Check the weather before you go. The forecast for Nyeri will give a fairly good idea. Be prepared for several seasons’ weather in the space a few days. It can be very hot, very cold and very wet. It does get cold at nights, so take a fleece and a jumper at the least. Don’t forget a hat. It keeps the sun off, keeps the rain out, keeps the body heat in and keeps the flies out of the back of the head. Polarised sunglasses are essential, if only to stop you getting a fly in the eye.
Good walking shoes are advisable, or sturdy takkies. The banks are slippery, as are the paths through the tea. Take “indoor shoes” as well so that you don’t tread mud though the banda and clubhouse. The bandas have their own loos and washbasins, but the showers and baths are separate, so bear in mind that you are going to have walk between your banda and the bath rooms.
It is cold at night. At the very least, take a sleeping bag. You can add to this a pillow, or you can borrow a cushion from the Club House. A blanket or second sleeping bag is not a bad idea. It can be easier and slightly more snug to take a bottom sheet and a duvet, along with a blanket. That might not sound very rugged but it does help to have a warm night’s sleep. Some also like the comfort of a hot water bottle!
Take your own shampoo, hand soap, towels and loo roll.
Wading. Some do, some don’t. Some wear waders, some are frightfully tough and wade in shorts. It is slippery, it is rocky, the currents are strong and the water is cold. Be safe and sensible. Use a stick. If you fall over or get into difficulty, you will be risking your life and that of the ghillie. And ghillies are hard to find, whereas idiots are two a penny.
What to take with you: food?
The camp staff will prepare and cook your food, wash up, lay tables and generally look after you. You can get basics such as flour, sugar and a few vegetables in the local dukas but it’s best to take it with you. There is a fridge/freezer and cooker with oven, as well as a barbeque. There are the usual in terms of pots and pans, cutlery and crockery, as well as coffee and tea pots.
Here’s a typical list.
| Bacon | Biscuits | Bread |
| Butter | Carrots | Cheese |
| Chutney | Cling film | Coffee |
| Cooking oil | Drinking water | Eggs |
| Flour | Fruit | Garlic |
| Green veg | Ice | Juice |
| Lemons | Limes | Marmalade |
| Meat* | Milk | Mustard |
| Onions | Pepper | Potatoes |
| Salt | Sausages | Sugar |
| Tea | Tin foil | Tomatoes |
| Washing-up liquid | Yoghurt | |
| * The oven will happily roast a joint or a chicken. For the first night in particular, take something that can just be heated up, such as spag Bol or a curry, with potatoes or pasta. | ||
What to take: Drink. That’s up to you! Top tip: if you leave your crate of Tusker to cool off in the river in sight of the road, it may not be there when you go to get it later on.
And also: Petrol. If there’s a power cut, there is a small generator so if this is likely to be an issue, take a can of petrol. It’s also worth taking (head) torches or lamps. And don’t forget your camera and a pair of binoculars. A couple of packs of cards and few good books are also a good idea. There are often siafu around, so be aware of where you’re standing. If they are all over the bandas, having some ant powder can make a pleasing difference.
Dogs: We do allow dogs, but they must be well-behaved and the member is responsible for their actions. Aggressive dogs are not welcome. Remember you visit the camps at your own risk. The member/guest must also clean up after them, especially on our premises and it is encouraged that they are on a leash whenever you leave the camp premises.
Etiquette
You are a member of the oldest fly-fishing club in Africa, fishing in and walking though some stunning scenery. Leave it as you would wish to find it. Absolutely no litter, anywhere, ever. If you see any, pick it up.
There’s nothing worse than finding lengths of nylon on the bank or outside the bandas. Put cut-off bits of leader material in a pocket and put them in the bin or the fire when you get back. The same goes for fag ends.
The ghillies are an excellent source of advice so ask them. They know the rivers intimately, so will know which pools and glides to fish, as well as having a very good idea as to which flies to use and how to fish them. They will always help you retrieve flies from the trees or submerged rocks. They want you to catch fish and will do all that they can to help. You can also help them by showing them the flies you are using, the knots you tie, et cetera.
The camp staff will work very hard to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible. Please respect the fact that they may have to walk home at the end of the day, so expecting them to stay up until the early hours, then cook breakfast is not really on. Try to get to know the staff, their names, their families and their backgrounds. If you make a note of this, the next time you go you can refresh your memory if needs be – it makes a big difference.
Please pay your camp fees to the Headman before you go and tip the camp staff and the ghillies as per the rates in the Club literature.
Please leave the camps promptly and make sure that you have left the camp as you would like to find it. Find out if there are people coming in after you, as the staff will have to turn the camp around before the next batch of people arrive. If there’s a problem (leaky roof, for example) please inform the relevant Camp Manager.
The fishing log is a valuable source of information for the Club but also for the next anglers. If you have been successful, share your wisdom!
