Hazeldene angler nets a club record, personal best

People say that you should start a new year off as you plan to continue and Hazeldene angling sensation Sylvie Richards (13) has done just that.

She competed in the first Rand Piscatorial Association (RPA) club competition for the year, last Sunday, at the Vaal Dam.

“It was a beautiful overcast summer morning and the RPA anglers gathered to start the new year on a good note and hoped for tight lines and heavy bags,” said Richards.

“We started fishing at 7am in virgin waters with no feed.

“Everyone was given the opportunity to choose where they wanted to fish.”

Richards said the day was very daunting for her as with no feed in the water it took her some time and effort to figure out what works.

“At about noon, with only five fish in the net, I baited with my favourite Awesome Baits feed, and opted to present with a long diery, coupled with a Leeu dip, from Awesome Baits.

“Since the fish were not forthcoming, I had to send my cast in deep enough to try find them,” said Richards.

After a short 15 minute wait, her line started moving slowly and stayed up tight, which meant there was a fish on it.

“I waited a few seconds to make sure that it really was a fish tightening my line and not the waves on the surface of the water.

“With the hope that this was a catch, I pulled my rod and hooked whatever was on my line.

“I slowly reeled in, trying not to frighten or stress the fish,” said Richards.

“I gave it line when it wanted to run, and, therefore, tired it a little.

“After a few minutes, the fish got closer to me in the shallows and that is when it started fighting back.

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“I had to apply all the techniques I had learned throughout the years not to scare it and not to risk it pulling itself off the hook or snapping my line.

“I had to keep calm and not panic.”

Calm and composed, Richards slowly brought the fish closer to her un-hooking station and keep nets.

“Being a few metres away from me, we saw it was a big one and my father, Phillip, grabbed the landing net to assist me with netting this giant,” Richards said.

“With the water being murky, visibility of the fish was not the best and it took several attempts to net this Graskarp.

“We were all holding our breath while this was happening.”

The scale at the weigh-in confirmed a 6.67kg Graskarp.

This brought Richards another club record and a new personal best as it was her biggest Graskarp so far.

“I ensured my net was well underwater the entire time to ensure this beauty stayed alive, and I was very grateful for this awesome catch.

“After the weigh-in, I walked hip-deep into the water and released this beautiful animal back to nature, safe, sound, well and alive; adhering to the catch and release and nature conservation regulations of competitive angling,” said Richards.

“I am thrilled and feel blessed with my achievement.

“I always try to remain positive no matter how hard the fishing day is, as you never know what will come out of the waters.”

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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