CORNAMONA postmaster Peadar Gavin delivered on time with two splendid trout of 4.42lb and 1.4lb to take pole position at last weekend’s fly-fishing competition in aid of Galway Autism Partnership.
Well-known Cong angler Dorrie Gibbons celebrated a significant birthday recently and rather than have a party, decided instead to host a competition to raise funds for this worthy charity. (There’s a clue in €50 entry fee!)
At registration time in Lydon’s Lodge in Cong, Dorrie was somewhat pessimistic. “I don’t really know how many will turn up. If I get 20 I’ll be happy,” she said. As things turned out, 57 arrived and with help from sponsors and raffle, a grand total of €4,000 was raised for autism.
Anglers could choose between Corrib and Mask. Luckily for Peadar, he chose Corrib. “I spotted a big fish feeding on the surface and cast a wet mayfly in front of him. The fish grabbed it and jumped so many times he was in the boat within minutes from sheer exhaustion,” Peadar said.
Conditions were good with a rolling wave and overcast skies yet a gleen persisted on the surface which kept the fish down. I partnered Declan Gibbons on Mask and managed a few undersized fish. Declan is a top class boatman and angler. In 2009 he brought in the world cup winner.
Darragh Faherty (15), from Renvyle, enjoyed his first day on Mask. “Although I didn’t catch any big fish, I really enjoyed the day,” he said.
Back at Lydon’s the group gathered in the backcourt to hear Dorrie announce that based on the success of the day, it would now become an annual event. “I would like to thank the anglers for their support, Lydon’s for sponsoring the food and the generous donations in prizes.”
Accepting the cheque for €4,000 on behalf of Galway Autism Partnership, Phil Donoghue said the money will go towards after-school services and Saturday club therapy, all of which are organised by the parents.
Results: 1, P Gavin (Cornamona), 2 fish, 5.82lb; 2, B Shields (Oughterard), 3f, 5.03lb; 3, P Comer (Cong), 2f, 4.12lb; 4, P Treacy (Fermanagh), 2f, 2.52lb. Best woman angler: M Rooney (Dublin), 1f, 1.82lb. Overall, 29 fish were caught (15 Mask and 14 Corrib).
Ireland lands silver
History was made last Sunday week when Garbolino Team Ireland took silver medal at the 4th Fips-ed World Feeder Fishing Championships, hosted by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (Ncffi), on Inniscarra Lake, Coachford, Co Cork.
Over the years Ireland had produced medallists at international events but this was the first time to make the podium, second to all-conquering Team England who entered the competition as hot favourites.
Fishing was excellent throughout the two-day competition and the match length at the Garden Centre section produced three quarters of a ton of fish with an average of 6kg per angler.
Coachford was a hive of activity for the championships and the local community ensured the village was draped in colour by flying flags of the 25 nations from Rooves Bridge to the Parade of Nations along the main thoroughfare.
“Inniscarra Lake has created a legacy for angling and we can expect to see more events at international level here in the future,” according to the organisers.
Der Casey, Ncffi chairman, said: This project has been an outstanding success, achieved in partnership with ESB, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Cork County Council with initial funding from Avondhu Blackwater Partnership. The icing on the cake was the silver medal for our national team.”
Let it rain
Don’t forget the annual sea- trout catch-and-release fly fishing competition this coming weekend on Lough Currane. Entry forms still available for download on Waterville fisheries website loughcurrane.com.
Currane’s Rod Robinson, said: “The hot and humid weather has made fly fishing challenging. There are a good number of sea trout in the lake and can be seen jumping but are somewhat reluctant to take the fly. What we need now is a really good flush of water and the fishing will light up immediately!”
angling@irishtimes.com
