Angling guide and journalist Mick Flanagan reports on trout fishing in the midlands area near Mullingar.

Paul Bourke with Catherine Gibson Brabazon
Paul Bourke meeting with Catherine Gibson Brabazon

MOUNT DALTON.

Last week I spent a day on Mount Dalton near Rathconrath in the company of Inland Fishery Ireland Information officer Paul Bourke. Paul has worked for countless years with IFI and way back in the early 70ies done survey work on Mount Dalton. On arrival to Mount Dalton we were greeted by Catherine Gibson/Brabazon at Mount Dalton Lodge, and had a great chat about the fishing on the lake. Catherine kindly sent us a super photograph of one of the best fish to come from Mount Dalton in recent times. A lot of work has taken place on access to Mount Dalton and we met Paul Gibson/Brabazon and David Gibson/Brabazon putting the finishing touches to he new access point, and I.F.I. have placed a super jetty for the boats.

On the jetty at Mount Dalton
On the jetty at Mount Dalton

The lake looked a million dollars as we rowed across towards the Island and started our first drift. We had only started to fish and trout were showing on the surface, and it was not long before we were stuck into some beautiful colored Mount Dalton Trout. It was not all plain sailing and the Mount Dalton trout are not easily fooled. The lake is open till October 12th I am told, and boats are available for hire. Please contact Catherine on 044-93-55241.

Mick with a lovely trout from Mount Dalton
Mick with a lovely trout from Mount Dalton

 

RAHARNEY /NEW ZEALAND CONNECTION. I had the pleasure of meeting Gary Jacobsen last week on Lough Owel, and he caught some super trout on wet flies out across from Portloman on Owel. Gary is from Lower Hutt in New Zealand, and is over regularly to Westmeath as daughter Sarah met and married an Irish lad and is living in Raharney.   Gary can’t wait to get home and relive his angling adventures here in Westmeath with pals from his local club in Lower Hutt.  All going well some of his angling pals will come over and experience the super fishing we have here in Westmeath.

Lovely trout from Lough Owel
Lovely trout from Lough Owel

COMPETITION DATES. Looking at the calender of events for fly fishing competitions this coming Sunday September 28th its all hands on deck.Lough Lene Angler will fish the Chairmans Pairs competition with all proceeds going to North Westmeath Hospice.Fishing from 11am -6pm (Fly only).Also on Sunday September 28th Lough Ennell Anglers host the popular Christy Sleator Perpatual Cup.Fishing  from 11am-7pm.

 

Michael Flanagan

Pike and Trout angling guide.

Telephone: +353 (0)44 9348969 or +353 (0)87 2797270

Fax: +353 (0)44 9342781

Email: [email protected]  Web: www.midlandangling.com