Just got back to some sort of normality after a terrific weekend in Ireland,the weather was not very kind with a lot of heavy rain and swirling winds.The show was very well attended especially on the Saturday,the Irish are so enthusiastic about all things relating to Angling,whether it be Flytying or casting.
They Loughs Agency Speycasting competition took place over 2 days,with qualifying on Saturday and Sunday morning and the final on Sunday afternoon.There was a healthy entry into the competitions and the judges were soaked over the 2 days as the man made pond was constantly in use over the qualifying period,it was great to see some new faces having a go with the 18 footer.The measuring was perfect and could be measured to the nearest inch,which was very important as the competition wore on,as inches were separating competitors.
Best Six Qualifiers
1st Gerard Downey 222feet 74 yards
"New World Record"2nd Gordon Armstrong 210feet 70yards
3rd Ruairi Costello 208.6feet 69.5yards
4th James Chalmers 206.8feet 68.9yards
5th Andrew Toft 199.8feet 66.6yards
6th Iain Gardner 179feet 59.6yards
The qualifiers produced some spectacular casting in very difficult conditions,with a special mention to Gerard Downey who created another milestone for us all to aim for, 74 yards is one hell of a cast well done Gerard,also a Special mention to Iain Gardner who was competing in his first 18 foot competition,well done Buckievalley in getting into the final.
Some Pictures
Gerard Downey launches a monster cast
Gordon Armstrong with a 70 yarder
Ruairi Costello in action
James Chalmers gets one away
Andrew Toft Mr Smooth (aka Squint Eastwood)
Iain Gardner Aka Buckievalley
There were many others having a competitive try for the first time and are worth a special mention,the ones I can remember are Derek Doyle,Jim Crehan,Cahill Docherty,Michael Egan and that Maynooth giant or human calculator better known as Gerard Coyle,Ger you are a superstar and must be applauded for standing in the rain for 2 days taking the mickey out of me,well done Gerard I hope you got home alright as the weather was shocking.
Sundays Final was a nailbiting affair and it was anybodies for the taking,all you were hoping for was a lucky break with the wind as you had to cast in reverse order i.e. the lowest qualifier went first.
Final Results
1st Ruairi Costello 196.7feet 65.5yards
2nd Gerard Downey 191.9feet 63.96yards
3rd Gordon Armstrong 191.7feet 63.9yards
4th James Chalmers 190.8feet 63.6yards
5th Andrew Toft 177feet 59yards
6th Iain Gardner 163feet 54.3yards
All 6 finalists were using Carron 18 foot rods and Carron 105 foot competition lines.
Ruairi Costello Receiving first prize
Gerard Downey receiving World Record Certificate
The top 3 in the World Left to right Gerard Downey,Ruairi Costello and Gordon Armstrong
Ruairi Costello with the winning Rod
I would like to thank all the Loughs Agency guys who put on a great show and stood out there in all weather,Tom Woods,Liam Duffy,Colin Chartres and Lionel Knobs and the rest of your team,will see you guys next year for an even bigger show,try and get the weather right it would be a change if it was dry and sunny ;D
The Carron boys had a great weekend at the Glenmore Rivers Lodge on the River Finn,thanks for a brilliant weekend Chris and Sim,old Squint Eastwood just loves that Pug ;D
Thanks very much to Jimmy and Gwyneth Jack from Carron who made it happen for all the guys.
As someone said in an earlier thread thats the 1st competition of the season, round one to the Irish on home soil,the Scots will be back with a vengeance at the next one,a brilliant weekend "Squint Eastwood" you are a Superstar,I wont post the pics ;D
James Chalmers