Day 4 looked as if was going to get off to a nice start on Lough Muckno. The sunshine and light winds had already beaten back the low overnight temperatures and it actually looked as if nice fishing conditions would prevail today. Alas, just before the “all in” the wind started to get up and grew in intensity right through until the “all out”. At least the rain stayed away. But coarse anglers are hardy and resilient and the 48 anglers on the two sections just got down to the task in hand, catching fish.
Conditions have not been the easiest and it was generally known that things were going to be tough. The majority of anglers again opted for the feeder. Anglers in contention in the event knew that they had to get reasonable weights to maintain their positions. Fish were being taken on all pegs at Toome from the start but maintaining consistency was the problem. Some anglers were getting bites but the intervals between the bites were averaging 10 to 15 mins. Some pegs were quiet but others were kept busy throughout the day and pulled some nice bags together. Big bream were conspicuous by their absence and catches as on the previous 3 days consisted mainly of quality roach, some skimmers and perch and occasional hybrids. Best weights off the Toome section today were 11.640kg, 10.910kg, 10.560kg, and 9.610kg. Top weight of 11.640kg was taken by Paul Clark. Francis McGoldrick also pulled an impressive 10.910kg off peg 6.
At Concra Wood, anglers were more sheltered today and although the majority had pole set up, most anglers again opted for the feeder. The high numbered pegs had been struggling on this section up until today but day 4 saw a change in fortunes for anglers drawn on these pegs. There was a very noticeable improvement in the weights being returned from the Concra Wood section today. Dave Bretell on peg 40 weighed in 8.510kg, Tony Watling on peg 41 weighed 6.960kg. M. Buckwilder on peg 46 had a great bag weighing 9.600kgs. In addition to these weights, Domnic Allen had the best weight on the section, a whopping 12.380kg on peg 28. Pegs 26 and 27 had 9.340kg and 9.870kg respectively. Catches as on the previous 3 days consisted mainly of quality roach, some skimmers and perch and occasional hybrids and a few bream.
Tomorrow will see the final day of the event and it is hoped that the weather settles a bit. If the improvement in catches at Concra Wood today is maintained and mirrored at Toome it is sure to provide for an exciting final days fishing in the World Pairs sections on Lough Muckno. All details of tomorrows action will be posted after tomorrows event.
