The Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association competed in the Ladies Fly fishing International against England, Scotland and Wales.
The ladies enjoyed the beautiful countryside and the well-stocked lake in Wales on the Trawsfynydd Lake in Snowdonia, on the 20th to 22nd May 2014.
The Welsh ladies gave us a great welcome with a harpist, school choir and their famously delicious “welsh cakes”.
Ireland, captained by Julie Gerry of Maynooth, won “bronze” taking third place. The overall winners were Scotland. England were second, and Wales took fourth place. It was one of the closest competitions ever held with Wales and Ireland each having 33 fish, just 4 short of England’s 37 while the winners Scotland caught 44 overall. This was Scotland’s first win “away from home” for 20 years and celebrations went long into the night.
Top Rod overall was Janice Sharp from England who caught an impressive 11 fish for a total of 19lb 10 oz.
Top Irish Rod and winner of the “heaviest fish” of the competition was Madeleine Kelly from Hilltown who caught 5 rainbows and a brown trout weighing 11 lbs 2 oz. Her “heaviest fish” was 3lbs 1oz.
Ireland had 4 new caps on their team – Cher McCrave, Lisa O’Hagan, Pauline McClenaghan and Pat Byrne and they all thoroughly enjoyed their new experience of fly fishing at International competition level.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the two practice days, the weather was very mixed with spells of soft rain and sunshine with the wind switching direction each day. Thankfully no thunder and lightning like Monday when everyone headed for the shore at great speed. Temperatures were around 12*c.
On Thursday, the competition day, the weather was cold and cloudy with a change in the wind to a cold easterly direction.
Hubert Smith, the Irish Coach, from Dundalk, with his friendly, calm and encouraging manner organised and motivated the team. Team spirits and togetherness were higher than ever before. Hubert was ably assisted by Mick McShane, our flytyer, also from Dundalk who tied us beautiful flies all week and got the flies “spot on” for the final day as can be seen by the close results at the end of the final day.
2015 International Ladies Fly Fishing International will be held on Grafham Water, in England
Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association
Any ladies interested in joining the Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association or competing for the Irish Team competing in England in 2015 please visit www.irishladiesflyfishing.com or ring the Irish Captain Julie Gerry on 0872055094.
