IFF U16 Activities

The Irish Fly Fair - Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
25th & 26th October 2025

U16 Casting Competition

U16 Fly Casting competition Fishing at The Irish Fly Fair 2024
It only takes a child a minute to learn the SAUSAGE ROLL CAST using a real mini fly rod, flyline and fluff. A fun chance to see that fly casting is easy and maybe win a prize.

Our children's coaches work as volunteers at the Northern Counties Angling Hub at Straid. Families and vulnerable adults are at the core of their work with a strong emphasis on promoting the mental health benefits of angling.

This year we will offering two age groups 10 and under, and 11-18.

Our Kids Casting Team consists of:
Ray McKeeman - Instructor/Coach
Andy Cooper - Angling Tutor/Cairn Rd Fly Fishery Manager
Sarah Cooper - Cairn Rd Fly Fishery Manager
Bobby Robinson - Angling Coach
Neill Walker - Angling Coach

Email: info@straidfishery.com

Ray McKeeman, Andy Cooper, Bobby Robinson, Neil Walker & Sarah Coo[per, The Straid Fishery Kids Casting Team at The Irish Fly Fair 2025 Ray McKeeman Straid Fishery at The Irish Fly Fair 2023 Ray McKeeman Straid Fishery at The Irish Fly Fair 2023

U16 Peter O'Reilly Fly Dressing Competition

U16 Fly Dressing Competition - Fishing at The Irish Fly Fair 2025
We are proud to have been involved over the past years with the Peter O'Reilly Youth Fly Dressing Competition (under 16) fly tying competition which was sponsored by Veniard since it began 12 years ago. This year 2025, we are delighted that Semperfli have agreed to be the new sponsor of our U16 fly Dressing Competition.

It is a privilege to help young people take their first steps in fly tying. Some previous participants have developed into quality fly dressers who now demonstrate at this and other fly shows. It is great to see young people ‘having a go’ at constructing their very first simple trout fly and to see the same youngsters coming back again year after year to show us how much they have improved.

So, please bring your young aspiring fly tyers along to the Show and let them sit down beside a fully qualified APGAI Ireland Fly-dressing Instructor to display their skills in this fascinating and rewarding aspect of our sport. Oh, and there are loads of lovely prizes to be won, courtesy of our friends at Semperfli!

Fly Tying Rules:
• Open to anyone under 16 years of age.
• Entry Fee - £1.00 to cover materials, hooks etc.
• Only one entry per competitor.
• Tie a specified fly as per instructions provided, with or without assistance.
• The decision of the judges is final.
• Juniors tying elsewhere at the Fair are not eligible.
• Separate winners for Saturday and Sunday.
• Prize-giving will be at 4.00 pm each day.
Arthur Greenwood of APGAI-IRELAND teaching Fly Dressing Cadence, Fishpal, Regal Vise, Semperfli, Experience Enniskillen, Mooney Media, Killyhevlin Hotel, Petitjean Fishing Equipment SA, The Fly Emporium, Chevron Hackles, Smith, Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine, Wychwood - Sponsors of The Irish Fly Fair 2025


    Semperfli logo

      SEMPERFLI SPONSORS OF THE 2025 U16 Fly Dressing COMPETITION

      APGAI-IRELAND logo

      APGAI-IRELAND

      FLY DRESSERS

      FLY CASTERS

      Kids Casting Competition for U16 at The Irish Fly Fair 2025

      Kids Casting with APGAI-Ireland Ray McKeeman

      APGAI-Ireland Joe Stitt Fly Dresser tying at The Irish Fly Fair 2025

      APGAI-Ireland Trevor Greene Fly Dresser tying at The Irish Fly Fair 2025

      APGAI-Ireland Christopher Bryant Fly Dresser tying at The Irish Fly Fair 2025

      APGAI-Ireland Trevor Greene Fly Dresser tying at The Irish Fly Fair 2025

    Peter's Book - Trout and Salmon Flies of Ireland shows Peter O'Reillys commitment to teaching through the dedication “To my son Patrick and to the next generation of fly fishers”
    PETER O'REILLY CLICK HERE