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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
Pos / Angler / Fish / Mass / Total Points1 / SHEPPARD:Eddie / 189 / 114.86 / 3039
2 / BEKKER;Manie / 194 / 105.62 / 2996
3 / BEKKER;Hernus / 149 / 73.000 / 2220
4 / JANSE van VUUREN;Tros / 118 / 97.84 / 2158
5 / NEL;Morné / 133 / 64.58 / 1976
6 / van den BERG;Dolf / 112 / 51.90 / 1639
7 / DE BEER Tinus / 83 / 64.67 / 1477
8 / VILJOEN; Wikus / 92 / 55.32 / 1473
9 / VISAGIE; Andries / 79 / 58.76 / 1378
10 / GONSALVES;Michael / 81 / 36.00 / 1170
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