The World Pairs dominated the angling news this week.  The stunning Lakelands region put on an impressive show with anglers from all over the world descended on the area with the view of winning the coveted prizes.  €16,000 was the Top Pair prize and Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland pair, Philip Jackson and Cathal Hughes, retained their crown as Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Champions. English duo Steve and Philip Ringer totted up an incredible, last day 167.100kg on the scales and gave the winners a hard act to beat.

Galway man Cathal had some superb catches throughout the week and finished the competition with 27 kilos from Haughton’s Shore on Garadice Lake.  To add to his tally we also make him our ‘Catch of the week’ winner.  The man is on a winning streak!

World Pairs Champion Cathal Hughes from Galway with a fine catch of 27 Kilos from Haughton’s shore on Garadice Lake.  Cathal is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner
World Pairs Champion Cathal Hughes from Galway with a fine catch of 27 Kilos from Haughton’s shore on Garadice Lake. Cathal is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner

On a smaller scale we had Cabra & District CAC holding their Summer League on Saturday 14th.  With 17 anglers taking part and plenty of carp being caught, it gave young anglers a taste of what fishing is all about.  The following day it was the turn of Templemore.  As usual the great team at Templemore & District angling club organised a well-run event.  The weather wasn’t a friend but that didn’t dampen the spirits of all those who took part.  Coarse anglers are reminded that the Lough Muckno Autumn Festival is on from Sept 30th to Oct 4th. First prize is €5,000 guaranteed.

Well the recipe for Salmon anglers this week was “for good fishing just add water” .  Those areas that had a good downpour did fish well but others are still crying out for the water levels to rise.  Kylemore Abbey Fishery was one of the lucky ones with the river rising more than a foot and a half and catches improving. Geoffery Fitzjohn had five fish to 5lb weight in two days while Seamus O’Neill had six to 7.5lb for three half days angling.

A few good showers freshened the water in the Moy and made life a little easier for the fish and the faithful anglers.  The Moy fishery saw 14 landed with eight of those from the Ridge Pool.  The Foxford Fishery too enjoyed a successful week, with 26 recorded while Rinanney produced over 50 salmon.

Some rivers surprised anglers even though the levels were low.  Peter Muller managed a 4lb grilse on the River Laune and Patrick Richard had a 6lb and 8.5 lber on the same beat. Mrs Valarie James tackled the Munster Blackwater and actually managed to hook a fine salmon at Ballyduff but sadly lost it again.

The Suir delighted Swedish visitors Fredrik, Jim and Henrik who were over with Clonanav’s Andrew Ryan.  They caught a large number of trout using a dry and dropper rig and it worked really well. Later in the week Father and daughter team tried ‘daddy long legs’ and were amazed at the results as the water levels were still low.

Carton House manager Rob Love tells us that large dark olives are very active on the Liffey where they have access and the river is well worth fishing.  Carrigavantry in Waterford teamed up with Irish Naval Services fly fishing group and did a great job raising much need money for the Mercy Hospital in Cork.  Well done boys, great job.  Cancer research benefited and everyone enjoyed the wonderful setting of this south Waterford fishery.

Sean Jordan had rods bending in Wexford when he guided a group of French visitors. They had a total of 51 bass over the week, 3 over 70cm.  Skipper Paul Bates was a great help and brought the crew out on the Lady Alison to a perfect spot.  Bass, mackerel, wrasse, cod, and pollack all obliged and ‘Gigi the joker’ kept everyone amused during the trip.  Even Gigi managed to catch a few bass !

Hamish Currie sought out the bigger fish.  He caught a cracking 170lb porbeagle in Red bay and a variety of other species earlier in the week with his Dutch customers.  Some female Chinese students brightened Skipper Richie Ryan’s day when they boarded the Eire Bass for a day’s fishing in Cork Harbour.  These ladies stunned the ex-naval commander by their persistence which eventually led to them catching some fine Cork Harbour pollack.

Killala bay saw the French.  The party who were holidaying in Mayo caught plenty of fresh mackerel bait and put it to good use catching fine Pollock, the best up to 7lbs, cod, ling, pouting and LSD.

A great multicultural week, excellent competition but some testing times for others.  On that note I wish you all good fishing next week

Tight lines,

Nancy Hearne
Catch, Photo, Release

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Photo compliment of South East Angling Services - Gerard Doran
Photo compliment of South East Angling Services – Gerard Doran