Malaysia Tackle Challenge Trophy 2009 - Part 3

Photos by D1 & TKH

Early next morning, each team assembled by the jetty ready for battle stations Day 2 in hope of getting some better results compared to the previous day. As usual, being the slowest boat, FG and I were left behind the wake of the more powerful boats. Most teams opted to head south of Temenggor Dam to press chances for the elusive winner Sebarau. As morning was the best time and we didnt want to spend 1.5 hours travelling down to the rivermouths and waterfall at the southern part, FG and I decided to play around the rivers near the base.

We motored in quietly into the first river. Looks fish and beautiful. Gentle mists were still overing on the water surface. But as we turned a bend, to our disappointment, we saw a boathouse parked nicely at the middle of the narrow river! And in the inner part of the river, two teams had already reached there and were already fishing. So much for hoping to be the first at the spot! We decided to leave the teams alone and went off in search for other more promising spots. Sadly, the scene repeated itself a few times at other rivers: most teams had already reached the fishy looking spots before we did.

Our guide was also starting to feel the pressure from lack of spots to bring us. It was already 10.30am. We discussed the options we have and together decided to take the 1.5hr journey south to the waterfall - hopefully the Sebarau were there.

Our strategy turned out to be a bad move. The water level had dropped tremendously and worse still, the Sebarau remained elusive! Worse still, it seemed as if each bend we approached had already anglers fishing there! Somehow Temenggor was packed with visitors that day!

2.30pm - We approached a quiet cove with crystal clear water. A few rises were spotted upon our entry - a sign that the Toman were happily playing and surfacing to catch their 'breath'. FG and I proceeded to fire off our Fat Raps at the rises. One particular Toman fearlessly surfaced right a few feet in front of us near a sunken log, as if to sneer at us. FG and I simultaneously cast at the same spot. Remembering an article he read to stick the rod tip into the water to get the extra depth when cranking in a lure, FG did just that - and was duly rewarded with a solid hookup!

At one moment of the fight the Toman headed for the snag below the boat but with FG's expert handling of the situation, it was quietly subdued and led into the landing net - pulling the Boga grip down by 8lbs! Woohoo!! We proceeded to cast around the area as there were still rises around. I had a miss on Fat Rap Redhead that came back with a Toman "kiss" on the lure. This sure wasn't a good trip for me!

to be continued in Part 4 (final)....

FG managed to convert to a solid hookup

On Rapala Fat Rap GFR!

And check out the colouration on the Toman

Mug shot

Length of 72cm

Released to fight another day

My Fat Rap 'kissed' by Toman that did not convert to a hookup