Michael Flanagan from Midlands Angling reports…

Inny Leopard

It’s the time of year pike anglers really enjoy some good fishing on Lures and deadbaits. The pike do be in mint condition, and really fight hard, especially if caught in shallow water. Last week I fished a day with Gordon Davis, and we had some lovely pike on the Inny system.

Spotted like a leopard this pike
Spotted like a leopard this pike

One of the pike was a very unusual colour, and spotted like a leopard. This fish hammered a perch coloured paddle tail lure.

Gordon had a huge fish on a Savage Eel lure but we just lost the fish as I got ready to net his prized catch.  This time last year Gordon had a 26lbs pike from the River Inny which we featured, and its still one of the best River pike I’ve seen for some time.

RICKARDS BACK IN MULLINGAR

We featured Dominic Rickards a few time in Angling Focus this past number of years. Dominic travels’ the world, with his job, and always takes his angling gear to every country he visits. He was back in Ireland last week for 3 days, and just loves hopping on the Train and getting out on the Midland Lakes.

Dominick Rickhards and cracking pike
Dominick Rickhards and cracking pike

Once again he stayed in Kerrigan B&B Harbour Street as he finds it very central to all of his need in Mullingar.  Wild Total Outdoors Tackle Shop across the road, Dunne’s Stores where he hits the Deli for pack lunch, plus many fantastic restaurants walking distance from Kerrigan’s.

We only had the one days fishing, as he was catching a 8pm flight back to London on Friday evening, so we belted off bright and early that Morning. The Morning session was for any angler a bit frustrating as we had many hits, but none of the pike were boated. We chopped and changed lures sizes, colours, you name it, and eventually hit the jackpot.

As darkness fell this pike took a savage eel Lure
As darkness fell this pike took a savage eel Lure

The pike came on a feeding frenzy for about 40 minutes to an hour, and we boated 5 and lost as many. It was a fantastic way to finish the day, and Dominick was very impressed with the condition the pike were in. Its amazing how times fly, and its just over 12 months since Dominick was back in Ireland.

MURTAGH CUP

On Derravaragh last Sunday we fished the Murtagh Cup, in lovely conditions. It was a bit chilly, but at least the rain held off. The hours of fishing was 11am-4pm, and there was a nice turn out of anglers launching at Donore Shore. Jack pike were the order of the day, and not if I was still there could I catch a descant fish.

Joe ledwith won Murtagh Cup on Derravaragh last Sunday
Joe ledwith won Murtagh Cup on Derravaragh last Sunday

On the day once again local knowledge proved helpful with Multyfarnham angler Joe Ledwith Junior taking Top Rod, and his dad Joe senior 2nd. Young Thomas McPhilips was also in the winning enclosure, and finished in 3rd place. Thomas is a very Keene angler, and very rarely misses a competition on Derravaragh.  Christy Hynes and Kieran Evans done a fine job, as competition Stuart’s, and Liam Gilsenan presented Joe Ledwith with the Murtagh Cup at Donore Shore as darkness fell on the lake.

MOFATT CUP

Philip Moffatt Cup winners. Kevin Keogh, Liam Gilsenan winner, Tanya Moffatt who presented her late dads Cup, and Joe Ledwith
Philip Moffatt Cup winners. Kevin Keogh, Liam Gilsenan winner,
Tanya Moffatt who presented her late dads Cup, and Joe Ledwith

Derravaragh Anglers hosted the Philip Moffatt Memorial Cup on Sunday November 10th . On the day it was a hatrick of local anglers from Multyfarnham that won. Liam Gilsenan chairman of derravaragh Anglers was top rod, with Kevin Keogh and Jim Ledwith taking 2nd and 3rd place. Presentation took place at Donore Shore, and Tanya Moffatt daughter of the late Philip presented the prizes.

TURKEY TIME

Next Sunday 1st December Derravaragh Anglers will fish their last club competition of the 2019 season. Plenty of prizes are up for grabs, with anglers hoping to catch their Christmas Dinner. Last season I picked up a few meat vouchers for Sheelin Meats, and it went down a treat at home. The competition as last weekend is 11am-4pm, and start and finish at Donore Shore.

Michael Flanagan
Midland Angling

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Midlands Angling  provide a top class Guiding service covering many of the top coarse and game waters across the Midlands. Visiting fly anglers have landed some fine trout while out with Midland Angling Guides, pike anglers also recorded some net bursting catches including many pike over 20lbs. Top waters include Lough Ree, Ennell, Owel, Lene, Mount Dalton, and Glore Lake just to mention a few.
Michael Flanagan
Midland Angling
Pike and Trout angling guide.

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