ride, we were ready to start looking for rolling tarpon. Our Skipper, Solly, spotted a number of rolling giants, and after positioning the boat, the first cast by Dave Smit resulted in a solid hook up. After another hour plus tussle, and Dave boated a fish of around a 120lbs. Less than 5 minutes after releasing this magnificent fish, John went tight with a fish of a similar size, and at the same time Dave jumped a fish that threw the hook. John bought his poon to the boat side for a quick photo before a good release. Dave ended the morning with a titanic battle with a fish of around 150lbs. This fight lasted roughly 1 and half , and was worth every second, to see a fish of that size next to the boat.

John with a true Giant!

By this time the temperature and brightness of the sun had risen to such an extent that the fish had gone down, leaving us to head back to camp for a cold beer and a session of rebuilding leaders.

The afternoon session was just as action packed, we jumped 4 fish, as well as boating another 2, one was well over 100lbs, with Johns great fish of around 170 to 180 pounds being the highlight of the afternoon. By the end of this first full day, the trip had already far surpassed any of the preconceived idea and hopes that we had held for the fishing.

After just one full day both Johns and Dave’s arms, backs, and legs had been pushed close to breaking point. If there was one lesson we learnt from this first full day, it is that you can’t come to a destination like this with no physical preparation beforehand –  it is that intense!

The second full day the anticipation to get on the water was even higher, now that we knew what to expect. It was time for me to break out the fly rod. I used a 13 wt Sage, along with the unbreakable and reliable Shilton SL7, loaded with a 400gran sink tip line, 130lb leader and an orange and black brush fly.

In the morning session, it was Dave who was the first to go tight with another big tarpon, a fish of around 140 pounds, which was released nicely after a good fight. Over the course of the next half an hour we jumped 5 fish, both on fly and on jig. The first fish to stick on fly was a smaller fish of around 100lbs, which gave a fantastic

Cold Beer and Big Fish....

display of acrobatics, before succumbing next to the boat. Another 2 fish were jumped, before heading back for a well deserved break.

The afternoon session was so good that it deserves its own update. Follow the blog tomorrow for an update on this session. It was wild!

Cheers Rob