Ireland Angling 2013 Expo – Interest in Angling is alive and well

A great weekend in Swords at the Ireland Angling 2013 expo. Plenty of people around and great interest in the various talks and demonstrations. From what I could see many stands including Cleeres Angling Centre and Southside Angling were all doing brisk business which is always good to see. On Saturday the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd called in to launch the first Anglers Disinfectant pack which is brainchild of IFI Invasive Species team under Joe Caffrey.

The Dublin Angling Initiative stand was probably the busiest all weekend with huge interest from the kids. Nice to see John Quinlan from Waterville giving a dig out. Great credit to Des Chew and Josie Mahon for their efforts on this worthwhile cause. http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Education-Outreach/dai.html

The organisers did a super job getting a number of well known anglers and angling personalities involved. As MC, International Fly Casting champion Hywel Morgan kept the show moving along nicely and with many demonstrations in the casting pool including Hardy & Greys Tom Doc and one of Ireland’s best known anglers Peter O’Reilly. There were many lively talks and presentations during the 2 days and Chris McCully one on sea-trout in the Dublin area in particularly caught my attention. Good luck with the launch of the book.

I got a chance on Sunday to talk to well know travel photographer and host of Discovery Channel’s ‘Wild Fishing’ Henry Gilbey. What an enthusiastic guy he is. He is in love with fishing in Ireland at the moment especially the bass. Check out his blog for his views on the show and fishing in Ireland. http://www.henry-gilbey.com/blog.

The Anglers View Media stand was very busy with keen interest in our films and DVD’s. But I did get a chance to meet a lot of local anglers and it was  great opportunity to catch up. Great to see Denis Butler and Peter Kingston still getting out and about. And with some success too. Well know fly tier Brian Healy and Waterville Anglers Development Association Rod Robinson also dropped by the stand. Waterville ghillie Michael O’Sullivan also dropped in on Saturday.

Mara Media the organisers of the Ireland Angling 2013 are to be commended on a great effort over the 2 days. Already looking forward to next years show. I am planning to be at UK’s CLA Game Fair in July. I am sure it will be a lot bigger but will be hard to beat the great atmosphere of last weekend. rj [slideshow gallery_id=”4″]

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