ANGLING NOTES:LOUGH Lein Anglers' Association celebrated its 25th anniversary of "The Charity" competition in fine style on Sunday week with a turnout of 110 anglers to compete for the coveted Perpetual Charity Trophy on Lough Lein in Killarney.
The “canal” at Ross Castle was a sight to behold as bailers were much in evidence following recent rain and engines fine-tuned, some for the first time this season. The 11am start saw 55 boats descend on this magnificent lake in search of the elusive wild and wily brown trout.
I was paired with Billy O’Dea from Kanturk. “I have fished this lake for 30 years and know almost every nook and cranny”, he said. “Traditionally, you will need to catch five small trout before you get one counter at 11in,” he added.
Throughout the day we tried the Lake Hotel area and finished up in the Bog, catching fish on each drift. Percentage wise, I went a little over Billy’s estimate with nine undersized fish and no counters. That’s fishing. Benny O’Dea, a member of the winning four-man team, had the misfortune of catching a good-sized fish, leaving it on the seat of his boat while he had lunch, for it to be snatched and eaten by a grey crow.
The winner on the day by a huge margin was Tom Sweeney from Macroom with nine trout. Tom fished the area known as the Postbox and on one drift alone caught six fish on buzzers.
Over the past 25 years, the competition has raised in excess of €168,000 for local charities and this year’s beneficiary was Killarney Community Services who received a cheque for €6,000.
Its chairman, John Kelly, said the centre caters for senior citizens that live in the greater Killarney area. It operates a day centre for about 30 people and provides a hot lunch and bus service to and from their homes.
“We are very grateful for this generous donation from Lough Lein Anglers particularly as our budget this year was cut by 5 per cent,” he said.
Results: 1, T Sweeney 9 fish; 2, M Twohig, 5f; 3, K Keeley, 5f; 4, T O’Loughlin, 5f; 5, R Willis, 4f.
Jeremiah O’Dea has developed and patented an innovative fly-carrying package called the Jodea. The fly-keep can be clipped to an angler’s belt or jacket and will eliminate the annoyance of having to travel back to the bank to refresh with bait supply.
The Jodea is collapsible and stores as a flat pack, but the reservoir section telescopes forward when required and has a felt pocket for braids and hook storage.
This new invention, considered a necessity for natural bait fly-fishers such as dappers, etc, was launched at last year's Irish Fly Fair Angling Show and is soon to be available in tackle shops nationwide. It can be purchased online from thejodea.com. For more information, visit facebook.com/pages/JODEA/239385942767038
More than a century ago one type of person made their living by keeping a wary eye out for the local village constable. Every rural county had at least one of these rogues – the poacher – who caused the local coppers no end of trouble. Acting the part, Steven McGonigal (pictured left) is keeping the traditional skills of the poacher with a crowd-pleasing act in the main arena at Ireland’s first game fair of the season at Ballywalter, Co Down, this weekend.
Saint Mullins Angling Club will hold its 25th annual twaite shad competition this Sunday on the River Barrow. Catch and release policy will apply with four rotating beats. Check-in at Mullicháin Cafe on the quay from 2pm with fishing from 3pm to 7pm, followed by prizegiving in Blanchfields Pub.
The first shad of 2012 was landed at St Mullins last Wednesday!