{"id":10842,"date":"2020-11-10T16:13:01","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T14:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10842"},"modified":"2020-11-10T16:13:01","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T14:13:01","slug":"breaking-records-tcc-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10842","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Records – TCC Final"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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 been dreaming of catching a trophy Trout during lockdown. \"Have a glass of not so seriou\"s is the sage advice dispensed at the TOPS<\/a> Corporate Challenge and for good reason...<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\"Brad

Brad Stephens<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Louise

Louise Steenekamp<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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It's one thing to be competing with another person but quite another to be pitting your wits against the finicky feeding habits of fish.<\/p>\n

Hence if you make the mistake of taking this pastime too seriously and start fixating on The Trout, you spend too much time casting, changing flies and chasing fish, forgetting why you\u2019re on the water in the first place. This all translates into catching less fish.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>
\"Hendrik

Hendrik Fourie with 61cm Rainbow<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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A few fell into that pressure trap this last weekend on the WildFly waters, but those that slowed it all down and let the fish find their fly scarcely had time to focus on anything else but the bend in their rod!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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An Astounding 197 Trout were caught in the first morning of fishing, which was more Trout landed in one session than in the entire Third leg of the qualifying rounds. Even a Bok defeat couldn\u2019t have wiped the smile off every anglers face on Friday lunch. The 100mm of rain over the last week had certainly helped, cooling the dams and injecting some fresh nutrients, but take nothing away from the efforts of the entrants who were filling scorecards.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\"Tavis

Tavis Cairns with a Great Brown Trout<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Niel

Niel Westerhof with his 59cm Rainbow<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div><\/div>
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The Yamaha boat, sponsored by Natal Marine and Caravans might have been the motivator for the quick exodus from The Legendary Notties as anglers went in search of the elusive tagged fish, but I think the sheer amount of action spurred everyone back onto the water. A further 97 Trout were recorded in that afternoon session, witnessing some very weary anglers returning, many having spent the last 12 hours searching for that double digit specimen.<\/div>\n
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Day one of the TCC Final set a new record for amount of fish caught in a single day and after a hearty meal, new plans of attack echoed around the event arena.<\/div>\n
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Of course, no one bothered to consult the fish about these best laid plans or make an offering to the weather gods.<\/div>\n

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

\"\"

Hendrik Fourie landed a beautiful Rainbow Hen of 61cm.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"John

John Larter - The Best Fly Fisher for the TOPS Corporate Challenge.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\"

The 2020 record - Gavin Cowell with his 66cm (9lbs) Rainbow<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Session fishing is always a diminishing scale of returns, with rod and a little peer pressure taking it\u2019s toll. Hence why the rule of 4,3,2,1 fish to count in respective fishing sessions is \u00a0a great handicap\u2026...for the Trout in particular. And the fishing session total slid down to 92 Trout in the 3rd and plummeted to only 39 fish in that telling final session. You would think that with 425 fish landed in two days that many anglers would have caught their full quota (without having fish bequeathed), but only two fly fishers managed this task. Neil Westerhoff came a close second, but it was John Larter with his 27 Trout that walked away with a new Sage X compliments of Frontier Fly Fishing<\/a>, taking top honours as The Best Fly Fisher for the TOPS Corporate Challenge.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\"Team

Team Artav 4X4, our 2020 TOPS Corporate Challenge Champions.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"The

The Outdoor Warehouse Team - taking Silver.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"In

In 3rd place - The \u2018Nymphmaniacs'.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Chasing the current 2020 record of 66cm, caught by Gavin Cowell that weighed 9lbs saw Hendrik Fourie land a beautiful Rainbow Hen of 61cm from InverMooi Estate<\/a>, which earned him biggest fish in the final, also walking away with a hamper of fly tackle compliments of Greys<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With every team who made the final guaranteed a fishing holiday, compliments of WildFly Travel<\/a> and Easy Holidays<\/a> anticipation reigned over supper as the results were tallied. With trips to the incredible Baines River Camp<\/a> and renowned Matoya Tiger Lodge<\/a> as well as adventures down the mighty Orange with Kalahari Outventures<\/a> and Trout getaways at Semonkong<\/a>, Fordoun<\/a>, Loxley House<\/a>, Highland Lodge<\/a> and Giants Cup<\/a>, every team was winning.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In 3rd place was the solid performance of the \u2018Nymphmaniacs', but it was the contest for the illustrious title that was only defined by 3 placing points, with 'The Outdoor Warehouse' team taking Silver.<\/div>\n
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Entering for the very first time and proving their fly fishing prowess were the talented Artav 4X4 team, our 2020 TOPS Corporate Challenge Champions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
With 1167 Trout landed in this year's event, the Wildfly waters delivered yet again! Here\u2019s to keep everyone in casting distance and spending more time on the water in 2021!!<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    1. <\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\n\t\t\t\t
      \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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      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 been dreaming of catching a trophy Trout during lockdown. “Have a glass of not so seriou”s is the sage advice dispensed at the TOPS Corporate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":10847,"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-10842","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\/11\/Breaking-Records-TCC-Final-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2553,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=2553","url_meta":{"origin":10842,"position":0},"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":10560,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10560","url_meta":{"origin":10842,"position":1},"title":"Self Isolating Trout – TCC Leg 3","author":"Gareth","date":"October 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"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\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\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/self-isolating-trout-copy.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9754,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=9754","url_meta":{"origin":10842,"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":13388,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=13388","url_meta":{"origin":10842,"position":3},"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. 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