Mick Flanagan, Angling Correspondent for the Westmeath Topic and Sunday World Newspaper Tel: 087 2797270: mick@midlandangling.com reports on Midland Lakes & Rivers.

I.T.F.F.A....

The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association will hold their Annual general Meeting on Sunday  February 4th in the Greville Arms Hotel Mullingar. Approximately ninety clubs are affiliated to the I.T.F.F.A and each club is entitled to send two delegates to this meeting. If any club has not completed their delegate form as yet, you can do so by e-mail to mpcallaghan@eircom.net

The 2006 season was a  cracker for the I.T.F.F.A. and yes our little Midland lakes made the headlines in this years report. On April 2nd 2006 Lough Lene hosted the Irish youths National Qualifier. This once again was a huge success thanks to the work of Lough Lene Angling Association members. This was a catch & release competition one of the first to be held on an Midland Lake. Once again Lough Lene made the headlines in September when on Saturday 16th the Interprovincial was held on the lake. This again was a catch & release competition and an increased number of  trout were caught and released on the day. If you cast your mind back to last September we covered this event and Killucan Angler Colin Cahill finished 4th on the day and will represent Ireland in the coming Spring International. Colin has come up the ranks in the angling world and has represented Ireland at under age level and you can be sure he will be on fire this season. The spring international will be fished on Ruthland waters England on Friday June 1st 2007.The I.T.F.F.A. National Qualifier was fished on Lough Conn on Saturday 13th May. Once again Angling Focus covered this event. On the day Multyfarnham angler Liam Gilsenan finished 6th overall and made the Irish team. You know what they say "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". Liam is a top class fly angler and is renowned for his salmon and trout fishing safaris across Ireland. You can rest assured Liam will be up for this one. The Autumn International will be fished at Lake of Menteith, Scotland.

In 2006 I.T.F.F.A. youths officers held training days at Tullaghan Lough Owel. In the coming months they will be very active in the state of the art new angling centre at Tullaghan.

The Irish trout Fly-Fishing association would like to thank Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association and Lough Lene Anglers Association for all their assistants in 2006. Certainly this coming season is going to be very busy for the Irish Trout fly fishing  Association and here are some dates of events for the coming season. Local angling clubs hosting competitions might like to avoid clashing with these important fixtures. On April 14th 2007 Lough Lene Anglers will host the national youths Qualifier. On June 30th / July 1st Training week-end "Mullingar" (Team members Only). The youths International 2007 will be fished at Lake of Menteith, Scotland on July 25th.The senior International dates are as follows - Spring International Rutland England Friday June 1st. Rivers International River Liffey, Newbridge, Friday July 6th.Autumn International Lake of Menteit, Scotland Friday 14th September. The Disabled International will be fished from 22nd June -24th June at Annagh lake Co Cavan. We here in Angling Focus  would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Irish teams the best of luck in the 2007 fly-fishing Internationals. At present affiliation fees for the coming season are due and they can be sent to Ian Rowan, 85 Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. If you would like any more into on the I.T.F.F.A. you can contact Hon. Secretary Michael Callaghan on 086-8845750.