News in this week of the 58th World Cup Trout fly fishing Championships coming up on Lough Mask. It’s a hugely popular event with Westmeath Anglers, and once again some top prizes up for grabs. Here on the local scene its tough going, and we had a mixed weekend with wind, rain, and sunshine across the Midland lakes. On Lene Hugh Byrne and brother Des were back on Lene, and had plenty of small pike on the troll. We also got a great opportunity to photograph some of the Buzzers type birds of pray, now residents in North Westmeath. It was much the same on Owel, with very little trout activity during daytime fishing hours. The odd trout is being picked up late into the evening on the fly, and hopefully the Peter season will kick in quite soon. IFI have opened a new headquarters at lake drive in Citywest, having being based at Swords since being formed in 2010.
WORLD CUP. The entry forms are out at the moment for the World Cup 58th Trout Fly Fishing Championships on Lough Mask. Once again Cushlough Bay will be a hive of activity over the August weekend. Qualifying days are Thursday July 31st,Friday 1st July, Saturday 2nd July, and Sunday 3rd July with final taking place on Monday 4th August. Its a hugely popular competition with Westmeath Anglers, and looking at the World Cup roll of honor its 1978 since the late Cecil Gibson of crooked wood won this competition. Mind you in 2012 Mick Dunne formerly of Rochfortbridge lifted the World Cup on mask, and Mick lived in Tourmakedy now. Plenty of Meath winners with the McLoughlin brothers of Kells, and Brendan Moran mentioned. There is a huge array of prizes up for grabs over the 5 days fishing with heat winners from each qualifier days fishing. On the final day they’re in junior prizes, ladies prizes, overseas anglers prize, and also 13 main prizes for best gross weight of fish. Just to give you a taste of the prize board, the World cup winner will take home a new 10ft Anglers fancy boat, 15HP Yamaha Engine, Loomis Fly rod, and a very expensive watch. Closing dates for entry is July 18th, and if you fancy your chances in the 58th World Cup fly fishing championships give Esther Sweeney (World Cup /secretary) a bell on 087-2222867.
BYRNES BACK IN TOWN. Des and Hugh Byrne were back on the Midland lakes last week, and had a very enjoyable day on Lough Lene.The lads trolled the day in search of trout and pike, and boated up on 10 small pike and hit quite a few more fish. Their was little or no trout activity, and also very little fly live on the water surface. I did get chatting to club member Derek King finishing up that evening, and he told me some good pike are being caught on the troll and spinning.
OWEL ANGLERS. On Owel its tough going during day light hours on the trout scene, and I met a few local anglers coming in from Owel last weekend. Noreen and Davey McDermott had a few small pike and perch on the troll, but spent a lot of the day dodging showers on the lake. Tommy Keena was out on Owel with retired soldier Charlie Greville, and the lads also had pike and perch for the day. I spent a few hours late into the evening on Owel, and a few trout are feeding as darkness falls. Its early days yet for Owel as we wait for the annual Peter and Murrough hatches.
BUZZERS CAUGHT ON CAMERA. It’s not all about fishing when we are Out & About on the local waterways. In recent years Buzzers and other large birds of prey have settled well in Westmeath, and North Westmeath is a Mecca for large birds of prey. Last week I got close enough to some Buzzers, and they are certainly a sight to behold. They have also ventured into Mullingar and have being spotted near the Catheridal, and out across Robinstown near Oliver Plunketts Hurling pitch.
IFI MOVE OFFICE. In recent weeks Inland Fisheries Ireland have moved office from Swords, and are now based in Citywest.IFI was established in 2010 and when based in Swords also had offices in Glasnevin and Blackrock, and their was even talk of a main office coming to Mullingar.Now were are told all is based at Citywest, with 80 members of staff in HQ now. The new IFI HQ address if any of our local clubs are interested is, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24.
THAT’S IT. Next week some news from Mount Dalton, plus I hope to target some big perch on Ennell.With the night time fishing coming on board, its time to check the head lamps, and make sure all is working. Drop into well-known Mullingar Angler Nickie Shaw in Shaws Hardware and he will sort you out. If you are in with Nickie have a look at the Lighthouse Torch, its some bit of kit.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling