A media fly fishing competition took place on Friday, 23rd March at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Annamoe, Co. Wicklow. Organised by Annamoe Trout Fishery the event now in its eighth year at Annamoe and is still proving extremely popular in attracting the top angling media from Ireland.
16 anglers from a variety of broadcast and print media took part in the competition on the scenic fly fishing lake in Annamoe Fishery. Competitors included Fergal Keane from RTE, Brian Cooke from Irish Anglers Digest, Mick Flanagan from the Sunday World and Ed Carty from the Press Association of Ireland.
The day was mild and overcast combined with light winds creating good fishing conditions. The fishery was split into four zones and each angler fished an hour in each zone, giving each angler an opportunity to fish all parts of the lake. The morning session proved very productive with many fish caught. Catch and release applied, the winning score based on the cumulative length of Trout caught. Peter O’Reilly, game fishing author was the first to strike gold with a great fighting rainbow which was followed by many more. John Buckley from Total Fly Fishing was also quick off the mark with many fish being caught with Dave McBride from Southside Angling not far behind. Following a delicious lunch provided by Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout fishery, competitors returned to the fishery. John’s fighting form continued as he caught and released 21 fish in total which landed him the first prize ahead of all other competitors! In total 85 hard fighting rainbow trout were caught, recorded and released during the competition.
Ms. Suzanne Campion, Director of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland presented the prizes. John Buckley from Total Fly Fishing magazine won the competition for the second year running and was presented with a Waterford Crystal trophy sponsored by Failte Ireland and Second place went to Dave McBride from Southside Angling with Peter O’Reilly, author, coming third. Prizes were principally sponsored by Annamoe Trout Fishery. Other prizes were donated by Southside Angling, Emerger Tackle and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery thanked all the sponsors the participants for a tremendous event and welcomed them back at any time.
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Report by: Josie Mahon, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202, email: [email protected]
Website: www.fishinginireland.info
