Belgian anglers William and Patrick spent 5 days bellyboating around Ballinamore last week. Due to bad weather conditions the fishing was tough for much of the trip. William was disappointed with his 14 pike for 5 days fishing, but Patrick (who will stay fishing until Friday) managed to catch 32 pike of on Saturday alone!
In the majority of the lakes they fished the pike could not be found close to the bank. However 2 smaller lakes, which will remain unnamed, proved a different story and so Patrick hit 32 pike close to the banks amongst the weeds. The pair fished to 9.25 pm that Saturday, and returned on Sunday at 7 am but all pike seemed to have left the lake. What a difference in just a few hours!
William caught the 2 biggest pike of the five days. One of them was measured at 82 cm and the other one was touching 80cm. He also had the heartache of loosing something that felt much bigger, “something big my shad hit at 7 meters of water, I could hold her for just a few meters and then lost it…damn”.
The pair survived heavy showers and strong wind and reported that bellyboating in those cold, wet and windy conditions was no fun. For most of the trip it seemed like spring was still a far way off. But now that the weather has changed so dramatically there’s a good chance that Patrick his having the time of his life.
Angling accommodation
William and Patrick stayed at Hamill’s Bed and Breakfast and found their host Damien to be a very good Fear an Ti who was able to cater to all their angling requirements.
Hamills have a ‘Fishermans Workshop’ located in the grounds offering work benches, bait fridges, clothes lines and storage. Theyare situated right next door to a Bait and Tackle Shop, ‘The Forge’.
Hamill’s Bed and Breakfast
Web: hamillsbedandbreakfast.com
Email: stay@hamillsbedandbreakfast.com
Tel: +353 (0)71 964 4211
