Excellent weights at the Waterways Ireland-Shakespeare NI Schools Coarse Angling Competition

This annual event, organised by the Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation, sponsored by Waterways Ireland, Shakespeare Tackle, Irish Bait & Tackle and Mid Ulster District Council was held, on the Lower River Bann at Mid Ulster District Council’s superb Coarse Angling facility in Portglenone on the 23rd October 2016.

Event organiser John Taggart, UCFF Secretary and EBCAC member reports:-

‘Conditions on the day were excellent for the match with mild dry weather and the river was at summer level with just a little flow. The anglers arrived for the draw in anticipation and excitement of what was to come with teams arriving from large distances from across the province to compete for the coveted title of Waterways Ireland NI Schools Competition Winners. There was also the added competitiveness between team members, of who was going to beat who and for Breda Academy, it was family rivalry between the 3 Anderson brothers.

Tactics were largely determined by the experience of the anglers present! Those juniors with some experience and tackle fished the pole while others used feeder tactics. Weights were caught on both methods and the best recorded weight on the day was 8.580 kg by Paul Cunningham, using pole to hand method, from Coleraine Grammar School, Coleraine

A panel of UCFF coaches and officials were on the bank side to help the less experienced along, and this together with ample supplies of swim-feeders, hooks and bit and pieces supplied by Shakespeare tackle and the UCFF ensured that all competitors had a fair opportunity to catch a fish.

Weights were excellent and well up from last year with almost all the anglers catching fish, given the inexperience of many of the competitors and the conditions, roach, gudgeon, perch and a couple of small hybrids were weighed in and hopefully catching a fish or two might release the angling bug in a few more juniors.’

At the presentation after the match, held in the Parochial Hall, Bellaghy and hosted by Mid Ulster District Council, Vice-Chair Cllr Sharon McAleer presented to the winners who received tackle prizes, vouchers, medals and trophies with a value of more than £1,500. With prizes being distributed on a default basis, 21 anglers benefitted.  Congratulations to all the winners.

The Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation would like to thank the adults to make it possible to encourage juniors into our sport; the teachers, parents, angling coaches and club members who gave up their time to make it happen, the children who took part and our sponsors for the great prizes.  Special thanks goes to Mid Ulster Council for use of the wonderful angling facility, the preparation of the venue and the wonderful array of refreshments on hand for everyone.  The 2017 competition will take place on Saturday 21^st October and registration will take place from May contact ulstersecretary@ncffi.ie or call john Taggart on 07891 516677

AWARDS

Prizes: 1st team                Erne Integrated College (Team consisted of James O’Doherty, Dominykas Kuklys, Cairan Murphy and Killian Maguire), – Each competitor received a Shakespeare Agility feeder rod – a Gold medal and a tackle voucher valued at £30. The school received a silver plate.

2nd team                Coleraine Grammar School (Team consisted of Paul Cunningham, Alex Hegarty, Connor Evans and Yani Racharov), – Each competitor received a Shakespeare Keepnet and Landing net, a Silver medal and a tackle voucher valued at £20.

3rd team                 Dromore High School (Team consisted of Josh Sloan, Tyler Graham, Taylor Orr and Richard Dickson) – Each competitor received a Shakespeare Agility reel, a Bronze medal and a tackle voucher valued at £15.

Individual Results:

 Overall

1st                                    Paul Cunningham, Coleraine Grammar                      8.580kg

2^nd                                    Dominykas Kuklys, Erne Integrated                            6.800kg

3^rd                                     James O’Doherty, Erne Integrated                               6.300kg

Paul Cunningham received a Shakespeare triple hardcase holdall and the Individual Winner Trophy for his superb efforts

Section Results

Winners received a Shakespeare Agility carryall and 2^nd place a reel

Section A                       

1^st                                     Darren Anderson, Breda Academy                               1.850kg

2^nd                                    B Geary, Bangor Academy                                              1.250kg

Section B

1^st                                     Jack Hunter, Bangor Academy                                       2.300kg

2^nd                                    Jake Storey, Bangor Academy                                       1.350kg

Section C

1^st                                     Simon Anderson, Breda Academy                                2.050kg

2^nd                                    Adam Orr, Bangor Academy                                          0.360kg

Section D

1^st                                     Gareth Anderson, Breda Academy                               3.100kg

2^nd                                    Imogen Thomas, Dromore High School                      0.650kg

A special spot prize was also given out on the day, chosen by the bankside officials it was decided on who was unluckiest angler which went to Max Moore, Royal Belfast Academical Institute, who received a fishing reel.