I’m just back from working in Westport, Co Mayo in  Ireland where I worked with TSF magazine editor Barney Wright covering the 16th Helm Skate Festival fished out in Clew Bay.

The festival attracts around 150 anglers, mainly from the UK, with the principal target the giant common skate, though there are also awards for the most points by species caught and the top charter skipper. The angler catching the biggest skate can take away a whopping 2000 Euro’s.

This year’s 2-day event unfortunately lost the Saturday due to bad weather, which is unusual as Clew Bay enjoys quite a bit of shelter, but the winds dropped quickly through Saturday with the Sunday dawning fine and clear with just a moderate west to northwest breeze.

14 boats headed out with many choosing top marks near to Inishgort Lighthouse, but others opting for the equally productive grounds off Mulranney.

The fishing was slow after the recent bad weather but some areas fished really well with thornback rays and plenty of dogfish coming in to build up the points for those fishing for species.

I was taking photos all day and was on the Western Regional Fisheries Board RIB heading for Mary Gavin’s boat “Shamrock 1” who’d got a skate on, but when we got there the rod had broken and the skate unfortunately lost. Another boat also lost a skate after a brief fight shortly after.

But all was not lost. Just 10 minutes before the final “lines up” call scheduled for 5pm, Alan Pryor from Redhill in Surrey fishing the festival for the 6th time, had the important bite and duly landed an 80lb common skate claiming first prize. It also got visiting boat “Western Kingfisher” based in Cleggan, Co Galway and skippered by “Ramie” the top skipper’s award. Well done to both Alan and Ramie!

You can read the full story in a future issue of Total Sea Fishing Magazine!

FOOTNOTE
WSF often gets asked about this event, and already next years festival is scheduled for the first weekend in October and you can get details for next year from Vincent Keogh, The Helm, Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland by e-mailing thehelm@eircom.net or by ringing 00 353 98 26398 and also visit their website at www.thehelm.info .

The Helm is one of Ireland’s premier sea angling venues offering top class restaurant and bar facilities, also superb accommodation apartments, plus has its own charter boat available. There’s also superb shore fishing options including beach and rock fishing close by with some huge mullet and flounder right off the quay in front of The Helm. I admit to being biased as its one of my favourite fishing venues!