Lough Sheelin Angling Report By Brenda Montgomery, IFI from September 23rd to September 30th
“Fishing is a condition of the mind wherein one cannot have a bad time.” – Zane Grey
As autumn gently progresses the Lough Sheelin anglers are being pushed into morning and afternoon fishing with evening fishing becoming a not so distant memory as darkness descends earlier and earlier each day.
Sheelin fished very well this week but anglers must accept that it is hard flogging and that they must stick with it to strike gold.
Thursday was the best day with soft slack winds, good movement of fish and plenty of hatches of olives and sedges on the lake’s surface which gave the illusion of being painted with the September sunshine. On other days blustery conditions with squally showers caused fly hatches to disappear and movement of fish were difficult to see but Sheelin particularly this season, has always been about working around the elements so for the angler who understands this lake, weather conditions regardless of how challenging have never been an obstacle to success.
There were some fine trout caught this week with the two heaviest weighing in at 4 ½ lbs and 4lbs respectively.
The silver flies seem to be working well on the lake for this week with silver dabblers, silver daddies and the silver butcher taking the lead. Other successful flies were the murrough, green peter, cock robin, silver invicta, sedges, hare’s ear, red spinner, caperer, greenwell’s glory, red spinner and the coachman.
- Teal blue and silver dabbler flySilver dabbler fly
- Fiery brown dabbler flyThe carperer
The Guider/McIntyre Cup
On Saturday last the Cavan Anglers hosted their annual trout competition – the Guider/McIntyre Cup on the lake.
This competition was named after two local men – Sean Guider and Sean McIntyre whose friendship was bonded together by their united love of this lake and their regular fishing expeditions together, while unfortunately Sean Guider has passed on to that great trout lake in the sky, Sean McIntyre keeps the flag flying by continuing to fish regularly on Sheelin.
This year this event attracted over 20 anglers, conditions weren’t favourable with bright sunlight and choppy waters but still a number of fish were caught with the winners being:
1st Andrew Browne with a 2lb trout
2nd Dessie McEntee, Monaghan – 1 trout at 1 ¾ lbs
3rd Aidan Rush – 1 trout at 1 ½
Upcoming Competitions
Excitement and anticipation is mounting as The L.S.T.P.A’s much awaited 7th Annual Stream Rehabilitation competition is fast approaching this Saturday October 6th at Kilnahard Pier, fishing from 11am to 6pm
There will be over €7500 in prizes and all proceeds of this competition are in aid of stream enhancement and rehabilitation of Lough Sheelin’s inflowing rivers.
For further details please contact Eamon Ross @ 087 9436655 or Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033
The Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition – Sunday October 7th from Kilnahard Pier, fishing from 11am to 6pm. Competition is for the heaviest fish (visitors) and the heaviest fish (Cavan/Monaghan Garda members), presentation of prizes and refreshment dinner at Crover House Hotel at 7pm sharp.
Any queries please contact Dessie McEntee on 047 77216 or 086 8937568.
A catch and release policy is actively encouraged on this lake.
Please remember anglers that the size limit on this lake is 35.5 cm (14 inches) – we need our small fish alive…..
The best trout for the week weighing in at 4 ½ lbs was caught by Michael Kelly, Dublin on Thursday September 27th using a purple peacock.
Total number of catches recorded for the week: 47
Selection of Catches
Thomas Harton, Cavan – on Sunday September 30th, fishing in Walkers bay using a silver dabbler 3 trout at 2 ½, 2 ½ and 1 ¾ lbs.
Thomas Lynch, Kilnaleck – wet fly fishing on a dabbler 1 trout at 1 ½ lbs on Saturday September 29th.
Paddy McAlivey, Dundalk – fishing around Church island, wet fly fishing, 1 trout at 2 ½ lbs.
Gerry McCarthy, Castleblayney – Sunday September 23rd, fishing in the late evening using a murrough around stony islands 1 trout at 4 lbs.
Michael Kelly, Dublin – Thursday September 27th – 6 trout, 4 dry fly fishing, 2 on the wets, fishing around Holywell, 2 fish weighed in at over 4 lbs and over 3 lbs, 1 ½ was the smallest of the other 4 fish. Trout were caught on selection of Michael’s own fly combinations, biggest one caught on a purple peacock. On Friday morning September 28th, wet fly fishing 1 trout at 2 lbs and in the afternoon 1 trout at 1 ½ lbs. On Saturday Michael caught 1 trout at 1 ½ on the wets, he reported a lot of fish coming up but none taking the fly.
John Murphy, Crover – on Wednesday 2 trout at 2 ½ lbs each using a dabbler. On Thursday September 27th all on the wets 4 fish at 1 ¼, 1 ½, 1 ½ and 3 ½ lbs, on Sunday September 30th on a dabbler fishing around Crover 1 trout at 4 lbs.
Paddy Conniff and Martin Carney, Dublin – these two anglers are members of one of the biggest angling clubs in Ireland – The Kilbride Angling Club and are old timers on this lake and on Friday September 28th when they once again ventured out on these waters were not disappointed with 3 fish best weighing in at over 3lbs.
Brenda Montgomery IFI
