Ulster Stillwater Bank Championship

The Ulster Stillwater Bank Fly Fishing Championship took place on Saturday the 19th November 2011. This is the third year of the Championships and it is growing in popularity. This year had nineteen anglers competing to make the 6 man Ulster team. The fish where feeding very high in the water making the top tactic on the day size 16 dry flies! The crown of Ulster Champion went to Darren Haggan.

The Ulster Banks Team that will compete in the Inter Provincial Bank Championship in Leinster for the chance to make the TAFI Ireland Team to compete in next years Four Nations International hosted by Wales is as below:

1. Darren Haggan 8 fish for 6,760 Points
2. Brian Kerr 7 fish for 5,980 Points
3. Campbell Baird 5 fish for 4,720 Points
4. Stephen Allison 5 fish for 4,520 Points
5. Gareth Morris 4 fish for 3,740 Points
6. Gary Crothers 4 fish for 3,620 Points

Reserve:  Harry McAteer (Jnr.) 3 fish for 3,000 Points

The best of luck to the Ulster Team in the Inter-Provincial Banks Championship who will be looking to retain their title for the third year running.

November 29, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

2011 Four Nations Bank International

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The 2^nd International Bank Championship was held at Lough Barfinnihy, Kenmare, Co. Kerry on the 19^th November 2011.  Teams from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales competed in this Home Countries International.  It was a very successful competition and was organised on behalf of T.A.F.I. by the Munster Regional Trout Angling Council in co-operation with Inland Fisheries Ireland.  A special mention must go to Fishery Inspector Michael Hennessy and his staff for their assistance in helping to organise the competition.

Barfinnihy Lake is a wild mountain lake which is managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland. It is located on the Sneem Road a short distance from the World renowned Molls Gap.  The lake is stocked on a regular basis by the fishery board and daily and annual permits are available from local tackle dealers during the fishing season.

The weather was not too kind during the practice sessions on the two days previous to the competition.  While it improved a little on the day of the competition the fishing was still very tough to say the least.  The leader board both team and individual changed a lot as the day developed, which made for a very exciting finale.  In keeping with tradition the four teas were led to the lakeside in the morning by a lone piper.  There were a total of eleven controllers on duty and the organising committee wishes to express their deepest gratitude to these people who volunteered and gave up their day to act as controllers.

The controllers were as follows – Richard Willis, Liam Sheehan, Graham Landy, Paul France (Mallow), Ronnie Cagney, Seamus Butler (Thurles), Tony Ankettell (Boherbue), Anthony O’Sullivan, Daniel Murphy (Macroom), Padraig Coughlan (Killarney) and Hubert Smith who travelled all the way from Dundalk.

At the end of a very tough and exciting competition Ireland’s Terry Kelly emerged as the top individual rod, with Scotland taking team gold and Ireland taking team silver for the second year in a row.  England took place with Wales finishing up in fourth place.

At the presentation dinner the Chairman of M.R.T.A.C. Maurice Willis welcomed all the teams and congratulated all the winners.  T.A.F.I. Chairman John Buckley also welcomed the teams and said that he hoped that they would return again in the future.  T.A.F.I. Fips-Mouche Representative Denis Cronin said that he hoped the competition would continue to go from strength to strength and he paid tribute to those people who first mooted the idea of a Bank International.  The International Organiser Pat Buckley then announced the official results which were as follows:

Team Results

1^st Scotland – 146 Placing Points

2^nd Ireland – 179 Placing Points

3^rd England – 190 Placing Points

4^th Wales – 203 Placing Points

Individual

Gold – Terry Kelly (Ireland)

Silver – John Morton (Scotland)

Bronze – Peter Thurnall (Wales)

Longest Fish – Lee Tatton (Wales) 50cm’s

Total Fish caught: 45

The medals were presented to the winners and runners-up by Maurice Willis M.R.T.A.C. Chairman and by Tom Ankettell Hon. Sec. M.R.T.A.C. along with Patrick Doyle Vice Chairman M.R.T.A.C. Competitions Committee.  The trophy for the longest fish was presented to Lee Tatton (Wales) by Pat Buckley the International Organiser.  The Captains of the competing nations thanked the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland for hosting the event and paid tribute to the controllers for their work during a very long and tough day.

 

October 20, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

2011 Bank Inter-Provincial Championship

The 2011 Bank Inter-Provincial Championships were held at Barfinnihy Lake, Kenmare on the beautiful ring of Kerry on Sunday 24th July.  This year the championship was organised by the Munster Regional Trout Angling Council.  Teams from Ulster, Leinster and Munster took part while Connaught decided not to compete this year.  Competitors enjoyed great fishing during the practice days but come Sunday morning the lake was enveloped with a thick blanket of fog which made fishing difficult to say the least.  The fog stayed for most of the day and the conditions tested the ability of the anglers.  When the the going gets tough they say the tough get going and this was true on Sunday.  Top International angler Campbell Baird from Ulster was top rod on the day and winner of the Bank Inter-Pro for the second year in a row, with Micheal Gilman (Leinster) taking silver and Harry McAteer Jnr. (Ulster) winning the bronze.  The Inter-Provincial Team Championship went to the Ulster team of Campbell Baird, Huw Morris, Jonny Hoad, Harry McAteer Snr., Mark Carslisle and Harry McAteer  Jnr. again winning it for the second year in a row.

The top seven rods were as follows:

1. Campbell Baird (Ulster)
2. Micheal Gilman (Leinster)
3. Harry McAteer Jnr. (Ulster)
4. Pat Hoare (Munster)
5. Colm Geoghan (Munster)
6. Terry Kelly (Leinster)
7. Harry McAteer Snr. (Ulster)

M.R.T.A.C. Chairman Maurice Willis presented the prizes and complimented the stewards and the organisers for a job well done.  He wished the anglers who would now go forward to represent Ireland at the Home International in October the
best of luck.    This years International will be held at Barfinnihy Lake, Molls Gap.  The organisers wish to acknowledge the help and assistance of the Fishery Board and in particular fishery inspector Micheal Hennessy and Dan Breen without whos help the competition could not be held.

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July 25, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

2011 Inter-Provincial Bank Championship

The Inter-Provincial Bank Championship takes place at Lough Barfinnihy on Sunday 24th July 2011.  The best of luck to all competing.  The top 5 from this championship will represent Ireland at the same venue in the Four Nations Bank International taking place on the 17th, 18th and 19th of October 2011.

The Dromhall Hotel will be the Headquarters for the Bank International.  Trout Fisherman are covering the Bank International this year so the event will get the coverage it deserves and go from strength to srength.  Anyone wishing to view it are welcome.

July 8, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

2011 Leinster Bank Qualifier

The Leinster Bank Qualifier took place on Lough Aishling on Sunday 20th March 2011.  Congratulations to Hubert Smith the 2011 Leinster Bank Champion who won the championship with 11 trout.  In second place was Rodger Fowler (second also last year) with 10 trout with Mick Gilman not far behind in third place with 9 trout.

The 6 qualifiers and the Leinster Team for the Inter-Provincial Bank Championship to be held at Lough Barfinnihy are:

1. Hubert Smith (Dundalk) 11 trout for 459cm’s
2. Rodger Fowler (Silverstream) 10 trout for 425cm’s
3. Mick Gilman (Rathdowney) 9 trout for 384cm’s
4. Terry Kelly (Dundalk) 9 trout for 377cm’s
5. Graham Reynolds (Co. Wicklow Anglers) 8 trout for 341cm’s
6. Sean Kirwan (Monasterevin) 7 trout for 310cm’s

Congratulations to all the anglers who have made the Provincial Teams for the Inter-Provincial Bank Championship.  The top 6 from this will make up the Irish Team for the 4 Nations Bank International being held at Lough Barfinnihy in October 2011.

March 21, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Munster Bank 2nd Heat

March 12, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Munster Bank 1st Heat

Congratulations to John Buckley who won the first heat of the Munster Bank Qualifier that was fished at Ballyhass Lakes on Saturday 5th March.  The top 3 from this heat qualified to fish for Munster in the Inter-Provincial Bank Final that is taking place on Lough Barfinnihy later on in the year.  The second heat takes place next Saturday 12th February again at Ballyhass Lakes.

1st heat Saturday 5th February

1. John Buckley – Killarney – 7 trout
2. Mick McCarthy – Fermoy – 5 trout
3. Colm Geoghan – Cashel/Golden – 5 trout

March 6, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Leinster Bank Qualifier

The Leinster Bank Qualifier will take place on Lough Aishling, Rathville, Edenderry, Co. Offaly on Sunday 20th March 2011 – registration will be at 9.30am.

February 7, 2011 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Ulster Bank Championship Results

November 20, 2010 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Ireland gets Bank International for 2011

It was announced at last nights Presentation of Prizes that the 2011 Bank International will be held in Ireland.  Well done to the Irish Delegation on getting the event for 2011 and maybe next year we can go one better and win the Gold Medal on home soil.

Well done to everyone again who was involved in this unique inaugural event.

October 21, 2010 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Ireland finish 2nd in Bank International

Congratulations to the Irish Team on their superb performance in finishing second in the inaugural 4 Nations Bank International held in Innis Fishery, Cornwall, England today.  In a very close fought competition England narrowly came out on top to take the gold medal with Scotland third and Wales taking fourth position.

The match was fished to Fips Mouche Rules with 2 sessions, morning and afternoon, with each angler fishing on 4 pegs in each session.  In the morning session Ireland’s Darren Haggan and Neill Baillie were 3rd and 4^th, Julie Gerry 7^th, Campbell 9^th, Roger Fowler 15^th and Sean Kirwan 16^th.   The morning results showed Ireland were in the lead at the lunch break with 54 total placings to England’s 62. Although England had more fish, Ireland had caught more consistently as a team and took the lead by 8 place points in the morning session. In the afternoon session England put in an excellent performance to take the top 2 individual places.  Julie Gerry took 3rd place in this session.  At the end of the afternoon session, it was clear that England had caught more fish than the other teams, but it was anyone’s guess whether if it was enough to overtake Ireland.  One thing for sure, it was going to be very close as both teams had one blank each in the afternoon session.  At around 8pm the results were announced and England had taken the Team Championship by 7 clear place points. Simon Robinson was the individual winner with 3 place points with the next 3 individual placings all taken by Irish anglers, 2^nd Darren Haggan, 3^rd Neill Bailie, and 4^th Julie Gerry.

Team Results are:

1. England - 117 Placings – 36 trout – 35,420 Points
2. Ireland - 124 Placings – 29 trout – 28,660 Points
3. Scotland – 161 Placings – 19 trout – 19,020 Points
4. Wales – 223 Placings – 8 trout – 8,060 Points

There was also some great individual performances from a number of the Irish Team with Darren Haggan (Ulster) fishing brilliantly to finish second overall just ahead of other Irish Team members Neil Baillie (Ulster) in third and Julie Gerry (Leinster) in fourth place.  Also well done to the other Irish team members Campbell Baird, Roger Fowler and Sean Kirwan on their silver medal winning performance.

Overall Irish Placings:

• 2nd Darren Haggan
• 3rd Neill Baillie
• 4th Julie Gerry
• 12th Campbell Baird
• 16th Sean Kirwan
• 20th Roger Fowler

Well done to Campbell Baird (Captain) for organising the team and practice sessions and also a special thanks to Denis Cronin (Competitions Secretary & International Supervisor) for his hard work in getting this competition up and running.

The full results can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

2010 International Bank Results

Peg Draws for the 2010 International Bank

October 20, 2010 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »

Best wishes to the Irish Bank Team

The Irish Team competing in the inaugural Four Nations Bank Fly-Fishing International at Innis Fishery, St. Austall, Cornwall this coming Wednesday 20th October flew out today Sunday 17th October.  Official practice takes place on Monday and Tuesday with the final itself on Wednesday.

The Irish Team is as follows:

Campbell Baird, Woodford/Ulster (Captain)
Darren Haggan, Woodford/Ulster
Roger Fowler, Silverstream/Leinster
Sean Kirwan, Monasterevin/Leinster
Julie Gerry, Silverstream/Leinster
Neil Baillie, Woodford/Ulster

TAFI wishes the team all the best in the final.

See below for the report on the TAFI Inter-Provincial Bank Championship.

T.A.F.I. INTERPROVICIAL STILLWATER BANK FLYFISHING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Ulster Angling Council recently hosted the inaugural Irish Interprovincial Stillwater Bank Flyfishing Championship.  The event was held at Woodford Fly Fishery, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim and organised by the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland.  The reason for the championship is for the top six anglers to qualify to represent Ireland at the Home Nations Small Stillwater Bank Flyfishing Championships.  The format for the competition was total catch and release with barbless flies, any fish caught were measured and returned alive and unharmed to the lake.

Conditions on the day were not very pleasant with heavy rain and a strong breeze to greet the travelling competitors, but they weren’t to be put of with the everyone ready to go at the 11am start.  Most of the anglers had set up two rods, one with a floating line and dry flies or nymphs and the other with an intermediate sinking line with lures or blobs.

Fishing got off to a good start with more than half the competitors picking up fish in the 1^st hour.  As the day progressed the weather conditions worsened but this didn’t put the fish off as they stayed feeding within the to 60cm of water.  Top tactics on the day was blobs or minkies fished on a floating line.

The top six anglers who qualified for the Ireland Stillwater Bank Team were; 1^st and Irish Stillwater Bank Champion, Campbell Baird, Ulster, 9 fish, 7940pts,; 2^nd Darren Haggan, Ulster, 8 fish, 7160pts; 3^rd Roger Fowler, Leinster, 5 fish, 4540pts; 4^th Sean Kerwin, Leinster, 5 fish, 4500pts; 5^th Julie Gerry, Leinster, 4 fish, 3600pts; 6^th Neill Baillie, 4 fish, 3360pts.

Ulster was top province with 23,940pts, 2^nd Leinster with 15,400pts and Munster was 3^rd with 6,180pts.

A photo of the winning Ulster Team is below.

October 17, 2010 | Categories: Banks | Leave A Comment »