Angling Guide and journalist Mick Flanagan reports on trout fishing on Lough Ennell and Lough Owel and other fisheries in the midlands
DUCK-FLY UP ON ENNELL. The first hatch of fly have finally arrived on our Lakes, and huge drifts of Duck Fly are drifting across Ennell. There is not a lot of surface activity on the Trout scene but the Swallow type birds, and Gulls are having a great time feeding on the Duck- Fly. Some super trout are being caught on the troll on Ennell, and hopefully as the water temperatures rises, so two will the Ennell Trout. Its certainly not easy going on Ennell, and you will put many hours in for a few fish. Local anglers Tosh Grimes and Seam Matthews are putting in quite a few hours on Ennell, and have boated some fine fish. I had a few earlier in the week on small Lures, and Ennell is worth checking out as we drift into April.
DAY OUT ON OWEL. We are blessed to have such fantastic fisheries on our doorstep, and last weekend Lough Owel produced some lovely fish for a group of hardy Anglers who braved the elements. Last Saturday conditions were chilly on Owel, and as the day progressed we were hit for six with heavy rain. There was a bit of a Flanagan gathering on Owel, and we were joined by some friends for a days fishing. Naturally their was a competition edge to the day, and local Angler Johnny Plunkett topped the day with a lovely trout of 1 lb. 15 oz.Their was no fly life on Owel last week, but soon Duck- Fly will start hatching, and fly anglers will be Out & About on Owel. Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association hold their first fly fishing competition on Sunday week April 13th, and we will have more on this in next weeks Angling Focus. Membership is open, and you will also need a current IFI Angling permit.
LOUGH BANE BROWNIES. Lough Bane Anglers Association hosted their first Trout competition of the 2014 season, and it produced some super Brown Trout. Top prize was the Dromone Engineering Cup, and Kells angler Pat McLoughlin produced a beautiful Brown Trout of 4.56 lb. to take Top Rod. Johnny Murray of the Downs boated another fine brown trout of 4.43 lb. to take 2nd place, 3rd spot went to Liam McLoughlin, Pat’s brother and his fish weighed an impressive 3.54 lb., with Trim Angler Enda Hyland 4th with 3.27 lb. Unfortunately Johnny Murray had to leave the lake early due to football commitments and missed the photo-shoot, but his Angling pal Colin Cahill collected his prize.
COMPETITIONS ON LINE. On Wednesday April 9th the 3- day Lough Ree Pike Festival will be fished out of Coosan Point. Up on 80 boats will venture out with some huge cash prizes up for grabs. On Sunday week April we have a clash of Trout competitions. Lene host the Peadar Caffrey Cup, and Owel Anglers will fish for the Ace Cup. More on these trout competitions in next weeks Angling Focus.
Michael Flanagan
Pike and Trout angling guide.
Address: 39 Springfield, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath, Ireland.
Telephone: +353 (0)44 9348969 or +353 (0)87 2797270
Fax: +353 (0)44 9342781
Email: [email protected] Web: www.midlandangling.com
