The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association hosted the International Fly Fishing Competition at Lough Sheelin on 18th May 2012. The excellent work carried out by Lough Sheelin Trout Preservation Association in conjunction with the statutory bodies has resulted in the wild brown trout population within Lough Sheelin being sufficient to attract this type of prestigious event for the first time since 1976. Teams from Ireland, England Scotland and Wales arrived at the Crover House Hotel and the Island View House on Saturday 11th May to commence practice for the match.
The 2012 Irish Team was captained by Mayo man, Seamus Kelly, and coached by Galway man Robert Reilly. This was one of the strongest teams to represent Ireland for many years with the majority of the team having previous international experience. It was evident during the practice sessions and team meetings that the unity and determination within the Irish team would result in success.
On the morning of the match the four teams, which were comprised of fourteen rods per team assembled, and a piper lead the way as they proudly marched into Kilnahard pier. The day was cool and overcast with a moderate wind blowing from the north-east. This competition was fished on a catch and release basis with fish being measured and a points system being used to calculate individual and team scores. Competitors fished from 10AM until 6PM and when the scores were tallied it was Team Ireland who came out on top winning them the Graham Munroe Hall Memorial Cup for the first time since 2004. Second place went to Team Wales; third place went to Team Scotland and in fourth place were Team England. The Brown Bowl for the best basket was taken by Welch angler Kieron Thomas who accumulated the highest number of points with seven trout for 470 points. Arden Pollock achieved the best Irish basket with six trout for 355 points winning him the Harry Lafferty Cup. The presentation of prizes took place following a post event dinner at the Crover House Hotel and celebrations continued on into the night.
The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association would like to thanks Inland Fisheries Ireland, Lough Sheelin Trout Preservation Association, the visiting competitors and their officials, our sponsors and all others who supported this event.
The hosting of this competition is great news not only for Irish Angling but for Ireland as a nation. The quality of our brown trout angling is such that it attracts huge numbers of tourist anglers annually. Lough Sheelin was reputed to be the finest wild brown trout lake in Europe until the mid 1970’s when it became the victim of eutrophication and invasive species. Lough Sheelin is now recovering and the wild brown trout population is at its highest level since 1996. At this time the work required to restore this reputation continues!
If you would like more information about this topic, or you would like to arrange an interview, please contact Joseph Keena at 086 8722449 or e-mail [email protected]
