Warren Doyle of EFSA reports on the 30th Irish Winter Shore Festival…
The 30th running of the event took place from January 25th to 27th on the beaches of South East Wexford. Tronixpro were the main sponsors for the 5th time this year.
Competitors had been arriving at the HQ, The Upton Court Hotel in Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford from the weekend. Wednesday evening saw the majority of the overseas competitors arrive and the banter and craic was well underway in anticipation of the check-in next morning.
This year we had representation from England, Scotland, Germany, Wales, Lithuania and Ireland.
The check-in queue was in place in ample time for the 8.45am start. All went smoothly and the 105 anglers headed off to the opening venue at Ballinoulart.
Clear weather…
The weather was kind despite the forecast, not so the fishing. As the day progressed it became apparent that there were going to be blanks. Fish came and went in flurries. Prolonged periods went by without even an undersize fish being recorded. This was a most disappointing result from a venue that has thrown up cards of 40 plus fish in the past.
Zone Winners: Ben Arnold (22 fish), Alan Mulcahy (20 fish), Harry McKee (11 fish), Dave Hutchinson (11 fish). All receiving Oceanik FS Reels.
Longest Fishes: Round – Ben Arnold, 34cm Smoothound. Flat – Stewart Dewhurst & Brendan Wall with 30cm Flounders.
Best Lady was Jane Cantwell taking a zone 4th for 16th place.
Pairs: Simon Dawber & David Hutchinson.
4 Man Team: Seàn Carley, Joe Carley, Paul Whelan, Des Farrelly.
Day 2 saw the zones split between Clones Strand (3) and Dodds Rocks (1).
Glorious weather greeted the anglers and expectations were high for an improved catch over day 1. The session started very well with almost all competitors scoring on their first cast and quite a few powering ahead to 7 and 8 fish in the first hour. The fish took a siesta in the middle of the session but came on the feed again towards the end.
More glorious weather for the sunny south east…
Zone Winners: Tony Royall (24 fish), Simon Dawber (23 fish), Paul Whelan (18 fish), Ruairi Coleman (13 fish). All receiving Oceanik FS Reels.
Longest Fishes: Round – Lar Mooney, 39cm Whiting. Flat – Seàn Murray, 43cm Flounder.
Best Lady was Ann Whitty (12 fish).
Pairs after 2 sessions: Simon Dawber, David Hutchinson.
4 Man after 2 sessions: Harry McKee, Alan Mulcahy, Paul Coady, Cliff Gallogley.
Paul Whelan was now in top spot ahead of Ben Arnold and Simon Dawber.
Day 3 had the competitors on Ballinoulart Strand with the zones equally split left and right of the main entrance
The session started in bright fine weather which continued throughout the day albeit with a sharp wind developing later on.
Most anglers will remember the day for the numbers of undersize fish that turned up with many recording several trebles without a counter.
Zone Winners: Richard Yates (28 fish), Gordon Thornes (16 fish), Phil Simpson (14 fish), Leigh Rodgers (13 fish). All receiving Oceanik FS Reels.
Longest Fishes: Round – David Hutchinson, 44cm Coalie. Flat – Daniel Crump, 36cm Flounder.
Best Lady was Ann Whitty (9 fish). Ann was also best lady overall receiving an Oceanik FS Reel.
Pairs after 3 sessions: Simon Dawber & David Hutchinson. Virtuoso XT Reels.
4 Man after 3 sessions: Ken Forsyth, Ian Knight, Paul Tyndall, Stephen Glynn. TronixPro Beach Brolly each.
Individual after 3 sessions:
- Richard Yates 77 points (1660cm) Naga Rod.
- Paul Whelan 77 points (1006cm) Cobra Light 4.5 Rod
- Ben Arnold 76 points (1276cm) Cobra Light 4.2 Rod
- Alan Mulcahy 74 points (1160cm) Envoy Beach 4-8oz Rod
- Ken Forsyth 72 points (926cm) Envoy Beach 4-7oz Rod
Congratulations to Richard Yates on a great day 3 performance to take the title for 2018. Richard now has a full set of Waterford Glass ,1st, 2nd & 3rd.
Commiserations to Paul Whelan who almost made it 2 in a row. A big well done to Paul Arnold in 3rd place who showed great maturity to take the honours on day 1.
Best fishes of the festival were: Flat – Seàn Murray, 36cm Flounder. Round – David Hutchinson, 44cm Coalfish, both receiving Oceanik FS reels. David also took the prize for best fish of the event & received a Viper Rod.
The presentation of prizes took place at The Upton Court Hotel after the excellent dinner prepared and served by the very able hotel staff. As usual the bar was then the venue for the evenings entertainment where everyone in attendance enjoyed the night.
The organisers wish to thank our main sponsors TronixPro who have been instrumental in bringing the event up to it’s current prestigious status.
Our other sponsors were: Viking Tackle, Bray. Swords Angling Centre. Wexford County Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland and The Upton Court Hotel. All very deserving of our sincere thanks.
A special thank you to Deirdre O’Brien (Waterford Angling) who looks after the Waterford Glass for us.
We hope to see many returning anglers next year. The dates are 24th to 26th of January 2019.
This post is in: East coast, Sea angling reports, Wexford
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