I nearly always fish on my birthday and today was the day. To spice it up two of my South African friends rolled into town, Rob Scott and Keith Clover, founders of Tourette Fishing (now called African Waters). These are two great African friends of mine. We go all the way back to 2010 when we did a segment for the movie “Connect” in Tanzania.
African Waters offer trips at all the best African fishing destinations. Tanzania is the first I ever fished with them but I’ve since fished their waters in Sudan, Gabon, Lesotho and most recently with Keith in Cameroon. These are great friends to have!
With all the years of them showing me great fishing I try to return the favor. I took them to the Teton River near the house. It was cold and nasty with big wind. It doesn’t get cold like here in South Africa and the guys were quick to declare this was the coldest fishing day they ever experienced.
The few fish that were up I sent Keith or Rob after. But honestly, the rises were sporadic. I could tell some were brook trout which would have been nice for them to catch. But they ended up standing and waiting and getting too cold.
As we waited out the wind we sipped a couple beers. The clouds rolling through were incredible to watch. Finally under the last twinkle of light I saw a brook trout rise several times in the same location. He was a catchable fish but the guys were too cold to give him a try.
I don’t watch fish rise on my birthday. I had my 4-weight Winston Pure and a long leader with a size 20 CDC Blue Wing on. It took me a few casts but I finally prevailed. I caught this small but beautiful little brookie.
Regardless of the weather, tomorrow my friend Tim Brune and I are going to float the Teton with Rob and Keith. They have never fished in such cold as today and never in the snow. It should be interesting and fun.
Keep in mind it’s almost that time of year again where you’ll need a Christmas gift for the angler that has everything. Be sure to keep my art gifts in mind along with my custom Cliff Fly boxes and decals.