Isabel reels in top spot at fishing comp
The six-year-old uMhlanga resident recently won the pinkies category at a national fishing competition where she caught a 516 gram shad.
FISHING is not a sport often associated with little girls, however, Isabel Gibson has taken to the sport hook, line and sinker.
The six-year-old recently competed in a national fishing competition, Ballies and Babes at Cape Vidal in St Lucia, alongside her grandfather and father where she beat dozens of other skilled anglers with the biggest catch.
Her winning shad, said proud grandfather, Greg Holwill (60), weighed 516 grams.
He said she reeled in over eight different species in total, including a 1.8 kilogram Rockcod. This earned her first place in the pinkies category.
The uMhlanga resident is following in the footsteps of her older brother, Jack (8) who won the boy’s section of the competition, Ballies and Boys, two years ago.
The young angler said her favourite fish was the parrotfish. “They are really colourful and beautiful. When I caught mine I wanted to take him home,” she said.
According to Gibson, she learnt her skills from her grandfather who shared most of his tips and tricks while they visited him at his lodge in Mozambique.
The Northlands Primary School pupil said she plans to take part in next year’s event where she hopes to catch an even bigger fish.
The annual Ballies and Babes competition is held to enhance the relationship between fathers and daughters.
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