Denis Goulding of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association reports from the Leinster National Qualifier in Lough Owel.
The Leinster National Qualifier was held on Lough Owel, Co.Westmeath on the 1st of October. Fishing was very good on the lake three weeks before the competition, with great catches recorded using several different tactics. However as the competition approached, the fishing got steadily worse. The morning of the competition was very cold with light winds and bright skys, meaning conditions were not favourable.
In total, 71 anglers took part in the competition with a view to taking one of the 30 places available on the Leinster National Team. The tough conditions were evidenced in the results on the day with 39 fish caught by the 71 anglers.
Keith Flemming from Lough Dereverragh Anglers Association landed four fish for 7lb 4.6ozs to win the competition.
The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association would like to express their thanks to the Lough Owel Club for all their help and facilitating the I.T.F.F.A Leinster Qualifier on Lough Owel.
The top five anglers at the competition were:
- Keith Flemming , Dereverragh: 4 fish 7lb 4.6ozs
- John Mulvanney, Lough Bane: 5 fish 6lb 11.8ozs
- Tom Hipwell, Dublin Trout: 2 fish 5lb 4ozs
- Gary Coakley, Dublin Trout: 2 fish 4lb 10.6 ozs
- Denis Goulding, Kilbride: 2 fish 4lb 4.2ozs
The qualifiers were as follows:
- Keith Flemming – Dereverragh
- John Mulvanney – Lough Bane
- Tom Hipwell – Dublin Trout
- Gary Coakley – Dublin Trout
- Denis Goulding – Kilbride
- Alan Delaney – Wicklow
- Gerry Heslip – Dublin Trout
- Donal Monaghan – North Kildare
- Colin Cahill – Lough Bane
- Jimmy Cahill – Lough Bane
- Stewart Marry – Balbriggan Skerries
- Sean Goulding – Kilbride
- John O’Neill – Dublin Trout
- Oliver McCormack – Broad Meadows
- Dave Egan – Lough Lene
- Eoin Dunne – Dublin Trout
- John Cooke – Dereverragh
- Liam Gilsenan – Dereverragh
- Peter Crilly – Wicklow
- Terry Walsh – Clane
- Mick Francis – Ballymore
- Paul Delaney – Dublin Trout
- Ben Browne – Wicklow
- John Maguire – Kilbride
- Noel Shiels – Silvestream
- Dj Byrne – Lough Lene
- James Doyle – Dublin Trout
