John Buckley wins top prize at Annamore Media Flyfishing Competition
Press Release 11th April 2011
JOHN BUCKLEY WINS TOP PRIZE AT ANNAMOE MEDIA FLYFISHING COMPETITION
A media fly fishing competition took place on Friday, 8th April at Annamoe Fishery, Annamoe, Co. Wicklow. Organised by Annamoe Fishery and Inland Fisheries Ireland the event now in its seventh year at Annamoe, is still proving extremely popular in attracting the top angling media from Ireland and the UK.
10 anglers from a variety of broadcast and print media took part in the competition on the scenic fly fishing lake in Annamoe Fishery. Competitors included John Buckley from Total Fly Fishing, David Dinsmore from Irish Angler, Paddy O’Flaherty from BBC Radio Ulster and Derek Evans from the Irish Times to name but a few.
The day was a glorious sunny one with temperatures rising to 20 degrees. The fishery was split into four zones and the competition was based on each angler fishing an hour in each zone. The morning session proved very productive with many fish caught. Catch and release applied, the winning score based on the cumulative length of Trout caught. John Buckley from Total Fly Fishing was the first to strike gold with a great fighting rainbow which was followed by many more. Following a delicious barbeque lunch provided by Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout fishery, competitors returned to the fishery. Very bright sunny conditions continued throughout the day making the fish difficult to tempt! However, John’s fighting form continued as he caught and released 14 fish in total which landed him the first prize! In total 36 hard fighting rainbow trout were caught, recorded and released during the competition.
Photo: John Buckley (middle) is presented first prize by Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO IFI, and Brian Nally, Annamoe Trout Fishery.
The prizegiving ceremony took place in the Glendalough Hotel and Dr. Ciaran Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of Inland Fisheries Ireland presented the prizes. John Buckley from Total Fly Fishing magazine won the competition and was presented with Waterford Crystal trophies sponsored by Failte Ireland. He also won the tagged fish prize which was a weekend away to the Glendalough Hotel! Second place went to Fergal Keane from RTE, with Martin Mannion from Mara Media coming third.David Dinsmore from Irish Angler magazine won the longest fish at 45cm, winning a Waterford Crystal trophy from Failte Ireland.
Ciaran Byrne thanked all involved: ‘I would like to congratulate all participants here today and to thank the media for their support and valuable contribution in the past, particularly in the first year of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I congratulate all involved in making this event a tremendous success and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future’.
Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery thanked all the sponsors including Inland Fisheries Ireland, Failte Ireland, John Buckley and Michael Drynan from Emerger Tackle, Courtown Angling Centre, Derek Evans and the Glendalough Hotel. He thanked all participants for a tremendous event and welcomed them to return to the fishery.
...ENDS...
Media enquiries
Josie Mahon, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202, email: josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie
Website: www.fishinginireland.info
Notes to Editor
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.
