CARNEY IN THE FRAME ON LENE
It has being another eventful week here in the Angling World. The Peter competition earlier in the week produced some good trout, even if the weather was not the best. The Dan Mullally Trophy on Owel, went to Balbriggan, and the Michael Healy Cup is gone to Navan. Also this week news from the Whitelake Anglers, plus results from World Cup Championships on Mask. Celebrity Chef Neven Maguire was in town, and was cooking Pike out in Multyfarnham. Next Sunday Trout anglers are gearing up for the Patti Doolin Shield on Owel. This is one of the biggest club competitions on Owel, and a large turn out is expected on the day. Mullingar Coarse Anglers may like to know about some NCFFI qualifiers coming on line, and we list one event. It’s very hard to fit all the up to date news in our Column, and a week drifts past very fast. This is the main reason we started our Web site, and its updated on a daily basis when possible. We start this week with our local Peter competitions on Owel and Lene, so lets cast off.
OWEL. On Wednesday night August 4th anglers from all across Leinster descended on Owel for the Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association Dan Mullally Trophy. This evening competition fished from 7pm-11pm and proved very successful with some fine fish coming on line. Conditions could have being a lot better, as the night was cold and very breezy. Some anglers got it right on the night, and it was really a case of being in the right part of the lake at the right time. I fished out from Murray’s Point and had just one small keeper, still better than a blank. Unfortunately very little fly life appeared up this end of the lake, so there was no chance on covering fish on the move.
Many boats drifted into the Portloman side of the lake, and out from Joe Dolan’s some good fish were boated. Just as darkness fell we got a drizzle of rain, and it was at this time of the night Stuart Marry of Balbriggan landed his winning catch. It was a cracking Owel trout of 1.595kg, and we got a beautiful photo of Stuart and his winning trout. Shay Cash of Newbridge Kildare finished 2nd with 1.050kg, and Seamus Egan of Tyrrellpass kept the Westmeath Flag fling finishing 3rd on the night with another good trout of 0.790kg.
Competition Stewarts Brendan Murray, Stan McKeown and Ross McKeown done a fine job on the night. L.O.T.P.A. chairman Brendan Murray thanked all who fished and competition captain Ross McKeown presented the prizes. Brendan mentioned the ongoing problem of boats being damaged on Owel and asked anglers to watch out for any unusual activities on the lake. Especially near Tullaghan and Mullallys shore line, where many oars have being broken.
LENE. Lene Anglers were also in action last week and on Friday 6th August we fished the Michael Healy Memorial Cup for senior anglers, and the Ulster Bank Cup for junior anglers. Once again the night was really not suited for Peter fishing and a strong wind greeted anglers as they gathered on Fagan’s Point. The experts tell me you need a nice calm warm night for Peter and Murrough fishing and they are few and far between this weather. Still there was a huge entry, and some fine rainbows were produced at the 11pm finish. As with the Dan Mullally on Owel I managed one keeper, and actually boated 4 more trout, but all were under the 13inch limit. Still a bit of action no less.
On the night Navan photographer James Carney was in the frame with a fine rainbow of 1.16kg, and took Top Rod. Lough Bane club officer John Cooke finished 2nd with 1.08kg, and Noel King was 3rd in the senior section with 1.06kg. The junior anglers were out in force and Claren Keogh from Multyfarnham topped the night with 0.88kg, Luke Walpole 2nd with 0.80kg, and 3rd Dillon Olin with 0.78kg. Lough Lene Anglers Association Chairman thanked all who supported the competitions and members of the late Michael Healy’s family presented the Cup to James Carney.
COOK YOUR CATCH. Neven Maguire was in Mullingar recently and done a bit of Pike fly fishing with Multyfarnham angler Pat Weir on Derravaragh. The lads had a fantastic day on the lake and caught a few fish. One fish under the 50cm size limit was kept for the pot, and Neven cooked his catch back in the grounds of Pats award winning restaurant in Multyfarnham. Prior to the cooking Neven spent a few hours with a film crew filming here in Mullingar. We hooked up with Neven in O’Malley’s Tackle Shop, and also dropped out to Multyfarnham to sample his brilliant cooking. The program will run later on Setanta TV we believe. Check our special feature on Neven Maguire’s visit plus pics from the cooking.
COARSE ANGLERS. We have received qualifier competition dates from the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland. The first qualifier is on September 12th River Shannon, Salmon Run & Shebeen, Portumna, Co Galway. Check to see the National Qualifiers 2010.
GONE FISHING. That’s it for another week. Once again I more that likely forgot something but don’t forget the Patti Doolin Shields this Sunday August 15th on Owel. Members only, and you are more that welcome to join on the morning. Finally best of luck to Mullingar Angler Noel McIntyre on his new business adventure. Noel of Westmeath Motors Group will open his new Superstore Buy Lo on August 12th.
