{"id":5858,"date":"2019-06-25T17:27:03","date_gmt":"2019-06-25T15:27:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=5858"},"modified":"2019-06-27T17:59:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T15:59:28","slug":"big-trout-surface","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=5858","title":{"rendered":"Big Trout surface"},"content":{"rendered":"

The dilemma that every fly fisher faces at a TOPS Corporate Challenge<\/a> will never change. The object of the weekend is to rekindle long-standing friendships that are all too often marginalized through digital communications. But, one is also expected to make an effort at the waters edge and contribute to your team\u2019s scorecard, if for no other reasons than to justify your future invite.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a balancing act that is generally toppled at Notties<\/a> on opening night, with the animated conversation reliving the exploits of the last TCC gathering.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Strategy session with Bains Whisky<\/p><\/div>\n

Knowing that the waters hadn\u2019t really sparked in the 1st\u00a0<\/sup>wave a few weeks back, after the opening celebrations of it\u2019s 18th\u00a0<\/sup>anniversary, the talk soon circled back to the feeding habits and holes of the Trout in WildFly waters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The dam draw is held in some reverence as all of these lakes have memories and reputations that grow with every fresh glass. I\u2019ve yet to enjoy a trip down memory lane in which a big fish on a particular water didn\u2019t get the better of some angler!<\/p>\n

And unfortunately, all eyes turn to the one bestowed with the responsibility of stocking these waters, as if an intimate knowledge of these fish is a prerequisite to giving them a home.<\/p>\n

But, having managed most of the dams for the last couple of decades, I have learned a few valuable lessons about Trout, not least of which is expecting them to repeat what happened yesterday let alone last year. It is with this in mind that I pass on the chatter about their current behavior.<\/p>\n

This is decent intel, considering that 264 Trout were recorded this last weekend<\/strong>, with more fish over 50cm measured than in any other leg in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Uploaded via the Fishbook app by Gavin Cowell<\/p><\/div>\n

Where to be fishing is the first question in a dam interrogation.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Uploaded via Fishbook app by Gavin Cowell<\/p><\/div>\n

Trout invariably favor shallow water in the early am or late pm, feeling quite secure in low light from any potential predators, so the spillway of a dam is a sound starting point, as are the banks with a gentle slope.<\/p>\n

These fish are surprisingly close to the bank, so don\u2019t start slapping the water and stay out of your float tube, sight your Trout and lead moving fish with your cast.<\/p>\n

This is something that Craig Cowell knows only to well, teaching the big Trout a proper lesson, recording the two largest fish of 59cm and 61cm.<\/p>\n

\"\"

One of Craig Cowell’s incredible catches this past weekend Uploaded via Fishbook app by Team Mate Gavin Cowell<\/p><\/div>\n

As did Andrew Stuart, who caught 16 fish at an average of 49cm.<\/p>\n

Not to mention Ian Cribbins who in a single session landed 6 fish all over 50cm!<\/p>\n

Despite Winter, and the spawning behavior that can make the fishing a little frustrating, one also has to remember that they still must feed, so the other common GPS in the fly fisher\u2019s Google map is weed-beds.<\/p>\n

It offers them cover and weed is the suburbs of a lot of insects \/ fish food. So don\u2019t spend your time ripping and stripping the deep water in Winter… work the weed!<\/p>\n

\"\"

Wayne Stegen uploaded via the Fishbook App<\/p><\/div>\n

Wayne Stegen and Andrew Beech from the \u2018Zimmers\u2019 know this only to well, both landing a 56cm fish in the last session to earn their team a 5th\u00a0<\/sup>place finish,\u00a0with the Non-descripts Taking 4th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Team \u2018Zimmers\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Team Non-descripts<\/p><\/div>\n

The top 3 teams were all on a count-out, such was the quality of fish with Gavin Cowell\u2019s 4 fish all over 50cm in the final session rocketing his team, the \u2018Nymphomaniacs\u2019 into 3rd<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Team \u2018Nymphomaniacs\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Team \u2018WBHO\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018WBHO\u2019 were close runners up, but Bophelong Construction were crowned champions of the 2nd\u00a0<\/sup>Leg of the TOPS Corporate Challenge.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Bophelong Construction were crowned champions of the 2nd Leg of the TOPS Corporate Challenge<\/p><\/div>\n

The \u2018Glass of Not so Serious<\/a> Awards\u2019 continued to give every team just reward for their antics off the field and the festivities had the last say, which is probably the most sage advice you could give to anyone when it comes to fishing!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The dilemma that every fly fisher faces at a TOPS Corporate Challenge will never change. The object of the weekend is to rekindle long-standing friendships that are all too often marginalized through digital communications. But, one is also expected to make an effort at the waters edge and contribute to your team\u2019s scorecard, if for no other reasons than to justify your future invite. It\u2019s a balancing act that is generally toppled at Notties on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":5886,"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":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[80,52,23,1],"tags":[133,201,46,203,209,206,207,205,198,197,208],"class_list":["post-5858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-competitions","category-events","category-fly-fishing","category-uncategorized","tag-fishing","tag-fly-fishing-competition","tag-fly-fishing","tag-gareth-george","tag-glass-of-not-so-serious","tag-notties","tag-tcc","tag-tcc-2019","tag-trout","tag-wildfly","tag-winter-fishing"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-2-resized.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13388,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=13388","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":0},"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=22"},"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":15064,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=15064","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":1},"title":"The Middle Fin – TCC Leg 2","author":"Gareth","date":"June 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A lot of Trout clearly didn\u2019t get the message from Uncle Cyril this last weekend as they kept their distance from the very social advances of the fly fishers. The TOPS Corporate Challenge has built its reputation on the camaraderie and festivities surrounding the fishing, which was embraced by the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fly Fishing"","block_context":{"text":"Fly Fishing","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Banner-copy-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Banner-copy-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Banner-copy-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Banner-copy-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Banner-copy-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2490,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=2490","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":2},"title":"5 Reasons To Enter The TOPS Corporate Challenge","author":"Rhuan Human","date":"May 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Competition angling is not for everyone, in fact some of the best anglers I have met have never fished a competition in their lives. Some see fishing as an escape. An break from their daily routine, and from the responsibilities that go with adult life. They want to be outside\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/b2ap3_thumbnail_IMG_8055.JPG?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10842,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=10842","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":3},"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":5707,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=5707","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":4},"title":"TOPS Corporate Challenge Leg 1","author":"Gareth","date":"June 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"It would be an understatement to say the festivities outweighed the fishing this last weekend, with the legendary Notties living up to it\u2019s reputation as the \u00a0pub with a exit that is impossible to find. The entrants certainly had more than one glass of not so serious at the start\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Brown Trout\"","block_context":{"text":"Brown Trout","link":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?tag=brown-trout"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TCC-2019-Leg-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2807,"url":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/?p=2807","url_meta":{"origin":5858,"position":5},"title":"TCC 2017 – Leg 3","author":"Gareth","date":"July 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The fish are definitely getting bigger, proven by the number of Trout in excess of 55cm landed this weekend! Led in the 1st session by Anton Martyne\u2019s 61cm runner up which was just pipped by Deon Nel\u2019s 62cm winning Rainbow hen, now in line for the Quintrex boat, compliments of\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Deon_Nel.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Deon_Nel.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Deon_Nel.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Deon_Nel.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fishbook.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Deon_Nel.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa8sv9-1wu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5858","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=5858"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5891,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5858\/revisions\/5891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fishbook.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}