International anglers at Tommy Giblin event

Anglers from Ireland, England and France, some internationally known, will throw fly lines on Lough Derg on Sunday in the annual competition that perpetuates the memory of the late Tommie Giblin from nearby Aughrim.

Leading the Irish challenge are noted fly tier Patsy Deerey from Cavan; Pat Foley from Monaghan and Richard McDermott from Longford, who won the world fly-fishing title on Lough Mask a couple of years ago. To boot, Richard also displayed his versatility as a fisherman as he is a former holder of the European pike-fishing title.
English angler David Malpass, a four-times world fly-fishing champion, will try his luck, as will a number of French anglers who over the years have built up contacts with the Giblin family and are regulars to the area on angling trips.
Another visiting angler on Sunday is Russell Weston, editor of a Trout & Salmon magazine.
This year, the Giblin family and the Scariff-Whitegate-Mountshannon Angling Club are pushing out the boat, so to speak, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tommie’s death.
Tommie was a staunch activist within the club and a leading campaigner in the rehabilitation of Lough Derg as a brown trout reservoir and, thanks to his efforts and those of other anglers, the lake is slowly but surely recovering its lure for fishermen. Proceeds from the event will help with the further rehabilitation of the rivers and streams feeding into the lake.
A marquee will be erected at Ducey’s Pier and on the eve of the competition East Clare Tourism will host marquee dancing and monies raised will go towards the promotion and marketing of East Clare as a holiday destination both at home and abroad.
Dancing will start at 10pm and music will be provided by Brendan Hearty Band and Andrew McNamara.
On Sunday morning, the tent will be transformed into a place of worship as Scariff parish priest Fr Pat Sexton will celebrate mass at 10am. This service will include the traditional blessing of the boats.
Fishing is from 11am to 6pm, with the weigh-in at Ducey’s, where the presentation of prizes will also take place.
There will also be a fishing competition on the Scariff River for juveniles, boys and girls and they will be supervised by adults.
In the lead-up to the presentation of prizes, there will be family entertainment in the marquee. This will feature performances from Johnny Carroll on trumpet and sean-nos dancing from a group of dancers from Connemara.
Entries can be given to Pádraig Giblin (086-2520663); Eamon Giblin (087-2619431); Michael Waterstone (061-921328) and John Collins (061-927025). Entries will also be taken on the morning and anglers can fish with whom they please.
Anglers are reminded that it is compulsory to wear appropriate life jackets and fishing is confined to wet and dry fly. A 14” size limit also applies.