A report by Alex Junod, QFFC’s Bookings & Catch returns Officer
The Annual Gathering hosted by the Queenstown Fly Fishing Club (QFFC) dates back to 1996 and has become a firmly entrenched tradition in the area. This year it took place, as always, at the Aloe Grove Guest Farm from 4 – 6 July and we were privileged to have Xplorer come on board as our primary sponsor. Many others sponsors, both local and from further afield, were also involved to whom we are very grateful. A record 48 entrants took part comprising 12 teams of four and each team was given the opportunity to fish three or four of the seven QFFC waters chosen for the event. The dams ranged in size from the well-known 26-hectare dam, Pinegrove, to the two Birds River dams of roughly three hectares each. The QFFC committee members acted as guides at each of the dams.
True to style, the weather proved challenging with strong winds and sub-zero temperatures at the start of each day. At one stage, some light snow, plummeted already low temperatures even further! Fishing in the falling sleet and snow proved a test of our courage and perseverance as anglers but to the uninitiated it would be seen as nothing but insanity!
As we all know, a true fly-fisherperson takes these minor difficulties in her stride! If anything, it makes her more determined to show what she is made of! It is no coincidence that I use the female personal pronoun, “her”, in this case as one of the participants, Antoinette Naude, led the way on the dams she fished, persevering through the adverse weather conditions while others (sex to remain unspecified!) took shelter in their vehicles! She landed ten trout over the minimum 400mm, including a magnificent 660mm cockfish from Pinegrove which earned her the individual prize for the second longest fish. She also caught the second longest bag of 5.45m total length! Gavin Loveday took the overall honours with a handsome cockfish of 683mm from the aptly named Snowdon Trophy Dam as well as the longest bag of 6.8m. Shaun Dickson, one of the Xplorer representatives, although not one of the contestants quietly demonstrated his angling prowess with a beautiful hen of ten pounds! The three teams who took the honours for both the longest overall bag and average longest fish were The Zonkers, Hook Jaw and Lost Boys!
A summary of the overall results appears below:
TEAM RESULTS - TOP 3
|
TEAM |
TOTAL FISH LENGTH (m) |
POSITION |
AVERAGE LONGEST FISH (mm) |
POSITION |
|
The Zonkers |
19,40 |
1 |
593 |
1 |
|
Hook Jaw |
10,62 |
2 |
553 |
3 |
|
Lost Boys |
10,34 |
3 |
573 |
2 |
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS - TOP 5
|
LONGEST RAINBOW TROUT (OVER 600mm)
LONGEST BROWN TROUT (OVER 600mm)
|
Overall 167 fish were caught measuring an average of 522mm.
Although the chance of winning one of the magnificent prizes on offer was clearly a motivating factor for many, it was certainly not the main emphasis of the Gathering. The sheer joy of fishing with one’s friends in the beautiful winter surroundings of the Eastern Cape Highlands and sharing a beer afterwards is what will bring most of the contestants back next year. It would be fair to say though that the quality of the fishing, in particular the average size, condition and the majestic beauty of the fish caught, has a certain role to play too!
A big thank you must go to Reg Morgan, the QFFC Chairman, and his team for a well organised event!
Photos:
Shaun Dickson from Explorer with his 10 lb hen from Pinegrove.
Antoinette Naude with her 660mm cockfish which won her second place.
Oakley Dam produced the most fish.
Another fish being released.
Alex Junod’s contact details. Email alexlesjunod@gmail.com & cell 082 8530512.
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