There has been a buzz around Lough Muckno this week as the 200+ anglers, coaches, managers and runners from twenty eight teams in eighteen countries descended on Castleblayney to fight for the title of FIPSed Club World Champions for feeder fishing.
The scale of this prestigious event will bring a great sustainable angling tourism boost to the local economy in Monaghan, with an estimated 2,000+ bed nights booked by travelling anglers and their associates. In fact, some teams came to Ireland in the weeks coming up to the event to test out the newly upgraded Lough Muckno venue in advance of the competition itself! All in all, great opportunity for B&Bs, pubs, hotels, restaurants and local shops to bring in some welcome business in the tourism off-season!
The participating clubs arrived at Muckno Gate Lodge to register on Sunday afternoon with late arrivals clocking in at the crack of dawn on Monday morning to sign on and biosecure their equipment before battle could commence.
Wednesday is the third of five days of training for the teams, with compulsory training taking place for all teams on Friday. The official launch of the event will be on Thursday evening, 6pm in Castleblayney, as the teams take part in the parade and flag ceremony which will bring a great spectacle to the Co. Monaghan town.
Lough Muckno has looked fantastic with pegs full of anglers and spells of spring sunshine in between light cloud. The fishing has been good so far, with the overcast hours bringing the best of the action. The competition days are forecast to be dull with a bit of a breeze, so that bodes well for Muckno to put her best foot forward for the angling guests.
Inland Fisheries Ireland are proud to be able to sponsor the event and we’d like to wish the best of luck to the two local teams who are taking part in the event, the CM Lakelands Feeder Club and the Lurgan Coarse Angling Club – may the best team win!
