Westmeath hosts Four Nations International Ladies Flyfishing Championships

Lough Lene fishing well ahead of international

It’s a discipline that combines skill with patience, a sport that has grown considerably in the last number of decades shedding the image of dusty old men in tweed.

Fly fishing may not be the most popular of fishing pursuits, but it’s one that hooks those with the time to practice the skilful arts necessary to be a successful exponent.

Women make up a huge part of the surge in popularity for the endeavour, at an estimated 31% of all those casting the leisurely lines.

This year Westmeath hosts the Four Nations International Ladies Flyfishing Championships, and Westmeath woman Julie Gerry is reprising her role as Ireland team captain.

Next week Lough Lene will see an influx of female fisher folk as the lake hosts three of the four nations fishing teams for the annual event. The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Team for 2025 consists of 12 team members and two reserves.

The ILFA is the Irish national body for ladies fly fishing in Ireland. Its aim is to encourage lady anglers to participate in fishing events, to join the various fishing clubs and activities, and in general to promote ladies angling.

Next week the participants will gather their hand tied Pheasant Tail Nymph, custom constructed Wooly Bugger or off-the-shelf Hare’s Ear to cast out for the title of top fly fishing nation.

“Unfortunately we’ve only got three countries participating this year. Wales couldn’t field a team, so it’s England, Scotland and Ireland,” Julie says.

“The competition is all ladies, 18 years and over, and we’re fishing the competition on Lough Lene. The match day is Thursday May 22, but the teams will be fishing from Monday, with practice day also on Tuesday and Wednesday,” the Ireland captain said.

This sport fishing is sympathetic to the prey. “The lake has been fishing very well. We’re hopeful there’ll be a good few fish caught, and all the fish are released. Nobody kills fish.

“We use barbless hooks, and as soon as the boatmen measure the fish, they’re released back into the lake unharmed.”

Julie says the good weather of the last few weeks has not been ideal. “It’s a bit too bright, well, a lot too bright.

“We prefer it a little bit overcast, with a nice breeze.

The fish don’t have eyelids, so they can’t squint against the sun.”

Wales, who failed to field a team this year, were last year’s winner, so 2025 will see a new team taking the crown. “We’re hoping it’s going to be Ireland. The Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association is quite strong. We’ve got about 20 members at the moment, unfortunately there’s very few young girls coming through the youth section, but we’re hoping that a few more youngsters or even women come to us and want to fish.”

The Ireland team captain is hopeful that the public will come along to see the event and said the opening ceremony will be of particular interest. “There’ll be a march down to the boats, we will be accompanied by a piper.

It’s a nice thing to watch.”

The Four Nations International Ladies Flyfishing Championships at Lough Lenecommences on Monday, May 19, and the competition is the Thursday.