WHILE Ireland’s top athletes deservedly basked in front-page publicity following their magnificent achievements in international sporting events this year, a new world fly-casting champion from Co Clare received virtually no publicity for his historic accomplishment.
Ruairi Costello took the title of overall world champion at the inaugural Flycasting World Championships in Fagernes, Norway, last month, having qualified in each discipline of distance casting events.
In the sea-trout qualifying category, he scored a magnificent 40.5cm cast with no wind assistance using a 9ft 6in trout rod and 26g fly line, and he won two medals in the finals of the 5-wt distance and 15ft overhead divisions.
Ruairi went on to set a terrific benchmark in the 15ft and 18ft speycasting events in flat calm conditions with casts of 97.5cm and 58.5cm, respectively.
Meanwhile, Gerard Downey from Foxford, Co Mayo, also achieved great honours with a breathtaking display of combined left and right casting of 101m to earn him ICSF 15ft speycasting world champion. In total, Ireland’s five-man Carron-team did themselves and their country proud by returning with three gold and three silver medals.
Team Ireland made a huge impression at the event and a big thank you is extended to the Norwegian Casting Federation, ICSF, British Fly Casting Club, Jimmy Jack of Carron Rod Case – and to Jetstream Aviation for the comfortable passage to Norway.
Salmon anglers are reminded that the bag limit of one fish per day applies this month. Anglers fishing on after killing a fish must practice catch and release, using a single barbless hook. There is also a ban on the use of worms. These restrictions refer to salmon (any size) and sea trout above 40cm.
A large gathering of colleagues and friends gathered in Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin, for Inspector Paddy Greene’s retirement from Dundalk District of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), after 40 years of dedicated service.
Paddy’s career began with the Salmon Research Agency, ESB and Department of Marine in 1970 and later as hatchery manager in Virginia. He was appointed assistant inspector to Dundalk District of the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board in 1987 and in 1993 was promoted to inspector of the district.
William Walsh, director of IFI Eastern River Basin District, said: “I would like to congratulate Paddy on his retirement and wish him and his wife Maura a happy and healthy retirement.”
Happy reports from Oaklands Coarse Fishery in New Ross, Co Wexford. “We’re flying at the moment,” said Adrian Browne. The lake has 58 stands and a terrific stock of carp, roach, bream and hybrids.
I spoke with Stephen Hunter from Kildare. “I’m here five hours and, so far, have caught about 30 carp to 2.7kg (6lb) on spam,” he said. The heaviest carp from the fishery to date is 6.7kg (14lb 11oz).
During the festival in July, Damien Maddock took top honours with an overall weight of 176kg (389lb) over two days.
In an effort to raise funds towards development of spawning areas in the Corrib catchment areas, Lough Corrib Angling Federation is running a catch-and-release fly-fishing competition at Burrisheen, Oughterard, next Sunday week.
A sub-section of the federation, Cairde Loch Coiribe, is entrusted with organising the inaugural event and a large turnout of anglers is expected to support this worthy cause.
While prizes will reflect an individual event, the entry fee of €50 applies to two anglers (one boating). The draw for pairings is Wednesday week, Contact Philip Comber at 086-2786301 for entry forms.
angling@irishtimes.ie