In double-quick time I accepted the invitation from Katie Dempsey toattend the International Boat Angling Championships at Clifden inConnemara, Co Galway, a week ago. Clifden is, after all, one of themost prolific angling venues in Ireland and renowned for producing over30 different species of quality fish.
This competition was special too for another reason. The first prize of €5,000, sponsored by Clifden Station House Hotel, was, to my knowledge, the largest cash prize ever awarded for an angling event in this country.
Setting out from Cleggan Pier in six charter boats each day, entrants from Ireland, the Netherlands and the Isle of Man enjoyed three days of top-class angling in mixed-weather conditions.
The waters around Inishbofin Island, Aughrus Point and Friar Island lived up to expectations as competitors applied their skills to catch the greatest single variety of fish. Overall, a staggering 23 species were recorded.
Local knowledge of fishing grounds is always a key factor in boat competitions. And, in this regard, anglers drawn with charter skipper John Brittain of Blue Water Fishing, were assured of a big catch. John is regarded as one of the top five charter skippers in Ireland.
On Sunday, I ventured out with Station House marketing manager Katie Dempsey and central fisheries board (CFB) angling officer, Norman Dunlop aboard Kingfisher, a charter boat skippered by Raymond Whelan. In very windy and wet conditions we managed six different species in two hours. Oliver's Bar on Cleggan Pier proved an ideal location for the weigh-in, enhanced by the huge crowd disembarking each evening from the Inishbofin ferry Star of David. Anglers were required to "hand-in" their catch and score cards under the watchful eye of Norman Dunlop.
I was impressed with the organisation of this inaugural event and, in particular, the decision to opt for a species competition, was a gem. The package included four nights bed and breakfast and evening meal in the Station House Hotel, coach pick-up to and from Cleggan Pier, boat fees, packed lunch and bait.
Each competitor also received from Shakespeare-Holland a top-class Ugly Stik Uptide 9ft6inch rod, several packets of rubber eels, a rod butt and cap, all courtesy of Marcel Waldechmit, managing director of Double MM Worldwide Sportfishing.
The winning margin at the conclusion of the tournament could barely have been closer. In fact, with two competitors both on 18 species, the difference was just 0.36 of a kilo. After careful checking, Frank Van Schilt from the Netherlands was declared the winner with a catch of 11.5kg, sufficient to claim first prize of €5,000.
At the gala dinner and prizegiving, David Hennessy, business development manager-hotels, thanked those who helped to make the event such a resounding success. Instrumental in this regard, were Blue Water Fishing, CFB, Shakespeare-Holland, Olivers Bar, Stanley & Son, Castleprint and Fáilte Ireland.
"Next year's event will be even more successful and will continue to grow from strength to strength," he said.
Norman Dunlop from the CFB, said it was the closest contest he had encountered for many years and the species element was a good one as it required anglers to look for different species. "If you lot come back next year, so will I," he said.
Results: 1 Frank Van Schilt (the Netherlands), 18 species, 11.5kg (€5,000); 2 Peter Coyne (Killala), 18 species, 11.14kg (Marriott Voucher, rod and entry into 2007 comp.); 3 Graham Newsome (Isle of Man), 17 species, 12.72kg (Fáilte Ireland pair of flights and car hire for one week). Biggest fish: Josie Flaherty, ling, 3.28kg. Best skipper: John Brittain (Blue Water).
Next year's competition is scheduled for Friday June 15th to Sunday, 17th.
On the salmon front, the River Moyyielded 336 salmon comprising both grilse and spring fish. With water levels at normal summer levels and the grilse on the move, once again, fish were taken throughout the system. The Moy Fishery produced 52 salmon.
It was a similar story at the Galway Weir, where the grilse have arrived in good numbers and many anglers caught their quota of three. In total, 77 were recorded, with more than half of these on fly. Conditions are excellent for salmon fishing, and the arrival of the grilse should herald superb fishing for the next few weeks, according to fisheries inspector Kevin Crowley.
angling@irish-times.ie