It has being a magical Easter weekend for anglers, and we have some real eye catching photos this week. The weather really took a change for the worst and we battled strong winds, snow, and cold conditions to bring you this weeks angling report. Earlier in the week I spent a day with fellow pike angler Tommy Buggy from Kilkenny, and we boated a few crackers. Mind you the weekend belonged to Mullingar angler Anthony Scally who produced a huge pike of 30lbs to win the Lough Key Pike festival and top prize of 3,500 euro. A few nice fish are still coming from Lene and we received the results of the Irish ladies trial, which took place recently on the Lake. Some of our local anglers were on a trip to Norway to tackle the might Cod, and Paul Moran produced a 56lbs Monster. This Sunday Lough Owel Anglers will fish the Ace Cup, and we are hoping the weather will get a bit milder for this super competition. We have quite a few photos this week from the Easter weekend, so if we miss one or two we will cast back in the coming weeks. Almost forgot the deadline for the Lough Ree International Pike Festival has being extended to Friday next April 9th.Top prize 3,000 euro. Now that’s a nice catch.
ANTHONY SCALLY TOPS ON KEY. The Annual Lough Key two-day Pike festival is a very popular competition with us Midland pikers, and the event has being very good to local anglers. This year was their 30th Anniversary of Boyle & District Angling Club who hosts the event. On the day one of Mullingars top Pike Anglers Anthony Scally produced the goods and boated a huge Pike weighing 30lbs to take top prize of 3,500 Euro and the beautiful Moonstone Jewellers Perpetual Cup. Anthony once again teamed up with his angling pal Paddy O, Neill who incredibly won the competition last year. What a brilliant achievement for the two Mullingar anglers. Anthony is one of the top Lure anglers on the pike scene and has produced some great fish in recent years. Long may it continue, and well done from all in Angling Focus.
BUGGY WITH EYE CATCHING PIKE. Every County from time to time produces a top class sports person, and fishing is no different. Kilkenny may be better known for producing top hurlers, but their anglers can really hold their own on the waters across Ireland. Last week I spent a day with Kilkenny all round angler Tommy Buggy and he produced some Eye catching pike. We were on a small local Lake and landed 9 pike with the best fish just short of 18lbs.All the pike were in mint condition and were caught on Lures. Tommy hopes to be back in the Midlands quite soon and all going well we are hooking up for the Stephen battle Memorial Cup on Derravaragh April 25th.
COD ALMIGHTY. Local An Post employee Paul Moran was on a recent trip of a lifetime in Norway. Paul is well known on the Angling scene here in the Midlands, and has landed quite a few good fish in his time on the local lakes. In recent weeks he was gearing up for a holiday of a lifetime, fishing for huge Cod in Norway. Sure enough our Paul met his match and boated a Monster Cod of 56lbs.Its hard to believe that their grow this size, but we have the photo to prove it.
LADIES ON LENE. The Irish Ladies Fly-Fishing Association hosted their first trial on Lough Lene on March 28th last. This catch & release trial produced some fine fish and all were measured and released on the day. Julie Gerry topped the day with 7 fish for 267cm, 2nd Susan Browne 6 fish 258cm, and 3rd Jean Johnson with 1 fish for 40cm.Top boatman was David O, Neill.Julie Gerry speaking on behalf of the ILFA thanked Lough Lene Angling Association for hosting their first trial of 2010,and the local boatmen for their support. The next trial is on Lough Melvin on Saturday April 17th.More on this or joining the ILFA please contact Julie Gerry on 087-2055094 or www.irishladiesflyfishing.com .You must be over 18 to take part in the events.
ACE CUP ON OWEL.Lough Owel Anglers will kick-start their competition season this coming Sunday April 11th.On the day the Ace Cup is up for grabs, which was presented by the late Mr. Oliver Buckley to L.O.T.P.A. Fishing is from 11am-6pm.The Lake has produced some nice fish in recent weeks, and all we need is a little bit of kindness on the weather front and some fly hatches will appear. This is a club competition and fly only. New members welcome. The club has a 3-fish bag limit and 13inches size limit. Lough Owel is under the control of the S.R.F.B. and you will need an up to date Angling Permit.
REE INTERNATIONAL PIKE FESTIVAL. This 3- day pike competition will take place from Wednesday April 14th and finish on Friday April 16th.Entry fee is 125 Euro for the three days and all entries will be returned in prize money plus the over all prize of 3,000 euro for first place. Hodson bay is a launching area for the lake competitions, and one day will be fished on the Shannon. Boat competition and maximum of 3- anglers per boat. More on this please contact Dave Houghton on 071-9642734.
GONE FISHING. That’s it for another action packed angling report. We hope to like the Eye Catching pike photo. It’s going to be hectic here in the angling world for the next few weeks with competitions. Naturally we cant fish all these events, so please get your club Secretary or PRO to forward results and winning photos plus contact numbers to my details below. Tight lines till next week.
