Blackwater fly-fisher hooks up with Irish team

A LOCAL woman has literally hooked up with the Irish team to participate in a prestigious international competition in Kerry next month.

Carmel Sheridan from Blackwater, Ardnacrusha has qualified to represent Ireland on the 2013 Irish Ladies Fly-Fishing team.

This is her first appearance on the Irish team and the event will take place in Lough Caragh, near Kilorglin from June 10–13.

After attending a fundraiser fly-fishing event, she decided to take up the sport. A member of the Bleach Lough Anglers in Limerick, Carmel said she is really excited at the prospect of being involved with this competition.

The 2013 team will be captained by Julie Gerry from Maynooth, County Kildare, who has also achieved the position of international president.

Carmel will be joined on the team by another talented Clare fly-fisher, Hazel O’Gorman from Quin, her second appearance on the Irish team.

Her first international was at the Lake of Menteith, Scotland in 2012 after she started fly-fishing three years ago. Her favourite place to fish is Dromoland Castle Lake, where she gets plenty of “long style” casting practice, from a drifting boat.

Her best catch was 11 wild brown trout in Lough Caragh in 2012. She has qualified as vice captain for the 2013 team and also holds the position as PRO.

Ireland has the opportunity to host this important championship every four years and the venue offered has always been a wild brown trout fishery.

The Irish team will be joined by teams from England, Wales and Scotland.

Julie Gerry, chairwoman of the ILFA, said this is a very special year for the organisation as the host nation.

They hope to be able to show off one of the most spectacular angling venues in Ireland to an international audience.

“Wild brown trout venues are not as common in the rest of the British Isles, so it will be a great treat for the visiting teams to be fishing such a spectacular venue.

“Ireland has wonderful venues but Lough Caragh is very special and I know that our visitors will be impressed.

“All our events on Lough Caragh are being organised in conjunction with Mike O’Shea who is the Lough Caragh fishing manager and we are very grateful for the advice and support of all the local boatmen,” she said.