Breaking Records – TCC Final

Getting to the final in any event can be a little nerve wracking, especially when qualifying for the first time. Fishing isn’t seen as a competitive sport by some, lending itself 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 Challenge and for good reason…

Brad Stephens

Brad Stephens

Louise Steenekamp

Louise Steenekamp

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.

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’re on the water in the first place. This all translates into catching less fish.

Hendrik Fourie with 61cm Rainbow

Hendrik Fourie with 61cm Rainbow

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!

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’t 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.

Tavis Cairns with a great Brown Trout

Tavis Cairns with a Great Brown Trout

Niel Westerhof with his 59cm Rainbow

Niel Westerhof with his 59cm Rainbow

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.
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.
Of course, no one bothered to consult the fish about these best laid plans or make an offering to the weather gods.

Hendrik Fourie landed a beautiful Rainbow Hen of 61cm.

John Larter - The Best Fly Fisher for the TOPS Corporate Challenge.

John Larter – The Best Fly Fisher for the TOPS Corporate Challenge.

The 2020 record – Gavin Cowell with his 66cm (9lbs) Rainbow

Session fishing is always a diminishing scale of returns, with rod and a little peer pressure taking it’s toll. Hence why the rule of 4,3,2,1 fish to count in respective fishing sessions is  a great handicap……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, taking top honours as The Best Fly Fisher for the TOPS Corporate Challenge.

Team Artav 4X4, our 2020 TOPS Corporate Challenge Champions.

Team Artav 4X4, our 2020 TOPS Corporate Challenge Champions.

The Outdoor Warehouse Team - taking Silver.

The Outdoor Warehouse Team – taking Silver.

In 3rd place - The ‘Nymphmaniacs'.

In 3rd place – The ‘Nymphmaniacs’.

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, which earned him biggest fish in the final, also walking away with a hamper of fly tackle compliments of Greys.

With every team who made the final guaranteed a fishing holiday, compliments of WildFly Travel and Easy Holidays anticipation reigned over supper as the results were tallied. With trips to the incredible Baines River Camp and renowned Matoya Tiger Lodge as well as adventures down the mighty Orange with Kalahari Outventures and Trout getaways at Semonkong, Fordoun, Loxley House, Highland Lodge and Giants Cup, every team was winning.
In 3rd place was the solid performance of the ‘Nymphmaniacs’, but it was the contest for the illustrious title that was only defined by 3 placing points, with ‘The Outdoor Warehouse’ team taking Silver.
Entering for the very first time and proving their fly fishing prowess were the talented Artav 4X4 team, our 2020 TOPS Corporate Challenge Champions.
With 1167 Trout landed in this year’s event, the Wildfly waters delivered yet again! Here’s to keep everyone in casting distance and spending more time on the water in 2021!!