After fishing Mavela last week and only landing one, I decided I needed to give it another try. Bruce and I drove up early to find very different conditions to those Nick and I had fished last weekend. It was overcast, and there was a strong wind blowing, making casting from the bank difficult. Due to the ripple on the water we also couldn’t see the fish like Nick and I could previously.
Bruce had brought his tube, and after setting it up he got into the water and I headed off down the bank. A couple of hours of tough fishing for me produced nothing. Although I did have two big hits which I somehow missed. Bruce did have more luck in the tube and managed two Rainbows of around 30cms.
After a quick snack we swapped and I got into the tube for another two hour session. During this session the wind dropped down, the sun came out, and last weeks midges (mayflies) arrived. Suddenly Bruce could see the fish from the bank, much like we could last week. But again the fish didn’t seem interested, and he landed nothing from the bank.
I had a bit more luck on the tube. I picked up a 40cm Rainbow on a dragon fly nymph. I also lost one on the same fly when it swam right at me and I couldn’t strip in the line fast enough It was only the second time I’d fished from a tube, and the first time I’d landed a fish from one. It was fantastic, and I’m certainly looking forward to getting one.
It was time for lunch so we relaxed on the bank for a while eating the 3 tons of food Bruce had bought, and then it was time to get back onto the water. As I got up I noticed the tube was as flat as a pancake. Glad I wasn’t on it when that happened.
I fished the bank again while Bruce took a snooze on the bank. I’d sneakily borrowed a fly from him, and was into a fish on my second cast. This quickly put an end to Bruce’s snooze as he rushed to kit up.
We fished for a little longer, with no more success, until the wind picked up and an electrical storm started. And that was the end of that. It was a great day’s fishing, and I look forward to getting onto the water again. Next time I’ll try another water.