It was a big weekend on the Erne for the BSI Sensas club squad who qualified for a place at the FIPSed World Club Championships to take place in Slovenia in 2024.
The Qualifying event open to affiliated member clubs of the National Coarse Fishing Federation, the sole federation recognised by the World Freshwater Sport Governing Body, FIPSed was hosted this year by the Erne Anglers. The developed river sections of Derrycharra, Bellanaleck, Dolan’s Ring and Schools on the Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh produced mixed bags of roach, bream, hybrids and perch for the five-man teams. The river had been in flood for some weeks, added by Storm Betty which made for some difficult but productive fishing. Fishing to international rule, the five-man teams drew pegs per section, with a formula to ensure each team had an opportunity of an end peg over the two days. Points were rewarded by weight per section, with the lowest number of points the winners.
BSI Sensas BLACK finished day one in the top position with 12.5 points, after the team of Gavin Walsh, Robbie Smithers, Conor Browne, Enda Hickey and Colin Oliver scored 2 section wins, 2 joint seconds and a 6th. But it was the GREEN team players Cathal Hughes, Willie Wheeler, Damien Maddock, Gary Doyle and Fiont Brennan who came into play on day two winning the match with 12 points to finish first overall with 26pts securing the club a place at the championships. BSI BLACK team eventually finished 4th.
Runners-up with 29 points are the ERNE Anglers GREEN team, Ewan Weed, Tony Hopkins, Vincent Walsh, Philip Walton and Dave Slater/John Potters who also qualify the club to attend should the championship venue size permit. The NCFFI will support both teams with the payment of the entry fees, 2900.
Great fishing from the first time contenders the VDE Baggers who pulled it back to rank joint first on day two with 12pts finishing in 3rd position.
Congratulations to the winning squad, and to the eight club teams who travelled from across the provinces to participate, it was a great weekend.
Next weekend will see a similar number of clubs, compete at the World Feeder Club Championships on the River Blackwater at the Argory. Lurgan AC will fish for the national championships but as the current World Feeder Club Champions have automatically qualified for the World Championships event in Portugal in 2024
The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland as members of FIPSed Fédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive en Eau Douce present a number of teams to the world stage annually as well as hosting events at home. To find out more and to see details of club and national events at home visit www.ncffie.ie/eventscalendar
