A big number of local anglers headed off to Garrison, Co Fermanagh to fish in the Lough Melvin Open Trout Angling Championships 2018 during the August Bank Holiday weekend. This is Ulster’s most prestigious trout fly fishing competition attracting over 300 of the top competition anglers from throughout the island of Ireland and beyond. The first heat was fished on Thursday 23 August and the conditions were very challenging with a strong gusty wind. The top local angler in this heat was Stephen McSharry, Gilford / Coburns with 3 good fish. Stephen was the top angler in the heat and he qualified for the final along with his boat partner in 2nd place. Local anglers Geoff Hylands, the World Cup winner 2017, and Richard Jamison also qualified for the final from this heat courtesy of their boat partners. Local juvenile angler Patrick Curran made his debut in this heat of the competition fishing alongside his father Joe. Although Patrick didn’t catch he put up a few fish and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Local angler Ned Shannon fished in the second heat on Friday 24 August and he had a brace of nice fish. Ned and his boat partner were 2nd in this heat and they qualified for the final. In the final on Sunday 26 August Geoff Hylands and his boat partner enjoyed fantastic fishing. They caught four great fish each and this gave them 3rd place in a very tough final. This is another great result for Geoff coming on the back of winning the World Cup and it further enhances his reputation as one of the country’s top competition fly fishers. Geoff and Stephen McSharry enjoyed their success fishing a cast of flies tied especially for this competition by local angler and renowned fly tyer Joe Curran. Congratulations to Geoff, Ned and Stephen on their success.