NODGER ON FIRE ON OWEL: Andy Boyle is having a fantastic fly-fishing season on Owel and in less than a week he has picked up the Dan Mullally Shield and the Patti Doolin Shield. Once again, teaming up with angling partner Mick McCormack, Andy had a lovely trout of 1.53kg to take top rod. Willie Penrose, the main sponsor, and the late Patti Doolin’s daughter, Mary Kavanagh, were on hand to present Andy with his prize. Stuart Marry of Dublin was 2nd with 1.39kg, 3rd was George Fitzgerald, also of Dublin, with 1.115kg, Johnny Plunkett of Mullingar was 4th with 1.090kg and Brendan Murray, Mullingar, was 5th with 1.035kg. Our thanks to Stan McKeon of L.O.T.P.A. for some cracking pics from the competition and results. The next Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association event is the Clonhugh Cup and it will be fished on Sunday September 4th. Naturally we will keep you posted on this event.
DUBS COME GOOD ON LENE: The Leinster Shield was fished on Lough Lene on Sunday 14th August. This catch and release trout fly fishing competition was won by Dublin Trout Anglers. Lough Bane here in North Westmeath finished 2nd, with Wicklow anglers taking the 3rd spot. Dublin Trout Anglers recorded 14 fish on the day with team member Gerry Heaslip having 9 fish to take top rod. Gerry told us it was a great day out enjoyed by all who fished Lough Lene.
IT’S A LONG WAY FROM TIPPERARY TO BUDAPEST. Last week John O’ Shea contacted me, he is originally from Tipperary but has been living in Budapest these last twelve years. John as a young keen pike angler spent many days on Derravaragh, Lough Iron and along the banks of the river Inny. On this trip home he had his young son Sean on board and Sean, having heard all the stories about the Midlands and Derravaragh, was very excited to fish the lakes his dad talked so much about. The O’Shea boys stayed over in Kerrigan’s in Harbour Street and so the date was set for our angling adventure. On arriving on the shores of Derravaragh, John could not believe how clear the water was, as in his days it was always a bit cloudy. I explained that the Zebra Mussels had arrived in recent years on a lot of our lakes and they have been responsible for filtering our water clear. The plan on the pike scene was a bit of trolling and maybe a few hours spinning, as Sean is only 12 years old and the day we fished was scorching hot. Soon enough, we were into a few hard fighting pike and I got some great pictures of the boys playing fish, with young Sean in the thick of the action. I am sure you will see the lads back in Mullingar when they are home on holidays in the near future.
RACHEL HOOKED ON ANGLING: Last week, Ray McIntyre took his young niece and nephew, Sean and Rachel Daly, for their first angling trip on the Royal Canal. Rachel was very keen to catch her first perch from the Royal Canal and along with her Uncle Ray and Brother Sean, Rachel done the business on the perch scene. It’s a lovely photograph of Rachel and Sean Daly who live in Beechgrove here in Mullingar. Well done Rachel and we hope you catch many fish in years to come.
THAT’S IT & PARTY TIME FOR ANGLERS: Yep, I met some great characters from the sporting world here in Mullingar last week. I was in Murray’s pub as anglers and shooters had gathered to wish Finian Darby a special happy birthday. I never heard so many fishy stories on that night and it’s a pity I did not record some of the yarns told about the days back on the midland lakes and rivers. Mind you, some have stuck in my head and I hope to fish with some of these angling characters some day, all of which I have photograph over the years on the lakes. Tight lines until next week.
Mick Flanagan
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