N.C.F.F.I. A.G.M. 28th Jan 2012

The N.C.F.F.I. Annual General Meeting in Prosperous, Co.Kildare.

Pictured: Mark Theedom Irish Team Manager, Noel from Carlow C.A.C., Fint Brennan Irish Team, Tommy Lawton Fermoy and Munster

I have been elected as an executive committee member within the
National Coarse Fishing Federation (N.C.F.F.I.) the nationally
recognised governing body for coarse anglers in Ireland. I was elected at
the A.G.M. in Prosperous on Sat 28th Jan 2012 for the position of officer
I also have a seat on the Public Relations Sub-committee. I look forward to working with the whole committee and help make the country a better place for all anglers.

Most of the new N.C.F.F.I. Exec. committee

Front left: Shane Kavanagh, Jack Tisdale, Seanie Ward, Me, Fint Brennan, Tommy Lawton.

Rear left. Vincent Walsh, Der Casey, Mark Theedom, John Connolly, Pat Dalton

Carlow cac knockup on the Barrow 22nd Jan 2012

We headed down to the Graveyard stretch of the Barrow in Carlow town yesterday for a knock up/match on the stretch that is to be used in April for the first of the Irish Team Qualifiers which will see anglers eventually being picked for the World Cup/Celtic Cup and Feeder Teams in 2013. The wind was a howling but at least the rain kept at bay for the day allowing us to enjoy the days fishing at hand.

Presenting Mr Bob Hulme with his prize money

I started of the session setting up the Pole which I didn't get to use, a small bomb rod, feeder rod and my oul favoured stick float. After an hour on the stick it was fast becoming evident that the fish just were not on the feed or due to the wind the bait just wasn't being presented properly so I switched to the feeder. Almost immediately the tip swung and signalled the fast and furious feeding of a wee Dace well a fish is a fish and I was glad to have at least one in the net, I eventually finished in fifth place with 5Lb 13oz of wee bits and pieces. Bob won the match with 16Lb 6oz all taken on a six meter Bolo rod and Tadas was second using the feeder rod all day beating Danny Murphy by one ounce at 8Lb 12oz.

Below: Tadas with his bag for 2nd place

A good day was had by all in attendance and nobody blanked as they say. I was glad to hear last night that 100Lb plus bags of Roach etc. were indeed caught all over the country yesterday from the river Barrow, Lower Bann and Irish Junior Team manager Gavin reported a ton bag from a lake that isn't a commercial fishery.

Weighing in time

Roach fishing yesterday Friday 13th Jan 2012

Myself and Neville decided to target the Roach on the Barrow system again and were not disappointed as we got a good few. The numbers were not there in mass as they were on the previous Sunday however we still had a good day out and Declan from the Athy Anglers joined us for a chat.

We arrived at our destination around 10.45 and were delighted to see that the bank was not occupied by other anglers. The foggy mist was fairly thick and the night before was freezing litterly, I set up my stick float, plummed the depth minus the 3 foot of water that was there on Sunday. I was into Roach straight away and thought to myself here we go another cracker day on the system. It went quiet after an hour or so and it soon became evident why! A great big Pike rose to the surface and swirled right in front of me and Declan (if ye were after them they wouldn't be around).

Time for the lunch

We decided to stop fishing around 1.00pm and have the oul cuppa cha and a wee bit to eat and a chat. Anthony joined us for a while for a chat then we went back at it. My swim was dead alright and Nev started to get into some quality sized Roach, Nev also landed a fine Perch probably about 1 1/2 Lb. I packed up early and chatted to Nev and Declan for the remainder of the session.

My end result about 12Lb Roach

Neville with his catch of around 20Lb Roach

Irish Angling Expo next month

http://www.irelandscoarsefishing.com/phpbb3/general-fishing-news/2012-irish-angling-expo-t3182.html

I have been invited to go on the stand with the crew from

 Irelands Coarse Fishing
Below is a statement I took from the I.C.F. Web-Site

Once again the Irish Angling Expo is upon us, and this year as im sure you are all aware, John Wilson and Julian Chidgey will be headlining the show from a coarse angling perspective.



That being said It's with great pleasure, (and some what contained excitement) that i can now officially announce that Ireland's Coarse Fishing in conjunction with Anglers Paradise will be hosting a stand at the Expo.

Sure that's probably exciting enough as is right ??

But there's more

In light of John Wilson attending the show, and Anglers paradise retailing John's rod line ( Rovex ), John will be based on the stand with both parties during the two day event, Members of the public can meet john where he will be signing copies of his new book.
John will also be demoing some of his rod's in the casting pool during both days

Were also incredibly pleased to announce that Gerry Mcstraw of Carlow CAC will also be joining us on the stand during both days.

So please come on up to swords on the 11/12th of February and say hi to us all ..

... is that it .... maybe not ... stay tuned for more news ..

---

Back breaking Roach fishing Sun 8th Jan 2012

Myself, Mr Noel Jenkins and Mr Paul Mc Laughlin decided to have a wee go at the Barrow Roach yesterday and we certainly were not disappointed. The river Barrow was absolutely tugging through so we fished a canal on the Barrow system.

My Haul yesterday

I managed to catch 52Lb of silver fish mainly good quality sized Roach, One Dace a Perch to 2Lb and several good sized Hybrids. Noel Jenkins managed his best ever bag from the Barrow weighing in at 26Lb and Paul mcLaughlin almost touched 70Lb weighing in a staggering 69Lb.

Noel and his catch

I can truly be said that we experienced it as good as it gets on the river Barrow system.

Paul mcLaughlin with his catch