Brendan Jervis reports on the Newbridge and District Pike Anglers annual open fished on Blessington Lake last weekend…
Well folks Newbridge & District Pike Anglers held their annual open pike competition on Blessington Lake this year. This was one of our biggest turnouts to date and we had 105 seniors and 22 juniors take part. The fishing was patchy though and only 15 fish were caught including 5 doubles to 16.04lb. We also had reports of few dropped fish. A really big well done went to some of the juniors for out fishing most of the seniors this year – we had 2 juniors catch pike up to 13lb.
The lake was well up with that heavy spell of rain we had last week and this seemed to have a big effect on the fishing. We all know Blessington can be a hard venue but you just never know when that alarm goes off – it could be a new PB. Anyhow there was great craic and banter on the day with most anglers enjoying themselves. The weather wasn’t too bad but it rained for around the last 2 hours.
I would like to thank everyone that made the trip and gave it a go. Your support it is truly appreciated. Every year the competition is growing. I would also like to thank Peader for all his help leading up to the competition. And of course all the sponsors who all get a mention below.
WINNER of 2017 Open Competition
- 1st Ciaran Sullvan 16.04lb 27.11 bag 2 fish
- 2nd Garry mc nally 13.04lb 1 fish
- 3rd Dave Murphy 10.00lb 1 fish
The 2nd heaviest fish was caught by Des Beaty 9.5lb and the 3rd heaviest fish went to Ian Murphy 7.6lb
Junior section
- 1st Jamie mahar 13.0lb
- 2nd Alex Foley 2.13lb
- 3rd voucher was raffled to 1 of the juniors
We also ran a guess the weight of the winning fish 2€ entry and closest to it won so well done to Ian o Leary who guessed the exact weight.
I would like to thank David Mc Bride of Southside Angling for sponsoring our Junior Section as he has been doing for the last good few years. Dave we really appreciate the support you give us and the juniors also would like to thank our other sponsors on the day.
McCarthys Tackle in Prosperous Co. Kildare
Florian Peter of Fishing Tackle Ireland and to Gerard Slaney Angling Mellett who provided a great service on the morning with bait and tackle so big thank you guys.
Also I would like to thank our members who helped out on the Saturday with doing the pegs and also to everyone who helped out with stewarding on the day. This would not work with out you guys. Also I would like to thank Lee Richards and Alan Mcevoy for helping me leading up to the competition and also a big thank you to the staff in West Wicklow House pub.
Once again on behalf of our club a very big thank you for your continuing support each year after the presentation was done we had a great raffle with some super prizes giving out so well done to those who won and along with sandwiches and sausages I think everyone went home happy.
We will be taking some new memberships for 2018 season. All our competition’s are heaviest fish wins, so if your interested send us a pm. We hold 1 competition each month and that includes a boat competition and we run a 24hr competition which has been a great success over the last few years so if your interested drop us a pm. Many thanks again
Brendan Jervis
Club secretary
