CRACKING PIKE ON THE FLY: Last week we mentioned that my pal Jimmy Murray was back over from Queens in New York and we were on a mission to catch some big pike on the fly. This we did in style and Jimmy had pike up on 20lbs on flies tied by himself. The fish were in mint condition and really tested Jimmy’s gear to the limit. Jimmy is planning a trip back quite soon and reckons we have some of the best pike angling in Europe, he was also very impressed with our facilities and the quality of our waters here in the midlands.
LENE WINNERS: The last trout competition of the 2016 season was fished on Lough Lene last Sunday, September 25th, and it proved a huge success. On the day, the Chairman’s Pairs fly fishing competition took place and all proceeds from this event go towards the R.N.L.I. It was a blustery, wet day and conditions at times were difficult, but unfortunately I missed this competition as I was chasing pike on the day. Not to worry though, we have the full results and winning picture from the Chairman’s competition. On the day, Niall Maher and Alan Russell were crowned pairs champions with a fine fish of 2.08kg, 2nd went to Carl Owens and Paul Owens with 1.88kg, 3rd was Philip Murray and Kevin Sheerin with another trout of 1.88kg, 2nd and 3rd place went to measurement and in 4th place was Andrew Boyd and Marcus Donnelly with 1.76kg. Pictured at the presentation is Gary Carolan of CLF Transport, who sponsored first prize, along with the winner Niall Maher and Lough Lene Chairman Tom Fagan. The trout season closes this Friday September 30th on Lene, but some pike competitions are penciled in for October. These are on October 1st, where Stonyford anglers will hold a pike competition with fishing from 11am-6pm and on Saturday October 15th, where Lough Lene will hold a pike competition with fishing from 11am-5pm.
ENNELL WINNERS: Lough Ennell Anglers recently hosted the Christy Sleator Cup last Sunday on the 25th of September. Once again, you needed a super wild brown trout to claim first prize and local angler Jimmy Stenson produced the goods. Jimmy had a lovely fish of 3.30lbs to take top rod on the day. Joe Doherty was 2nd with 2.61lbs and 3rd was Conor Lynch with 2.50lbs. Also up for grabs was the Tyrrell/McKeever Trophy for top angler during the Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association competitions. This was won by Mark Kenny with a combined weight of 10.65lbs. The presentation took place in Whitebridge Bay and Jack Sleator presented all the winners with prizes for the Christy Sleator Cup while John and Alan Tyrrell presented the Tyrrell/McKeever Trophy.
DERRAVARAGH COMPETITIONS: This coming Sunday, October 2nd, Derravaragh will host the Gibson Cup. This fly fishing competition will be fished from 11am-6pm. Check-in will be at Donore Shore. On the following Sunday, October 9th, the club host the Daly Cup, with fishing also from 11am-6pm. These are the last fly fishing competitions on Derravaragh for the 2016 season as the trout fishing closes on October 12th. Derravaragh also have some pike competitions penciled in for the winter months and new members are more than welcome to come on board. As soon as we get competition dates we will publish them and let you know.