Andrew stays up all night to land winning bag

Anglers who took part in the all-night competition at Islandderry Fishery, Dromore.

The competition saw a great turn out with lots of trout getting caught throughout the night, with a good number of fish weighing from 4lb to 7lb being hooked.

The competition was dedicated to the memory of local angler and regular night competition competitor Frank Gibson who unfortunately passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 84. Frank’s grandson David Smiley, Dromore was the first angler to hook into a nice 4lb10 fish caught from the bank on a Gibson special, followed closely by boat angler Paul Harrison, Lurgan who had his three fish bagged up before 11pm which was made up of fish weighing 4lb9, 4lb2 and 3lb5, all caught on size 18 dry during the rise. This gave Paul a three fish bag of 12lb and fourth place.

Bank angler Gabriel Cassidy, Downpatrick landed a lovely 5lb trout during the rise followed by a 4lb7 trout caught after the BBQ during the early hours of the morning. Gabriel was fishing a crisp packet buzzer and his total three fish bag weighed in at 12lb9 giving him third place.

Second place went to Belfast angler Paddy Brunty who was fishing olive drys and the old faithful orange blob to give him a bag weight of 13lb which included a fish of 6lb13 which was caught at first light.

The winner of the competiton was Portadown angler Andrew Millen, who got off to a poor start, losing a cracker fish early on and was a bit down hearted.

After the barbecue and getting a bit of kip Andrew went out at fist light determined to have a better go. This determination paid off as, after changing to a slow sinker line with a 18-foot leader with a tequila blob and his own cats whicker pattern, Andrew started to have a lot of success!

Covering rising fish and stripping his line caused the fish to turn and chase his flies, hitting them fast and hard like torpedoes. Andrew took first place with a three fish bag weight of 15lb9 which was made up of a 5lb5, 7lb5 and a 2lb15 trout, all caught in the last two hours of the competition.

A great night was had, so much so that due to popular demand another all-night competition and barbecue is being run on Saturday August 17. For more information contact the fishery on 07859074424, www.islandderryfisheryandtackle.co.uk or via Facebook.