Angling Notes: Open entry for anglers of all abilities for the World Pairs

The Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championships is now open for entries. The event continues to attract anglers worldwide to fish the natural wild angling available in Ireland’s prolific angling destinations on the Erne system, Shannon-Erne waterway and Shannon navigation.

Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland will again sponsor the pairs which has highlighted Ireland’s magnificent coarse angling and increased the number of anglers to Ireland in recent years.

The partnership will provide €15,000 and the lion’s share of the magnificent prize pot with additional funding from Fermanagh-Omagh District Council, Leitrim Co Council and Cavan Co Council.

There are no qualifiers (entry is open) and, to attract those of all abilities, the event incorporates the Daiwa Cup, an individual competition running inside the pairs. This will provide cash for five daily pegs by county and a top 10 overall topped up by £8,500 in tackle vouchers from Daiwa Sports Ltd.

Ballinamore in Co Leitrim will host the opening ceremony on Sunday, September 6th and closure moves to Enniskillen with a grand presentation on Friday 11th September.

The key hubs for accommodation are Enniskillen, Ballyconnell and Ballinamore with draws held in each, thus providing easy access to surrounding towns.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Dcal) and Inland Fisheries Ireland continue their support by providing stewarding services and bio-security checks with Dcal sponsoring license fees for the Northern Ireland venues, allowing time also for practice days.

Entry costs remain the same for 2015 with all sponsorship attributed to the prize fund and entry fees covering running costs. For more information and to download an entry form see worldpairsangling.com or facebook.com/worldpairs or @worldpairs.

Éanna Rowe, co-chair of Lakelands and Inland Waterways, said: “The world pairs has shone a spotlight on the high quality and large quantity of wild fish challenging all anglers coming to Ireland’s lakelands. It is wonderful to see the resulting tourist numbers coming into the lakelands.”

Match angling

Meanwhile, 40 years of match angling will be accomplished when the Fermanagh Classic Festival takes place on the River Erne from May 11th-15th. It is a “must be fished” event and the organisers will mark the occasion with special events and exhibitions.

The festival welcomes more than 240 anglers, including previous world champions from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria. Contact Andrea McCourt at andrea.mccourt @fermanaghomagh.com.

In recognition of angling in Northern Ireland, the funding application to Sport NI by the Ulster Angling Foundation in partnership with Ncffi (Ulster branch) has resulted in the appointment of Gary Lavery as Active Clubs’ Coordinator for angling. Of his appointment he said: “One of the key areas of my focus will be to meet with angling clubs who are keen to move forward and introduce new members to their club. I can be contacted at: gary@anglingni.com.”

Olive Mayfly

The Olive Mayfly is a realistic pattern that sits nicely on the surface. It is a very buoyant fly that needs little grease, perhaps just a little around the hackles. Unlike the old Copydex design, it is durable and tends not to fall apart.

“An important and proven pattern to have in the fly box when the mayfly come on,” said flytyer Jimmy Tyrrell. See irishflycraft@gmail.com or 086-845 1257.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Ballinrobe and District Trout Anglers’ competition this weekend (May 2nd

-3rd). Entries to Marie Walsh, Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, Tel: 094-954 1165. Email: ballinrobeanglers@hotmail. com

angling@irishtimes.com