As part of Fisheries Awareness Week 2013, Drogheda and District Anglers and Inland Fisheries Ireland supported by local Drogheda businesses and stakeholders ran a free ‘Ladies Fly Casting Day’ in support of Action Breast Cancer on Thursday 16th May 2013 at Kilineer Reservoir, Kilineer, Drogheda, Co. Louth. The weather looked promising and the day started off fine with some cloud but as the morning progressed the rainclouds moved in and the rain started. But this did not dampen the ladies spirits.
This super day was totally free and provided ladies in the Drogheda and surrounding areas, and indeed further afield with the opportunity to learn more about the sport of fly fishing. Many of the ladies had wanted to take up fly-fishing as a hobby for some time but just were not sure how to go about it and this day gave them the opportunity to give fly fishing a go. Ladies taking part in the event learned about the theory and practice of fly fishing, tackle required, entomology, watercraft and that all important safety information from top angling expert Glenda Powell, APGAI Ireland. Glenda was ably assisted by her own assistant Noel and Owen, Gavin and Stephen members of the Drogheda and District Anglers who all did an excellent job. After the theory, the ladies headed to the water with Glenda and the casting practice started. The ladies mastered the art of casting quite quickly and then the fishing started in earnest. Siobhan McArdle landed the first fish of the day but from then on there was no stopping them as the ladies caught fish after fish.
The event was a totally informal and fun day out and one of the ladies commented that it was a wonder that there were any fish caught with all of the laughter on the bankside. But, catch fish they did, every single one of the 12 ladies that participated in the event caught fish. Several of the ladies had catches of between 5 and 10 trout ranging in size from 1.5lbs to 5lbs in weight. After a superb lunch in the marquee the ladies returned to fish and it rained but not one lady was to be found sheltering in the marquee. They were all far too buy catching beautiful brown and rainbow trout on the fly. The event ran from 10.30am until 4.30pm but some of the ladies fished on later.
At the end of the day, all those participating pronounced the event a resounding success and said that they can not wait for the next one. “I’m going fishing luv” has definately taken on a new meaning in some households around the country, as it will be the ladies that are heading off to fish.
Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to thank and congratulate all of the ladies that participated in the event, the Drogheda and District Anglers Club for hosting the event on their waters at Kilineer and all of the club members who helped out with the event. Special thanks is offered for all of the voluntary contributions made in suport of Action Breast Cancer. Local sponsors who sponsored a number of larger fish for the day including the Pet Centre, Mary’s Market Cafe and Boyne Angling Centre in the Boyne Shopping Centre in Drogheda are also due a lot of thanks for their help. Nolan’s Bar on the Chord Road, Drogheda also sponsored these larger fish. The main stocking was sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland with a contribution from Drogheda and District Angling Club. A final big big thank you to Glenda Powell APGAI Ire and her assistant Noel without whom it would just not have been the same. THANK YOU ALL.
