Multyfarnham angler Kevin Keogh was over the moon with joy when he landed a beautiful trout of 2lb 14oz during the Abbot and Tight Lines Brown Trout Competition whilst fishing a Claret Dabbler along the Ballinakill Shore at Lough Derravaragh. Kevin played this fine wild trout for almost 5 minutes before it finally came to the net to be landed by his boat partner Joe Keena.

Kevin Keogh Receiving his Trophy from Liam Gilsenan
Kevin Keogh Receiving his Trophy from Liam Gilsenan

Six anglers competed in this annual competition which was held on the 1st June 2013 and was fished on a catch and release basis. Water levels within the lake were quite low and weather conditions suited brown trout angling with moderate north-westerly winds and good cloud cover. The Mayfly hatch was quite sparse however there was a reasonably good hatch of Welshmans Buttons and Alders. Second place went to Joe Keena with a trout of 2lb 12oz, whilst Christy “Black Jack” Cox finished in third place with a trout of 2lb 11oz.   Five beautifully conditioned wild brown trout were released and a couple more were lost, which was an excellent result when one considers that only six anglers competed.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is conducting a genetic and abundance of the Shannon system and anglers are asked to retain about 15 scales from behind the dorsal fin of every brown trout that they catch. Trout can be released following sampling without consequence and these scales can then be used for the study. Scale samples should be placed in an envelope noting that date and area of the lake in which the trout was caught. Scale samples can be given to Mr Dermot Broughan of Inland Fisheries Ireland (087 2595286) or they can be left with any committee member.
Despite what you might have been told Derravaragh holds a reasonably good stock of quality wild brown trout and is well worth a visit before the trout start feeding on fry. Anglers should try fishing with a team of three or four wet flies on an intermediate fly line. Traditional fly patterns such as the Hares Ear, Invicta, Mallard and Claret, Green peter, Sooty Olive, Peacock Spider and Peter Ross all work well for Derravaragh Trout. Lough Derravaragh is showing some signs of recovery and anglers are asked to release their catch to the water unharmed.
Good luck and tight lines!
Joe Keena
Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association
http://itffa.webs.com/