KENNY TOPS ON ENNELL: Mullingar angler Kenny Kiernan produced a super trout from Ennell last Sunday to win the Rex Beaumont Cup. On the day, Kenny boated a trout of 4.33lbs to take top rod. D.Stenson was 2nd with 4.01lbs, 3rd was N.Kenny with 3.13lbs and was 4th B.Murray with 3lbs. These are cracking fish from Ennell in what was certainly not ideal conditions for fly-fishing. Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association is open for membership and in the coming months more fly angling competitions are penciled in.
KING ON SHEELIN: Last week, Henry and his son Jake King were back drifting across the midlands. The lads were very keen to experience the mayfly fishing and were in the thick of the action on Lough Sheelin. It was tough going and young Jake boated a lovely trout on the dap. The lads were photographed by my younger brother J.J. in the thick of the mayfly dance. Another trip is penciled in for the King lads from South Dublin.
THOMAS ON LENE: Regular visitor to Mullingar, Alan Thomas from Antrim, was back on Lene last week and had some lovely rainbow trout. Alan’s good lady is from Co. Offaly and when down visiting relations here in the midlands loves a few days angling. Last Sunday the Alan lad was baked on Lene with blistering sunshine and calm conditions but still produced a few lovely fish. Quite a few trout were surface feeding on Lene and it’s certainly worth a trip in the coming weeks.
FINIAN AT THE PIKE: Some cracking pike are coming from the midland lakes and last weekend Mullingar angler Finian Darby was in the thick of the action. Finian was out with son Barry, who is regarded as one of Ireland’s top predator anglers. Well, this will come up for discussion later this week in Murray’s Lounge as Finian gave Barry a lesson in catching pike last Sunday. The deadly duo had up on 20 pike and Finian boated all bar one.
PERCH ON THE MOVE. Nice to see some cracking perch moving in shallow waters on our lakes. In Whitebridge Bay last week, shoals of perch were tipping in and out during the brilliant sunshine. On Ree, in calm conditions, I had a cracker on a Nymph in about 8ft of water. It’s something to keep in mind on calm bright days on our lakes. Perch on the fly can be a very sporting fish. Sean Matthews of Wild Total Outdoors tells us Owel is crammed with perch at the moment.
Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Sunday World and Topic group of newspapers.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
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