New World speycasting record at Loughs Agency Angling Fair
THE world record in fly-fishing speycasting was broken at the Loughs Agency Angling Fair in Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, on Sunday, April 18 by Irishman Gerard Downey from Foxford, Co Mayo.
Downey achieved the massive 222.4ft cast on a special purpose-built casting pool constructed for the competition, breaking his existing record and winning him the first prize of 1,000.
The fair attracted almost 5,000 visitors over the weekend, including entrants little Alex Thompson from Claudy and Limavady fly tying expert Robert Mehaffey, and had a wide range of angling demonstrations, competitions and events for all ages. Unfortunately many of the overseas personalities from countries including USA, Germany, and Holland were unable to attend due to the grounding of planes as a result of the volcanic dust cloud.
Nevertheless, those who attended it deemed the event, held on the banks of the River Strule a great success.