Ireland’s latest angling event was a resounding success fished over three days on the vast 16 mile long lough at Athlone – and to win any of the six prizes each day it was necessary to catch a pike of 18lb or more!
More than 60 anglers – from Germany, France, England, Northern Ireland and Ireland – competed from boats launched from Coosan Point and Hodson Bay as they battled to catch the biggest fish and win the €3,000 first prize and share in a total cash prize fund of €10,000

The champion for 2010 is Kevin Foley from Clare who caught a terrific pike measuring 106 cms on the final day – estimated to weigh 24lb.

The 26-year-old was trolling with his best fishing pal Kevin Foley and his only “take” of the festival came at lunchtime on Friday when a massive fish struck at the frozen dead rainbow trout. For the next 10 minutes there was an almighty battle and just as the landing net slipped under the pike, the swivel broke. Kevin certainly had the biggest smile later when he stepped up to receive the winner’s cheque from the Mayor of Athlone, Mark Cooney, who has been involved in with the Pike festival since its inception.

There was a conservation slant to the new festival and rather than weigh the fish, which often means placing them in some sort of container and the sailing to the shore with the fish, anglers had to measure and photograph the fish on specially supplied boards, then release the catch immediately.  It reduces the stress and damage caused to pike.

“I came to the Lough Ree Festival because of the measuring system”, said 61 year old Wicklow sign maker Pat Byrne, who used to travel across the country to compete in such events.
“This is the way forward because it protects our pike stocks. I had virtually stopped competition in pike matches but would fish any event using some sort of measuring system”.
Pat featured strongly in the prize list with the biggest pike (103 cms) on the first day, second place on day two (98cms) and fourth spot (90cms) on the third day. He and his boat partner John McDonagh shared a haul of €1,800 in prize money despite not having fished the lake previously!

The runner-up was local angler Adrian Quinn from Athlone who bagged a pike of 104cms while trolling in the mouth of the River Shannon at the Sunken Island near to the yacht club.
The 35 year old Dunne’s Store manager had his own till ringing to the tune of €1,500 by using of buoyant brightly coloured lure on part of the river that would have been unfishable at normal water levels, but on this day it was perfect and his gamble paid off handsomely.

Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland sponsored and organised the festival in association with Athlone Town Council to highlight the outstanding angling potential offered by the River Shannon and Lough Ree.

And it must be said that the central Fisheries Board staff were outstanding with their help on the water and general professionalism in ensuring everything went smoothly for the first Lough Ree International Pike Angling festival.

(L to R) Mayor Mark Cooney, winner Kevin Foley, third Pat Byrne, runner-up Adrian Quinn and Marie McCormack, Client service officer with Failte Ireland.

Overall
Kevin Foley Ennis 106cm
Adrian Quinn Athlone 104cm
Pat Byrne Wicklow 103.5cm

Day One
Pat Byrne Wicklow 103.5cm
Joe McDermott Longford 101cm
Leo Behan Athlone 100cm
John McDonagh Wicklow 94cm
Joe McDermott Longford 90cm
Dominic Conway Athlone 89cm

Day Two
Adrian Quinn Athlone 104cm
Pat Byrne Wicklow 98cm
Leo Behan Athlone 97cm
Marc Lombard France 95cm
Eoin O’Neill Athlone 92cm
Joe McEntegart Longford 91.5cm

Day Three
Peter Smyth Trim 99cm
Leo Behan Athlone 95cm
Brendan Hora Meath 91cm
Pat Byrne Wicklow 90cm
Conor Hannan Athlone 88cm
Mick Flanaghan Mullingar 87cm

(Note) Attempting to estimate the weight of a pike from its length is risky simply due to a number of factors, but as a rough guide, a pike measuring 100 centimetres may weigh 23lb.

Hurry to get your ticket for the Lough Ree International Pike Festival taking place on April 14, 15 and 16 and a chance to win a GUARANTEED €3,000 first prize.

Every cent of the entry fees is returned in money prizes plus €3,000 from Failte Ireland.

Click here to view the prize sheet based on just 150 anglers – you will be amazed.

Festival organisers yesterday agreed to extend the entry and allow 150 boats to compete in what is bound to become Ireland’s richest angling competition. The angling club secretaries attended the Athlone meeting and they agreed there was such great buzz and lots of excitement surrounding this brand new event, based on catching the biggest fish over three days and to win the guaranteed €3,000 first prize.

The event takes place over three days – Wednesday to Friday April 14-15-16

Failte Ireland are sponsoring the first prize and in addition to that, all entry fees will be returned in cash prizes along with €1,500 angling tackle given by Grandslam Angling.
Brochures are entry forms are now available by telephoning Failte Ireland in Mullingar on 0044 9348650 or emailing eastandmidlandsinfo@failteireland.ie or from the Failte Ireland stand at the Hooked Live angling show on February 27 and 28 at Citywest Dublin

Will it be big enough to win €3,000 ?

Click for full details on the pike angling festival

Great pike angling from boat or shore, any method, and your host if s qualified pike angling guide too. This week’s special offer includes the return ferry crossing with Stena Line or Irish Ferries, seven nights bed and full breakfast accommodation, angling maps, tour of local lakes and full travel pack.
One week BB with car ferry crossing

2 in a car £255 each 3 in a car £239 4 in a car £229 each

Click here to see more details

You will not find another price like this …. anywhere!

Four nightTelephone 0151 324 4744 or email dave@activeirishbreaks.com NOW!

Starting this weekend, Active Irish Angling will be at Ireland’s two largest angling shows this month and one of our team will be on the Failte Ireland stand representing Athlone and it is a chance for you to pick up the brand new brochure and have a chat about this exciting three-day competition and its €3,000 first prize.

February 13 & 14 “Ireland Angling Expo” at the National Show Centre in Swords, Dublin
February 27 & 28 “Hooked” being held at the City West Hotel, Dublin.

It is a Boat Angling Competition taking place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 14th-16th April 2010, and the biggest fish will win a €3,000 first prize – Sponsored by Failte Ireland

The festival is open to all anglers and will take place on Lough Ree at Athlone, located in the very heart of Ireland, with boat angling over three days. If 200 anglers take part in the festival the prize fund will total €28,000 plus angling tackle to the value of €1,500 courtesy of Grand Slam.

Brochures are now available and full details are also available on www.pikefishinginireland.com

Anglers travelling from overseas will find low-cost inclusive breaks that include accommodation and ferry travel, while anglers resident in Ireland can enjoy BB at €30 for guesthouses and from €36 for 3-star hotels in the centre of Athlone.

Telephone during office hours: In Ireland – 071 9642743. In UK – 0151 324 4744
Email: contact@pikefishinginireland.com
www.pikefishinginireland.com

Click here to see the full list of prices – only through Pike Fishing in Ireland

It is a “boat only” event with an entry fee of €25 and takes place on Lough Key with launching from Doon Shore at 9am, with fishing 10am to 5pm.

1st prize 600 euro (heaviest pike)

2nd prize 300 euro (heaviest pike)

3rd prize 200 euro (heaviest pike)

For more details contact

Pat Egan on 086 0286332 or John Nicholson: 086 3357634

All boats must have suitable holding tanks

Stena Line Ferries operating from Holyhead have introduced new sailing times for 2010 and a second fastcraft sailing time for most of the year, creating a choice of six sailing times each was on this route.

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Latest Stena Line sailing schedule from Holyhead

From Holyhead
To Dublin Port Superferry 0230
To Dublin Port Superferry 0820 (Not Sun)
To Dun Laoghaire Fastcraft 1000 (March 15-31 December)
To Dublin Port Superferry 1350
To Dun Laoghaire Fastcraft 1620 (April 1- June 27 & 6-30 Sep)
To Dublin Port Superferry 2130 (Departs 2030 on Sunday)

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From Dublin or Dun Laoghaire
From Dublin Port Superferry 0215 (Not Sun)
From To Dublin Port Superferry 0820
From Dun Laoghaire Fastcraft 1315 (March 15-31 December)
From Dublin Port Superferry 1600
From Dun Laoghaire Fastcraft 1925 (April 1- June 27 & 6-30 Sep)
From Dublin Port Superferry 2115 (Departs 2030 on Sunday)

Happy Christmas and tight lines from everyone at Pike Fishing in Ireland.

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Read the full report by clicking here

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