It was a very entertaining week in the Angling World, with local and visiting anglers reeling in some cracking trout and pike. The secret is out, all anglers fishing Ennell need a good music system in their boat. On Sunday last the Ennell trout were on the move with the beat from the concert in Belvedere. We had a super day with over 30 anglers catching 13 trout during the Rex Beaumont Cup. On Owel a few May Fly have trout looking up and its looking good for this week as teams from Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland compete in the International fly Fishing Championships. On the pike scene its screaming reels across the Midlands with some cracking doubles coming on line.
OLLIE DOONER ON SONG. Last Sunday May 25th Lough Ennell Anglers fished their first club competition. It was a magical day with nice hatches of Welshman Buttons, and the odd May Fly having a few trout on the feed. Plus we had the added bonus of some live music from the concert at Belvedere. The Ennell trout were certainly moving to the beat and 13 fish were caught on the day, plus many undersize fish caught and returned. Ollie Dooner took top rod and picked up the Rex Buaumont Cup with a trout of 2.454lbs, 2nd place was John Tyrrell with 2.336lbs, 3rd Mick Flanagan 2.320lbs, and 4th Sean Goulding 2.156lbs.Presentation took place at Whitebridge Bay with David O, Malley Chairman of L.E.T.P.A. presenting the winners with their prizes. Ennell Anglers will be back in action on July 25th when we fish the Jimmy Nea Cup. It’s a Friday and the Peter fishing will be in full swing. Fishing is from 7pm-11pm.More on this in the coming weeks.
OWEL BEAUTY FOR BELFAST ANGLER.Lough Owel is the venue for this years International fly fishing Championships, and it kick starts today Wednesday May 28th.Over 3 days teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England will venture out on Owel, and some super trout will be cught.The lake is fishing quite well and last week Belfast angler who was staying in Mullingar for a few days caught up with some lovely Owel trout. John Collinson has fished the Western lakes, plus the likes of Sheelin, but it was his first trip on Owel.John was very impressed with the fishing on Owel, and a return trip is planned.
PIKING ALL OVER THE MIDLANDS. In recent weeks our pike Angling reports have caught the attention of some serious pike anglers. It’s certainly a small world with the facebook and Internet, and we are putting Angling in Westmeath on the map. Last week Stan Ryan of Killiney and pal Justin Gordon of Mountmerrion were in town, and boated some super pike. Stan drops down from time to time and has had some cracking perch from Ennell over the winter months. This time around we were in search of pike, and had a super day on Derravaragh.The lads are back this week with a few pals, and have some new lures to try out on our Midland Pike.
LIVERMORE ANGLERS. No not a spelling mistake for a change. California couple Mary and Allyn Degram were finishing up their 2 weeks holiday in Ireland, and contacted me about trying to catch their first Irish Pike. They drifted into town for a two-night stay before heading back to Dublin and flying home to California. Allyn is a very keen shooter and angler so we really got on well, and I even brought him back down to Springfield to check out my working dogs. We had a super day talking fishing and shooting, and got some magical pike to take the bait. I believe out photographs are catching on in Livermore, California as I E- mailed a few scenic shots from the Midlands.Allyn is retiring next year, and high on his list is a return visit to Ireland.
GAULMOYLESTOWN ANGLERS. Young and old anglers enjoyed a days fishing recently in Gaulsmoylestow Lake just outside Mullingar. Last February at the Angling Show in Swords the National Coarse Angling Federation of Ireland and Dublin Angling Initiative held a draw with winners being treated to a days fishing and coaching. A total of 10 junior anglers and 3 senior anglers from all four provinces dropped into Gaulsmoylestown Lake, and enjoyed a super days fishing. It was the first time some of these anglers experienced coarse angling, and also the first time to catch a carp. The NCFFI would like to thank Mullingar lad Niall Purcell for a wonderful day on Gaulsmoylestown Lake and supplying all the bait. More on this later in the week on my angling site plus photo gallery.
EDWARD HUGHES MEMORIAL CUP. Well done to Ellie Daly on winning the Edward Hughes Memorial Cup recently fished on Slevins Lake. In second place was Kevin Daly, and Mike Duffy taking 3rd spot. The competition was hosted by Lough Glore anglers and all proceeds from the day went to North Westmeath Hospice.
THAT’S IT. I forgot to mention new contact number for Mount Dalton Lake last week. Its 044-93-55241 and best time to ring about a boat is between 6-8pm.Its a magical trout fishery on the Mullingar/Ballymahon Road. It’s not possible to cover all competitions, and next week I hope to have news from the Jimmy Nally Memorial Cup fished last Sunday May 25th on Derravaragh. Best of luck to the Irish team this week at the International fly-fishing Championships on Owel.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling