Woodford Fly Fishery
Airflo Classic

Woodford Fly Fishery, Carrickfergus hosted the Irish Heat of the Airflo Classic Bank Fishing Championship’s on Friday 1st August, this is the 1st time that a heat has been run in Ireland.
The competition had 20 individual’s and 5 three man teams competing for the chance to progress to the grand finals at Elinor Trout Fishery, Northants, on the 11th and 12th October.
The competition was fished to a 10 fish bag, weigh-in the 1st fish and catch and release a further 9 fish for a 2lb per fish allowance. The top 7 individuals and the top 2 teams would qualify for the finals.
Conditions on Friday could not of been worse with a thunder storm passing over head as the anglers were tackling up, and a strong westerly wind and heavy rain showers during the competition, making the lower peg numbers very hard to fish.
Dollingstown angler Davy McBurney got of to a good start netting a 7lb14oz rainbow trout on his 1st peg and releasing another 3 trout from his 2nd peg all caught on blobs fished on a floating line. Belfast man Geordie Hall also had a good 1st fish tipping the scales at 4lb7oz. Both men opted to have these fish weighed and returned to the lake.
As the night progressed conditions worsened as the wind increased putting a stop to any hopes of a good evening rise.
Woodford regular Campbell Baird put his local knowledge to the test and caught 7 fish on dry flies, from his last peg, as did young Eden lad Darren Haggan who caught 5 fish from his last peg. Lurgan angler Tom King caught 4 fish from his last peg, battling into the wind to take the fish on small lures fished on an intermediate line.
At the weigh-in top individual spot went to Campbell Baird, with 8 fish for 14lb11oz, 2nd place was Darren Haggan, with 6 fish for 11lb, and 3rd was Tom King with 5 fish for 9lb8oz.
Campbell’s team Woodford Greys Ireland took top spot with 17 fish and in 2nd was Ray McKeeman’s team, Woodford RAGs, and 3rd was Darren Wallace’s team Woodford.
The Individual Qualifiers: 1st Campbell Baird, 2nd Darren Haggan, 3rd Tom King, 4th Davy McBurney heaviest fish 7lb14oz, 5th Brendan Baine, 6th Andrew Millen, 7th Ross Hill.
The Team Qualifiers: 1st Team Woodford Greys Ireland, 2nd Team Woodford RAGs.
Everyone at Woodford Fly would like to wish all the qualifiers tight-lines at the final on Elinor in October.

well done to Campbell on his win, looks like he is on a roll at the moment !! well done to all the woodford lads on a superb result,good luck in the final's..colin