Tom Hipwell takes the honours!

Tom Hipwell is DTAA Angler of the year receiving the honours at last night’s AGM in the Spa Hotel. A tremendous season of angling in 2022 and an outstanding performance from Tom was rightly rewarded with the top accolade from the Association. In addition, to his top rod status, Tom also managed to run the busy competition season as DTAA Competition Secretary.

Fran Nugent won the LM Byrne Cup, the Anna Livia and the McCarron Cup. Fran also won the Martin Donohoe Cup for the heaviest trout in 2022 (5.8lbs in the LM Byrne on Lene). Fran has been an exceptional angler and will be captaining the Irish team at the internationals this year with three additional DTAA anglers also representing Ireland.

DTAA President Gerry Heaslip took the trophies for the Elvery Cup and the Ryder Cup. Competition Secretary Tom Hipwell took the Dave Ring Cup which is awarded to the member scoring the most aggregate points in Association fly fishing competitions in 2022.

Chris Meadows won the Pasker Cup while Juvenile member JP Johnson took the Bob Allen cup based on competition results and overall contribution to the association.

The Ronnie Miley trophy was awarded to Padraig Traynor (Conn & Culin) who was the best overall angler at the Crossmolina Weekend in 2022.

Great day in Annamoe Fishery

Great day in Annamoe Fishery yesterday with 16 Anglers fishing our annual Christmas competition.
A big thank you to Brian who had the tea and coffee ready on our arrival, Cathal Mc Donnell took 1st place 2nd Gerry Heaslip and 3rd Dermot Flynn, a very enjoyable day had by all , thank you all for coming along and making it a great day hope to see everyone soon

We had two winners of the longest fish of the day Tom Smith and Justin Clarke both had fish of 55cm and they received a voucher each donated by Brian from the Fishery


Kind Regards Gerry

McCarron Cup 2022 results

Full report to follow

The 2022 McCarron cup returned to Lough Owel after a 2 year hiatus due to the global pandemic which now seems, thankfully and hopefully, like a distant memory. This is the final of 6 DTAA competitions in the angling calendar and is much anticipated by all who take part. We had 24 anglers out on Saturday 24th September and one juvenile, JP.

Conditions were excellent. A light breeze which stiffened up later in the afternoon made casting a little easier for those of us who were stripping wets all day. Light ripples in the sheltered areas around the neck and Brabazon’s gave way to bigger waves as you moved out into the open lake and even white tops later in the afternoon down past Dolan’s and into Srudarra.

16 of the 24 competitors weighed in 23 fish that measured with more returned to the lake.

This years winner was Fran Nugent who was heard saying as he pulled up his boat before the weigh in that 2 fish for four and a half pound or five would do it! Fran’s two fish weighed 5.11 lbs and that was more than enough to win the day safely ahead of Irish International Eoin Dunne who weighed in his two fish for 4.72 lbs. Third place went to DTAA competition secretary Tom Hipwell who has done well enough over the season to be crowned DTAA Angler of the Year 2022, congrats Tom, well deserved.

Full results are in the table below.


Thanks to Tom and the team for organising this season’s competitions and for all those anglers who took part. Ireland Cap and DTAA member Paul ‘Diller’ Delaney was unable to join us for the McCarron because he had already left for Wales to represent Ireland later this week. We all wish Paul and Ireland the best of luck: Tight Lines Lads!

McCarron Cup 2022

As we head into the final competition of the DTAA calendar, it is clear that this event is much bigger than any single competition. It is all to play for among the top three: Competition secretary, angler extraordinaire and fly tying master Tom ‘Hipster’ Hipwell is in pole position on 39 points. Snapping at Hipwell’s heels we have Irish cap John ‘Top Rod’ O’Neill on 36 points. With just 3 points in it, John would need a 4 point edge on Hipwell at the McCarron Cup this Saturday to take the coveted DTAA Angler of the Year Trophy and the eternal respect of all members.

In 3rd place on the Leaderboard and just 3 points behind O’Neill we have DTAA President, also capped for Ireland, Gerry ‘Gentleman’ Heaslip. Gerry is known for coming back from a day’s fishing on Owel with 10 or more fish and he might need that form this weekend to beat both O’Neill and Hipwell into top spot. The route to victory is challenging but doable. If Heaslip can muster a 7 point edge on Hipwell then he takes the cup. This could happen in a number of ways. Heaslip could take top spot and Hipwell could blank or come 8th or worse on the day and with 24 anglers expected to field this Saturday this is a possibility. But Heaslip would also need O’Neill to place 5th or worse. The odds are against this and the bookies favourite for the McCarron and for DTAA Angler of the Year must be Tom.

Wishing all anglers a safe, productive and enjoyable day out this weekend. Tight lines all.

Ryder Cup 2022 report

Congratulations to Gerry Heaslip for winning the Ryder Cup today on Bohernabreena Resevoirs. It was tough fishing conditions with 5 anglers catching fish. Tom Hipwell was 2nd and John O‘Neill was 3rd.

All to play for heading to the last competition of the year the McCarron cup in 24th September.