It’s all hands on deck in the Lanesborough and Ballyleague area of Longford and Roscommom as The Lough Ree Angling Hub are gearing up for an action packed competition programme over the coming months. On June 4th they start their 3-day coarse angling festival with a whopping 3,000 Euro in prizes. The event will be fished on local venues and it’s limited to 42 pegs, so now is the time to check in. I was down in Lanesborough last week doing a spot of pike fishing and had some nice pike on the River Shannon and from the Duck Pond in Lanesborough town. It’s a super venue for pikers and access to the River Shannon and Lough Ree is brilliant. The old convent in Lanesborough has been turned into a splendid B&B and Claire Webb and her husband will certainly cater for all angler’s needs. Ciaran Mullooley is tied up with Lough Ree North Angling Hub and is a sound PRO, as is their Chairman Hugh Keane. If you are drifting across the Lanesborough / Ballyleague area don’t forget to drop into Daybreak filling station, where Joe Cribben is running the show. Joe ran The Downs Inn for quite a number of years and loves his fishing. For more information on upcoming events with Lough Ree North Angling Hub, contact them on loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com .
WICKLOW LADS IN MULLINGAR: One of Ireland’s leading Veterinary, Jim Walsh, was in Mullingar last weekend and chilled out on Derravaragh with a few pals. Jim drops down regularly from Wicklow to Mullingar and enjoys his fishing and shooting big time. On board last weekend were the Gaffney lads, Eamon and George, along with John Foxton. On the day, we boated a few pike on some colourful lures, with John Foxton having the best fish of the day. Now that the weather is starting to pick up, the pike will come on the feed on Derravaragh and some whoppers will be caught. The Restaurant at Donore Shore is now open and Karl Meehan has done a great job on touching up the boats for hire. Karl can be contacted on 085-8003525 if you fancy a day on Derravaragh.
WARDELL CUP: Lough Lene anglers hosted the Wardell Cup for pike last Sunday, 8th May. The competition was fished from Fagan’s Point and kicked off at 11am, with lines in at 6pm. On the day, the Daly boys from Collinstown were untouchable with Pat Daly taking top rod with a pike of 5.98kg, Kevin Daly was 2nd with 5.92kg and Dermot Gavin was 3rd with 3.96kg. Top junior angler was Denis Darby. Tom Fagan, Chairman of Lough Lene Angling Association thanked all who fished the competition and the sponsors. Looking ahead, Lough Lene will host the Paddy Dolan Pike Competition on Sunday June 12th. More on this in the coming weeks.
ANN GONE WILD ON LENE: Ann Ayres and Brian Conlon of ‘Wild Total Outdoors’ had a cracking day on Lene last weekend, boating some lovely rainbow trout and hard fighting pike. Brian is part and parcel of fishing and shooting here in Mullingar and really knows his stuff when it comes to fishing the Midland Lakes. Wild Total Outdoors is open 7 days a week and can be contacted on 044-9301133.
Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
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