Jack Tisdall reports that the weekend saw the conclusion of the NCFFI Irish Float Team Qualifiers on the Boyle Canal (due to very high water levels on the Lower River Bann).
The weekend was very successful, with good numbers of small fish being caught on the pole by the anglers in fine, mild weather conditions. Day one saw Dublin angler Bob Hume win the overall with 2.240 Kgs (98 fish) on the pole at 8 and 11m on peg 17. Runner up was David Herron (Co Tyrone) with 2.120 Kgs (95 fish) on peg 5, while Francis McGoldrick (Co Cavan) was third on peg 20 with 1.780 Kgs (82 fish). The other section was won by Rory Dunne (Co Rosscommon) 1.620 Kgs (57fish) peg 14. A calm second day saw an improvement in the fishing with the individual winner being Rory Dunne 2.570 Kgs (121 fish) on peg 9. Runner up was Finton Brennan (Co Kildare) 2.530 Kgs (89fish) on peg 18, with Francis McGoldrick 2.400 Kgs (126 fish) third peg 10. Garry Radcliffe (Co Antrim) .880 Kgs (44fish) won the third section.
The overall qualifier League winner was Tommy Dowd (Co Cavan) with a best 4 match total of 6 points. A total of 28 anglers fished the Qualifiers this year with an average turnout of 20 anglers per match. Mark Theedom the Ireland Team manager will now select his 2012 Float Teams from the top 19 anglers in the overall standings. Teams will be announced following the CIPS November committee meeting, when the 2012 Float venues are confirmed.
