ITALIAN PIKERS: Our pals from Abruzzo were back in Mullingar once again for a few days pike fishing. This is their 3rd year to drop into Mullingar, and they love the town, the fishing and the people of Mullingar. Once again, based in Kerrigan’s of Harbour Street, the lads were central to everything they needed for the 6 days fishing. The weather could have been a bit kinder some of the days, as we were hammered with strong winds, rain, hailstones and brilliant sunshine at times. This year, it was quality more than quantity as we did not catch a huge number of pike but never blanked any of the days. Some of the pike we caught were huge, and we were unlucky not to catch a few specimens, which is 30lbs from a lake. Stefano Balisario had a fish 109cm on the fly, which weighed well into the mid double figures. Sandro Colangeli boated a pike just a few pounds short of the specimen weight. Tiziano Finocchio is photographed with a pike of 110cm, a huge lean fighting machine. I had a bit of luck myself earlier in the week and boated a pike of 27lbs, just 3lbs short of specimen weight. Hopefully we will see more visiting anglers dropping into Mullingar in the near future.
LENE PIKE COMPETITION: This coming Sunday, Lough Lene Anglers will host the Wardell Cup for pike. It’s an 11am start and will finish at 6pm at Fagan’s Point. This is the first pike competition of the 2016 season on Lene and it normally produces a few nice pike.Unfortunately, it’s not possible to fish all local competitions as there is only one Sunday in the week but we will do our best to cover all events.
O’MALLEY CUP: Last Sunday I teamed up with Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association members and fished the O’Malley Cup. On the day, the Association hosted the popular O’Malley Cup with fishing from 11am-6pm and it was well supported on the day. On the day, Vinny Murphy of Tubberdaly in Rhode Co. Offaly was Top Rod with a lovely fish of 1.250kg, Mullingar Angler Billy Darby finished 2nd with 1.225kg, 3rd was Alan Tyrrell 1.185kg and 4th was Eugene Fagan. Top junior angler was Mark Moran of Mullingar with 0.835kg. The presentation took place at Mullally’s shore and Owel Chairman Andy Boyle thanked all who fished the competition and the O’ Malley family for sponsoring the event. Andy also spoke about the proposed closure of Cullion Fish Farm, which was highlighted in local papers last week. We received the press release from I.F.I. regarding this matter and it’s certainly an eye opener. Anyway, let’s keep fishing. In the coming weeks, Owel anglers will be in action on the pike and trout competition scene, membership is open at 35 Euro for senior anglers. Jack Doolin has boats for hire on Owel if you fancy a day fishing and can be contacted on 044-93-42085.
KATIE ON OWEL: Last Sunday during the O’Malley Cup, I dined at Kilpatrick Shore, yes, no 4/5 star restaurants or your Michelin Chefs when we anglers are on the lakes. On Sunday last, I met eight year old Katie McKeon and her Dad Stephen as they enjoyed a few hours trolling on Owel. The McKeon clan are from Clonard and were pictured with Charlie McGee of Longwood. Katie had no problem holding their prized catch and we got a treasured photograph from their day fishing on Owel.
Mick Flanagan
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