Angling Notes: Key sponsor on board for Rosslare Small Boats Festival

Garmin, global leader of satellite navigation, has announced its support as a key sponsor for this year's Rosslare Small Boats Festival, one of the most prestigious small boat fishing events in Europe, which runs from September 10th to 17th September, across the south-east coast of Ireland.

The festival started in 1985 with just five boats and has gone from strength to strength, with 45 boats participating this year. The quality of the fishing and variety of species available has attracted a high standard of competitor, with 138 anglers travelling from the UK and Ireland.

Festival chairman John Belger said: "Garmin products are very popular with small boat fishing enthusiasts so it is a real coup for us to have such a well-respected brand on board. I've no doubt they will be highly sought after by all teams taking part.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 3

Davin Reynolds (10), left, and Conor Tynan (9) during the youth trout competition on Lough Sheelin.

"We are also proud of our association with our other sponsors, Daiwa Sports, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Wexford Council and IPB Insurance."

Gail Cook for Garmin UK and Ireland, added: "Whilst the competition was fierce last year, with up to 38 different species recorded, the educational benefits with regard to practising catch and release are hugely beneficial in terms of conservation and creating public awareness of our sea fisheries resource.

“I’ve no doubt the top three winners will put the new Garmin echoMAP CHIRP, Panoptix and Striker 5dv equipment to great use, helping them achieve the clearest scanning sonar of fish and structure on the market,” said Cook.

Further information is available from John Belger at 0044 170 4566195, jbandfirefly@aol.com or Josie Mahon, IFI, at 01-8842600, josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie.

Good day out in Courtlough

Members of

Boyne Valley

Fishing Hub enjoyed a recent fishing trip to Courtlough Trout Fishery in

Balrothery

, Co Dublin (087-2712704). The event, which attracted almost 30 people, was aimed at engaging potential young anglers in the Boyne Valley area.

Conditions on the day were difficult, however, all anglers managed to catch at least one fish each. Topics covered included fly fishing set-up and casting, and prizes were awarded to those lucky on the day.

Oisin Cahill of Dublin Angling Initiative, said: "It was fantastic to see so many anglers of different ages take part in the trip. We are always welcoming young people who might be interested to consider trying it out. For further information, contact oisin.cahill@fisheriesireland.ie."

Boyne Valley Fishing Hub consists of clubs along the River Boyne with a focus on developing youth angling. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ boynevalleyfishinghub/.

Mixed bag on Mask

Ronan Cusack reports on a mixed bag from Mask as anglers continue to hunt the deeps in pursuit of daphnia-feeding trout.

Ray Broughton

and

Kevin Beattie

from

Ballinrobe

fished the deep last Tuesday and reported plenty of action. The pair finished with five good keepers.

Peter Byrne of Lough Carra Anglers organised the annual catch-and-release competition on Carra/Mask last Sunday in aid of the Water Protection Group. The event attracted 46 anglers and 89 trout were recorded.

Philip Clesham from Castlebar came out on top with an overall length of 241cm. Philip also had the longest fish of 56cm. (Using the World Cup conversion chart, his fish would convert to almost 2kg.)

“Heavy rain over the past week has raised water levels on Mask significantly. Anglers who may not have seen their boat recently may be advised to do so,” Cusack said.

Reports from Corrib

The Corrib report from

Declan Gibbons

makes for interesting reading. In the

Cornamona

area, father and son duo Joe and

Jack Seegar

from

Calgary

,

Canada

, had a good day on wet fly, landing five trout, with 11-year-old Jack catching the best two of 1kg and 0.75kg.

Irish rugby player Rob Kearney and girlfriend Jess Redden, fishing out from Oughterard, caught two fish dapping. Also in the Oughterard area, Basil Shields (086-0869758) reports of mixed fishing on sedges, olives and mayfly, with angling activity mostly confined to wet fly.

The Martin Molloy Cup attracted 40 anglers, with 24 trout weighed in. Results: 1, R Dixon, 4 fish, 2.965kg (dapping); 2, J Deacy, 3f, 2.925kg (dapping); 3, P Barton, 2f, 2.580kg (dapping).

Donegal fishing

Rathmullan Charters is offering general, wreck and shark fishing trips in September and October for groups of up to 10 people. The charter will supply rods and reels free of charge and pick up groups from

Northern Ireland

at Inch Pier.

Contact rathmullancharters@eircom.net or call 087-248132 for bookings.

angling@irishtimes.com