St Patrick’s weekend produced some super trout fishing for local and visiting Anglers, and we await the arrival of the first hatch of fly on the Midlands lakes it will only get better. Soon you will have duck fly hatches, and the Swallow type birds will arrive with this annual hatch. We have the dates for the Kells Sheelin Classic, and there is some array of prizes up for grabs. Plus our Trout competition scene kicks off this coming Sunday March 23rd on Lough Lene, and it will be screaming Reels on the competition scene from them on as Lough Bane will host their first trout competition on March 30th.
DES BYRNE ON LENE. Mullingar Lad Des Byrne was drifting across Lough Lene last week and hooked – up with some beautiful hard fight Rainbow trout on the fly. Des is the son of the late Danny Byrne of Danny Byrnes Bar and Hugh Daniels cloths shop, and has recently opened his own Dentist Practice in Navan Town. Des starting off on Lene trolling small Lures, and as we trolled some nice fish started to break the surface taking small fry. We pulled in for lunch and tackled up with the fly gear, and as they say the rest is History. On the day we boated cracking fish up on 3lbs.
KILMACANOHUE / BALLYNACARGY CONNECTION. Even in the Angling World you never know who you meet up with, and last week Graham Bushe and Son Kevin of Kilmacanohue, Co. Wicklow were enjoying a father Son day on Lene.The Lads are only getting into the fishing game, and young Kevin really had a super time here in Westmeath. I had a great chat with Graham and he told me that he has quite a bit of Westmeath Blood running through his veins. Grahams Mother was born Lucy Riggs back in 1931 in Ballncarrigy, and all of 83 years old. Lucy along with other family members left Ballacarrigy at a very young age, but never forgot their Westmeath Roots. The lads will certainly be back in Mullingar, and thirteen years old Kevin is also a very Keene soccer player and you just might see him coming up against Mullingar Town, or Mullingar Athletic in years to come.
ROCHFORTBRIDGE PAIR ON OWEL.I done a few days on Owel over Paddies weekend and met some great Angling charathers. I dropped into Portloman for lunch and caught up with Rochfortbridge brothers Pascal and Tom Cleary. The deadly Duo were having a super day, and Pascal had just wiped Toms eye by landing a super Owel Trout of 3.02lbs.The super looking trout latched onto a Tasmanian Lure, and was in mint condition. I also had a bit of luck on Owel, and latched onto some lovely over wintered trout. The fish were hitting sticklebacks very hard, and really slapped into my small colorful Lures. I actually had 11 takes but only boated 2 fish with the best at 1.87lbs.Johnny Canning a big reader of our Angling slot was also In the thick of the action on Owel.Johnny is from Drumlish Co.Longford, but travels the Country after trout and salmon. I met Johnny down near Kilpatrick Point and he had just boated a fine trout pushing 2lbs on the Tasmanian Lure.
KELLS ANGLERS SHEELING CLASSIC. Noel McLoughlin sent us details of this years Kells Anglers Association Sheelin Classic. It will take place on Easter Saturday April 19th. Wit ha 11am start at Kilnahard Pier. Closing date for entry is Wednesday April 16th.Entry fee 90 Euro Non-Boating, and 70 Euro if supplying Boat. Entry includes Dinner. More on this Noel can be contacted on 087-2179460.Full lists of prizes and brochure including entry form details on my Angling site. www.midlandangling.com.
LOUGH LENE CUP. This coming Sunday March 23rd we kick off our trout competitions on Lough Lene.Its an all legal method competition, and all going well weather permitting we will see a few young Anglers out on the Lake. It’s an 11am start from Fagan’s Point and all boats in at 6pm.
GLORE PIKE COMPETITION RESULTS.Lough Glore Anglers hosted a pike competition recently, and it proved successful with some nice pike being caught. Christopher Gray was Top rod with a pike of 11lbs.15oz, 2nd P.J. Gray 7lbs 2oz, and 3rd Edward Hughes 6lbs 1oz.Lough Glore Angling Club is open for membership and if interested please contact Glore Chairman Eddie O, Donnell on 086-4043867.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling