FORMER World Cup winner Mick Dunne and boating partner John Murray “bagged up” with 16 trout for 19.72lb to win last weekend’s Ballinrobe and District Anglers’ Development Competition on Lough Mask. The two-day team event, which attracted 64 anglers, was held out from Cushlough Bay in favourable weather conditions.
For Mick, who hails from Tourmakeady, it was his second win in the competition and surely now has chalked his name in the “hall of fame” with a phenomenal success rate on his beloved Mask. Boating partner John Murray from Sligo, also did exceptionally well with eight trout.
The word was out that Mask was fishing brilliantly and this certainly rang through last weekend with anglers high in praise for the quality and quantity of beautifully coloured fish. “You daren’t take your eyes of each cast,” became a phrase often overheard.
Along with my boating partner Neil Foley from Kanturk, over the two days we tested both ends of the lake from the Rocky Shore to Saints and most islands in between. Trout are still feeding in the shallows, no doubt awaiting the arrival of mayfly.
One boat opted to stay in Cushlough Bay for the two days and, believe it or not, caught some good fish and had lots of chances. It begs the question: Is it necessary to do a round- robin tour of the lake? John Paddy Burke said he witnessed many a five pounder caught in the bay.
Each evening a most enjoyable meal was served in Cushlough clubhouse, prepared in fine style by Marie Walsh, Esther Sweeney and granddaughter, Briana O’Reilly (12).
At the prizegiving, club chairman, Kevin Beattie said monies raised will go towards supporting ongoing development work. “Our next job is to repair or replace the roof and update toilet facilities,” he said.
Results: 1, M Dunne/J Murray, 16 fish, 19.72lb; 2, M Connors/D Cronin, 14f, 18.62lb; 3, M Twohig/J Craven, 13f, 18.11lb. Heaviest fish: J Coyne, 2.82lb.
Connemara catch
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara announced the first fish of the season last Monday. Stephen Cullinane of Galway landed a 9lb fish on Beat Four. Call 095-31006.
Bungee Spongee anyone?
Leon Mead, an experienced angler, frustrated by continually wiping down reel handles, bait boards and smeared rods, has come up with a simple but very effective new tool – the Bungee Spongee.
Consisting of high-density and absorbent foam, the Spongee measures 220mm by 90mm across. Locked in place to a strong plastic stop at the centre is 1.5m length of cord with a clip at the other end, enabling the user to attach it to a tackle bag, boat rail, rod or bucket. Longer cords are available for deep sea fishing.
The Bungee Spongee costs €13.50 and demand is high. See bungee-spongee.com
Festival in Fermanagh
The Classic Fishing Festival in Co Fermanagh will be held from this Sunday to Friday May 15th. This year marks its 40th anniversary and welcomes four times world champion Bob Nudd and England team manager Mark Downes and, for the 13th year, sponsors Waterways Ireland.
Killarney charity event
Lough Lein Anglers’ Association hosted its 28th Lee Strand Co-op-sponsored wet fly competition in Killarney.
To date the event has raised over €200,000 for worthy causes in the south-west and this year’s beneficiary was the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association.
Some 80 anglers set out from Ross Castle and despite the cloudless sky, 41 presented 89 fish for weigh in. The O’Loughlin brothers from Clare took first and second place with seven fish each and Shane O’Mahony, also with seven, took third place.
This year’s event raised €8,325 and club chairman Rory O’Flaherty and Jerry Dwyer, from Lee Strand, presented the cheque to Theresa Looney for the Kidney Association in Randals Court Hotel. “All of the funds will be used in ongoing local projects but especially in promoting organ donation among the public”, she said.
angling@irishtimes.com
