The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, will officially launch the fourth ESB Lanesboro coarse angling festival on the banks of the Shannon on Sunday, August 19th. The three-day competition will take place on August 20th, 22nd and 24th on a "new section" of the river, thus allowing for an expansion of competitors.
This hot-water stretch, downstream from the ESB generating station, regularly produces specimen rudd, bream, roach and tench and is regarded as one of the most productive angling beats in Europe. Since its inception, the festival has provided a platform to promote these facilities and the competition is now a key component on the international angling calendar.
Pegs one to 60 will be drawn each day and the match will run from 10.15 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Competitors must fish all three days to receive prizes. The overall winner will receive £1,000, 2nd place £500, and 3rd £300. Additional prizes will be awarded for different categories. For further information, contact Orla Ryan at 01-669 0030.
A reader writes to convey her thanks to an anonymous angler who "fishes the Shannon and the Erne" and gave of his time, equipment and advice to her three children while on holidays in the Vendee in June.
The family enjoyed many happy and successful hours fishing there.
Irish anglers are invited to explore some of the finest bass habitats in Europe during the three-day Jersey Bass Angling Festival from October 5th-7th.
Billed as a roving shore competition, the event is open to visitors and islanders alike and lucrative prizes will be on offer in various categories over the three days. For further details and to register your interest in the festival, e-mail Andrew Syvret at pinnacle@localdial.com or tel: 0044 1534 485 201. Andrew can also advise on the hire of tackle in Jersey.
Correspondence and fishy photographs to The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Fax: 679 1881. Email: angling@irishtimes.ie