Lough Sheelin Angling Report By Brenda Montgomery, IFI  May 6th – May 12th 2013

I still don’t know why I fish or
why other men fish, except we
like it and it makes us think
and feel.
Roderick L. Haig-Brown

‘An Angry Sky’ Lough Sheelin

Bank holiday Monday was disappointing despite what looked like ideal weather conditions – balmy with a slight breeze and not too sunny but it didn’t happen. Anglers however need not despair as with the increase in temperatures there has been a change and that change was seen on Monday night when there was a good hatch of duck fly which went out on to the lake at around 9pm.  Whether we are sick of it or not, it is the cold harsh weather that has slowed things down here, by as much as six weeks but things are finally progressing in the right direction.  For Sheelin the peak time for the mayfly coincides with the bloom of the white thorn or may blossom and so far the blackthorn which precedes the whitethorn is just out now so the mayfly is undoubtedly going to be late this year.  Anglers must remember that for the past two years the may fly was early on Sheelin  – last year the first hatch was May 9th but we had different weather and warmer water temperatures, Sheelin’s water temperature this week hovered around 6 -7 degrees but 10 degrees upwards is the ideal temperature for a may fly hatch.  Anglers need not panic as for Sheelin the may fly hatches don’t normally happen until the last week in May so it’s just a question of hanging on in there because with a spell of continuous warm weather Sheelin will come alive and will undoubtedly be the best place for trout fishing in Ireland.

Gary McKiernan of Loughsheelinguidingservices.com with his 5 ½ lb trout caught on May 9th on a dabbler

As the week progressed fly life increased with a good smattering of simulium on the water and encouraging sightings of olives, on Tuesday in the sheltered areas of the lake fish were sipping at the surface and some nice trout were taken for the first time on dry flies.  The flies that are having the most success are the brightly coloured wet flies, greens and reds with a sparkle threaded through the body.  The dabblers still rule though with the claret, green and peter ross taking top position.  The stimulators, minkies and humongous are still popular even as we head through the third month of the season. This lake and its fishing is governed by the wind and wind direction so it is important for anglers to take this into account, ideal fishing conditions are calm with a slight ripple.  Angling is not a rushed sport so by being in the calm affords anglers time to study the water and to see what’s happening and perhaps change fly when necessary.  The end of the week hit in with a disappointing bang with blustery cold south westerlies, temperatures dropping and frequent heavy showers of rain and sometimes hail causing the fly hatches to remain stubbornly in the bushes and making boating difficult in certain parts of the lake and although there was plenty of movement of trout, the high winds made it far too difficult to connect with them. The lake fished badly over the weekend and there were lots of disappointed anglers left on the shoreline resorting to just’ trying out outboards’ and bailing out boats. The weather has the final say on this great lake – there by the grace of god go I………………

David Heraghty, Belfast with his 4 ½ lb trout caught Sunday May 12th

Martin McLaughlin, Belfast May 12th holding his 4lb Sheelin trout

The ‘Deadly’ Dabbler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A selection of Dabblers

 


 


Greg Muldowney, Lucan with one of his 6 trout caught with ghillie Damien Willis (www.loughsheelinbuddies.com) on Thursday last.

David Penny from Lucan fishing with Damien Willis (www.loughsheelinbuddies.com)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calm in the shelter of Kilnahard, rough and difficult beyond – May 10th

The Gathering is coming to Crover House Hotel, Lough Sheelin on the weekend June 7th, 8th and 9th and as part of this the local angling club – The LSTPA in conjunction with Cavan County Council and Crover House Hotel are hosting an angling day primarily to attract anglers and would be anglers from outside the state and over seas.  Local ghillies will be giving their day free to bring anglers out fishing on the lake and there will be fly tying, casting, a competition with prizes finishing up with a Bar B Q at Crover House Hotel.  This not to be missed event will be free but places are limited and those of you from Northern Ireland or from overseas should contact

Eamon Ross @ 087 9436655 or Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033

Those that take part in this ‘Angling Gathering’ can avail of a 10% entry discount on the Lough Sheelin Classic Fly Fishing Competition on June 9th.

Cyril Maille from Montpeiller, France  releasing his 5 ½ lb trout on May 8th (ghillied by loughsheelinguidingservices.com)

The popular Sheelin Classic trout competition now in its 9th year will be run on Lough Sheelin on Sunday June 9th 2013 – 11am to 6pm.  This is a heaviest fish competition with a strict 15” size limit and only 2 fish per competitor.

This competition will involve an open draw for partners and entries must be in by Wednesday June 5th . Entry fee is €70 for a boating angler and €90 a non-boating angler.  Entry fee includes a meal in Crover House after the competition

This years prize fund will be in excess of €12,000

1st 19ft Sheelin boat & trailer & crystal & the coveted Davey O’Connor perpetual cup

2nd 5 hp 4 stroke outboard engine & crystal

This is a competition well worth marking in your diary and because of the popularity of the Sheelin Classic and to avoid disappointment, it is advisable to secure your entry sooner rather than later by contacting Noel McLoughlin at 087 2179460 for further information

Gary McKiernan, Cavan with his 2 ¾ lb trout caught May 9th

A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times

Please remember anglers to abide by BYE-LAW 790 – we need to keep our small fish alive……………

Heaviest catch for the week was Gary McKiernan’s 5 ½ lb trout caught on a claret dabbler.

Total number of trout recorded: 32

Selection of Catches

Gary McKiernan (www.loughsheelinguidingservices.com) – fishing on Tuesday May 7th 3 fish averaging 2 – 2 ¾  lbs on a claret dabbler.  May 9th one trout at5 ½ lb on a claret dabbler.

Cyril Maille, Montpellier, France – ghillied by Gary McKiernan on May 8th 3 trout weighing in at 5 ½ lbs, 4 lbs and 2 ¾ lbs using a peter ross and claret dabbler.

Greg Muldowney and David Penny, Lucan – using a mix of dabblers these two men landed 6 trout between them.

David Heraghty and Martin McLaughlin, Belfast – fishing May 12th, 3 trout heaviest was 4 ½ lbs caught outside Crover Pier.  David disappointingly lost another much heavier fish in the same location.

George Fraile, Belfast with his Tyrone friend ghillied by Thomas Lynch (www.loughsheelinguidingservices.com) – on Sunday May 12th 4 trout averaging 1 ½ – 2 lbs, all caught on the claret dabbler.

Peter Quinn, Belfast – on Saturday May 11th using a dabbler, 1 trout at 1 ½ lbs.

Brenda Montgomery IFI