Lough Melvin Anglers’ Association celebrated its 36th Open Trout Angling Championships last week with four days of spectacular fishing on one of Ireland’s finest wild brown trout fisheries.
The small but very picturesque village of Garrison, situated close to the lough, came alive as 286 cross-channel and home-based anglers enjoyed the hospitality and comraderie of its townspeople.
Fishing conditions were ideal throughout the four days, with plenty of cloud cover and a southwest breeze.
Melvin has the distinction of being home to six species of game fish: the gillaroo, brown, ferox and sonaghan trout, salmon and char. In the case of the gillaroo, it is said the strain cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
But it was the sonaghan we had come to catch. These relatively small but foxy sub-surface feeders are found in open deep water where they feed on planktonic (daphnia) organisms. Distinctive, with elongated pectoral fins and dark hue, a fish of 0.5kg is considered a good size.
Laurence Gibb from Groomsport, Bangor, and Fechin McMorrow jnr from Kilclooney, Sligo, found little difficulty in locating the sonaghan. On their qualifying day, they managed 10 to win the heat and, on finals day, a further eight sufficient to earn a well-deserved victory.
“We fished the schoolhouse across to Maguire’s both days with a Golden Olive Dabbler, Sedge Hog and Green Peter,” Fechin said.
Laurence is no stranger to the winning enclosure having won the Ulster ITFFA competition last year, and has six international caps to his credit.
Their efforts were rewarded to share two 19’ Burke Boats and two pieces of Galway Crystal. Not bad for a day’s fishing!
Your correspondent also did quite well. Along with Gary Crothers from Belfast we qualified with four fish and went to boat a further six on finals day to take sixth place overall. Claret Dabblers did the business off Maguire’s Island. We each received a Greys jacket.
Addressing the large gathering at the presentation of prizes, club president and former local school principal, Gerard Reagan, said: “This year the committee embarked on a series of very successful educational events for children, which included fly tying classes, casting lessons and trout hatchery visitations. We intend to continue the practice again next year.”
Vice-chairman, Terry McGovern, added: “There is one special announcement to make that concerns our tea ladies Rosemary, Karen and Aoife. The job they are doing you will not see in any other shore in Ireland. Rosemary is up at 6.30am each morning to get the tea and sandwiches ready and it’s very much appreciated.”
The fracking fiasco, although off the agenda for now, continues to remain a thorn in the side for Melvin anglers. In September last year, a ministerial order prohibited fracking in Co Fermanagh.
Sincere thanks were extended to the main sponsors of the championships Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and the local Spar shop and Gilroys for the “goodie bags” issued to each angler.
Lastly, I would like to thank the McGorty’s of Melvin Country House. Fabulous accommodation. Tel: 028 6865 8766.
Results: 1, L Gibb/F McMorrow jnr, 8 fish, 2.42kg; 2, G White/M Higgins, 8f, 2.35; 3, D Kerrigan/G Hylands, 7f, 2.12; 4, M Brown/J McBride, 7f, 2.03; 5, T Lynch/M Murphy, 6f, 1.97; 6, G Crothers/D Evans, 6f, 1.95.
n The 10th Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association boat competition towards stream rehabilitation will take place on Saturday, October 3rd, at Kilnahard Pier, with fishing from 11am to 6pm.
Top prize consists of a Sheelin boat, €350 tackle voucher and Paddy Sheridan Memorial Cup. Entries, including fee of €90 (which includes meal), to Eamonn Ross, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan. Tel: 086-661 9834. Closing date is Friday, 25th September.
angling@irishtimes.com
