The entry fee of 1200Kč (approx. 50€) seemed appropriate, considering attractive prizes, fantastic fishing and a hearty lunch.
The quantity and the quality of stewards were adequate. One steward attended each two anglers.
The fishing
The draw put every competitor in his starting sector, and then with each new session he moved to the next sector. This system provided to all competitors fair if not absolutely equal opportunities.
After drawing, all participants had enough time to reach their sectors and to set up their tackle. Up to four spare rods were kept assembled and ready on rod rests.
At eight o’clock, a bell ringed giving the start signal. Immediately, first fish were hooked and landed. Light jigs of «nymph» type dominated the first sessions, but as fish moved gradually farther from the bank and grew more and more suspicious, various spoons became a better proposition.
There were 20-minute breaks after the first and the second session. Then, after the third session came the lunch break followed by two last sessions.
In the afternoon, a fresh wind came up. The fishing got harder, and the tension rose. Cries of joy or disappointment echoed all over the lake.
Strategy
Most competitors fished for trout. Obviously, it was a safer bet than targeting pike, which required the use of wire traces. Theoretically, one could win with pike. There were enough of them in the water, and an average pike was much longer than an average trout, bringing more points. However, nobody was inclined to take any risks. Really, a pity! The match might be even more intriguing, but, to tell the truth, the plot was already tense enough. Slovak competitors, very experienced in still-water trout fishing, proved to be a hard nut to crack. In fact, Czech hosts weren’t up to it.
Results
And so, the NORSTREAM Cup was won by Peter Horňák from Slovakia. Peter landed 25 fish and scored 8040 points, his sum of session placing numbers being 75.
Second place went to Jožka Foltýn of Team Jestřabice (29 fish, 8736 points, 84). Third came Juraj Smatana, another Slovak angler (29 fish, 9084 points, 98). The relative low average session placing of the top three men (15th–20th place per session) was indicative of a really hard battle. Indeed, it was trout fishing at its best.
The total catch consisted of 1172 fish, mainly trout, but also 60 pike, 3 perch and 1 sturgeon.
Croatian competitors were not accustomed to such type of venue and such high catch rates. They did their best, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to claim higher places in the end table. Nevertheless, they gained valuable experience. After all, it’s the gain of experience that matters most, not prizes. That’s why these international competitions are so important to the whole lure fishing fraternity.
Another great thing was an atmosphere of camaraderie throughout the event. Tactics were discussed; tackle were compared. NORSTREAM people organized a presentation of their spinning rods including all-new Dynamic-CZ and Provocator series. Everyone could test the rods on a small pond near the main venue. One could even borrow a rod to fish some sessions of the competition (some did it!).
In the evening, the results were announced and the prizes presented to the winners. Paying tribute to NORSTREAM’s contribution to the competitive fishing, the coach of the Czech national team presented to Armon Ikramov of NORSTREAM the team’s World Championship medal and a signed photograph of team members. These memorabilia are now displayed at the NORSTREAM head office in Moscow.
Keen spectators observed that an overwhelming majority of competitors used NORSTREAM tackle on this occasion. In a battle like this only the best is good enough. Is then NORSTREAM the best? And how could NORSTREAM, a newcomer to Central Europe, push back some old-established labels and come instantly into prominence?
It’s no secret that many other well-known companies ceased to care about the angler and his real needs. Profit-orientated directors don’t know anything about trout fishing, they are interested only in stock market news. Instead of fishing tackle, they could sell electronics or chemicals, it’s all the same to them. And so, their rods are standard all-round models only slightly adapted to different types of fishing.
On the contrary, each NORSTREAM rod is designed and produced for a specific purpose. In other words, it is a highly specialized professional device. For example, new Dynamics and Provocators were created especially for Czech trout waters. No wonder that for this kind of fishing these are among the best rods — and an obvious choice of the discerning angler.
