After 20 years a boyhood dream is realised to Marry in Killarney

BALBRIGGAN angler Stuart Marry realised a boyhood dream at last weekend’s National Challenge Trophy on Lough Lein in Killarney with a comprehensive win against a top-class field of 126 anglers. The competition was held under the auspice of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association (Itffa).

Stuart, who had tried for more than 20 years to represent his country, won this prestigious trophy with eight trout for 1.733 kg. Although conditions were extremely difficult with blinding sunshine, temperatures in the mid-20s and little or no wind, Lein provided non-stop action.

Fishing with boat partner Tony Hogg and Killarney boatman Benny O’Dea, it wasn’t long before Stuart got his first taste of those lightning-fast trout to his Diawl Bach personally tailored nymph pattern.

Results: S Marry; M Keady; T O’Loughlin; A Duncan; M McGorian; F McSharry; J Quinn; S Yorke; P Burke and S Ellis. These anglers will represent Ireland in next year’s international competition.

Decline in Wales Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has asked anglers to conserve fish stocks by releasing more of the salmon and sea trout they catch. The request follows reports that numbers in Welsh rivers declined last year.

Rob Evans, NRW fisheries adviser, said: “Achieving a 90 per cent catch and release rate on the ‘at risk’ salmon rivers, and increasing the number of sea trout released, may help to avoid the need for mandatory bylaws.”

Netsmen have also seen their catch restricted in recent years but there may be a need to impose further restrictions. Studies have shown the vast majority of fish released, if handled carefully, survive to spawn successfully.

Network of streams Are you concerned about the delicate network of small streams that are the very life- blood of your fishery? Would you like to learn how to monitor and assess the health of such streams? Are you keen to gather information that will help conserve and enhance these vital arteries?

If so, come along to the Irish International Fly Fair in Killyleagh, Co Down, on Saturday, July 5th, at 11.30am, where Ken Whelan and Martin McGarrigle of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, will describe and demonstrate the new small streams’ training manual.

Red and brown sedge The red sedge or brown sedge is quite common in Ireland and can be tied in different sizes to imitate the larger Murrough down to small brown sedges. It’s a pattern that floats well and with a slight twitch of the rod tip will give movement when covering a fish.

Sedges are easy to recognise with their roof-shaped wing when emerging and can be seen scurrying across the surface to get air born.

“There are many patterns to choose from but once you have the right shape and colour to match the natural insect you should be okay. The fish are not too fussy when feeding on sedges and can really attack the fly,” says Jimmy Tyrrell. Contact irishflycraft@ gmail.com or 086-845 1257.

Watson’s Bumble Andy Walshe (Galway) landed a piping fresh grilse on a size 10 Watson’s Bumble on Lough Inagh last week. Of the five boats out, Kieran Power and Noel Greaney recorded six sea trout to 2lbs and four browns to 1.5lb on Daddies and Fr Ronan’s.

Thunder on Moy Isolated thundery showers meant water levels fluctuated on the Moy. However, the system accounted for 242 salmon. The East Mayo Anglers’ water saw a good mix of successful international anglers including Jean Pierre Rigaud, France, with a 10 pounder on fly.

Warm Weir On the Galway Weir, warm temperatures, lower water levels and the first proper run of grilse saw 41 fish landed for the week. Ciaran Cosgrove from Tuam landed the best fish of 7.5lbs.

Lough Melvin on form Melvin fished well especially for trout. Anglers reported good fishing for both sonaghan and gillaroo with wet mayfly patterns proving most productive. One party of three recorded gillaroo to 2lb 10oz plus a trout of 4lb 4oz.

angling@irishtimes.com