Lough Sheelin
Angling Report
By Brenda Montgomery, IFI
September 16th to September 23rd, 2012
Definition of a fly rod—–an antenna, which transmits, peace, tranquility, excitement, fellowship, and most of all, an awareness, and appreciation, for the outdoors
Autumn stamped its mark on Sheelin this week with a very evident chill in the air creeping in from late afternoon onwards and darkness descending on its water as early as 7pm. The weather was mixed with windy conditions prevailing coupled by bright sunshine on some days and the temperatures dropping to below zero on Friday night, all of which had a negative impact on fly hatches and trout feeding. There was a smattering of sedge on some evenings but cold and blustery conditions cut these hatches short and the lake’s surface in general supported small fly hatches. Because of windy conditions wet fly fishing dominated and anglers reported seeing some movement and pitching of fish particularly from Merry pt. down to Crane island and along the Western shore up to Orangefield.
Fishing was slow but our anglers are happy and were reluctant to complain as most feel that they are given opportunities and chances on this lake on each angling expedition.
Danny Murray, Dublin
with his 4½ lb trout
Danny releasing his fish
Popular flies used were the coachman, hare’s ear, black pennel, the Raymond, claret pennel and dabbler claret, also a selection of sedges usually brown and grey.
A number of anglers tie their own ‘creations’ entailing a combination of different colours inspired from studying the insect life out on the water with varying degrees of success, a lot of which have no identifying names and their designers keeping these flies ‘very close to their chests’ when it comes to sharing their specialties.
The most interesting fly for the week was a dark coloured wet fly – the gozinta which pulled in trout up to 3½ lbs for its user.
Interestingly all trout caught were wild trout and encouragingly all were in excellent condition.
Upcoming Competitions
The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association will host their end of season Lough Sheelin River Enhancement/Rehabilitation fly fishing competition on Lough Sheelin on Saturday October 6th.
For further details please contact Eamon Ross @ 087 9436655 or Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033
The McIntyre/Guider Cup – September 29th, starting at Kilnahard 11.0am to 6pm, please contact 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 after September 24th 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 was caught by Kildare angler Pat Dunne who landed a trout at over 5lbs pulling a wet fly down near Curry pt.
Total number of catches recorded for the week: 28
Selection of Catches
Darragh and Cian Murtagh, Baileboro – on Thursday September 20th 6 trout were caught with the heaviest landed by Cian using an attractor (claret colour) at almost 2lbs, fishing off Kilnahard pt. down by Crane island.
Pat Dunne, Clane, Co.Kildare – on Sunday September 23rd 3 trout heaviest over 5lbs wet fly fishing.
Joe Doherty, Kildare – wet fly fishing 2 trout at 2½ lbs each.
Aidan Heffernan, Kildare – 1 trout at 1½ lbs using a wet fly.
Michael Kelly, Dublin – on Wednesday September 19th Michael moved ‘a nice few fish’ and landed himself 5 trout in total – 3½, 2½ and 3 at 1½ lbs using a gozinta and a selection of his own creations, fishing around Watty’s and Orangefield. On Thursday September 20th fishing up to 3pm, 1 trout at 4½ lbs using the gozinta around Church island, 1 at 2½ lbs and 2 at 1½ and 1lbs fishing at Holywell.
Brenda Montgomery
25th September, 2012
