The venue was The Vaal River with the launch at the Riverside Beach Club and Limpopo province was represented by two Tzaneen anglers, Atch van Schalkwyk and Ion van der Westhuizen in his debut earning his Limpopo colours.
The competition consists out of two boat four man teams competing to see who can catch the most species over the 2 days. The best of the best in this facet of angling was present with the likes of Pedrie de Wet, André van Rooyen, Reno Sada and Emile van Druten also competing for the gold medal. Unfortunately Limpopo could only send a two man team but went into this competition with all guns blazing.
With the weather system that went over the country over the week prior to this event, it was expected that the angling would be tough as Ion and Atch experienced in the 2 practice days, Thursday and Wednesday. A recce of the almost 100km river system had them concentrate in a area 40km downstream from the launch in the area of the barrage.
On the morning of the first competition day, Thursday March 31, the Limpopo team was dealt a low blow as they had boat engine troubles that could not be fixed before the start of the first competition day. They were helped by André van Rooyen who made his boat available to them. With a late start, angling commenced. Atch got two Largemouth bass on the boat and they then filled up with 5 Southern Mouthbrooder(Dwarf kurper),Atch 3 and Ion 2. They both got one Mosquito fish and after spending 2 hours on it, they rather went in search of other species. With only two bass on board and requiring another two plus a bonus fish they rushed 40 km back to the launch where in sight of the other provinces at the weigh station they showed them how to fill your bag in a couple of minutes before the cut-off.
On day 2 they went with the same tactics and went to the same spots as day 1.
Upon arrival Ion caught the first bass and they were on the board, 30 mininutes later Atch had 5 dwarf kurpersonboardand were off to get mosquito fish.
On the way to the mosquito fish, they trolled for Sharptooth catfish (babel) and Ach landed the first one. They had no luck with the Mosquitofish and opted to move to another location and trolled for babel on the way to the next spot. Ion got his babel and the day started to look better than the first day of competition. After a long slow drive, they reached the infamous Barb (Ghieliemientjie) spot where Pedrie, André and a couple of other boats were filling their quota. Ion and Atch quickly picked up the 5 ghieliemientjies needed and got a Banded Tilapia (Vleikurper) as bonus and dropped a small carp. On the way out to see if they can get more bass, Ion was caught up on brush as they trolled out to the main river. It turned out that it was not brush but a 2 -3 kg Common carp. It was not caught in the mouth and was foul hooked in the dorsal fin and was released as it was an “illegal” catch. Atch landed another bass and just before the end of the day, Ion landed the 4th bass to fill the quota.
Although they went to represent Limpopo more than going for a podium, the event was seen as a huge learning school and to gain experience.
Atch van Schalwyk stayed on as skipper to a junior for the SAALAA Junior Trials for Protea Colours and Atch also participated in the SAALAA Senior Trials for his Protea Colours on Monday and Tuesday this week.
For more info on the Art Lure Angling please contact Ion van der Westhuizen (083 530 2268) at the Tzaneen Art Lure Angling Club. You are welcome to join them every 3rd weekend of the month at their Club Completions to learn more about species angling.
They thank all the sponsors that made it possible for Ion and Atch to attend this event.
