Awards ceremony (last part of the tournament)

Back at the docks most boats were in or coming in. England 1 had the same experience as both of our teams. They did not have many hook-ups, but some sized fish and lost some sized ones too. All eyes were now on the Finnish team who were still right in front of the docks fishing the last minutes and once more demonstrating what a mean fishing machine they are. It just looked awesome to see them fish. One man up front, making casts to the left of the boat and one man on the back, making casts to the right of the boat. The man in the back (Saku) did not have a big casting platform, so he had a stripping basket on his leg and stripped into that basket. Their electromotor silently pulled the fishingboat through the water and they were fishing V shaped. The boat was in the middle of the V and this way they just combed out an entire area very effectively in one drift.
They stopped and came in at 2 minutes to four, so just right in time.
It resulted they did not have such a good day as some other teams, but still got enough pike aboard to not loose their lead. Although their lead was not as big anymore as it was after the first day, it was clear that they would have enough breathing space to stay in first position.
So the teams all got their gear together and we went back to the lodge. Simon had the exact scores and it was still a bit tensive how today’s totals would make up the final ranking. Could there still be a shift between the positions of England 1 and the two Dutch teams?


this pic sucks, but the cook Francois does deserve a place in the awards ceremony

Back at the lodge we had yet another good meal. Francois (Teddy) proved to be a good cook once more. And as the weather had turned very pleasurable over the past days we decided to take the plates outside and have dinner on the deck. Most competitors had been talking and exchanging theories by now and although the awards Ceremony still had to come, most of us were busy planning on how to fish the next days already. And of course, enjoying the location and the beers together with good company.
Simon himself had a terrible time in the meanwhile. Some miscommunication between him and the “guides” resulted in huge stress. The guides did not get the message some teams would still be staying for a few days and that Simon promised fishing for a week to us. So now he had no guides, nor boats for the next day… He did an amazing job and I am glad to tell you all there’s no need to worry about this being our last part of the fishing-trip report. He found a way to get other boats and men and we were ensured we could fish the other days as well. Thanks once more for that Si.
Okay, so we sat outside and it was time for the official part of the tournament. The prizes.
There were two winners on this tournament. The major game everyday was to catch as much sized fish per team and try to get the most length together. But the other part was for the largest fish of the tournament.
On the centimeters the Dutch did not manage to get gold.
The final result was:
1. Finland
2. England 1 (Mike and Guy)
3. Netherlands 1 (Erik and Harmen-Jan)
Netherlands 2 (Hajee and I ended in 4th place). In this final result it has to be said that the Finnish dominated, they had a serious lead. Nr’s 2 till 4 (so England1 and both Dutch teams) had a close match and I think we all enjoyed that a lot. Every pike missed or lost was one “that could have counted” and maybe just an excuse for being in another place than first. Although I personally think all teams have missed/lost their fair share, so in the end that will even out. The bottom-line would be that a close field adds a lot of fun for all competitors.
Then there was this other part of the competition, where it all was about the size of a single fish.
Saku won the prize for smallest pike captured…. Although Harmen-Jan and Erik still claim that the pike eggs that stuck into the fibres of their streamers should have been a smaller entry then Saku’s fish.
And then there was the grand prize of course… 4 days of fishing and lodging with Baltic Pike Tours at Kvarken…. Erik took that victory home for the Dutch and we were proud about “our” teammate.
But hey…. Have a look at the pics and they’ll speak for themselves.


Team Vision (Finnish), Saku and Tuomas won the first prize


England1, Mike (right) and Guy, receiving two rods for second price


Erik and Harmen-Jan, Netherlands1, both received a rod and got third


Hajee and Sander, receiving fourth prize from Simon Graham


cameras for coverage


Our man Erik, receiving the Grand Prize for biggest pike during the tournament


groupshot: Pierre-Luc, Eric, Benoit, Harmen-Jan, Simon Tuomas, Sander, Saku,Mike, Steve, Hajee, Guy and David

So far, so good. So now you guys know about the prizes. The upcoming days we'll post some more pics and reports about the fishing after the tournament. The Pike-fishing improved seriously and the last days were awesome. But I have to carefully warn the followers of this blog. On Thursday I will be heading down to Norway for trout and grayling a longer period of time. So after next weekend updates won't be part of it for a while.

As we would like to hear how you as a reader/follower experienced our first competition and blog attempts we would appreciate some comments. Around september we will be starting it all up again and if you let us know where to find you we'll let you know when we're getting back more actively.

I do have to give some sort of serious warning, as this week there is still some serious reports to come about fishing for pleasure.....