On Saturday 18th April the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (ITFFA) held their National Championship on Lough Conn. The annual event on this occasion was being hosted by The Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers Association chaired by Padraic Traynor, vice chair Michael Noone and Secretary Orla Walsh.
A 2 fish bag limit was in place and a catch and release measure thereafter with each released fish awarded a fixed weight of 550 grams. A total of 61 boats set out with 120 anglers. They returned a total of 42 trout to the measure and beyond with the top ten returning anglers staking their claim on the Irish Trout Angling Team for the 2027 competitive season.
Conditions were tough on the day; fairly high water levels, cold with a northwest wind and bright sun replacing the early cloud cover. Pulling wet flies was the order of the day, with dabblers proving the most effective flies.
The results are below.
1st place: Peter Byrne, Castlebar.
2nd place: Paddy Ward, Multyfarnham
3rd place: Brendan Murray, Dublin
4th place: Mark Reid
5th place: Colm Mc Andrew, Lahardane (Also heaviest single fish)
6th place: Sean Crean, Cloghans
7th place: Pat Hoare
8th place: Deven O Sullivan, Millstreet
9th place: Carl Mullin
10th place: Chris Oliver
Anne McWilliams won the Mc Bride Cup for this year.
