Reeling In Memories

By Daniel Gichuru

Daniel Gichuru is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, and camping in addition to his professional career in sales and business development.

While on our way to the Aberdares, a friend brought a spinning fishing rod and I decided to try my first hand at the Magura River. Spontaneous, right? Turns out spontaneity doesn’t equal luck because our lines kept twisting and we didn’t catch anything; but on the bright side, I discovered a new hobby: fishing. I resolved to go back to the Aberdares and changed course to try fly fishing - what would become my new passion.

Fast forward to today, and I’m obsessed with fly fishing. While spin fishing has a greater range, fly fishing has an advantage as it can mimic the bait more vividly by using a lighter rod and a light fly. As an angler, I spend time observing the water in order to choose the ideal fly to fish with. I look out for things such as the movement of the water, observing its clarity, and the presence of frogs or insects.

My hobby allows you to spend significant time alone beside rivers, ponds, or lakes so you become more acute and attentive to sounds. The sounds of the river, the birds, and the silence heal my spirit, and because fishing requires patience, you must learn to breathe in and relax. This peacefulness is only broken by the excitement of a catch, my biggest being in Lake Rutundu when I caught a 25-inch Rainbow trout!

While the allure of Kenya's savannas usually lies in the majestic big cats that attract tourists, the intrepid fisherman can discover an equally remarkable experience. That’s why I want to encourage others to experience fly fishing. Kenya's handcrafted lures have become essential for anglers worldwide, a popular option within the fly-tying industry.

For anyone wanting to venture into fishing: avoid using live bait (it leads to overfishing), use the catch-and-release technique. Now, get out there and learn something new!