Westport’s and Ireland’s largest established Sea Angling Festival took place on Clew Bay from June 21st to June 25th 2017.
Over 45 anglers participated in the 3 day Boat Angling event with 5 boats going to sea each day. Weather conditions were poor on both Friday and Saturday with an improvement on Sunday.
Fishing was excellent with 7 species being recorded in the inner bay which included Dogfish, Bullhuss, Ray, Conger, Pollack, 3-bearded Rockling and Tub Gurnard.
The event kicked off on Wednesday June 21st with the Shore Competition, fished off Carrowniskey Beach with 8 anglers participating. 12 fish were recorded including Weever fish, Turbot and Flounder. Weather conditions were very good and Newport angler Sean Keane emerged the winner with Paul Ruddy Westport in second place.
As always we greatly appreciate the support we get from our overseas anglers who continue to promote our event and encourage new anglers to travel to participate. We also appreciate the support we receive from our regular local anglers. We aim to ensure that this wonderful event will continue into the future and look forward to welcoming old and new friends again in 2018.
Our boat skippers and crew are also to be commended for their effort, guidance and friendship they show to both anglers and organisers. Without your loyalty our event would be non-existent and we are truly grateful to have such wonderful skippers on our doorstep.
We sincerely thank Harry and Deirdre Hughes, Portwest who have shown us huge support over the past number of years, Jack Dylan Jewellers, The Harbour Mill Apartments, Kevin Joyce, The Quays Pub, Hotel Westport and Cllr. Brendan Mulroy for their continued support.
The results of the 61st competition are:
| Shore Competition | 1st – Sean Keane, Newport 2nd – Paul Ruddy, Westport | |
| Overall Champion (over 3 days) | 1st – Darragh Connolly, Westport 2nd – David Ferson, Westport 3rd – Colin Loftus, Mulranny |  |
| Overseas Champion (over 3 days) | 1st – Steve Andrews, Wales 2nd – Tony Clissett, England 3rd – Gary Jones, Wales |  |
| Ladies Champion | 1st - Irene Walsh, Westport |  |
| Junior Champion | 1st – Oisin Gannon, Westport 2nd – David Loftus, Mulranny 3rd – Brian Gannon, Westport | |
| Under 25 Champion | 1st- Conor Tiernan, Louisburgh 2nd- Thomas Kelly, Westport 3rd - Kale Thomas, Wales |  |
| Team of Four Champions | 1st – Wales, Gary Jones, Gwynie Andrews, Steve Andrews, Frank Carr 2nd – Ireland, David Ferson, Padraic Ketterick, Richie Cryan, Colin Loftus 3rd – England, Tommy Dunn, Richard Lowe, Allan Suddick, Tony Clisset |  |
| Team of Two (over 3 days) | 1st – Damien Gannon, Westport & Allan Williams, Wales 2nd – Atr Beechy, Wales & Tony Sykes, England 3rd – Jim Pressley, England & Andy Pamley, England Steve Wilson, Scotland & C.V. McCarthy, England |  |
| Daily Prizes: Friday | 1st – Gary Jones, Wales 2nd – David Ferson, Westport 3rd – Tommy Dunn, England / Padraig Ketterick, Westport | |
| Daily Prizes: Saturday | 1st – Colin Loftus, Westport 2nd – Irene Walsh, Westport 3rd – Steve Andrews, Wales | |
| Daily Prizes: Sunday | 1st – Darragh Connolly, Westport 2nd – Ian Moore, England 3rd – Steve Andrews, Wales | |
| Individual Fish Awards: | Huss – Ian Moore, England Ray – Tom Moran, Westport Conger - Arthur Brownbridge, England Tub Gurnard – Darragh Connolly, Westport 3 Bearded Rockling – Frank Carr, England Sea Trout - Gary Jones, Wales Special Award - John Flynn |  |
| John Foy Memorial Award | Gerard Kennedy, Westport. |  |
| Champion Boatman | Joe Gibbons - ‘Finnaun’ |  |
