Joe Keena, secretary of Derravaragh Anglers Association reports on the fishing for April 2013

Lough Derravaragh

Lough Derravaragh is a fairly sizeable piece of water located in the centre of county Westmeath and is considered to be one of the best pike fisheries in Ireland but trout anglers need to sit up and take notice as this lake is also a much underestimated wild trout lake as well. Steeped in myths and legends on the map Derravaragh resembles Italy in shape and can be easily divided into two parts – the large and shallow bit in the north-west and a much lower, deep funnel like stretch towards the south. The large shallow part can be very productive throughout the spring and early autumn whereas the deep southern bit works much better in the cold, winter months. All in all, Derravaragh holds great stocks of pike but also an increasing number of beautiful wild trout but it is a hard water to fish made much easier by getting a good knowledge of the water before you go out.

Renowned Multyfarnham angler Christy “Black Jack” Cox struck gold when he connected with this beautiful 4¼ trout during the Gibson Daly Brown Trout Competition at Derravaragh.
Thirteen anglers competed in this annual event competition was held on the 28th April 2013. Water levels within the lake were quite low and weather conditions suited brown trout angling with strong westerly winds, heavy showers and occasional sunshine.
Christy was fishing a Sooty Olive variant on an intermediate line along the Derrya Shore. Fellow competitors looked on as Christy battled with this fine wild trout for over 10 minutes before it came to the net to be landed by angling partner Liam Gilsenan. In true sporting fashion John Mulvaney also returned a takable trout whilst other anglers also reported that they had returned undersized fish and lost others.
The local anglers are keen to point out that despite what you might have been told Derravaragh holds a reasonably good stock of quality wild brown trout. The lake is very much under fished for trout and is well worth a visit when angling conditions suit. Fly anglers should try fishing a team of three or four wet flies comprising of a Claret Dabbler, Silver Dabbler, Bibio, Sooty Olive and Hares Ear. If you do visit Derravaragh try to practice catch and release and please retain scale samples from all brown trout for the genetic and abundance study. Scale samples can be given to Dermot Broughan of Inland Fisheries Ireland (087 2595286) or they can be left at the lake with Karl for collection.

Christy Cox with his winning 4 ½ lb trout at the Gibson Daly brown trout competition on April 28th


Joe Keena,
Secretary of Derravaragh Anglers Association,
Tel: 086 8722449
E-Mail: [email protected]