AIDAN Hodgins joins the elite few who have won the World Cup Trout Fly-fishing Championship twice, following his success last Monday on Lough Mask with four fish for 7.47lb. Hodgins, from Loughrea, Co Galway, last won the championship in 2011.
The three previous winners are: Robbie O’Grady (1964, 1976), Brendan Moran (1991, 2007) and Derry Ryan (1994, 2000). Robbie, now 84, says his near-miss of a third win still puts him out in front. “I was beaten by the thickness of an envelope,” he says.
While most anglers would settle for one win in a lifetime, to win a second time is a remarkable achievement. Hodgins was up against the best anglers around yet came through his Friday heat with a fish of 2.43lb and won with flying colours on finals’ day when it really mattered.
“All week I knew I was going to win and when drawn with boatman John Burke from Tourmakeady, how could I possibly lose. He was just brilliant and the key to my success,” Aidan says.
“I fished the Bay of Islands and O’Malley’s Bay with two dry sedges and a mayfly up all day. Apart from four trout in the boat, I also lost three good fish,” he says.
In the Saturday heat, Billy Kavanagh from Mallow claimed the heaviest fish overall with a trout of 4lb 7oz caught on a Claret Dabbler at the Pump House. His prize included a cheque for €1,000 and GX 700 reel.
Hats off to Patrick McLoughlin’s son Ronan from Kells who found time to fish Sunday’s heat on Mask having returned from Poland on Saturday as part of Ireland’s team in the World Youths Fly-fishing Championship.
The women were also out in force. In fact, 12 women entered over the five days. “This is the highest amount to take part in my reign as secretary,” says Esther Sweeney. Madeline Kelly excelled with three fish for 4.5lb to win Sunday’s heat.
It was good to see Anne Barrett of Westport Country Lodge Hotel as one of the main sponsors this year. The hotel has a new fishing brochure out now with special offers. Call 098-56030 for details.
In his address to the large gathering on finals’ day, MC Denis Kelleher said: “It remains to be seen how long it will be before we have a winner of the World Cup for the third time.”
Results: 1, A Hodgins, 4 fish, 7.47lb (19’ Angler Fancy Boat, 15hp Yamaha Engine, Loomis Fly rod, Watch and World Cup Silver Perpetual Cup; 2, J Harrington, 4f, 5.17lb; 3, W Burke, 4f, 5.11lb; 4, R Fowler, 1f, 3.2lb.
Scene at World Cup
The banner across Main Street set the scene: “The World Cup Committee welcomes all anglers to Ballinrobe and Lough Mask.” And so, for the 58th occasion, hundreds of anglers converged on this busy town to participate in world- class fly-fishing for wild trout on one of the finest lakes in the northern hemisphere.
Ballinrobe came alive for the five-day festival where bed allocation was at a premium and the gossip in local hostelries more about fly patterns and the one that got away rather than the price of a pint.
However, it was down to business each morning at Cushlough Bay. It was from here the 460 anglers set out in their respective heats, from which the top 25 per cent each day got a second bite of the cherry and the prospect of becoming champion on finals’ day.
The event has stood the test of time, starting back in 1953 as a mayfly event and moving in 1965 to its August slot. Presidents, film stars, politicians and dignitaries from all walks of life have attended down through the years. In 1954, first prize included a Ford Prefect car.
The biosecurity initiative implemented by Inland Fisheries Ireland to prevent invasive species into Lough Mask was welcomed by all. Prior to registration anglers were requested to dip boots and landing nets into Virkon disinfectant tanks.
There is no doubt this championship is the major event on the angling calendar and very important to the economic success of Ballinrobe. Long may it continue.
Melvin trout
The 35th Lough Melvin Trout Championship will take place at Garrison, Co Fermanagh, from August 21st to 24t. Entries (€100 without boat/engine, €50 with boat/engine) to M Finney, 63c Chanterhill Rd, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 6DF, by this Wednesday. Call 028- 66326114.
angling@irishtimes.com
