Werkersdag Ope: 1 Mei 2008

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WERKERSDAG OPE: 1 MEI 2008

(Manie Bekker)

We are half way through the winter and we have not really experienced any extreme cold yet. I guess the second half will be colder, but do not let this dampen your fishing spirits – some of the better fish are caught during the colder months. Fewer fish also mean more time for socializing as was the case during the June competition at Allemanskraal.

Club comp – June 2008

During June the club visited a new venue namely Allemanskraal Dam near Winburg in the Free State. Unfortunately the dam did not deliver the numbers of decent fish that it is renowned for and the only person who seemed to have any success was Tross. Tross is a veteran Allies angler having fished here for more than 30 years and his experience showed at the weigh in where he outfished everybody with a bag of 8 fish weighing 9.44 kg. The ladies division was won by Gail with a bag of 3 fish weighing 6.42 kg and in the process beat her husband who is on medication to bring him to terms with this defeat. Hernus once again won the junior division with 6 fish with a mass of 6.98 kg including a carp of 4.94 kg. The target species for the week-end was muddies and Mike and Petro caught the largest with masses of 0.56 and 0.54 kg respectively. Other notable catches was a largemouth yellowfish of 3.44 kg by Manie and a carp of 0.06 kg by birthday girl - Mariaan.

Junewinners – Gail, Hernus, Petro, Mike and Tross

Members Catches – June 2008

Hernus with his carp of 4.94 kg

Manie’s yellow of 3.44 kg

Gail with a decent carp

If the fish do not bite – get friendly with your neighbor

Mike receiving his medal for the largest muddie

WDL Top TEN

Only change this month is Tinus who bumps Wikus down a position and therefore the “Mover and Shaker” this month is Tinus.

Future Club Comps

13 JulyKoppies

30 AugKlippies

21 SeptemberKlippies

18 OctoberKlippies

16 NovemberKoppies

WDL Records - 2008

Species

Seniors

Carp6.36 kgGeorge VisagieBloemhof - April

Mudfish2.44 kgGeorge VisagieKoppies - January

Catfish17.96 kgEddie SheppardBloemhof - April

Grass Carp2.18 kgManie BekkerBloemhof – April

Yellowfish3.44 kgManie BekkerAllemanskraal - June

Ladies

Carp4.92 kgMariaan GonsalvesBloemhof - April

Mudfish1.26 kgHeleen MollerKoppies – January

Catfish0.84 kgGail SheppardAllemanskraal - June

Juniors

Carp4.94 kgHernus BekkerAllemanskraal - June

Mudfish0.94 kgRuan NortjeKoppies - January

Catfish1.12 kgHernus BekkerBloemhof – April

Grass Carp3.14kgHernus BekkerVaaldam - May

Penkoppe

Carp0.84 kgWikus NelKlipdrift - March

Mudfish0.52 kgWikus NelKoppies – January

Grass Carp0.58 kgChristoff GreylingVaaldam – May

Individual

Most fish in a club comp

Seniors81Manie BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

Ladies41Gail SheppardFebruary - Klipdrift

Juniors72Hernus BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

Penkoppe10Wikus NelFebruary - Klipdrift

Heaviest bag in a club comp

Seniors45.84 kgTross van VuurenApril - Bloemhof

Ladies15.58 kgGail SheppardFebruary - Klipdrift

Juniors25.76 kgHernus BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

Penkoppe4.02 kgWikus NelFebruary - Klipdrift

Most Points in a club comp

Seniors1164Manie BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

Ladies566Gail SheppardFebruary - Klipdrift

Juniors978Hernus BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

Penkoppe140Wikus NelFebruary - Klipdrift

1000 Club

1st1164Manie BekkerFebruary - Klipdrift

2nd1030Eddie SheppardFebruary - Klipdrift

Top Tip No 3

Observation

When participating in competitive angling observation plays a key role in the success of the angler. Here are a couple of things that you should take note of when angling competitively.

On arrival at your peg immediately determine the line (distance) where the fish are turning. Casting here on the hooter will almost always ensure a quick fish or two. Look on the ground for signs of dips that previous anglers were using – check the color and smell the ground to pick up a flavor. This is especially useful when you are fishing a trial and arrive on the second peg for the day.

Once you start angling determine the distance that the anglers who are getting fish are angling and try and get at least one rod at this distance. If the fishing is slow on the bank and the anglers are all fishing up to 90m, try and put one rod out to 120m or more – this tactic has often given me the edge.

Try and determine the color, size and fragrance of the bait that the successful anglers are using. Having a pair of binoculars as part of your arsenal is a must. Also try and determine the type of trace, size of hooks and weights, the size of the ball, and even the length of the hook lengths and simulate this.

Lastly develop your angling so that you become the observed and not the observer.

“Think outside of the box”

The Final Word

The colder months are a good time to service your equipment and ensure that all is in order before the new season kicks off in September. Reels can be serviced, line replaced, stands repainted, rods varnished and polished, traces replenished, etc.

Remember the clinic on the 5th July – we promise to make it worth your while.

“If we human beings learn to see the intricacies that bind one part of a natural system to another and then to us, we will no longer argue about the importance of wilderness protection, or over the question of saving endangered species, or how human communities must base their economic futures – not on short-term exploitation – but on long-term, sustainable development.”
- Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day

The WDL Angler – Edition3, June 2008