World Catfish Classic - Official Global Website
Chiprana, Spain 23rd - 25th May 2012
| Part3-Re-count of the Event |
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The river was alive with little boats as anglers were preparing and baiting their swims. An hour into the contest and the first radio signal came in ‘fish on peg….’ and it continued that way for the next three days.  Highlights include team USA storming into a 1st day lead. The girls team doing amazingly well on day 2 as well as a huge 91kg or 200lb catfish by Berkley France. Day 3 saw the Dutch duo of Ron and Arnout storming it and going from bottom to the very top and taking the crown in nine action packed and emotional hours, but only by not even a kilo difference from the US Team. The marshals have done an unbelievable job in recording and weighing each catfish so quickly and ensuring they were released speedily and without harm, well done to you all. The closing ceremony was the highlight as the top 10 pairs and winners received their prizes. Everyone watched and ate the amazing, local meal produced by the ladies for the last time. Afterwards it was fiesta time, the music rang out, the drink flowed and everyone had a good time. New friends met and the whole spirit of the new event was encapsulated for ever.  Although the event had finished there was still work to be done the following day. Clearing up the sports hall, removing banners, taking down signage, removing pegs and stakes and returning the village back to normal again after the 10 days it won't forget in a while.Most of the team had to wait until the Monday to fly back home so they had some time to relax and fish especially now the wind had died down a bit. Most of the marshal & all of the media team had never caught a catfish so they took it in turns with the bites. Some nice catfish were caught but also carps topping up at 40lb.  It was a fun end to the event. They had worked hard and deserved it. Some wished they could fish for longer but the time was drawing ever nearer to departure. Goodbyes were said to the locals that had become friends and then it was off to the airport and back to England and reality once more. 14 crazy days in Chip Chip Chip Chiprana which will have everlasting memories for so many people and a legacy to keep this beautiful river as it should be - beautiful and rubbish free for all to enjoy for ever. |
