The ‘Ulster Open’ held on the Newry Canal is up and running after a break of 20 years.  The event was first created in 1970 and attracted anglers from England and the continent throughout the troubled times every year until 1985.

In 2005 the event was resurrected with the financial assistance from the Loughs Agency and with the help of Newry & Mourne District Council.

The competition for tackle prizes and cash prizes was limited to 60 pegs and was held in blazing sunshine on Sunday 16^th July 2006, the day yielded low weights but few had dry nets.

The results were as follows:-

Overall 1^st  Mr Mark Vanderkamp

Overall 2^nd  Mr Davy Hamilton

Overall 3^rd  Mr Raymond Brooks

Section Winners

Section A

1^st  Steven Turnball

2^nd  Johnny Keith

3^rd  Phillip Jackson

Section B

1^st  John Barr (Junior)

Joint 2^nd  Michael Black & Alan Ball

Section C

1^st  Willie Wheeler

2^nd  Keith Cole

3^rd  Derek Buckley

Deputy Mayor Martin Connolly presented the prizes and commented on how wonderful it was to see so many people interested and taking part in fishing and availing of the magnificent facilities such as Newry Canal, which the Council are continuing to improve with the installation of 17 fishing platforms along the Canal, which were funded through the Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative, which is delivered locally by The South Armagh Tourism Initiative.

The organisers wish to thank Daiwa Sports and Svendsen Sports (UK) LTD for their help in supplying a superb array of quality tackle prizes.

Particular thanks was given to Mr Oliver McGauley, for his knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm regarding the organising and the running of the angling competition.