Julie McGeever reports for the Irish Ladies Fly-fishing Association…

19 year old, UCD student  Almha McDonnell from Ballinteer, Co. Dublin won the recent  trial fished by the members of the ILFA, on Lough Corrib out of Basil Shields, at Ardnasillagh Lodge, Oughterard, Co. Galway on Sudnay 28th July, 2019

  1.  1st Almha McDonnell caught 2 fish for 77cms.,
  2. 2nd was Julie Gerry, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath with 2 fish for 72cm,
  3.  3rd Liz Dermott, Portadown with 2 fish 64cms,
  4. Julie McGeever, Foxford,  2 fish 63cms
  5. Edel Decies, Straffan with 1 fish 32cm.

15 ladies fished the trial which was the  2nd trial held in the  ILFA League of Trials to select a team to fish for Ireland at the International Flyfishing Championships, held each year between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  The present  seasons trials will select  a team to represent Ireland in the Ladies Flyfishing Championships in Scotland in May 2020.

Almha being presented with her box of wetflies donated by Basil Shields
Almha being presented with her box of wetflies donated by Basil Shields

Almha McDonnell joined the Association in 2017 and has been placed in the top Irish Rods at the two recent Internationals, she came in a close 2nd place to top Irish rod Ann Kerrin (Co. Fermanagh) at this year’s Ladies International at Draycote Waters, Warrickshire, in June, where Ireland gained 2nd place to the host  team England, followed by Scotland and Wales. Almha learned to flyfish with her father Cathal who is a keen fly-fisherman, both Cathal and Almha are members of the Dublin Trout Anglers Association.

Julie Gerry came in 2nd place at the Corrib Trial, Julie captained the Ladies Flyfishing Team for her 7th time at this year’s International Championships and was placed among the top Irish rods.

Mark Regan was top boatman for the ladies trial, boating Liz Dermott and Edel Decies landing 3 fish for 97cms, he was presented with a voucher donated by Tommy Tucks Angling Centre in Oughterard.

Upcoming Trial

The next trial for the Ladies Irish team will be held on Loughanure lake, in Co. Donegal on Sunday, 8th September. Entries to the ILFA Hon. Secretary Dr. Pauline McClenaghan by emailing [email protected].

Training Day

The ILFA are hosting a One-Day Beginners & Improver’s Course for women on Sunday, 18th August, 2019 at Laois Angling Centre, Coolrain, Co. Laois. Enquires to [email protected]

Go fishing…

For more information on these events or to join the ILFA please visit www.irishladiesflyfishing.com or ring Julie McGeever on 086 0507516 (ROI) or Madeleine Kelly 07738 362459 (NI)