{"id":10560,"date":"2020-10-27T16:08:31","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T14:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10560"},"modified":"2020-10-28T10:34:38","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T08:34:38","slug":"self-isolating-trout-tcc-leg-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10560","title":{"rendered":"Self Isolating Trout – TCC Leg 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A few anglers thought that the Trout were adhering to the Covid regulations this last weekend as they certainly were reluctant to come within casting distance, let alone out to play.<\/p>\n

Weather is always a go-to excuse, but 34-degree heat and Trout do not mix well, let alone the toll it takes on fly fishers adrift in a tube for 10 hours in the blazing sun. It\u2019s why the TOPS Corporate Challenge is traditionally held at the beginning of Winter and despite 270 fish being recorded in the 1st Leg and 315 in the second, boding well, the first taste of a pending Summer had the Trout diving for cover.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"Gavin

Gavin Cowell with the winning fish<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"

Sune Morten with her first WildFly Rainbow Trout <\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Only 90 fish were recorded on the first day (less than what was caught in the first morning of the previous two legs) and some tired and weary fly fishers, looking a little shell shocked, were quenching a well-deserved thirst that evening. It wasn\u2019t just a lack of action or a mild case of sunstroke, but more the fact that some didn\u2019t even see a fish move. Lack of oxygen in the top layer of the water column will account for that, yet to add insult to injury, a few anglers managed to figured out how to target Trout in these conditions and had subsequently filled a scorecard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>
\"Craig

Craig Cowell with a wee beast from Lochwood<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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A stunning 59cm Brown and a 59cm Rainbow were testament that a few big Trout were feeding, but on what had those in the know, very tight-lipped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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 <\/p>\n

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Changing fly or tactics that have served you so well over the years is like asking someone to change the way they dress or walk. Any advice one might part in this respect is always met with a polite ear, but rarely does it sink in to the extent that any angler changes their habits.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Gavin

Gavin Cowell - 59cm Brown from Invermooi <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div><\/div>
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A Spring \/ Summer fishing strategy is in stark contrast to Winter and the best suggestion I could ever offer is to slow it all down and let the fish find your fly! In such warm conditions, the Trout aren\u2019t going to chase as aggressively, and if nothing else slowing it all down keeps your fly in the water longer, which mathematically increases your chances. You also end up fishing deeper and trust me, the Trout on a hot day will be right down there.<\/p>\n

A storm that night injected a little oxygen into most waters and saw a marginal increase in the 3rd session, with 48 Trout succumbing to the fly, but the rain had woken the bigger fish up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Biggest

Biggest Fish & Top Fly Fisher - Gavin Cowell<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Paul

Paul Coetzee - Best performing dam <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Riaan

Riaan Viljoen for his 59cm Rainbow <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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 <\/p>\n

Depending on how one fished, flies that worked varied from Minnows and Strip leeches \/ Platanna varients to small Red-eyed Damsels, Flashback Nymphs, and the reliable Bloodworm.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s always decided in the 4th session in the TOPS Corporate Challenge, giving everyone something to fish for and with Hardy<\/a>, RIO<\/a>, Sage<\/a>, Horizon<\/a>, Xplorer<\/a>, Scientific Anglers<\/a>, Greys<\/a>, <\/strong>and Airflo<\/a><\/strong> creating an incredible prize pool, the teams stayed out until last light looking for that one big Trout to count.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"3rd

3rd Leg Champions - ARTAV 4x4<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The

The Runners up - The Dead Donkeys<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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And Gavin Cowell hit it out the park with a 66cm beauty from Lochwood in the final session, not only giving him the biggest fish, but also top fly fisher for the weekend. The final tally for the TCC 3rd leg was 161 fish.<\/p>\n

Top honors went to a new team, Artav 4x4, who consistently out fished their fellow entrants in every session winning the 3rd leg of the TOPS Corporate Challenge.<\/p>\n

In a few weeks, the final will decide the 2020 champions and with all the rain on the horizon, I think it\u2019s going to turn the fishing on its head once again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/em>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t
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      A few anglers thought that the Trout were adhering to the Covid regulations this last weekend as they certainly were reluctant to come within casting distance, let alone out to play. Weather is always a go-to excuse, but 34-degree heat and Trout do not mix well, let alone the toll it takes on fly fishers adrift in a tube for 10 hours in the blazing sun. It\u2019s why the TOPS Corporate Challenge is traditionally held […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":10566,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[288,201,292,291,46,287,282,285,290,283,289],"class_list":["post-10560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-airflo","tag-fly-fishing-competition","tag-fly-fishing-in-the-midlands","tag-fly-fishing-in-the-natal-midlands","tag-fly-fishing","tag-greys","tag-hardy","tag-horizon","tag-kwa-zulu-natal-fly-fishing","tag-rio","tag-sage"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10842,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10842","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":0},"title":"Breaking Records – TCC Final","author":"Gareth","date":"November 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Getting to the final in any event can be a little nerve wracking, especially when qualifying for the first time. Fishing isn\u2019t seen as a competitive sport\u00a0by some, lending\u00a0itself more to recreation and relaxation as an activity, but try telling that to the intrepid bunch of fly fishers who have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Airflo\"","block_context":{"text":"Airflo","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?tag=airflo"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2553,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=2553","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":1},"title":"No fighting cocks?","author":"Gareth","date":"June 22, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"No fighting cocks? Every year, the Challenge witnesses some hilarious antics from entrants, who unwind over the fishing festival. This has been the cornerstone of the event, regardless of how many trout make it to the net, it really is all about the laughs and relaxation time that fishing buddies\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly"","block_context":{"text":"Fly","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9754,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=9754","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":2},"title":"TCC Leg 1","author":"Gareth","date":"September 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"There are many elements that will determine how successful any fishing outing is, not least of which is our attitude. \u00a0 In the lead up to any trip, it\u2019s that element of excitement, finally being able to get back on the water, receiving the nod from your boss and better\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Tops Corporate Challenge"","block_context":{"text":"Tops Corporate Challenge","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=279"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/TCC-Leg-1-FB-Image-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/TCC-Leg-1-FB-Image-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/TCC-Leg-1-FB-Image-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/TCC-Leg-1-FB-Image-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15667,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=15667","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":3},"title":"The Trout Report","author":"Gareth","date":"November 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"That it was a cold Winter in the Natal midlands few would argue and these sustained sub zero temperatures translated into the fish staying in their uncooperative spawning behaviour beyond the normal few months. Tough fishing it certainly was for most and those that refused to change their habits struggled\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly"","block_context":{"text":"Fly","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=92"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-trout-report-banner.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13388,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=13388","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":4},"title":"TCC 2021 Leg 1","author":"Gareth","date":"July 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"After 20 years of watching fly fishers pit their wits against the wiles of feral Trout, you would think that we\u2019 d seen it all, yet every year at the TOPS Corporate Challenge something happens that beggars belief. Usually it\u2019s antics off the field that never fail to amuse and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly"","block_context":{"text":"Fly","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=92"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Untitled-1-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Untitled-1-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Untitled-1-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Untitled-1-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Untitled-1-copy.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2596,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=2596","url_meta":{"origin":10560,"position":5},"title":"The TOPS at SPAR Corporate Challenge","author":"Gareth","date":"July 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The TOPS at SPAR Corporate Challenge It would have taken a brave angler to predict that the 1st Leg results would be eclipsed this last weekend. Regardless of how ideal the weather conditions might have been or the caliber of fly fisher that harassed the trout \u2013 594 rainbows, at\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"b2ap3_thumbnail_GOPR0020.jpg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/b2ap3_thumbnail_GOPR0020.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa8sv9-2Kk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10560"}],"version-history":[{"count":114,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10713,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10560\/revisions\/10713"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}