🇬🇧: The Christmas Cup is more than just a simple competition, it is a friendly tournament that marks the end of the Trout Area competition year. It's that moment when, although the adrenaline is still there, good vibes and a festive atmosphere take center stage.
The stage was set for an incredible show even before the start. Just a week prior, the lake where the event took place recorded an impressive record of 9,648 trout caught. With such a massive number of fish ready for the competition, fun was practically guaranteed for all participants.
🇷🇴:Cupa Craciunului este mai mult decat o simpla competitive, este concursul amical care marcheaza finalul anului competitional de Trout Area. Este acel moment in care, desi adrenalina nu lipseste, primeaza buna dispozitie si atmosfera de sarbatoare.
Premisele pentru un spectacol total au fost stabilite inca de dinaintea startului. Pe lacul unde a avut loc evenimentul se inregistrase un record impresionant cu doar o saptamana inainte: 9.648 de pastravi prinsi. Cu un asemenea numar de pesti pregatiti pentru competitie, distractia era practic garantata pentru toti participantii.
🇬🇧:In the first phase of the tournament, when the fish were extremely active, I relied on equipment that allowed for total control. I used the Artisan Competition AATS-62MH/R rod, which was ideal for bringing the fish quickly to the net without losing precious seconds. I chose 1.5g – 1.8g spoons in bright colors, constantly searching for the exact shade they preferred at that moment. In these high-speed rounds, any mistake at the net could be fatal, a single lost fish could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
🇷🇴:In prima faza a concursului, cand pestele era extrem de activ, am mizat pe un echipament care sa-mi permita un control total. Am folosit lanseta Artisan Competition AATS-62MH/R, ideala pentru a aduce pestii rapid la minciog fara a pierde secunde pretioase. Am ales lingurite de 1.5g - 1.8g in culori aprinse, cautand constant nuanta care sa le fie pe plac in acel moment. In aceste manse de viteza, orice greseala la minciog putea fi fatala, un singur peste scapat putea insemna diferenta dintre victorie si infrangere.
🇬🇧:Although I was expecting high-speed rounds, the reality on the water forced me to adapt quickly. The fish weren't as aggressive as I had anticipated, so I immediately switched to Plan B: finesse fishing with micro spoons.
To manage this delicate situation, I opted for two specific setups:
- Artisan Competition AATS-60MLST/F rod: Equipped with #0.25 ester line and light spoons under 1 gram. This combination gave me the sensitivity needed to detect even the faintest, most sluggish bites.
- Artisan Competition ATS-61UL/R rod: My second option, paired with an even thinner #0.2 ester line and micro spoons weighing between 0.6g and 0.8g.
Thanks to this precision equipment, I successfully intercepted the trout holding in the upper water column that were refusing any bolder presentations. This change in pace and the finesse of my presentation were ultimately the keys to reaching the podium.
🇷🇴:Desi ma asteptam la manse de viteza, realitatea de pe malul apei m-a fortat sa ma adaptez rapid. Pestele nu a raspuns la fel de agresiv pe cat anticipasem, asa ca am trecut imediat la planul B: un pescuit de finete cu micro spoonuri.
Pentru a gestiona aceasta situatie delicata, am optat pentru doua configuratii specifice:
- Lanseta Artisan Competition AATS-60MLST/F: Echipata cu un fir ester #0.25 si lingurite usoare, care nu depaseau 1 gram. Aceasta combinatie mi-a oferit senzitivitatea necesara pentru atacurile anemice.
- Lanseta Artisan Competition ATS-61UL/R: A doua varianta, pe care am montat un fir ester si mai subtire #0.2, folosind lingurite cu greutati cuprinse intre 0.6g si 0.8g.
Datorita acestui echipament de precizie, am reusit sa interceptez cu succes pastravii care se aflau in partea superioara a coloanei de apa si care refuzau orice prezentare mai robusta. Aceasta schimbare de ritm si finetea prezentarii au fost, in final, cheia catre podium.
🇬🇧:Luck was on my side right from the start, as I managed to quickly identify three spoons that worked consistently throughout the entire competition.
Beyond the choice of lures, the technical details made all the difference. The strategy regarding rods and lines paid off, giving me the necessary control during critical moments. All that was left to do was to stay calm, remain extremely focused, and execute every fight flawlessly to ensure no catch was lost at the net.
🇷🇴:Norocul a fost de partea mea chiar de la inceput, deoarece am reusit sa identific rapid trei lingurite care au functionat constant pe toata durata competitiei.
Dincolo de alegerea nalucilor, detaliile tehnice au facut diferenta. Strategia legata de lansete si fire a dat roade, oferindu-mi controlul necesar in momentele critice. Tot ce a mai ramas de facut a fost sa-mi pastrez calmul, sa pescuiesc extrem de concentrat si sa execut fiecare dril fara greseala, pentru a nu pierde nicio captura la minciog.
🇬🇧:Once again, the plan from home perfectly matched the reality on the water, and I'm coming back with a 3rd place finish that I'm truly proud of! The experience was topped off by an amazing atmosphere and a culinary treat to match.
The organizers surprised us with a tender and succulent lamb on the spit, served with fine wines that truly elevated the entire evening to a festive celebration. It was a victory that, quite literally, tasted excellent!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, filled with peace and joy alongside your loved ones, and may the New Year bring you many memorable fights!
🇷🇴:Inca o data, planul de acasa s-a potrivit cu cel din teren si m-am intors cu un loc 3 de care sunt tare bucuros! Experienta a fost completata de o atmosfera deosebita si de un rasfat culinar pe masura. Organizatorii ne-au surprins cu un berbec la protap fraged si suculent, servit cu vinuri alese care au ridicat intreaga seara la rang de sarbatoare. O victorie care a avut, la propriu, un gust excelent!
Va doresc un Craciun fericit, plin de liniste si bucurie alaturi de cei dragi, iar anul nou sa va aduca drill-uri memorabile!
🇬🇧:Until next time, tight lines!
🇷🇴:Pana data viitoare, fire intinse!