ANGLERS CAUGHT ON CAMERA. Last Friday I was fishing a small local lake with angling pal Marty Smith from England. On the day we boated some nice pike, the best up on 7lbs which lashed at a small Storm Perch lure that Marty was fishing. Eventually the hunger got the better of us and we ventured into an Island for lunch. Here I met Alex Nickelson originally from Scotland, and his angling pal Ger who is originally a Dub. The lads now live in Rochfortbridge, and we have featured them in our Angling reports over the years. They were static dead baiting, and had a few runs, but the fish dropped the baits, before they could hook-up. Having had a good chat over lunch, I just could not resist taking a photo of the Irish man, English man, and Scots man. Priceless photo and I will print a few copies for the lads. Alex and Ger are planning a few pike days in February and March, and hopefully we will have a photo of the lads with some cracking doubles.

LENE A.G.M. Lough Lene Anglers hosted their Annual General Meeting last Friday night January 20^th. The venue was Collinstown Hall and we are told a good turn out of club members attended this years A.G.M. Unfortunately I missed the meeting due to work commitments. All membership must be in by March 17^th, with Adult €60, O.A.P. €40, and Juvenile anglers are €15. Membership is full at present, and there is a waiting list for new members. More information please check www.loughleneanglingassociation.com .

The Lake will reopen for Trout fishing on March 1^st, and day tickets can be purchased at Daybreak, and Costcutter shops in Collinstown. Day tickets are €15 per angler. There is excellent access for boats at the Cut.

DERRAVARAGH SOCIAL & DINNER NIGHT. This coming Friday night January 27th Derravaragh Anglers will hold their Social night in Weirs restaurant Multyfarnham. A large turn out of members are expected on the night, which starts at 7-30pm. Tickets are €30 per person, and payable on the night. More info on the Derravaragh night or membership for the 2012 season please contact Club Secretary Joe Keena on 087-1608138.

IRELAND ANGLING 2012. Yes the days are numbered, and soon many Midland Anglers will be heading for the National Show Centre, Swords Co Dublin. Here the Ireland Angling 2012 Exhibition will take place on Saturday and Sunday February 11^th and 12^th. I,ts a terrific weekend for Anglers and their families. It’s expected that the Fly Tyers Row will be packed with trout anglers gearing up for the start of the season, which will start on the Western lakes on February 15^th, and here in the Midlands on March 1^st. It’s a very family friendly weekend, and is a great opportunity to get the young anglers on board. There will be casting demonstrations, Lure demo Tank, and a huge range of Tackle and Trade Stands. Admission is €10 for adults, 16 +, family 2 Adults & 2 Children €25, Child, and O.A.P. €5, and under 5 is Free. More info on Ireland Angling 2012 in the coming weeks.

FROG LURES. Soon the Frogs will be on the move, and starting to get ready for spawning. Also the pike will be getting itchy and also feeding up prior to spawning. Last week I fished a few frog lure imitations, and they are the business for the coming weeks. They worked well in shallow water, and also drifting down the Inny to Lough Iron. In the coming weeks we will publish some photos of pike caught on these colourful lures.

THAT’S IT. Lets hope the wind settles for the coming week, and we have more comfort fishing on our bigger Lakes. I have great respect for the water, and if in doubt don’t go out, is my Motto. We have a huge number of small Lakes, and excellent Rivers, where you can fish in blustery conditions. Just remember to always wear your Lifejacket. Tight Lines till next week.

CONTACT. Mick 087-2797270, e- mail mick@midlandangling.com.

MIDLAND MONSTER. Last weekend members of Mountjoy Pike Anglers were fishing some of our Midland lakes, and they produced some huge pike. It’s hard to believe it’s six year ago since we featured Liam O’Connell who was then age 9. That feature, Liam was photographed with a pike of 19lbs, while this time he has broken his personal best. The day of the Mountjoy Pike Anglers competition, Liam latched onto a beauty weighing 22lbs 12oz. Great pike Liam, and a super photo.

JACKS ON LINE. We had a couple of lovely days last week, all be it cold on the Lakes. I ventured out with younger brother J.J. and we boated eight pike all on Lures. Plus we lost as many; they were coming short and just snapping at the lures. The best pike was just about 8lbs, but they gave us some sport on the jerk bait rods. J.J. had a few Slomo Concept suspender lures, and they really took a shine to these colourful baits. Still our best fish fell to a Mini Bulldog, fished in 10-12 ft of water.

LENE A.G.M. I spent a day on Lene last week, but could not interest the Lene pike. Eventually I dropped out into deep water and started Perch fishing. The Perch were on for having a go, and I boated 5 nice colourful characters. It may be not every anglers Cup of Tea, but jigging for perch is great fun, and it’s very seldom you draw a blank. Lough Lene Angling Association have a busy season coming on line in 2012, and on Friday January 20^th they hold their Annual General Meeting. It’s an 8-30 start and Collinstown Hall is the venue. The Lake produced some super brown and rainbow trout last season, and in 2011 up on 1,500 2 year plus triploid rainbows were stocked into Lene. It will certainly be interesting to see how these fish over winter. The lake will not open for Trout fishing till March 1^st.

LENE MINNOW. News in from George Kelly of Milbro Sport, the original Lene Minnow is making a come back in time for the coming Trout season. These little gems caught many fish, and imitates a small fry. They come in various colours and sizes, and I hope to have a few in my Tackle Box for the start of the trout season. One of the most popular colours on the Midland Lakes was the Grey Lene Minnow, I also like the look of the Red Minnow. Watch out for these Minnows in your local Tackle Shop.

CATCH OF THE MONTH. Once again our Catch Of the Month is up and running for the coming season, and each month Paul O’Callaghan of Anglers World in Navan sponsors a €75 Tackle Voucher. It’s very simple to enter, and it’s not the biggest fish, or the greatest number of fish. All you have to do is send us in a quality photo of your most recent prized catch, and a few details and contact number. Your catch will be featured in my angling reports, and on Midland Angling web site. Each Month Paul picks a winner from our selection of fishy photos. I dropped into Anglers World last week, and it’s a reel anglers Aladdin’s Cave. Their are some fantastic January offers on line, and it’s worth checking.

THAT’S IT. Well that’s it for another week in the Angling World. The shooting season will close on January 31^st, so it will be hell for leather on the Angling scene. Looking at the forecast for the next few days, it’s going to be hard going trying to catch a few fish. Still we will push out the boat and see what happens. Tight Lines till next week.

CONTACT. Mick 087-2797270. E-mail mick@midlandangling.com

I.A.D.A. The Irish Angling Development Alliance hosted their 2^nd A.G.M. last Saturday January 7^th in the splendid Mullingar Park Hotel. Delegates from many of there clubs attended, and it was certainly a very interesting meeting. IADA are only in existence a few years but are rattling many nets and really providing serious back up for clubs and individual anglers. The Irish Angling Development Alliance provides cover for all anglers, and angling relative bodies.

They had massive support in 2011 explained Chairman Richard Caplice, and are geared up for 2012 pushing out the boat once again at Ireland Angling Show in February of this year. Their stand was visited by many club members last year, and they expect to Reel in more clubs at this years show. Membership & Public relations Officer Enda Hickey addressed the meeting, and stated that they are steadily growing and I.A.D.A have over 30 clubs affiliated at present but expects to rise and maybe double this coming season. On going development work is taking place on their website, www.irishangling.ie and in 2011 they went live on Face Book, and is clearly working with up on 17,000 hits per month.

Their Fishery Protection and Biosecurity section was well covered at the A.G.M., as was the Junior Development section. Plus their club members will be very busy on the competition scene & fundraising events in 2012. Dr Joe Caffrey attended the meeting, and he is a great supporter of the work being carried out by the Irish Angling Development Alliance.

The Irish Angling Development Alliance is back in Mullingar on March 24^th once again in the Mullingar Park Hotel. And on the day they will hold a conference for delegates from affiliated clubs. Here motions for discussion will be put forward to the Officers I.A.D.A. If you are interested in finding out more on I.A.D.A check their web site www.irishangling.ie, or visit their stand at this years Ireland Angling Exhibition that will take place on Saturday and Sunday February 11^th&12^th.

DERRAVARAGH ANGLERS TO CHILL OUT. Yes as we drift into a new angling season Derravaragh Anglers are going to hold their Annual Dinner and Social Night. The venue is award winning restaurant Weirs of Multyfarnham, and it will be a cracking night. Tickets are available at €30 per person, and if you are interested contact Joe Keena at 086-8722449.

In the coming weeks we will have a date for the Derravaragh Anglers A.G.M. and we will keep you posted on this. New members are always more than welcome, and the club host quite a few Trout and Pike competitions, plus the popular Family day out.

PIKE COMPETITION. Fancy a day out at the pike, well here is your chance. Our neighbouring anglers North Longford Anglers are holding an open boat pike competition on Sunday January 15^th. The venue is Annagh Lake, and entry fee is €20 per boat. Michael Whitney is the Competition Officer for North Longford Anglers and please contact him for more information. If the weather were very unsettled prior to the date I would advise Anglers to also check, as some competitions will be cancelled due to bad weather.

COARSE FISH ON THE BEER. Well I have seen a lot of stuff drifting along the Royal Canal and its Supply, and last weekend the fish were in high spirits. I photographed a Keg of Beer, which cleary had being tampered with and the contents drifting along the Supply. If any of our readers ever capture some strange item flowing in our waterways please send it in to me.

THAT’S IT. Soon we will be thinking of heading West for the opening of the Trout season on February 15^th. This is a great day out weather permitting, and a chance to wet a line before our own Trout season starts on March 1^st. Last year on opening day I ventured to Lough Conn and fished with pals John Geary and Kieran Connolly, John caught a beauty in very cold conditions on the fly. Hugh O’Donnell of Clonbur House has sent me some details of special offers for Midland Anglers in his self catering apartments just minutes from Mask and Corrib. I stayed their last year and they are top class, more on this next week. Tight Lines.

CONTACTS. Mick 087-2797270 e-mail mick@midlandangling.com

ENNELL PIKE FOR WATERFORD LADS. This week Joe O’Brien and Stephen Butler dropped in from Waterford, for a bit of pike fishing. I had being watching the weather, as high winds were forecasted, and Ennell can blow up very fast. The lads hit Mullingar at 9am and it was breezy, but quite fishable. Mind you as the day progressed it got nasty, and we took shelter in shallow bays. Stephen got a nice pike on our first troll out deep, and I reckon we might have got a few good fish, if the weather did not get so rough. Later in the day we boated 4 more pike, on a beautiful coloured imitation pike. Stephen caught all the pike, and would you believe it his Angling pal Joe gave him the Lure. Nice one Joe.

GLORE. On Christmas day I got a call from Lough Glore Chairman Eddie O’Donnell, and he told me they were planning a sweepstake competition on Wednesday December 28^th. I had no plans, and kept the date free to give Glore a lash. What a day, with high winds, and a nice chill in the air. Lough Glore is quite sheltered, but on Wednesday the winds lashed across the surface of this shallow lake. The fishing was hard going, and only 3 small pike took the bait on the day. Peter Smith produced a fish of 3lbs 14oz to secure first place, and I finished joint 2^nd with Joe O’Donnell with small pike just under 2lbs.

IADA A.G.M. One of our new angling representative the Irish Angling Development Alliance will host their 2012 A.G.M. in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Saturday January 7^th. It’s an 2pm start, and the IADA will distribute their 2011 report, which will include their plans for the coming year.

SPECIMEN AWARDS. The Irish Specimen Annual report for record fish caught in 2011 is out, and it’s packed with some super catches. The Annual Awards Presentations will take place on Saturday March 3rd and once again the splendid Red Cow Moran’s Hotel is the venue. I hope to have the Specimen report up on line in the coming week, and you can check who caught what in 2011.

SUPER CAPS. Yes headgear is very important to Anglers, and is a real fashion accessory for us Anglers. Honest depending on the size and color of ones head gear you can be picked out from quite a distance on the Lake. Anyway David O’Malley has a huge range of caps, which have Ennell, Owel, Sheelin, and Derravaragh, embroidered in brilliant bright colours, an ideal Christmas stocking filler. David also has a huge range of Fishing Tackle, plus you can check out the Jewellery section in the coming days prior to Christmas. Vouchers are also avaible, so no excuses.

ALLARD TOP CLASS. While covering an event in Clarks Lounge I met Brendan Allard of Croughill, Ballinea just outside Mullingar. I have met Brendan from time to time on the angling scene, and he is one of our Top Anglers. Last May the Brendan lad done Westmeath Proud, and finished 2^nd in the All Ireland Trout Angling match for Anglers with special needs. The event was fished at Loch An Dochas, Kilcormack, Co Offaly, and it was a brilliant days fishing. Anglers from all over Ireland with special needs fished on the day, and there were junior and senior sections, with presentations taking place back at the local Hall in Kilkormac. Well done Brendan and keep me posted on the 2012 venue for the All Ireland Trout Match for Anglers with special needs.

KENNY & GREEN. No not a new band, but maybe the Jedward of the Angling World. Recently Anthony Green and Noel O’Connor were drifting through the Midlands, and on this angling adventure took pal Niall Kenny along. The lads were featured some time back out on Ennell, and also produced some nice fish from Lene. The lads have started their own business selling fishing Tackle on line. Check it out www.toptackle.ie 

IRELAND ANGLING 2012. It’s official and the dates are set, so stick them in your Diary. On Monday morning last my reliable Postman, well-known angler Alan Tyrrell dropped me in a few fliers for the 2012 Ireland Angling Show. The dates are February 11^th & 12^th just days before we Midlanders head West for the opening of the trout season, which is February 15^th. It’s early days yet and we will keep you posted on this event as we drift into the New Year. Taking a quick look, the Fishing For Families, is a great idea, and will hopefully get more families involved in Angling, and also I see that a special Lure Demo Tank is being installed. Something for the predator angler to look forward to.

ANGLING NETWORK MEETING. I attended the last Westmeath Angling Network meeting for this year, and they hope to have another meeting early in January. It’s early days but there is big push by some local business people to get behind angling, and highlight it more, and hopefully encourage more Tourists to come to Westmeath and check out our fantastic Lakes and Rivers. As soon as I have a date for the January meeting it will be published on www.midlandangling.com

NALLY CELEBRATIONS. Last weekend Mary Nally of Multyfarnham celebrated her 70^th. Sadly some years back Mary lost her Husband Jimmy who was Chairman of Derravaragh Anglers. Now her Son Andy has taken over as Chairman and I met the Nally Clan, and many anglers last weekend in Murtagh’s Lounge in Multyfarnham. It was a well organized surprise night for Mary, and I got a cracking photo of Mary and Sally Meehan chatting. Sally is married to the Brue, President of Derravaragh Anglers. Congratulations Mary on hitting 70.

THAT’S IT. Soon we will be reeling in the year, but with any luck we will hook-up with some nice fish before Christmas. It’s a little cold on the Lakes and Rivers, but at least we can get out, and there are not frozen over like last year. I did a few hours on Ennell last Sunday with Barry Darby, and hit 3 fish, but they were reluctant to hold on. Hopefully the high winds forecasted for Wednesday & Thursday of this week will settle for the weekend. Tight lines till next week.

CONTACTS. Mick 087-2797270. E- mail mick@midlandangling.com

D.A.M. LURES. Some weeks back I mentioned I got a few great looking pike lures from George Kelly of Milbro Ireland. George asked me to test them on our Midland pike, and sure enough the pike took the bait. I fished a number of different colours, and the Perch, Piranha, and Bonefish produced the goods. I also managed a few underwater photos, and that’s how I know the water Temperature is dropping. I fished with Tommy Buggy and he was wrapped up from head to Toe, and got the shivers when I started taking underwater shots. I hope to have more lures in the coming weeks for testing, and will keep you posted. The full feature on the D.A.M. Lures is here DAM lures review, and next week I will give one lucky visitor a few of these cracking pike lures.

CRAY TWINS. The Brosna is in full flow with all the rain, and last week OPW were busy clearing heavy weeds from it’s banks.I took the opportunity to chat to the lads, and they told me the River is full of fish, big and small. Unfortunately I also got word of Illegal nets set on the River near some Bridges. This is very worrying news as the Ennell Trout are on the move, and heading up river to spawn. I.F.I. Officers were notified, and will keep an eye on the spawning rivers. As I walked the Brosna I could not believe the number of Freshwater Crayfish that came out on the bank as the weeds were removed. They were well able to make their own way back, but eager eyed predators like the Heron, and Hooded Crow, thought Christmas had come early. There was a couple of real Monster Crayfish, and boy they can give you a right pinch. The experts tell me that this is a sign of very clean water, when you have a huge number of Crayfish in the system.

SALMON. Yes the Midland salmon anglers are getting itchy, and after having a great weekend at the Irish Fly fair recently, they are busying tying some magical salmon flies. The famous Drowes will open on January 1^st, and I am waiting on news of the opening day. However Ian Powell of the Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery is on the ball, and has some special offers for early season salmon fishing. The Blackwater will open On February 1^st, and already plenty of booking is coming on line. The early payment discount is worth checking out. Full 2012 prices please check www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net. Or Call Glenda on 087-2351260.

WATER CRAFT COURSE. Here is something for local clubs to ponder over in the coming weeks. I just received e-mail from Dr Ken Whelan Fisheries Scientist, and Author. Ken is holding a Practical Water Craft Course on Saturday and Sunday February 11^th and 12^th. The course will cover Irelands Freshwater resources, learn how to recognize water quality, and also learn about Irelands Freshwater fish and other water life. The cost of the 2-day course is €175, includes lunch each day, and Maximum class size is 20 Adults. Maybe some of our Angling clubs would like to send an Officer, and learn water craft. The venue is Southern County Fishing resort. More on this call Ken on 086-7835900, or to check out Southern County www.southerncounty.ie.

PADDY GALLAGHER R.I.P. Sadly this week we heard the news that the late great Paddy Gallagher has passed away. Paddy and Wife May ran Gallagher’s Lounge and Bar for years, and was a Mecca for Anglers from all across Ireland. The late Paddy was highly thought off across Ireland, in fact when I fished competitions across Ireland and mentioned where I was from, it was the same question how is Paddy Gallagher. Then the yarns would start to flow, about times past in Gallagher’s Bar after a days fishing. In recent years Paddy and May retired, and I met them regularly when I would be coming off Ennell. Paddy was as sound as a Trout, and really enjoyed our Angling slot in Westmeath Topic. The late Paddy was one of Lough Ennells top anglers, and also loved his days on Lough Melvin. I would like to express my sympathy To May and the Gallagher and Caffrey families.

THAT’S IT. This week weather permitting I am going pike fishing for a few days. On Sunday December 11^th North Longford Anglers have a competition on Gowna, so a practice day is on the cards. I reckon the Gowna system is very high and coloured at the moment with all the rainfall. Michael Whitney is competition office for N.L.A. if you need info 087-6594763. In the coming weeks we will have up-dates on the Lough Ree International Pike Festival in April 2012. Plenty of interest in this pike competition. Tight lines till next week.

Contacts. Mick 087-2797270 e-mail Mick@midlandangling.com

SLOVAKIAN ANGLER ON ENNELL. The Anglers World “Catch of the Month” on my angling site receives pictures and reports from all across Ireland. This week I got a super photo of Peter Farbula, a Slovakian, now living in Mullingar. Peter was out fishing on Ennell, and latched onto a real Ennell cracker weighing over 25lbs, and measuring 45 inches long. The mighty pike took a 6in soft bait Relax lure. This is one of the best pike caught on Ennell in recent years, and well done Peter. The photographs are gone to Paul O’Callaghan in Anglers World Navan, and each month he picks a winner. The lucky angler picks up a Tackle voucher for €75. To enter simply forward your fish pic, and a few details on your Angling adventure to mick@midlandangling.com.

BUGGY TURNS CAMERAMAN. Regular readers would know that Tommy Buggy of Kilkenny loves his fishing, and especially chasing pike across the Midland Lakes and Rivers. On our most recent day on Derravaragh Tommy turned cameraman, and I caught the fish for a change. We had been fishing long drifts across Derravaragh, and I was catching a few small perch in deep water, trying out different methods of fishing for these colourful characters. I also had dead bait drifting out the back of the boat, and got a good run. When I struck into this fish, it burst up onto the surface, and I knew I was in a good double. I did not weigh the pike, but as you can see it was well in the Mid Doubles and in mint condition. Mind you more importantly it got me a “Fiver” as this is the prize for heaviest fish on our days angling.

PATS PIKE. It’s next to impossible to get all the photos of winning pike from the competitions, and luck would have it on the day of the Derravaragh Anglers Christmas pike competition club Officer Christy Hynes had his camera at the ready. Christy is quite handy with the camera and took a super photo of Pat Keenaghan with his 14lbs 3oz pike on the day.

RYAN AND HIS PIKE. Mark Ryan is no stranger to the Midland Lakes, and Rivers, and has featured my website over the past number of years. The Mark Boy is also Show Director of Hooked Live which is held in City West Hotel yearly, and it’s on line for March 2012. Last week I spoke to Mark and he had only returned from a days pike fishing, and was in great form. He had latched onto a great double just short of 20lbs, and reckoned he lost a bigger fish. Well that would be right, when has an angler lost a small fish I ask you. Mark is only a short distance from Mullingar living in the Maynooth area, and we are planning a day on one of our Westmeath waters quite soon. I might catch him for a few Tickets for Midland Angling readers for Hooked Live 2012.

HOOKED LIVE 2012. Mark Ryan Show Director tells us that at Hooked Live!

“We will once again bring you the best in Irish angling water sports, with new tackle, venues and angling techniques. For the fly fishing enthusiast there will be fly tying, casting lessons and World Class demonstrations, not to mention fly fishing on our fully stocked lake where both trout and perch will readily take a fly. There are top prizes to be won in the Lakes Fishing Challenge. For the sea angler and coarse fisher we have some top class exhibits with great tackle and equipment available and a range of venues, which will produce results.

There will also be popular seminars, which, we feel cover some of the new and successful tackle and techniques, which are now being used to catch more fish. Hooked Live! will also for the 2^nd year incorporate the Sporting Gun Show. It is known that many both shoot and fish and in particular for the Shooter the show is at season end so many bargains can be picked up.”

Now there’s a mouth full to chew on, more up dates as we get them.

AWARE PRESENTATION ON LENE. I have to cast back to August 28^th for this report. It was the Chairman’s Pairs Trout Fly fishing competition on Lene, and it was a huge success. I just this week got the photo of the presentation, and as is the norm, proceeds from the competition go to an organization or charity. This year the Chairman’s prize raised a whopping €2,555- 00 and was presented to AWARE. Presented by Chairman Tom Fagan, and Vice Chairman Paddy Dolan.

THAT’S IT. I hope you like our pike photo Gallery, and if you Hook Up with a good fish in the coming weeks send it in for our Catch Of the Month prize. Soon we will be looking at the Salmon season, which kicks starts on January 1^st, and the Trout will come on line February 15^th 2012. Where are the weeks going. Tight Lines.

CONTACT. Mick 087-2797270 e-mail mick@midlandangling.com

MOFFATT CUP. The weather Gods certainly looked down on Derravaragh Anglers last Sunday, and we were greeted with blue skies, and light winds for the Philip Moffatt Memorial Cup, and the Christmas competition. Up on fifty anglers young and old ventured out on the day, and we fished from 11am-4pm. It was heart warming to see so many young anglers coming on line, and they were well looked after by Derravaragh Angling Club.

I teamed up with daughter April and Marty Smith of Macklesfield, near Manchester. We had some super drifts over cracking water and could only manage 4 small pike. A lot of the boats stuck it out trolling covering deep and shallow water, and most pike were actually caught on the troll. Damian Grifferty and Paddy Hannon latched onto a few good pike, with Paddy landing the winning pike weighing 14lbs 12oz. Pat Keenaghan and Frank McKeown were just pipped, as Pat boated another fine pike weighing 14lbs 3oz. Another Mullingar Angler Noel Nugent finished 3^rd with 12lbs 4oz, Damian Grifferty 4^th 7lbs 12oz, and Polish Angler Bogdan Golebiewski 5^th with a pike over 6lbs.

The Junior Anglers had a great day and Alana Corcoran hooked up with a pike of 9lbs late in the competition. Alana and dad Johnny were trolling all day, and with just 20 minutes to go she landed her winning pike. Christopher Cox finished 2^nd with a pike 3lbs 1oz, and Rachel Daly was 3^rd. All junior anglers received prizes on the day, some sponsored by Danial Hoare of Roscommon, who has a Mobile Tackle stand at most competition. Presentation took place back in Murtagh Lounge, and we captured many anglers on camera, receiving prizes.

Derravaragh Anglers Club Chairman Andy Nally announced the winners, and Billy Moffatt, Dad of the late Philip presented Paddy Hannon with the Cup. Tanya Moffatt daughter of the late Philip presented the junior prizes.

PIKE DAYS. I received a list of competition dates from North Longford Anglers, and a few super pike waters will be fished in the coming months. The club have listed competitions from December 11^th right through till May 7^th 2011. The first competition is on Gowna checking in at Dernaferst Car Park. Entre fee is €20 per boat, 2 Rods per angler, and maximum 4 rods per boat. On December 11^th the top prize is the Philip Smith Memorial Cup. These competitions are an ideal chance to fish new waters, and meet some of Irelands Top pike anglers. If you were planning to travel to any competition, I would advise you to check prior to heading off. Sometimes dates can change, and the weather can also play havoc with competition dates.

The contact number for North Longford Anglers is Michael Whitney Competition Officer 087-6594763.

PERCH DAYS. I was fishing Lene last week with visiting Angler Marty Smith, and there were quite a few boats out pike fishing. Some huge fish were on the move, and we just could not interest the pike to take the bait. As we covered some deep water I picked up shoal of fish in 35ft of water, and decided to drop some lures down for perch. It’s mighty crack even if the fish are small, but very enjoyable fishing. I hope to have a go at some Ennell perch this winter, and this Lake holds some huge perch. It’s worth checking out, as I am sure that specimen perch will be caught on Ennell. As it stands the Irish Specimen perch record is 5lbs 8oz, and specimen weight is 1.2kg.

SPECIMEN FISH. If you are Out & About on the Lakes and Rivers and reckon you have latched onto a specimen fish, check www.irish-trophy-fish.com. All specimen fish weights are recorded on this site, plus venues where caught. Over the years quite a few specimen fish have being caught from Westmeath Lakes and Rivers.

THAT’S IT. We have a huge Gallery of photos this week. If you are interested in getting your photo give me a shout. Next week I hope to have a few shots of rainbow trout, and maybe some bigger perch on line. Tight Lines till next week.

Contact. Mick 087-2797270. E-mail mick@midlandangling.com