Kenny Sloan reports that with high water temperatures and the lack of rain most fishing has been difficult, although some action can still be had with surface lures and fly, especially early morning…
Michael Duane from Co Clare visited the Foxford area and teamed up with local Guide Kenny Sloan. Michael decided to try his hand at pike fishing as he had never caught one before, having only been sea fishing previously.
Fishing surface lures he tempted around 12 pike, successfully landing 5. He is now hooked on pike fishing and hopes to return when the weather is cooler and try different methods.
Go fishing with Kenny…
Kenny Sloan has become synonymous with big pike in the Foxford area. Kenny can guide you on the big wild waters around him Conn and Cullen but he also has a lot of smaller waters at his disposal and even if the wind blows he always has some where to fish making your break as productive as possible.
Web: www.pikemania.co.uk
Guidelines for handling pike
Download: Pike Handling and Conservation [.pdf 850 KB]
When landed, the fish should be laid flat preferably on a protective mat and the hooks removed with a suitable tool such as long handled artery forceps or a long nosed pliers. Anglers may find it useful to wear protective gloves. Sometimes it can be easier to release the hooks by working very carefully through the gill covers.
The use of pike sacks can be used for the short time retention of fish enabling them to recover prior to weighing or photography. When weighing and photographing fish, the pike should be cradled and supported properly to avoid injuring the fish. A pike sized weigh sling should always be used if the fish is be weighed.
When being released, the pike should be held carefully in the water to promote recovery until it is ready to swim away. At all times, the pike should be returned to the water in the shortest possible time.
