Are you ready for this weekend’s fishing competition?

IF you are participating in the Vryheid Social Boat Angling Forum’s Spring Fishing Competition this weekend, expect cool temperatures on Saturday and pleasant, warm weather conditions on Sunday.

Here is a list of items you may want to take with you:

– Quality rain gear. It is easy to get soaked during a hike to your fishing spot or a long boat ride. The right items will allow you to fish comfortably all day, even if it rains.

– Wool or synthetic socks and undergarments: Make sure you bring plenty of extra socks and underwear. Even with fully waterproof outerwear, you can get soaked if you are out in the rain for extended periods.

– Heavy jacket: If there’s room in your bag, it is always worth bringing just in case there is a cold snap. Even in temperate weather, it can be a lifesaver on a long morning boat ride or after a fall in the water.

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– Cool, sun-protective clothing: Overexposure can cause burns, exhaustion, dehydration, and even heat stroke. Make sure you cover up. Lightweight, long-sleeved synthetic shirts with plenty of ventilation will keep you cool and keep the sun off your skin. Team these up with a pair of rugged synthetic pants that will dry quickly if you wade in the water.

– Bandanna, UV Buff, or other face protection: Protecting your face is an absolute must.

– Water shoes or sandals: Good-quality wading shoes will help protect your feet and keep you from slipping on rocks when wading in the water.

– Sun-protective hat: A good hat will reduce glare, allowing you to spot fish or structures under the water while protecting your face, neck, and ears from the sun. Full-brimmed hats offer superior protection to baseball-style caps.

– Medications: If you take any medications, make sure to have your prescription filled well in advance.

– Sunscreen: Whether you are in a cold or hot climate, always bring sunscreen. Being outside for hours on end exposes your skin to harmful UV rays, even if there is cloud cover.

– Insect repellent: Bugs will ruin a trip if you let them.

– Small first aid kit: It comes in handy for treating the inevitable cuts and scrapes, insect bites, headaches, and other things that can come up when you are outdoors. At minimum it should include: bandages, alcohol swabs, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers, antihistamines, and antibiotic ointment.

– Light pack: Create a “travel pack” that stays empty so you can fill it from your personal stock with essential lures, flies, and terminal tackle prior to your trip. Sling packs, chest packs, and small backpacks made specifically for fishing are great for this.

– Rods and reels: Take only what is necessary and leave room for a spare.

– Lures, flies, and terminal tackle: Check with local fly/tackle shops and outfitters for current fishing conditions and advice on what lures, flies, and techniques are working best. Local shops are great resources that can help you narrow down exactly what you will need.

– Polarized sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes and cut glare so you can see your lure, spot underwater structures, and even see fish.

You can never guarantee the fishing, but with the right preparation, you can always enjoy the experience.

The competition takes place on November 25 and 26 at the Klipfontein Dam and proceeds will be donated to Hospice.

The cost per entrant is R100 and tickets will be available at the main tent on the day of the competition. Tickets can also be purchased at Power Plastics, Bo’s, Pebco Motor Works, The Tackle Zone, and Vryheid Forestry Supplies ahead of the competition. Registration takes place from 6am till 8am on Saturday and will be followed by a briefing.

Lines go in from 9am and the scale closes on Sunday at noon.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Biggest Carp (Category A and B) – R5 000

Biggest Barbel (Category A and B) – R3 000

Biggest Bass (All Categories) – R2 000

Biggest Kurper (All Categories) – R500

Biggest Eel (All Categories) – R500

NB: ‘Category A’ refers to boat and ‘Category B’ refers to shore, ‘All Categories’ is an open round that can be won by Category A or B.

Expect lots of family fun with plenty of food stalls, arts and crafts, live music, boat rides and a jumping castle.