24/04/12 Castlemaine was the venue, the target was bass and the angler a somewhat familiar face to most of us. The bombarda float method , with a rigged sandeel imitation did the job nicely, with this fine bass falling to Sean’s tactics. Fair play to him for returning the fish to fight another day 
Boat Angling Ireland
Gerry McStraw Chariman of Carlow CAC reports on the Irish team qualifiers which were held recently on the River Barrow
The first round of the Waterway’s Ireland NCFFI Irish Team Qualifiers took place over the weekend on the River Barrow in Carlow. The event was extremely well supported 26 anglers fishing the Float event on the Saturday and 20 anglers fishing the Feeder event on the Sunday. The venue was used for practice on the Friday with 20 anglers fishing the river in good weather conditions.The Float Qualifiers which will be used to select Ireland ’s three international teams for 2013 fished very well with mainly Dace, Roach and bonus Hybrids being caught all along the match stretch.
Winner of the first round was Vincent Walsh (Erne Anglers) from Raphoe in Co Donegal, Vincent fished the pole at 13m to catch 55 fish for 6.150 Kgs. Runner up was Glen Lawlor (Erne Anglers) from Co Armagh who also won his section with 40 fish for 6.030 Kgs, in third place was Dave Slater (BSI AC) from Enniskillen who also won his section with 40 fish for 4.500 Kgs. The final section was won by Finton Brennan (Ballinakill AC) who caught 28 fish for 1.150 Kgs.
The total catch of fish taken was over 42 Kgs. a big improvement on the 6 Kgs caught in the first match in 2011. The Feeder Qualifier which will be used to select the Feeder team for the World Championships in South Africa in 2013, was fished on the same stretches of the river on the Sunday.
Vincent Walsh completed a remarkable double also winning this event with 40 fish for 7.700 Kgs, runner up was Colin Martin (East Belfast AC) with 52 fish for 6.450 Kgs., with David Herron (Erne Anglers AC) in third place with 33 fish 3.750 Kgs.The Ireland team manager was extremely pleased that the new qualifier format was a success, he thanked the sponsors Waterway’s Ireland for their support and the Carlow Coarse Angling Club for their help with organising the venue above the weir at Knockbeg.
The Youths Committee of ITFFA held a fundraising competition on Lough Owel on 29th April 2012. With an Anglers Fancy Boat for 1st Prize and an electric engine for the heaviest fish this competition was certain to be a success from the outset. Entry into this competition was open to all anglers regardless of whether or not they were affiliated to ITFFA. Conditions were extremely tough with bright sunshine and a gale force wind blowing from the North-east. Despite the unfavourable angling conditions one hundred and fourteen anglers turned out to support this event. When the scales came down at 5PM it was Mullingar angler Paddy Ward who had the heaviest bag and went home with a beautiful 19′ Anglers Fancy boat. Other Results were as follows:-
1st Paddy Ward 7th Malcolm Naughton
2nd Sean Kelly 8th Tony Hogg
3rd Declan Smith 9th Ciaran Reilly (Juvenile Angler)
4th Joe Keena 10th (Joint) Chris McKeon
5th Stephen Browne 10th (Joint) Declan Conlon
6th P.J.O’Brien
Heaviest Fish Declan Smith
Secret Weight (0.780kg) Alan McCartney
The ITFFA Youths Committee would like to extend their gratitude all who supported this event including Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the participants and those who sponsored prizes; all funds raised will be used to support juvenile anglers.
Event Sponsors
Southside AnglingWorld Joe Conlon of Lough Aisling Angling Centre
Anglers World O’Malley Tackle
Greveille Arms Hotel Bloomfield House Hotel
Dundalk Angling Centre Kelly Kettle Co. – Mr. Patrick Kelly
If you would like more information about this topic, or you would like to arrange an interview, please contact Joseph Keena at 086 8722449 or e-mail [email protected]
Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association
Contact: Joseph Keena
Mobile Tel: 086 8722449
Email: [email protected]
The qualifier competition for the 2013 ITFFA (Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association) Youths International Team was held on Lough Owel on 28th April 2012. The majority of the members of the 2013 International team were selected from this competition. Fishing conditions were extremely tough with bright sunshine and a moderate east wind, but despite this anglers required four good sized trout to qualify and go forward to represent their country in the 2013 IFFA (International Fly Fishing association) Youths International Competition. Congratulations to Cork angler Niall McCarty, who took top rod and secured himself a place on the 2013 team. Niall is pictured receiving his trophy from ITFFA Youths Officer, George Behan
For further information about ITFFA Youth Angling or if you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact our Youths Officer, George Behan, at [email protected] or 043 3327729 / 087 2607300.
Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association
Contact: Joseph Keena
Mobile Tel: 086 8722449
Email: [email protected]
Emy and District Anglers PRO Enda Fields reports this week that the May Fly is up and at it on Emy Lake in Co Monaghan. Daytime fishing in particular has been very productive with some lovely 2 & 3lb fish being caught. Since the start of the season the lake has been fishing extremely well despite the strong northerly breeze and the recent cool weather. This has’nt stopped the Emy brownie’s from surfacing. Reports from anglers have noted that all methods are presently working. There is alot of fly life begining to show and some fly patterns worth a try for the month of May on Emy are the Mayfly, Gosling, Connemara black, Sooty Olive, Green Peter & Silver Invicta to name a few. In recent weeks the club has been recruiting new and eager members which is great.
The club will soon be holding its annual 2012 Eugene Muilligan Memorial Cup Competition. More details soon. Last year’s winner Sean Mc Kenna pictured below will be there to defend his title but can he do it again?A number of places are still available in the club for the 2012 season, so why not contact us today! Trout fishing only is available on Emy Lake for holders of day tickets or season permits. Day tickets may be obtained from Paul Gormley “ GORMLEYS SHOP” North Main Street Emyvale Telephone 047-87573 Mobile 087- 6128259 or Dick Kiernan at Venture Sports in Glaslough Street, Monaghan Town, Tel: 047- 81495 or mobile 086-8351378. Anglers become members of the club for insurance purposes on the issue of a day ticket or a season permit.
Pike angling guide Peadar O’Brien has reported that the pike fishing has improved recently in the Cavan and Monaghan area. Messrs Ice senior and junior and friend John from Holland visited recently and they had a very good week. In all the group had 101 pike with the biggest fish measuring 90cms. In addition to the 101 fish, they lost over 30 other fish. There were lots of jacks in the catch but all provided good fun for the lads. The weather was cold and the water temp way down.
If you fancy a day out with Peadar he can be contacted at 087 9265867 or by email: [email protected]
The Annalee River, Co. Cavan and its tributaries continue to provide excellent fishing with fantastic hatches of olives. The River hosted the ITFFA Ulster River Championship on Saturday 28th April and didn’t fail to disappoint with great catches of trout recorded and safely returned to the water. Stuart McMurran came out on top as Ulster Rivers Champion for the second year in succession. Stuart won all four sessions catching consistently well and was joined on this years Ulster Rivers Team by Brian Russell (2nd), Mark Duncan (3rd), Andrew Sloan (4th) and Mark Sloan (5th).
While the river in common with most has been up and down with water levels it hasn’t affected the olives that continue to pop up in countless numbers and attract the large head of trout to the surface. With the mayfly and black gnat not far away this river should make for quality trouting in May.
Brian Russell
Tuesday 2nd May sees heavy hatches of hawthorns on all stretches of the Lagan. Their smaller cousins, the black gnat also put in an appearance in small numbers and mixed with a smattering of medium olives to start a feeding frenzy on the river. Local guide Brian Russell reports fish rising steadily on all stretches of the river with quality trout to be found. Fishing the river for a few hours on Wednesday resulted in plenty of fish, among them two clinkers of 46cm and 44cm, the fishing was steady but challenging as one had to determine which type of fly a trout was feeding on.
With the weather forecasting good temperatures this is hopefully the start of the much anticipated ‘blackfly period’ and if todays size of trout are anything to go by the fishing is going to be spectacular. Evening fishing is also starting to pay dividends with Andrew Sloan reporting plenty of fish rising to midge in the Dromore area.
Brian Russell
Bass will follow your fly and lure many times without taking. How many times this happens when we don’t see the phenomenon we can only guess. On the rare occasion when we are lucky enough to witness the behaviour its very exciting and interesting.
No two circumstances are the same and generally most bass will show an interest in your fly or lure. If you are getting a LOT of follows with no takes then always try adjusting what you can change – your retrieve speed, the size, colour, type and shape of fly or lure are all yours to control.
Jim Hendrick
The mayfly is well and truly up on Corrib, and despite the brutally cold northerly winds of much of the last week, has been bringing trout to the surface and providing good sport.
Eamon Walsh reported some excellent catches of trout were to be had in the Cornamona area in the past week, even in the unfavourable conditions. 50 anglers taking part in the annual Cornamona Hospice Pairs Competition landed a total of 60 trout. In first place was Conor Dennedy and Eamon Walsh with 5 fish, Jimmy Molloy and Stephen Lydon came second with 6 fish, Seamus Kelly and Joe Creane were third 5 fish. Joe also claimed the prize for longest fish, a fine trout of 54cm. The competition is run on a catch-and-release basis, which is great for fish stocks. This was the 5th year of the completion and organizer Tom Sullivan thanked everyone for taking part, to date over €8,000 has been raised for the hospice which is a credit to the local club and all who took part and provided sponsorship.
Anglers fishing the dap seemed to have the best of the fishing during the week, brothers Patrick and Gerry Walsh had some great days out, recording up to 5 fish most days, their best day being Saturday when both had fish of over 3.5lbs each, with most of the catch returned. Carrick-on-Shannon angler Brian McDermott also had 3 trout on the dap for a morning’s fishing. Micheal Diskin of Dooras had a great day dapping, having 16 fish to the boat, most of which were over the 13 inches, and all bar 2 were returned.
In the Greenfields area Frank Reilly reports that dapping also seemed to be working well. 24 anglers had a total of 40 fish over the weekend, most notable were Bill Tully from Tuam who had 5 fish for 11lbs over 2 outings dapping. Paul Dignam landed 9 fish on wetfly, all returned, while Frank Guilfoyle Sr. and Jr. had 8 trout for 12.5lbs, also to wetfly. Anthony Quinn from Ennis had 2 fish to dry fly of over 4lbs.
Tom Kelly reports that fishing has been good in the Oughterard and Derrymoyle area, especially in areas with a little shelter from the strong north wind. Overseas anglers Dieter Lampe and a friend from Germany, fishing out of Currarevagh House, landed 8 fish for 13lbs, while also releasing 5 others. John Legeoin and boat man John Molloy had 6 fish for over 7lbs, and Sebastian Deganay had a lovely trout of 3lb. Raymond Lee took 7 trout for 11lbs over 2 days, all to wet fly, while Peter Kelly had 3 trout for 5lbs in one days fishing. Peter Ryder and Larry Hession, fishing the dap and traditional wetfly for 3 days, had 13 trout for approx. 18lbs.
Anglers fishing the Braithreach na Coiribe Mixed Grill competition on Sunday had some excellent fishing. 48 anglers caught 34 trout. Jimmy Riddel and James Beatty were first with 8 trout for 17lbs, second was Harold and Kevin O’Toole with 6 trout for13 lbs. In third place were the Collins family – Niall, Deirdre and Cathal – who also had 6 fine trout weighing in at just over 12.5lbs. Eugene Mc Carthy had the heaviest trout, a smashing fish of 6.5lbs.
Mayfly hatches are increasing in size by the day, and with the milder conditions this week angling should provide excellent sport over the next 2 weeks. “Duffers fortnight” may be upon us!
