BOOBIES, buzzers and bibios were much in evidence at the media fly-fishing competition at Annamoe Trout Fishery in Co Wicklow recently writes DEREK EVANS.
Now in its fifth year, the Fáilte Ireland-sponsored competition continues to provide an ideal platform for angling hacks to meet for a day's fishing at one of the most scenic locations in Ireland.
Annamoe is quite small, yet it holds a special wild and wonderful ingredient that makes it unique. Set on the banks of the Avonmore River, the lake is surrounded by woodland in a beautiful natural environment.
Water quality came in for special praise this year. Ceri Jones, of Trout Fisherman, said it was among the finest he had ever seen, "clear with a light brown hue - ideal for trout fishing". The rainbows, too, were in top class condition and each one fought like "tigers".
Of course, the barbless hook regulation meant more fish were lost than caught. Just ask Dick Warner of the Irish Examiner. Throughout the four-hour competition, he lost seven and managed to land just one.
At midday, warm calm conditions brought on a small fly hatch and, true to form, the fish responded with a steady rise. "I think it's time to try the buzzer," said Derek Davis of RTÉ, who went on to land five good trout with team colleague Fergal Keane.
In contrast to previous years, the Irish Country Sports and Country Life (ICS&CL) team of Philip Lawton and David Wilkinson put in a dynamic performance and, with nine fish, came within a whisker of winning.
At the top it was a close encounter again this year, with the Trout Fisherman and Irish Times teams each recording 10 fish. However, when the points were added up, the Trout Fisherman team of Welsh angler Ceri Jones and Julie Gerry won out with 465 points.
All competitors caught fish on the day including Michael Flanagan from the Sunday World; Jimmy Tyrell from Irish Angler's Digest; John Geary from Hooked on the Moy and Paddy O'Flaherty from BBC Ulster Radio to bring the total catch to 49 rainbow trout.
Even newcomer Gillian Mills from Inshore Ireland caught a fish, albeit a tiny minnow. At the prizegiving in the Glendalough Hotel, the Trout Fisherman team were presented with the Fáilte Ireland Perpetual Dublin Crystal Trophy by Josie Mahon from the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB). The Irish Timesand ICS&CL teams (second and third, respectively), also took home Dublin Crystal prizes.
Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery thanked Fáilte Ireland for their continued support, and co-sponsors Irish Games Fair, Irish Fly Craft, Glendalough Hotel, ERFB and ICS&CL.
Nally also announced his retirement and he will be selling the fishery shortly. Meanwhile, the lake is open each day from 10am to dusk and fly-fishing tuition is available. A separate children's fishing pond is open from May to September. Inquiries to 0404-45470 or annamoefishery@eircom.net.
• Reminder: Closing date for application to the Loughs Agency Sustainable Development Fund is 4pm this Thursday. The agency may provide funding to support marine tourism and/or angling in the Foyle or Carlingford systems. Contact funding@loughs-agency.org or tel: 028-71342100 (NI) or 048-71342100 (RoI).
• The first Moy salmon of the season was caught last Monday on East Mayo Anglers' Association water by Phil Beirne from Castlebar. The fresh-run fish weighed 4kg and fell to a Blue Devon spinner.
On Tuesday, a second salmon was caught and released on the same water by Seamus Cummins from Bohola, on the fly. On Wednesday a third fish came to Martin Conroy, Ballina, fishing worm.
• Despite terrible weather, a good number of anglers turned out for opening day on the River Tolka last Saturday week and some good catches were recorded.
Results: Juniors: 1, K McCormick; 2, D Hanlon; 3, J Vavasour. Seniors: 1, P Barnes; 2, D McCormick; 3, S O'Reilly. The competition was organised by Eamonn Lynch from Tolka Anglers and sponsored by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.