Another interesting week in the Angling World, we had some sport catching quality brown trout on Lene, and also dabbled at the pike .Its full steam ahead on the Angling scene and this Sunday two of our clubs clash with Trout competitions. The Pike are coming back on the feed, and Mullingar Angler Des Byrne had some crackers on Lures.Derravaragh Anglers fundraising tickets are in circulation as we speak, and top prize is 200 Euro. The Devaney Clan from Athlone were back out on Ree and Dara boated a lovely fish up on 2lbs.
DOONER AND DUFFY. Lough Lene is certainly a Hot Spot for Anglers of late, with local and visiting Anglers enjoying some fantastic sport on the fly and troll. Pals Tommy Duffy and John Dooner had some nice brown trout on the fly last week, and we caught up with the lads as they loaded up on Fagan’s Point. The Duck- Fly hatches have trout up and surface feeding, and the water Temperature is rising slowly but surely. This Sunday Club members will fish for the Peadar Caffrey Cup, and its kicks off at 11am from Fagan’s Point.
ACE CUP ON OWEL.This coming Sunday April 13th Lough Owel Anglers host the Ace Cup.Club Secretary Stan McKeown tells us some great prizes are up for grabs and new members are welcome on the day.Fishing is from 11am- 6pm with check in at Mullallys, and Tullaghan Shore.
REE BEAUTY. Lough Ree is a huge span of water, and produces some super brown Trout yearly. The Devaney lads of Athlone seem to have Ree clicked on the Trout scene and this week we received a photograph of Dara Devaney with another fine Ree trout. It’s certainly worth a trip over the coming Easter break, but keep an eye on weather conditions, as it’s a huge fishery.
GLORE ANGLERS. Lough Glore Anglers have a Pike competition penciled in for this coming Sunday April 13th.Its will be fished from 9-30am-3-30pm, and all legal methods allowed. The club are very active and have quite a busy season coming on line membership is open and you can join on competition Morning.Lough Glore club Chairman Eddie O, Donnell is hoping to run a major pike competition later in May, and its reported he will have his beard trade mark beard removed on the day. Eddie will keep us posted on this coming event.
PIKE AND ANGLERS ON THE FEED. The Pike are starting to come back on the fed big time after the spawning season, and last weekend Des Byrne of Mullingar hooked – up with some hard fighting pike. The pike were not the only ones on the feed, and Des fired up a super meal on the Island as we took a break from the fishing. We boated six pike in mint condition on a variety of lures worked on Jerk bait rods, and lost as many more on the day. Some of the pike were very aggressive and hammered the bait right up close to the boat, very exciting fishing.
DERRAVARAGH ANGLERS. Lough Derravaragh Angling Association Annual Fundraising draw tickets are drifting around at the moment, and the draw will take place in Weirs Lounge on Sunday night April 20th.All proceeds from the Fundraising draw will go towards development work on Derravaragh and the day to day running of the club. Tickets are priced at 3 Euro each, with first prize 200 euros, 2nd 150 Euro, and 3rd prize 100 Euro.
FANCY A DAY ON CORRIB.Kevin Prunty PRO of Oughterard Anglers & Boatman’s Association have sent us some competition dates that local Anglers may be interested in. The Annual International May Fly Festival takes place from May 9th- 11th. This is an action packed weekend with many activities taking place including a taste of Lough Corrib (food tasting), local art exhibitions, River heritage walks, plus Angling workshops. Sunday will see the holding of the International Mayfly Angling Competition which is the biggest angling competition held on Lough Corrib. This event normally gets well over a 100 anglers and adult entry fee is €25 & junior entry fee is €10, all competitors get a free meal on the Sunday evening at the presentation of prizes. Interested give Kevin Prunty a bell on 085-1694930.
AWAY WITH THE MEDIA. Last week I teamed up with friends from the Angling Media World, and we had a splendid few hours fishing Annamoe Trout Fishery in Co. Wicklow.This event is organized by my pal Derek Evans of the Irish Times, and its hard to believe it was our 10th media gathering. Top Rod was Diarmaid Fleming of BBC World Service, and I had a great chat with Diarmaid and invited him to the Midlands for a days fishing. We banked a total of 36 lovely rainbows on Annamoe, and if you are drifting across Wicklow check it out. Brian Nally is fishery owner, and can be contacted on 086-2598563.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling