Our team is growing – welcome Claude!
Sharing our passion for fly fishing is what matters most to us. That's why we're so thrilled to be forging new friendships beyond the canton of Graubünden with Bob's Flies. This week, we're officially welcoming Claude to our Bob's Flies ProTeam family. Claude is not only a passionate fly fisherman but also a dedicated cook who finds respite from his hectic work life in the tranquility of being by the water. He documents his adventures on the water around the Allaine, Birs, and Doubs rivers through his Instagram account @cloode .
To help you get to know Claude a little better, he'll introduce himself right away:
Bob's ProTeam - Claude
Like many others, I initially only fished with a spinning rod. During my apprenticeship as a chef, my then-master (also a passionate fisherman) suggested I try fly fishing. After a weekend in the Black Forest on the Breg River, where I tried fly fishing, I was hooked.
Since then, I've only fished with a fly rod, primarily with nymphs, but also very much enjoy dry flies when the trout are rising. I now tie all my own flies. That makes it all the more of a triumph when I manage to outsmart a trout.
Fly fishing and fly tying are a welcome counterbalance to my often hectic job as a chef, because they allow me to completely switch off and unwind. Time spent on the river is both meditation and an adrenaline rush for me. I cherish the moments on calm waters with few people and spend almost every free minute there.
Fly fishing has also led to some friendships, so I'm often out on the water with some fishing friends. Last year, thanks to the lockdown, I was able to fish more than ever before. As a result, I'm becoming increasingly familiar with "my home river," the Birs in Basel-Landschaft, along the stretch of the Fipal.
Respectful treatment of fish and nature is very important to me. I'm very careful not to take every fish that exceeds the minimum size limit. I believe this is the only way we can guarantee good fishing in the coming years and allow fish stocks to recover.
Travel experiences
I have particularly fond memories of the trip to the Soča River in Slovenia, where I spent four unforgettable days with a friend. For me, every day on the water is an adventure, even if you don't always have success. You learn something new every single time, even if it's just learning to be patient until something bites.
Since I am lucky enough to live near the Jura mountains, I also enjoy going to the various bodies of water in the Jura, such as the Allaine, Birs or the Doubs.
Why Bob's Flies specifically?
I became aware of Bob's Flies because they focus on the same values that are important to me and actively promote fly fishing in Switzerland.
I am very happy to now be part of the team!
Tight Lines
Key data:
| Name: | Claude Kleiner |
| Function: |
Chef at the Roter Bären restaurant in Basel. |
| Fisherman since: | 2014 |
| Fly fisherman since: | 2016 |
| Preferred fishing grounds: | Birs, Allaine |
| International experience: | Germany, Slovenia |