It always heart warming to see some of our Midlanders coming back home from across the waters. This week former Ginnell Terrace lad Ronan Fagan is home for a few weeks from Ryde in Sydney Australia, and brought the whole family back to his hometown. We had a few lovely hours on Owel, and caught a few nice fish. Staying on Owel, well done to Tony English on winning the Patti Doolin Shield recently. On Lene its all hands on deck as they host the Interprovincial fly angling championships next Saturday August 30th. It’s about time Westmeath and our lakes and rivers were opened up to the world. There was great excitement last week with the launch of new policies for the management of trout. Pike, and bass fishing here in Ireland. Speaking at the launch, IFI chairman, Mr. Brendan O’Mahony, commented, “These policies are the first national species policies to be issued from IFI and in this regard represent a new era for fisheries management in Ireland. The policies will provide for the better conservation and management of bass, pike and trout in Ireland and will help ensure sustainability of stocks into the future. In addition, they will allow for improved angling economic impacts and help to sustain and improve the many jobs that are supported by recreational angling in Ireland.
ON HOME GROUND. Ronan Fagan from Ginnell Terrace is home from Ryde in Australia this week with his family, and are really reeling in the years. Ronan jumped ship some twelve years back and headed out back to Sydney, but never forgot his Irish roots. I teamed up with Ronan and his son Luca, and cousin Max Moran of Tyrrellpass, and we had a few fantastic hours on Owel. Ronan is home for a few weeks, and the lads are really looking forward to seeing their snap in Westmeath Topic angling page. Quite a few anglers were on Owel over the weekend and some nice trout are coming on line. Mullingar angler James Mahedy was enjoying his last few days of freedom before heading back to school, and had a few lovely fish from Owel.
PATTI DOOLIN SHIELD.Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association recently hosted the Patti Doolin Shield in blustery conditions. On the day well known Mullingar golfer and angler Tony English was in cracking form and boated a trout of 1.065kg to take Top Rod.Plunkets hurler John Plunkett rattled the net with a fish of 0.980kg to take 2nd place, and Dickie Rock drummer Danny O, Keeffe finished 3rd with 0.950kg.A total of eight prizes were presented and all funds from the competition go towards LOTPA stocking funds. Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association thanked all who fished and supported this popular fly-fishing competition. The club is open for membership, and if interested give me a shout and I will forward contact details.
TOP RODS FOR LENE.Some of Ireland top fly anglers will grace the shores of Lough Lene next Saturday August 30th.On the day the Interprovincial fly angling championships take place. Its fantastic weekend to highlight our angling and what Westmeath has to offer to visitors. Unfortunally it’s not being tapped into here in Westmeath. This week I will be hammered with calls on how Lene is fishing, where will I stay in Mullingar, or is their a place near Lough Lene doing B&B etc. Some will be staying over night, and will venture out on the town Saturday night, and want to know what’s happening in Mullingar.I was on Lene last week for a few days doing a “Reckie” as the defense forces call it. Some nice trout are showing on Lene and its looking good for the Interprovincial.John Dooner of Mullingar and angling pal Niall Kenny of Rochfortbridge had a few nice fish from Lene last week. I will be on Lene next Saturday God permitting, and have full results and photo/gallery from the 2014 Interprivincial on one of North Westmeath’s hidden Jems.
WORLD CUP. I eventually get around to mention the winners in the 2014 World Cup fly fishing championships fished August weekend on Lough Mask. It was a cracking weekend, and I met some great characters from the Angling World. Quite a few local anglers competed, and hopefully some photographs will appear in the sports pages soon in Westmeath Topic. Well done to Loughrea Angler Aidan Hodgins on winning .Its his 2nd time to take the top prize, and had four trout for 7.472lbs to win the 2014 World Cup. Presentation took place at Cushlough Bay on the shore of Mask, and Athlone angler Brendan Carter of was in the prizes.
THAT’S IT. New policies have being launched for the protection of Pike, Trout, and Bass here in Ireland. All can be checked on www.fisheriesireland.ie. Don’t forget this coming Sunday August 31st Lough Ennell anglers are in action. On the day we fish the Lough Ennell Perpetual Cup kindly sponsored by my good old Angling pal Con Hope. It’s an 11am start from Whitebridge Bay, and new members are more that welcome to come on board. Boat hire on Ennell contact Lilliput boats on 087-6492866.Tight Lines till next week.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling