Border U19 in reel sparkling form

BORDER Junior anglers had mixed fortunes at the Bottomfish Nationals at Port St Francis last week.

The Border U19 team did well to claim first place after a great week of fishing that was highlighted on the fourth day when the crew reeled in a massive haul.

The team – managed by Dawie Fick comprised of captain Cylie Clarke from the East London Ski-Boat Club (ELSBC), Zander Fick and Dian Fick both of Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club – won the section.

Clark attends Port Rex Technical High School while the Fick brothers are at a Pretoria school. Border finished 50 points ahead of Western Province who came in second.

They were the only team to cross the 300 points threshold as their dominant 337.35 points tally was well earned while WP finished on 286.40 and Eastern Province Black rounded out the top three on 283.48.

The Border U16 team did not fare as well as their older counterparts as they came out fifth in their category.

Captain Joshua Olivier, Nicholas Clarke and Ross Lucas, all from ELSBC managed by Glen Olivier tried their best but ultimately could not crack the top three.

Olivier goes to school at Arcadia, Lucas at Baysville and Clark at President Primary.

Border Development Officer John Leuf was full of praise for the youngsters especially the U19s: “On day one the wind got up to 50-60km/h but because they were in a protected bay, the competition went on,” said Leuf.

“Our boys hit the jackpot on day four when they weighed in six species as well as some nice heavy fish.

“Day three was a development day where with the help from other province development officers, I did a development session with all the anglers.”

Leuf also said fortune not favour their U16 team.

“Bad luck cost our U16 team a medal, as they got the worst boat draw. The winning boat won every day and the team unfortunately missed drawing it,” said Leuf.

“Also on the last day, if they had one more species, they would have ended in third place.”

did