It was that time of the year again, as the World Cup made its familiar return to the shores of Lough Mask. Several hundred anglers entered, with heats being fished from Thursday to Sunday, and the final held on Bank Holiday Monday. Fishing was mixed, with some days fishing very well, and requiring good catches to qualify, while other days the conditions made fishing difficult. Monday was truly awful trout fishing weather, very warm and humid all day, and the lake was mirror calm. Most anglers barely saw a fish, let alone met any, but Aidan Hodgins from Loughrea managed 2 fine trout for 4.99 lb. to take top honours. Aidan won a 19 ft. lake boat and trailer sponsored by Burke Boats of Ballinrobe, along with a Honda engine sponsored by Duffy’s of Headford. In second place was local angler and World Cup boatman’s organizer Ronan Cusack, with 2 trout for 2.21 lb., while third place went to Freddie Steele, from Co. Down, with 2 trout for 2.06 lb. The heaviest fish prize over the competition was won by Aidan Heffernan, with a fine trout of 4.84 lb.