ANGLING NOTES:IN THE summer of 2008 Angling Notesran a series of Reader Competitions that provided a prize of a box of flies tied by renowned flytyer Jimmy Tyrrell. The winner of the May competition was Martin Rahill.
The following is the edited text of an email received by Angling Notesand is published with the permission of the Rahill family. In memory of the winner, Jimmy Tyrrell has created a Rahill Olive Mayfly.
“Last May, my father, Martin, entered a competition and won a box of beautiful flies from Jimmy Tyrell. He was delighted about winning. Sad to say, he then had a brain haemorrhage and was admitted to hospital. I read out the Angling Notes from May 12th to him.
“He and my brother, Kevin, were to join me in Co Clare for a week’s fishing on Lough Inchiquin. The box of flies arrived in the post on the morning of May 16th. We brought them into the hospital that day. Martin Rahill died that evening.
“As he was being waked, Kevin and I took a Mayfly from the collection and hooked it to his lapel. My son carried his fly-reel during the funeral Mass.
“Martin began his fishing career as a boy in the 1930s at Brittas on the River Suir, just outside Thurles. There are many stories to treasure about eel, perch and trout.
“The family moved to Co Wicklow in the mid-1970s and Martin joined the Wicklow Anglers’ Association. Roundwoods’ reservoirs and in recent years, Lough Dan, provided many hours of enjoyment.
“In 2007, we fished Corrib. 2008 was earmarked for Corofin. Alas this was not to be. However, the evening prior to getting ill, he and Kevin were casting flies on the Upper Lake at Roundwood, less than seven weeks before his 84th birthday – a fisherman to the end!
“The flies are really nice and Martin would have loved to have tried them out. Now it is up to his sons and grandsons. Red Butchers, Kingfishers and Cock Robins often work well on the River Fergus system. I am sure that Jimmy Tyrrell’s flies will work equally as well, if not better.”
Angling Notes adds: amen to that.
- Waterford Cityand County Trout Anglers' Association is pleased to announce that work on its Leader-funded development plan for Carrigavantry Reservoir is due for completion later this month. The project will include a new harbour with boats for hire and a secure car park.
Of special mention is a state-of-the-art Coulam 16ft Wheelyboat, the first of its kind in Ireland, and specially designed to cater for anglers with disabilities. The new boat will have its own floating pontoon for wheelchair access.
Club lakes are stocked regularly with rainbow and brown trout, each with a limit bag of four fish. Fly fishing is available on a day or season basis and tickets available at Centra Supermarket, Kilmeaden. Contact waterford flyfishing.com or Declan Walsh at deckyly@hotmail.com
- The EasternRegional Fisheries Board will host the first of its two ladies' fly-casting events for 2010 on May 22nd at Rathcon Fishery, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow.
This super day is organised so that beginners and improvers can learn more about the sport of angling from experts such as Glenda Powell from Blackwater Lodge and Mark Corps of the Central Fisheries Board.
To participate in this free event, contact David Byrne at david.byrneerfb@gmail.com.
- TAFI, theTrout Angling Federation of Ireland, held its Leinster Lake Championships on Lough Owel in Co Westmeath last Sunday. On the day, 23 anglers caught enough trout to ensure a team of 20 will go forward to the inter-provincial championships in Connaught later in the season.
Results: 1, R Geraghty; 2, B Murray; 3, P Noonan.
A new Leinster Angling Council website is available at tafileinster.com.
angling@irishtimes.com