Are you going? Where you might ask, but I doubt it, as every angler knows the greatest showcase of all things fishing is on this weekend in the National Show Centre in Swords. The list of exhibitors from A to Z will make your eyes sparkle. The 2016 Ireland Angling Expo has stands displaying all sorts of everything to fill those tackle boxes, guide stands, boats, canoes, clothing and lots of experts with all the advice. Come visit the IFI stand and the Family Zone where kids will enjoy all our little watery buddies…
Lough Currane kept up its winning pace with two more spring salmon. Local Ghillie Mick O’Dwyer caught a lovely 9½lb salmon on Saturday and Brod O’Sullivan had a lightening fresh fish of 10lbs the previous day. A black and orange devon minnow aided John Gallagher on the Drowes last Friday as he too claimed a 10lb beauty. Eddie Roulston had a fish from the Tinker’s Hole on Tuesday morning. This was Eddie’s second fish as he had another 8lb salmon on a red flying c in January. Many rods tried in vain on Lough Melvin but as of yet no salmon has been reported. Like the Drowes, the heavy rain made water levels high for much of the week.
Ballyduff Bridge’s first salmon of the season, averaging about 7 to 8lbs was caught and released by Connie Corcoran on the Munster Blackwater. The River Bandon saw beautiful weather on their opening day but no beautiful fish for anglers.
The trout season got under way on Lough Melvin last Monday. First off the mark was Stephen Kennedy who landed and released a fine 5lb trout in the Rossinver waters on Wednesday. On Lough Conn a young man called Fearghal Reape showed his skill by capturing an 8lb brownie off the shore at Knockmore. This opening day trout wins Fearghal our ‘Catch of the Week’. Some other smaller trout around the 1½ mark were also caught. Anglers noted that water levels were significantly higher than seasonal norms. Nevertheless, opening day provided some great sport.
Oaklands in New Ross had a great start to the match fishing year at the weekend, Thomas Quinalin had 114 lb and junior section winner Enda Minogue had 66lb. Daingean Match Anglers enjoyed the fun at round three of the Leinster Pairs. A close battle with anglers averaging around two and a half pounds. Top rods went to Conor Browne and Pat Bartley.
It was a busy week for pike anglers where again the Leinster anglers showed their skill. Lloyd Lynch who won our catch of the week some weeks back was joined by club members Chuck, Stu and Conor as they all caught some fine double figure pike. The Lurgan Esox club held their first pike competition. 29 anglers competed and lots of personal bests were broken. A big ‘hen’ of 22lbs 11ozs was caught by Ryan McNeill.
It was definitely the fish that brought 5 Belgium anglers to Melview Lodge because the weather certainly didn’t. Bad rain and high winds made the catches all the sweeter as some lovely pike up into their twenties were caught. In Kerry it’s the superb prizes offered by Ullcatch that brought out the rods. Seamus Smith got the February Fish Hunt Challenge off with a nice little pike. The level has been set now, so it’s up to you to beat it.
Tomasz Ekert started his bass season off early this year in Kerry with a silver bar which he caught on a short trip to the shore after work. Across the country in Greystones, Wicklow the Ridge Angling Club welcomed their new state of the art clubhouse. Well done to all, great to see the progress.
Making the newspapers this week we saw a row of ladies in colourful wellies as Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland, the unique fly fishing programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had, breast cancer, invite ladies to apply for its retreat which will be held at the beautiful Mount Falcon Estate near Ballina, Co Mayo, from 13-15 May 2016. A group of young men also made the papers too with Longford teacher Michael Galvin signing twenty students up to the newly-established fishing club. And Killinarden Angling Initiative makes the airwaves with a great account of their excellent work on Limerick community radio.
Angling covers all age groups and all communities, come out and see what’s on offer this weekend at Sword.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Nancy Hearne
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Salmon fishing reports
- High water levels on the Drowes for most of the week
- Salmon yesterday at Ballyduff Bridge on Munster Blackwater
- A couple of more salmon from Currane
- No salmon yet on the Bandon
- Drowes supplies a second salmon for Eddie
- 10lbs fish on black and orange devon minnow for Drowes angler
Trout fishing reports
- Trout season gets on its way on Lough Melvin
- Trout Angling Season Off To a Flying Start on Lough Conn
Pike fishing reports
- February Fish hunt challenge is started by Seamus
- Belgium pike anglers do well at Melview Lodge
- Lurgan Esox Club catch pike to 22lb 11oz at Muckno competition
- Leinster Pike anglers come up with the goods
Coarse angling reports
Sea angling reports
- First bass of the season for Tomasz in Kerry
- Greystones Ridge Angling Club Received the Keys of their New Clubhouse Today!
News clippings
- Casting for Recovery at Mount Falcon – Farming Life
- Five Men Convicted for Fishing Offences in County Monaghan – Afloat.ie
- Plenty to lure enthusiasts to the Ireland Angling show – Irish Times
- Dodder Action Wins Sustainability Award – News Four
Other news
- Salmon Conservation Fund – Request for Applications 2016
- Shannon River Basin District – Lough Sheelin Angling Season Byelaw
- Five men convicted for fishing offences in County Monaghan
