gear, people spend thousands on tackle so why not spend a decent amount of money on a rain suit? In an ideal world you want a bib and brace with a jacket made from Gore-Tex, E-vent or another similar material. While it helps in terms of comfort, this also should be considered part of ones safety equipment. Fit also plays a role in the selection of wet weather gear, if you are a larger angler a US made suit may fit your figure or if you are a slimmer build look to Japanese brands to find your fit. You want a suit that has ease of movement with enough space to allow for you to layer up your clothing in cooler conditions and can be worn alone in the warmth of summer. Seeing Is Believing Quality polarised eye wear is one area that many anglers are clued in on already, having a good set of glasses cut through the glare on the water giving you a better chance of detecting bites on your line or even fish hitting your lure. While different lenses will suit different light conditions, it is impossible for the average angler to have the perfect glasses for each situation. As an allrounder amber and copper are viewed in the fly fishing world as being ideal but as with anything personal preference will dictate what you will go with in the end.
…targeted stretching will allow you a greater range of movement and comfort through out the tournament session.
1
10-15 seconds
2
8-10 seconds on each side
3
10-12 seconds each arm
Standing and casting for hours on the water can take its toll on the body, here’s a few stretches that will help keep you flexible and at the top of your game.
4
3-5 seconds 3 times
5
10 seconds
6
10 seconds
GETTING FIT TO GET BIT
Fitness and physical condition don’t just effect your performance on the water but also effect you in the days after a tournament. Most tournament anglers have a day job, and being able to return to work in good condition and ready to go on Monday will make it easier when you tell your work you need a Thursday and Friday off for a tournament. It is about being a total endurance angler; all you need to be looking for is a good base level of fitness and endurance. This is where all of your endurance and fitness work will be done. Setting up an exercise routine should always be achievable, there is no point saying I will do this entire plan if it realistically impossible. In an ideal world you should look at doing twenty to thirty minutes of exercise three times a week and change the level of intensity depending on your level of fitness. Heath Blakie showed in the 2012 Grand Final that his fitness preparation was crucial to success on a testing final day at Bribie Island. Stretching To Victory Grayson Fong, a regular tournament angler, competitive triathlete and remedial masseuse/ acupuncturist is a firm believer that targeted stretching will allow you a greater range of movement and comfort throughout the tournament session. Fong’s pre and during