Ronan Cusack reports that On Sunday last, Lough Carra Trout Anglers held their annual Pike competition and once again this popular event was a huge success. Club Chairman and competition organiser Peter Byrne coordinates this event, which sees all pike caught on the day transferred alive to a designated pike fishery in the area. Inland Fisheries Ireland staff work closely with Lough Carra Anglers and also play an important role on the day insuring all pike are collected, weighed and transferred safely to their new home. Conditions on the day were dry with light winds, yet temperatures struggled to reach double figures.
There were 46 anglers competing with 16 pike weighed and transferred. Partry brothers Ron and Sean Burke took first prize with 6 pike weighing 45.5lbs. The lads got off to a flying start, landing 3 of their 6 fish in the first hour. They also weighed in the heaviest individual pike of the Competition at 20.6lbs. Second place went to Liam Walsh and Peter Byrne, Castlebar, with 2 pike for 26.5lbs. Third place went to Jim Connor, Belcarra and Packie Maloney, Brownstown, with 1pike weighing 16.5lbs.
The best junior angler on the day was Neill Byrne, from Enniscrone, with a pike of 6.5lbs.
