Just a little bit about me and my back ground.
My name is Ross Jenkinson, 28 years old. I stay in
Pretoria South Africa. I started fly
fishing in September 2009. I was
introduced to the art of fly fishing by my girlfriend (Kelly), cousin’s husband
if that makes sense.
My first experience of fly fishing was on a long weekend
away at the Golf and Trout Estate in the heart of Clarens in the Freestate. If
you have ever been to Clarens, you will appreciate that this is a very small
picturesque town in the middle of the mountains, close to the border of
Lesotho.
Michael (Kelly’s cousin’s husband) informed me beforehand
he would be taking his fishing gear and would I like him to pack me a rod and
reel too.
Having never tried fly fishing in my life, I knew that
casting was going to be my big obstacle.
Michael dually set up a rod for me early on the Saturday
morning. It was only a short walk from the stoop of the chalet to water’s edge.
He positioned me on the far side, away from any major obstacles and
obstructions in the water.
Michael gave me a brief lesson in casting, the do’s and
don’ts and then was pretty much left to my own devices.
I consider myself a quick learner, but I surprised myself
as to how quickly I picked up the casting action.
After seeing Michael successfully land his first fish
within 15 minutes of us reaching the water’s edge I was very excited. My aim was to at least feel what it is like
to have a fish tug on the end of my line before we go.
I successfully missed a couple of bites; I did however
hook a “decent” fish, only to lose it before being able to land it.
The rest they say is history……………… The fly fishing bug
had officially bit!
