The Wild Atlantic Way lived up to its name this week as storm Desmond tore through the country like a ravenous beast. Torrential rain and wind left rivers and lakes dangerous and the power of the water was evident as people struggled with access to their homes. Cabin fever set in for most anglers and the only window of opportunity they had was an eerie calm day which came on Sunday. Then after the lull the winds blew up again to hamper any efforts….
Right across the country water levels of our local rivers and lakes drew tales from older anglers of floods in 1947. Although most of them threw in the sentence ‘of course, I’m too young to remember, my father told me about them’. The river Inny like others held onto its fish and the bream hybrids weren’t even caught by seasoned anglers like Mick Flanagan. The floods prevented the Erne Anglers fishing the 5th round of their winter league on the Rosslea lakes and most events were postponed. However a few went ahead on Sunday. The Royal Enfield CAC held their 5th leg of the Seamus Mooney Winter League on the Royal Canal near Enfield. Top weight went to Aidan Gill with 8lb 14ozs, while Conor Browne was first in the overall result and Rossa Monaghan in the junior section.
Inniscarra had a combined Munster CAC Closed and South Munster CAC Winter League match but water levels rose quickly during the day. Paul Mansbridge won the match with 8.900kg fishing the whip. We also heard the great news during the week that Inniscarra has won the honour of hosting the FIPS-ed World Youth Championships in 2017. A great boost for tourism in the area.
Blessington in Wicklow was like a little oasis of paradise on Sunday as the Bluebell Community Anglers cancelled their outing to Concra Wood, Lough Muckno and chose this spot instead. The club’s Annual Christmas raffle was also held with great prizes. John Bolger had his own prize on the day, which was a fine 11lb 4ozs pike. Having caught the heaviest fish, John won the club prize of a big ham and from us he wins the ‘Catch of the Day’.
Brenda Montgomery informs us that Derravaragh had South Westerly winds with a reported mean speed of 55-75km/hour interspersed by impressive gusts of up to 120km/hour. As you can imagine most areas were no go areas. There were however, some pike catches reported from the Southern end of the lake, the heaviest at over 10lbs. The weir cup was fished on the only day possible which was Sunday with local Angler James Ledwith of Multyfarnham coming out on top.
The Royal canal saved the day for Dutch visitor Harm Jan Kreun who was on his first fishing trip here. Harm was very pleased to bring a nice little pike to the river bank. He’ll be back in 2016 and hopes to try out some of our larger lakes.
Storm Desmond saw to it that skippers stayed ashore this week. Down in Wexford the Bannow Bay anglers had their Christmas Shore competition and they wished congratulations to the Master Angler Joe McEvoy. Lady Master Angler Anne Whitty and Junior Master Angler Aaron Buckley, and tell us that the Runner up to Masters was Paul Marshall. They also had a good old party in the evening time to celebrate the 20th Birthday of the club. Well done to all.
Last year 43 anglers thought they were standing in a safe place…the sea disagreed. That is the shocking fact displayed on the RNLI poster. With the heavy floods and high winds safety has to come first. We all know the rules, a life jacket is not for the weak, it’s for all of us. Use your head before you lose it ! Your life is precious.
A status yellow warning is in effect at present with west to southwesterly gales or strong gales developing tonight on coasts from Slyne Head to Erris Head to Fair Head. A spell of heavy rain is forecast for Saturday, mainly affecting Munster, Connacht and Leinster. Details of this event are still uncertain, follow up warnings will be issued during Friday morning
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Nancy Hearne
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Coarse angling reports
- Paul Mansbridge wins at the Greenway
- Royal Enfield winter league took place on the Royal Canal
- River Inny in flood
- Youth teams worldwide will fish in Inniscarra in 2017
Pike fishing reports
- High waters at Glore river force pike competition to be cancelled
- Local angler James Ledwith wins the Weir cup
- Royal Canal pike on a stormy weekend
- Derravaragh is like a raging animal as storm Desmond rattles the cage
- An oasis at Blessington for Bluebell Community anglers
Sea angling reports
News clippings
- Report into salmon farm accident ‘being withheld’, Irish Independent
- Wexford anglers in bronze medal team in Portugal – Wexford People
- Anglers issue statement on Bandon Floods – The Southern Star
- Anglers expected to lobby against EU proposal to limit bass fishing – Irish Times
- Munster feels force Storm Desmond as 70mm of rain falls across south-west – Irish Independent
- Inspired Ireland team net bronze in big World event – Belfast Telegraph
- Duhallow group honoured for wildlife and environmental work – Irish Examiner
Other news
- Storm Desmond batters Loughs Owel and Ennell
- Wild and wonderful on a Sunday
- State Fisheries Tender Process 2016
