Though a few days ago the forecast predicted some unnerving thunderstorms it appears the weather will be good for us all week here in the Dullstrom area of South Africa. Its good for us but bad for the region. This area is in severe drought and would welcome any rain they can get. Today we explored the perilously low Spekboom River.
The Spekboom River will be the only river section during the World Masters Fly Fishing Championship in February 9-16, 2019. Though its low now, this region normally receives a heap of rain in December – February. Let’s hope. Right now the shallows have little more than a trickle.
Regardless of the Spekboom conditions now or come February, its these very small rivers full of spooky trout that I do best fishing. While Jerry and Dan headed downstream to search out some pools with nymphs, I blind fished the riffles with my Winston Pure 4-weight to get a feel on how many fish this river holds.
The pretty little stream winds endlessly through forest and shrubbery. You need to watch your step as the area is home to numerous snakes including the trip ending puff adder where a bite can be fatal (Granny and I saw one in 2015). Though I saw a snake he looked to be a tree snake and spooked before I could photograph him. I jumped some game as well including a warthog and you can barely see the eland spying on me from the bush.
I caught a ton of tiny rainbows on a size 18 Royal Wulf. Out of the bunch only one would have reached the 20 cm length required to score. Unfortunately, they plan to stock this river so the challenge to cover water and find a good fish may not exist.
After an hour pounding miniature rainbow trout I hiked downstream to Dan and Jerry. Opposite of me, they skipped the shallow riffles and went from pool to pool. The pool I found them in was stunningly beautiful.
It wasn’t hard for me to tell they were catching fish. I could hear Jerry giggling a hundred yards away. It turns out all the larger trout of the section were in this hole and Jerry was catching them every cast on nymphs.
Its been a fun two day visit to the competition waters around Nooitgedacht Lodge that ended fishing the dam in front of the Lodge. Though conditions will likely be different when we return in February, we know the fish are here and what they like to eat.
We had yet another amazing dinner then retired early tonight. Tomorrow we have a full day starting with leaving here at 4 am so we can be on some private water promptly at 6 am. We are expecting shots at huge stillwater rainbows there then an afternoon trip to the Dullstrom Dam which will be yet another lake venue in the 2019 World Masters.
Christmas is around the corner. DON’T FORGET my Online Store has gifts for the angler that has everything! I have painted over 60 species of fish now available on my coffee mugs and frosted beer steins. There’re also my new Solar Flex shirts in both men’s and women’s. AND my growing collection of fish decals can be purchased on Amazon.
Be sure to keep track of my upcoming travels around the world!
Follow me on Instagram – jeffcurrier65
Follow me on Facebook – Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing
0 Comments