Club Mouche 31 September

Club Mouche
31 September - 03 October

After 42 days in Kosovo, I needed a serious break, and the Club Mouche was the answer I was looking for and more. Four days of fall water time with some big hungry trout seemed just about right. The Club Mouche was all that and more.

As usual I left home around 0500 and arrived at 0830. Hey, I know it would take less time in a real car, but my four cylinder Cherokee does just fine. Fishing by 0900! Hooked into a couple in the morning, but was having difficulty landing them. Guess I was a little out of practice. My Ugly and usual assortments of nymphs were doing fine, but I broke off two and lost another two to the dreaded unintentional long release. After the lunch break, a small hatch of tan sedges started and so did the fish. Caught six nice ones including a 24 inch Rainbow on the Sedges I tied prior to going to Kosovo. Nice.

The next day started out about the same with nymphs working in the morning. Caught a few, but not really "hot" fishing. Saw the hatch start after lunch, but those trout weren't playing with the Sedge imitations today. Instead I had to go with a deadly emerger with a forward lying CDC parachute hackle. Hooked into another six 18 - 22 inch Rainbows before I lost it. Yeah, I know. I should've replaced the tippet after the first four, but I was just having too much fun. Caught two more before things died down on a "Jack Sedge" that Victor (the owner) tried to steer me away from.

Day three was not really great for fishing in the morning. In fact, I decided to spend most helping Victor re-stock the lakes for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I like native trout as much as the next guy, but when you see and understand how its done at the Club Mouche you have a great appreciation for the quality and care that goes into making this place such a great fly fishing experience. Basically, you could say these are big strong smart hatchery raised trout with a "wild" side. They ain't easy to catch and the definitely put up a super fight. Spent the afternoon hatch period experimenting with various Sedge imitations and catching about five nice 19-20 inch Rainbows.

The last day the weather turned real nasty. Cold front blew in during the night, and I don't think I brought the right gear. Although my feet were a little wet and cold, I was able to hook into four nice trout with nymphs and the Ugly before I decided I would rather be reading a book at home instead of being miserable. Remember, I just got back from Kosovo and just wanted to relax.

Anyway, I relaxed, enjoyed, and had a great time. Wish you were there.

What Did I Learn?

1. Relax and take it easy when you start fly fishing after a long break. Play the fish.

2. Change out the tippet after every few catches! Don't lose that good fly because you just want to catch one more right now.

3. I really like the cool clear waters of Club Mouche. Nothing better than seeing the trout open the mouth and take the fly. Honestly, I would have caught less if I didn't. Some of the takes were so subtle that I'm sure I would have completely missed them if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

4. Big fish are cool, but any trout taking my fly and on my line is great! I have as much fun with the small ones as I do with the big ones.

Back to Trips or CyberTrout.Com