Annual Halloween Fishing Event

On Friday, November 1st, the annual Halloween fishing event took place at the Looze Vissertje in Herselt. Equipped with plenty of food and drinks, a few participants set off from the foot of the basilica towards Herselt to go trout fishing. Early birds had already secured their spots at the Looze Vissertje, aiming for the best spot on the left pond, a place well-known in the area.

When all participants had arrived, the other participants joined the early birds, making a total of about ten fishermen taking part in this annual activity. It soon became clear that the many leaves on the pond were a nuisance for some fishermen. After some discussion, about half of them moved to another (right) pond without leaves, just in time for the release of the trout.

Although Thursday, October 31st, was still beautiful and sunny, Friday brought typical All Saints' Day weather with mist and colder temperatures. The fishing could begin, and the trout were released. The youngest participant quickly hooked the first trout on the pond with leaves. In the first hours, many trout were caught on the left pond with leaves. On the pond without leaves, it was Geert Beken who caught the first and also his last trout of the day, while Geert Buelens managed to catch two trout on this pond.

The fishermen in the good spot decided to go to the canteen, presumably because they had caught enough fish. After a few hours, the catch on both ponds slowed down, and it became a matter of enduring the cold and staring at the float in the hope of catching another trout. One participant managed to hook a tree, but few trout were caught. It became colder and grayer, and light drizzle fell. Some fishermen decided to go home, some because they had caught enough, others due to the cold and gray weather and out of frustration.

Despite the difficult conditions, a few clever fishermen managed to catch ten trout, while others caught only three. Eventually, everyone packed up and headed to the canteen, except for Geert Buelens, who persevered and caught another trout, bringing his total to three. After this catch, he also called it a day and went to the canteen, where some drinks and food were enjoyed.

This marked the end of the annual Halloween fishing event.

 

Naam schrijver: Buelens, Geert