Mick Flanagan reports on recent fishing on the midland trout loughs

NATIONAL QUALIFIER ON OWEL. Last Saturday September 17^th over one hundred Anglers ventured out on Owel for the I.T.F.F.A Leinster National Qualifier. Fishing was from 10-3- – 6pm, and conditions were quite good for fly-fishing. It turned out a tough day in the Office, and the Owel trout were reluctant to surface feed. Still 40 Anglers caught fish, and local Angler Paddy Ward produced a winning catch of 4 fish for 6lbs 2oz.Presentation took place at the Angling centre at Tullaghan with Dr Billy Waldron thanking all who fished this years qualifier. The Doc also thanked I.F.I. staff and the officers of L.O.T.P.A. for their help on the day.Full photo Gallery on www.midlandangling.com

O’ MALLEY CUP ON ENNELL. On Sunday Ennell Anglers hosted the O, Malley Cup in blustery conditions. It was a good fishing day for Ennell, but like the Owel trout they were hard caught. The day had clashed with many other sporting events including the All –Ireland, and the Dublin Anglers were scarce on the ground. We fished from 11am-7pm, and with 20 minutes to go John Brennan of Currabawn, Longford fishing with Ciaran Newman produced a trout from the top drawer. The fish was in mint condition and rattled the scales at 5lbs 2oz.Seamus Eighan finished 2^nd on the day. Presentation took place at Whitebridge Bay and David O, Malley done the honors. John Tyrrell L.E.T.P.A. competition captain thanked all who fished and the O, Malley Family for sponsoring the competition. John also mentioned the last few trout competition on Ennell, and next Sunday September 25^th the Christy Sleator Cup will be fished, and on October 12^th the last day of the season, the annual sweeps competition will take place.John had a buzy evening and presented Donal Stenson with the Rex Beaumont Cup.Donal won the Rex Beaumont Cup on 29^th May, but it was not returned for presentation that day.

WESTMEATH ANGLING NETWORK. On Thursday September 15^th I dropped into the Westmeath Network Meeting, which took place in Westmeath Community Development Offices. On the night I.F.I Inspector Dermot Broughan gave a talk on species of fish in our local lakes and rivers, species making a recovery, and rules and regulations on Angling in the Shannon Region.It is planned to hold another training meeting on September 26^th in Bloomfield House Hotel at 2pm.This is an ideal opportunity for those involved in Angling Tourism in Westmeath, to learn about what we have to offer to anglers, and the rules and regulations for fishing on our waterways.Please contact Neil Faulkner on 086-1729667 if you are interested in attending, so he can cater for numbers.

SLEATOR CUP & NALLY CUP. Next Sunday September 25^th Ennell Anglers will host the Christ Sleator Cup. This is the last club Trout competition of the season, and a good turn out is expected on the day. Check-in at Whitebridge Bay, with fishing from 11am.On Saturday September 24^th Lough Bane Anglers will host the Jimmy Nally Memorial Cup. This fly fishing competition is open to all Derravaragh and Bane Club members.
Michael Flanagan
Pike and Trout angling guide.