Report back on the Wild Trout festival 2012.

By Jason Snodgrass

A brief but intense cloud burst had forced two eager festival goers and I back to the shelter of the car for an early lunch. It was the third morning of the annual Wild Trout Association festival and the fishing over the past three days had been as good as anyone could remember. My two clients, Damien and Morne’ had already caught their fair share of plump little rainbows over the course of the weekend, so the usual signs of rain related depression hadn’t surfaced yet.

Just as the three of us started contemplating a well-earned retirement to the Walkabouts bar, the last of the rain drops could be seen trickling down the Disco’s wind screen. In a flash the rods were re-rigged and the torturous schlep of squeezing warm feet into wet boots had begun.

Our chosen beat for the day was Knockwarren, a beautiful small stream section of the Bok. As we arrived at the tail of a sweet looking pool we noticed the air just above it was filled with swallows playing aerial noughts and crosses just above the water. Normally a rise will come and go without one being able to  describe or identify the exact species or even colour of the invertebrate causing all the fuss. This time however I did manage to notice small pale mayflies struggling to pull free from the surface tension of the water. I even succeeded in concentrating on one of the unfortunate individuals as a swallow decided to target it. When the bird was inches away from its prize the hapless mayfly was promptly stolen from below by a 12 inch rainbow, with the slow, lazy rise so characteristic of a fish deep in feeding mode.

During the whole rise not one of us felt the need to make a cast, lest our clumsy efforts intrude on an otherwise perfect mini spectacle.

As for the festival in general, things could not have gone more swimmingly. For the days preceding the festival and for the days during, the weather played along. As a result all the beats, on all the rivers of our beloved Rhodes were in prime condition. Rainbows in the 12 to 16 inch range were common entries in the catch return of almost every session. Stand out catches include a 50cm yellow caught by Brian Hammond on the Kraai river .

When a fly fisherman as accomplished and well-travelled as Peter Briggs arrives at the bar every night, with a beaming smile on his face, you know the rivers are giving of their best.

When it came to all non-fishing activities, the warm and friendly surrounds of the Walkabouts hotel provided the backdrop, to expertly catered for meals, lunches and drinks. Thanks must go to Dave walker and his tireless staff. A special thanks to Uncle Dave for providing extra rations of sherry for one of the colder mornings.

One memorable social event was the annual Wild Trout association auction. The stand out lot being a box of hand tied flies sponsored and tied by Peter Brigg. Aunty Sharland, that’s what we under-50’s call a sweet score!

In conclusion thanks must go to all participants, guides and staff involved in what must go down as one of the best festivals ever. Big up to the charming rivers and bright, feisty rainbows of Rhodes, thanks for making us guides look so good.