I wake up just before 6AM – though still after sunrise. A quick wash. Earthing! It feels good, though my feet do get cold on the wet grass. I few pictures of the view and of course the ever present river. Small one, but moving. Then my stretches, sun salutation, and morning greetings.
I put my water shoes outside last night – they really stink from the river at Thimphu! I’ll have to give them a good soak after fishing today. Hopefully I’ll not have to wear my waders & boots, and have a lot of very wet gear for our long trip tomorrow. We pick up our fishing guide near by – Sangay – and we are off to the first stop on the river, a good hour plus drive.
The river is beautiful and clear! Mostly fast moving water, with just a few calm pools to the far bank. My rod & reel are quite light – but mostly the issue is my lures – too light really. Though I still manage to lose two & Kinzang one when I teach him to cast. Fast learner and I think he has a good time. I do! We walked down the river bank, fishing along. There is something not right about my reel – I’ll have to take a look at it before the fishing in Haa Chu. Sangay catches one small brown trout.
It’s really lovely to be on the river – relaxing. On the way back to our starting point we have a snack – of course! Then more fishing. Then we clamber back up the bank – steep going but these two help all along. They are like 2 mother hens at times. It is so very beautiful. I’m sure Rob could have caught fish here.
We now have a full on picnic: a rug of course for me to sit on, and the folding table should I not be able to eat without one! This table is embarrassing! Rice, beef, chili cheese, veg, and mushrooms. All lovely and hot in individual metal containers with snap lids, then stacked up and into a hot case. (Think tiffin with a thermal case.) Fruit – figs, apples, & oranges. Green tea and also hot butter tea.
I decide a rest is in order. Picnic packed away and the guys are off to chat. I am stretched out on the rug with the tall scotch pine trees above me. The sun shining through the trees. The sound of the river. It’s magical – as all days of the river can be – and this one more so. I decide I must have a full on Bhutanese picnic when I return to Powell River – hot case and all!!
We are off to a second spot on the same river – about 45 minute drive. It is under the bridge with some slower water on the far side. Sangay casts across the river and then brings his lure / line down into calmer water. Looks appropriate for sure. He lands 4 lovely trout all about 14″ and keeps the last one. I of course catch nothing – but lose the 3rd lure. Sangay catches all on his “favourite lure” – a quite large spinner – 2″ – brass coloured mostly and a treble hook with barbs. A pain to get the fish off. They treat the fish a bit poorly as they all want to check it out, and get pics & video. Ah Rob you have influenced me so – release before even out of the water! It’s getting late and we don’t want to be on any bad roads after dark, so we are off. Good thing Sangay caught – so our expedition not skunked!
This day has been so perfect. I must let Ms. Sangay know that if someone wishes to fish forget Thimphu – to Jakar / Bumthang – and fish this river. Ideally invest in some equipment as most tourists won’t bring this to fish one or two days.
We stop for a beer and then on back to Jakar. Our guest house is really good – Sonam and Namen. The family has been running it for 4 generations, and really know how to do this. A bit of a rest and then dinner. A lovely buffet. Each dinner & breakfast the cloth napkin is folded differently. Tonight as a man’s shirt, collar and all.
Jamyang stops by – we will be off tomorrow at 6:30 as the drive is long and there could be road closures for construction. Breakfast arranged for 6AM and so I settle my bill tonight. I chat with the couple from Australia that I met yesterday evening – Judy & Frank. Their guide also wanted to leave the next morning at 6:30AM but they said a definite NO – too early. But I’m up anyway.
Back to my room and I get everything packed up. Set alarm for 5AM – want some stretches and I don’t like rushing. I’ll miss this guest house.
I reflect again on such a perfect day on the river – fishing not catching – loving every minute.