Now into its 53rd year the World Cup Trout Fly Angling Championships is part and parcel of trout fly-fishing, as we know it in Ireland. It’s the biggest angling championships, certainly here in Ireland and quite possibility across Europe. Qualifying days are taking place on July 29th, 30th, 31st, and August 1st, with final day Bank Holiday Monday August 2nd. Hundreds of anglers from all walks on life descend on Cushlough Bay on Mask where the championships are being held. Over the 4 qualifying days there is a great buzz as competition anglers try their best to outwit the Mask trout and their fellow anglers. Looking at the role of Honour in this years program, its packed with past and present anglers from all across Ireland North and South, plus in 1960, before my time R. Phelan from London won the prized World Cup. Julie Gerry of Kildare was the only Lady winner back in 2004. The year I was born 1964 legendary Robbie O’ Grady was Top Rod. Only one Angler from Westmeath, my own neck of the woods, lifted the World Cup, and that was Derravaragh legend Cecil Gibson. That year Cecil boated 3 trout for 4.99lbs. In more recent times Noel McLoughlin of Kells Anglers who we featured on our Sheelin Classic angling report a few weeks back won in 1996. In 2007 another top Kells angler Brendan Moran lifted the Cup. In 2008 I qualified on day one fishing with Seamus Kelly of Cloghans Ballina. Seamus went on to win that year and we have the photo on file. In 2009 Robert Crichton was crowned Lough Mask World Cup Trout Fly Angling Champion.
Taking a detailed look at the 2010 list of prizes it’s a real Aladdin’s Cave full of wonderful angling equipment, and credit to all the World Cup sponsors, and the hard working World Cup Committee. The prize list is endless with Boatmen’s prizes, plus top Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connaught anglers will receive prizes. Best Junior U-21, Ladies prize, plus Junior angler with 2nd heaviest catch over the weekend. All those before you get into the serious business. In all 15 prizes are up for grabs on final day. Here is first prize just to whet your appetite. World Cup (Perpetual) +19ft Anglers fancy Lake Boat sponsored by Burke Boats, Ballinrobe. Boat Trailer sponsored by World Cup committee, 15HP Honda 4 Stroke Engine sponsored by K Duffy & Sons Headford. World Cup Gold medal which is sponsored by Tim Kelly Engineering, along with Martin Murphy’s Newsagents & Jewelers Main St, Ballinrobe, and this lot is topped of with a Hardy Drifter Fly Rod sponsored by Hardy, Alnwick, in England. Now that’s just for the winner. There is also a 19ft Anglers fancy Boat for the Heaviest Trout caught during the Championships. The list of prizes is endless.
If you are interested in taking part in this years World Cup its €150 per angler and closing date is July 15th. All Entries to Esther Sweeney 30 Lakelawns, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Esther can be contacted on 087-2170353. This years PRO is Billy Burke of Outdoor Pursuits Tackle Centre in Ballinrobe, he might know what flies are working on Mask. Call into his Gleabe Street, Tackle Centre in Ballinrobe.
The Holy Bible of the World Cup Championships. Yes some years back former World Cup Pro and now acting Chairperson of the World Cup committee Denis Kelleher put pen to paper and produced a beautiful publication called Another World On Mask. This was published back in 2003 and is a must for all Anglers.
WORLD CUP PICS FROM MIDLAND ANGLING ARCHIVE.
