PATTI DOOLIN MEMORIAL SHIELD: Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association hosted the Patti Doolin Memorial Shield last Sunday in mixed weather conditions. There was a good turnout of anglers and the competition was fished from 11am-7pm, which is a long day lashing out flies in windy conditions. Still, the Owel anglers dug deep and Mullingar angler John Dooner, fishing with pal John Tyrell, was crowned Top Rod landing a trout of 1.285lbs. Liam Cox was 2nd with 1.070lbs, 3rd was Stuart McGrane with .965lbs, 4th Diego Leccardia, 5th Mick Clarke and 6th Johnny O’Malley. The presentation took place at Tullaghan and members of the late Patti Doolin family were on hand for the presentation. Chairman of L.O.T.P.A. Brendan Murray thanked all who sponsored prizes and the many anglers who competed on the day. On a personal note I had a nice day on Owel and boated 6 trout but like myself, was a bit on the short side. Mind you, I did catch some beautiful perch, also on the fly and Lough Owel is worth a trip these days.
THE IRISH FLY FAIR: Stevie Munn, director of the popular Irish Fly Fair that is now in its 10th year, has penciled in November 9th & 10th for this years event. Stevie tells us up on sixty of the world’s best fly tiers will be in attendance as well as a huge amount of tackle & trade stands. The popular fly-casting demos and the Junior Fly Dressing competition will also feature. Stevie will keep us posted on up-dates for this years Fly Fair, and is pictured on Sheelin with a cracking wild brown trout.
LEINSTER NATIONAL QUALIFIER: The I.T.F.F.A. Leinster National Qualifier will be fished on Lough Lene on Saturday August 31st. Fishing is from 10am-6pm, and entry is 20 Euro per angler. Please contact your club secretary if you are interested. Last week we mentioned the success of the I.T.F.F.A Youth International team taking Gold on Lake Of Menteith in Scotland. The youths have regular qualifiers and practice days on Lene and we have some fantastic young anglers coming on line here across Westmeath. One such angler is Conor Mooney of Castlepollard, who is a member of Lene and Lough Bane, and was one of the Irish Junior Fly Fishing team members. Great achievement Conor.
MULLINGAR COARSE ANGLER AT SEA: I got chatting to well-known Mullingar Coarse angler Keith Glennon last week and any time we meet, naturally, angling is the talking point. Keith was holidaying in the Kincasslagh area of Donegal, which is a small Gaeltacht Seaside village in the Rosses area of Donegal we are told. Keith, his daughter Ciara and Paddy Kenny had some lovely Ling, Pollack and Mackerel, which went down a treat on the old BBQ.
PROTECTING NATIVE CRAYFISH: Basil Mannion, our Community Water Officer covering Offaly, Westmeath and Laois informed us that a biosecurity training day is taking place at Lough Owel, which is being sponsored by Westmeath Heritage and is being given by aquatic ecologist Ross Macklin. It’s to highlight the need to protect our native Crayfish. The training day takes place on Thursday September 5th at Lough Owel Angling Center Tullaghan, starting at 10.30am and finishing at 3pm. There is a cert available on completion of the day which will be useful to have and lunch will be provided. Booking is essential and for more on this contact heritage@westmeathcoco.ie or ring 044-9332098.
