The river Barrow in Carlow Town has indeed been placed on the map as regards Coarse Angling within the Country and Province of Leinster over the past few years courtesy of the up and coming Carlow Coarse Angling Club reportable the most active coarse angling club in the country. Under the Chairmanship of Mr Gerry McStraw the club host yearly angling events for match anglers, junior anglers and also run six week programmes for Rehab Carlow and the Irish wheelchair Association amongst other groups and organisations within Co.Carlow, Co.Laois, Co.Wexford and Waterford. The club work very closely with Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Carlow Sports Partnership, Carlow Town and County Council’s and also run a river patrol sponsored by the Talbot Hotel in Carlow and the Lazy River Cafe on Graiguecullen Bridge.

King of the Barrow winner Jimmy Kelly being presented his Cup and winnings by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw
King of the Barrow winner Jimmy Kelly being presented his Cup and winnings by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw

Previously this year the local club hosted the first of a series of World Cup qualifiers which will determine which anglers will fish for Ireland in South Africa next year, and Leinster League matches organised by the Leinster Federation, Carlow C.A.C. and the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (N.C.F.F.I.) the National Governing body for coarse anglers in the country were all held on the river Barrow in Carlow. As if the wee club from Carlow didn’t have enough to boast about they also held the first ever Peace Cup Cross Border angling match with the Tagit Club from East Belfast which turned out to be a complete success which added extra income to the Graiguecullen area via Holiday Homes etc.

Danny Quin Irish International angler being presented his Section winnings by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw.
Danny Quin Irish International angler being presented his Section winnings by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw.

The King of the Barrow event has been a complete success from day one several years ago with anglers traveling from all over the Country, Northern Ireland, Overseas and even Eastern Europe. The momentum has been gathering over the years and this year we had a Leinster angler as the winner in the form of a certain Mr Jimmy Kelly. Mr Kelly ended up winning the King of the Barrow with a staggering bag of Roach to 23Lb over the four hour match, Jimmy favoured the Stick Float method from the start and used the stick to have devastating results. Second overall went Mr Colin Oliver and 3rd overall went to another popular Leinster angler Mr Leo Auinger. World Cup and Leinster angler Danny Quinn from Athy won his section with a good bag of Roach. all caught on the long pole method.

Colin Oliver being presnted his winnings for runner up in the Waterways Ireland King of the Barrow festival by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw
Colin Oliver being presnted his winnings for runner up in the Waterways Ireland King of the Barrow festival by Carlow C.A.C. chairman and National Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) Exec comm. member Gerry McStraw

Well over One Hundred pound of fish was caught and released (as is club policy) safely back to the river Barrow during the King of the Barrow festival, all of which will have another day on the river. Mr McStraw went on to compliment his very active and dedicated committee for helping organise the day thus missing out on the fishing. If you have any queries as regards fishing the river Barrow or joining the Carlow Coarse Angling Club please do not hesitate to contact Gerry on 085 2844566 or visit the very popular Carlow cac page on Facebook. Web: www.carlowcoarseanglingguides.com

Report compliments of:

Gerry McStraw, Carlow CAC