News

Storm Kathleen fails to deter crowds as thousands flock to North West Angling Fair

9 April 2024

Thousands of people flocked to the Melvin Sports Complex and the banks of the Mourne River in Strabane at the weekend for the 2024 North West Angling Fair.

The event, hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Loughs Agency, featured a wide range of casting demonstrations, expert talks, art and trade stands and family activities.

A number of Saturday’s casting sessions on the Mourne River were moved to the pitches due to the inclement wind from Storm Katherine but they all went ahead as planned when conditions settled on Sunday.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, visited the Melvin on Saturday where she spoke with traders and demonstrators and had a go at casting for herself.

“It was great to have some of Ireland and the UK’s top fly dressers, casters and angling specialists in town for this event which goes from strength to strength each year,” she said.

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak to the anglers and to see the casters and fly dressers exhibiting their craft.

“All levels of angler from experienced to first timers were catered for and I hope it inspired those who were trying the sport for the first time to consider taking it up.

“Our region is blessed with some of the best angling rivers in the world and the Angling Fair helps to put us on the international map as a fishing destination.”

Casting demonstrations at the fair were hosted by Scott Mackenzie, Andrew Toft, Tom Brown, Michael O’Kane, Robert Gillespie, Connor Arnold, Lucinda Ewin, Steve Peterson, Mark Patterson and Stevie Munn.

Specialist speakers over the weekend included Ken Whelan and Scott Mac Kenzie while a wide range of fly tyers demonstrated their art and the trade stands in the Melvin’s Main Hall featured a number of new exhibitors and retailers.

You can access the full programme online at derrystrabane.com/anglingfair.