(I am trying not to think about the number of remaining days, and attempt to stay away from just doing stuff. Am succeeding.)
Up 6:15 – forget yoga on the balcony as it is way too cold. I manage a quick wash (lots of hot water!) and dress in my fishing clothes, so reasonably warm. On the balcony to be with the sun coming over the mountains. Tea. Mending my silk long underwear. Down to breakfast for 7:30 as we will start at 8 for a full day of fishing. Amazing how outside with the sun is warmer than inside. Breakfast we all remain bundled up as the dining room too is chilly – even with the heater near by. Jamyang is not pleased about my cold room, but I don’t think there is much to be done. A bit of a delay leaving – dead car battery from the cold night and a boost required. (It is days later in a conversation that I come to know that a cold front had come in – that it is not usually this cold in Haa at this time of year.)
We pick up our guide and off for a day of fishing on Haa Chu. A drive to the section of the river where we have the permit. Quite shallow, some pools, but fast running too. Not as fast as Jakar though. I manage with the guides continued help to retrieve all caught lures. The river here is full of rocks. I continue to have trouble with my light weight reel – and over the day lose 1/2 the line. I actually think it might be the line.
No fish in sight, and we make our way up river. Nice paths along this lovely river. We get a call from Kinzang – he’s taken the car up to the bridge which is the permit area boundary. He says he can see lots of fish in the river where he is. So off we go – across a meadow. We stop once by a large rock in the river, where the river is gently running, (makes more sense to me) and see small fish. I try my Tenkara – no luck so we are off to find Kinzang.
There are indeed many small brown trout to be seen – and even bringing a lure or fly right past them does not get a bite! Kinzang is using the spinning rod / reel and I Tenkara. I like the Tenkara. Kinzang never tangles the reel (my problem) and no lures lost today. (Thank-you big time to our fishing guide. BTW – a knock off Mepps Aglia #1 sell for $ 750 NU , about $ 12.50 CAD, so do hope not to lose any of our 3 remaining lures.)
Just after Jamyang heads to the car to get our picnic I have a small (6″) brown trout on & landed (Tenkara) yeah! Kinzang takes a video of all – yeah again! So, finally a fish caught in Bhutan. After lunch (another amazing picnic) and about 3PM the fish start rising, eating I don’t know what. Quite a sight. Kinzang & I try all, but can not get another – though I do have a 2″ that fortunately gets off. Lots of potential action – I think my casting may spook them & also wrong fly. But great fun. I finally give up as the sun is starting to go and I’m getting cold and my back’s a bit sore from standing all day. Had a great time, and it was all the more enjoyable to have a fishing buddy. The guide did not fish as he, and his friends, usually fish with nets (illegally) or use the can / line / lure when the water is higher.
We are off and stop at the helicopter landing site for tea & car cookies & the left over sandwiches. A really lovely day. But any day on a river like Haa Chu is lovely.
We will have a fire at 6:30 and then dinner. So a bit of a rest. The room is marginally warmer. The roaring fire is great – and does warm me. Jamyang & I chat away and have a drink. Kinzang is texting madly and a good fire tender. Dinner, a quick warm up by the fire and off to bed. Still need to wear a lot of clothes! The bed is hard and I have old aches and pains. Finally get smart enough to put a pillow under my knees.
Another good day in Bhutan!