OWEL TROUT ON THE MOVE...

The recent change in the weather last week has got a  few fish on the move on Owel. Some cracking trout were caught during the Dan Mullally Shield. Our good friends Marty Smith and Dave Hinkle's from England spent a week here in Mullingar but unfortunately the trout fishing was poor during their trip. Still the lads had some fun catching pike and perch on Lough Ennell and Lene. Marty is back again this weekend and hopefully we will get some late fishing on Owel.

 DAN MULLALLY SHIELD....

Last week we had a break from the humid weather and it certainly improved the fishing. On Wednesday night last August 5th Lough Owel trout preservation Association hosted the Dan Mullally Shield, with fishing from 7pm-11pm. It was a very blustery start to the competition but as night fell the wind dropped and with this some sedges started to appear on the lake surface. I fished the competition in the company of two top class Lough Owel Anglers Mick McCormack and Lough Owel Chairman Andy Boyle. The lads rose a number of fish early in the evening, but it was not until night fall that we eventually landed a trout. As with Green Peter fishing you pick your spot and stick it out. We had decided to fish just out from the Corn Field just below Murray's Point. A small hatch of Peters appeared for about 20mins and sure enough a few Owel trout started to feed. As it turned out I managed to cover one feeding fish and it duly took my Dry-Fly imitation. It was a lovely Lough Owel trout weighing .945 kg. This secured 3rd place on the night with Mullingar Angler Barry Lenehan landing a super trout 1.075,and once again Pat Brady of Broadmeadows A.C. topped the night with a cracking fish 1.395. Pat had won the Pattie Doolan Shield the previous Wednesday night. The presentation of prizes took place at Mullally's where Lough Owel Club Chairman thanked all anglers for supporting the two Peter Competitions, and especially all who sponsored prizes for the Peter competitions. As there was only one fish recorded at the Patti Doolan Shield, fish from the Dan Mullally event qualified for prizes. Full result from the Patti Doolan Shield.1st Pat Brady,2nd B. Lenehan 1.075kg, 3rd M. Flanagan .945kg, 4th B. Murray .880kg, 5th Joe Furey .870kg, 6th G. Heaslip .850kg, 7th M. Mc,Quaid .725kg, 8th G. Long .675kg, 9th J. Vickers .660kg, 10th J. Plunkett .645kg, 11th S. Eighan .610kg, 12th T. Gorman .595kg, 13th D. Caffrey .575kg. A total of 34 anglers caught 17 fish on the night. Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association would like to thank their many sponsors, Marty Smith, and Dave Hinkles (England), McAuley Oil, Willie Penrose, J. Murray Boat Engines, Lakeland Anglers, Tommy Nally, Martin Mc Quaide, Eugene Fagan, Dolan's Pub, Lough Owel T.P.A. 

VISITING ANGLERS...

Visiting anglers Dave Hinkles & Marty Smith spent a few days last week fishing the Midland lakes. The lads are regular visitors to Westmeath and really enjoy their trips to Mullingar. Unfortunately the fishing could have been better with the lads struggling to interest trout be it on the troll or fly. Mind you they had some fun catching perch and pike during this trip. Lough Lene produced quite a number of small pike for the lads, with Lough Ennell producing good perch. The two lads from Macklesfield near Manchester in England were staying in the Newbury Hotel, and as usual had the height of praise for the Hotel & Staff. Marty is back this Thursday and hopefully we will catch up with a few Brown trout this weekend.