ESRI casts wide for angling study, Irish Independent
Anglers are being asked to help the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) assess the true scale of the Irish angling industry, which is estimated to be worth €800m per year to the economy. Angling attracts over 100,000 visitors to Ireland every year, but the ESRI believes greater knowledge of the factors which attract visitors here will allow for increased development of the industry in the years ahead. ESRI researcher John Curtis, who is leading the project, said: “More substantial research is required to develop fisheries in a way that promotes increased participation in angling… Irish Independent, 27/07/16. Read the full article ‘ESRI casts wide for angling study‘.
ESRI casts wide for angling study, Irish Independent
A flyfisher looking for the angling experience of a lifetime might have his mind on the giant rainbow trout of New Zealand, the cultured brown trout of an English chalk stream or the huge runs of salmon in Norway or northern Russia. There is, however, something special available right here in our own land, in the form of hundreds of little known hill loughs that contain enormous numbers of free-rising, purely wild brown trout, most of which have never seen an angler in their lives. Much of this fishing is free and discovered only by hardy folks prepared to do a lot of groundwork and not a little hiking… The Mayo News, 26/07/16. Read the full article ‘To the waters and the wild‘.
Back on the yak and where he loves to be is Gary Robinson. He gets a chance to fill the freezer with some much needed mackerel last Sunday and reports :
I really should have gone fishing in the morning. Or yesterday. It was glassy yesterday as can be seen in the image above. There was a stiff breeze blowing as I set up on the shore but undeterred I launched onto the water for the first time in quite a few weeks. How I had missed it! I had with me fresh peeler crab and I was looking forward to doing battle with some monsters from the deep.
As it turned out, I was launching into a 15 knot (approx 30km) westerly which was gusting up to 20 knots (approx 40km). Having not been on the water for a while I decided that I wouldn’t be comfortable anchoring up in those conditions so I abandoned the plan to anchor and fish crab baits. They will keep fine for another while in my bait fridge, I should get a chance to use a few of them during the coming week.
Mixed bag for Gary
Instead I opted to fish lures at drift while being tossed about, keeping a close eye on my surroundings. I was jigging and spinning, hoping to hit a few mackerel to replenish the bait stock that had spoiled when my bait freezer was unplugged, much to my horror. I’ll never forget that smell! Drifting around the small bay, I cast a Fiiish Black Minnow in every conceivable direction with nothing to show for it except one follow from a reasonable bass that turned away beside the kayak.
I headed out for deeper water but couldn’t get far for white horses and strong winds. After I started jigging I soon started hitting the very thing that my freezer was missing; mackerel! There were a few pollock in amongst them but they were all small. The only one that would have made a have decent dinner came off at the side of the kayak. I could have filled up the bow hatch, the centre pod, the tankwell and the cockpit of the kayak with mackerel had I been that way inclined but I stopped fishing after hitting a couple of dozen. I headed for shore and home.
Full house…
It’s rare I would be happy after catching not much more than a few mackerel but this was the first trip out for me in a while, it provided a bit of supper and some much needed bait for some larger targets when the wind dies down.
Gary discovered the thrill, freedom and pure joy of kayak fishing almost by accident. After purchasing kayaks with the intention of paddling trips with his long-suffering partner, he started to assess the suitability of such a craft as a fishing platform. Some internet searches showed him that he was not alone in his thoughts. America and Australia already had blossoming populations of kayak anglers.
Construction begins on €9m. Belmullet waste water scheme
IRISH Water, Ireland’s national water utility responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, today began construction on a new €9 million wastewater treatment plant in Belmullet which will benefit over 1,000 local people and visitors to the area… The Connaught Telegraph, 25/07/16. Read the full article ‘Construction begins on €9m. Belmullet waste water scheme‘.
Construction begins on €9m. Belmullet waste water scheme
Mr. Michael O'Sullivan takes the limelight
On the Butlers Pool
Guide Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane where it has been slow going for salmon and sea trout anglers…
21/7/16 The Waterville fishery was on the quiet side and where the Noble anglers of Lough Currane are concerned you can say without any fear of contradiction they failed miserably in their duties again today. In my opinion they need a wake up call from the fifth generation Angler. Wind WSW then veered W light to calm and overcast and humid.
22/7/16 Dr. Tim Gleason, had a cracker of a day in both the Fly and Trolling department. Tim caught two fine Grilse, both in the 4 lbs class, all while fishing with his gillie. Wind WNW light with reasonable cloud cover.
23/7/16 My Noble anglers were ready and waiting at the starter’s gates this morning. I can tell you that by the end of their day, their baskets were empty and their selection of flies or lures were useless. As they headed for the shoreline and pulled their boats up for the night, they headed for the bars, you can be sure the yearns began of that fish that never was. Here endeth the lesson. Wind light to calm with reasonable cloud cover with the odd light shower.
24/7/16 There was no rhythmic sounds of a St George Hardy reel sounding across Lough Currane today. One could only hear the effing and blinding of disgruntled anglers cursing for the lack of a rising fish. Or the lack of skill in my opinion, be it in the fly selection, their drift, or fly line. Alas there was no immediate response from my Noble Game Fish and if there was, there was definitely no sounds on my mobile so you can say my Noble Angers failed in all departments. Wind NW fresh with good cloud cover with showers.
Mr. Michael O’Sullivan takes the limelight On the Butlers Pool
25/7/16 Lough Currane was on the quiet side so on that note we will head down stream to the world famous Butler Pool and www.watervillegolflinks.ie. Mr. Wymes from Dublin, while fishing the Butlers Pool, caught a fine 4 ½ lbs. Salmon on the fly and guided by Mr. Michael O’ Sullivan of Waterville Boats and at watervilleboats@gmail.com. Wind W light to fresh with good cloud cover and the odd showers.
26/7/16 Straight to the Sea Trout department, Dublin Angler Mr. Sean Kestel, fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught a nice 1 ½ lb Sea Trout on the troll. As for the rest of my Noble Anglers they failed miserably.
That is your ration from the last week on Lough Currane, from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts.
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see
Billy Downes reports that as of Tuesday 26th July water at 1m at the Laune Bridge. OK water for all methods but it would be better if it was .4m higher. A few fish were got last week and over weekend but yesterday Monday was disappointing. The nets were off and a there was big angling effort but only a few fish were met or got. Most anglers blanked but there are fish there. The Laune, despite the disadvantage of Commercial netting, is fairing no worse that much more famous rivers, at home and abroad where they don’t have netting. Just a bit too serene.
John Turner trying hard over recent days
Beat 3: It should fish well over the next few days and fish are holding up in pools. Reminders – Trout fishing on Beat 3 is ‘Fly Only’ on a €10 permit. Start times on Beat 3 its 8am and not before that. Brown trout fishing is excellent in all of the Laune just now.
Billy Downes, Secretary Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association
Go fishing…
Day permits are the same as last year €25 to the end of July and €35 for the months of August and September. Be sure to display your permit on the dash of your car with the date and permit number visible and have the other part with you because you will be asked by members to identify yourself as a legitimate ‘One Day Member’ / Permit Holder.
Angling reports from Lough Arrow indicate that wet and dry fly are accounting for some good trout on the lake. The Green Peter fishing in the evening can be pretty exciting, but the best fish last week was caught by Terry Mc Govern, visiting from from Lough Melvin, who had a fish of 8.5 lbs on a dry Daddy.
Amongst those cashing in on the Green Peter action were Thomas Walsh with 3 fish – heaviest 3 lbs, Francie White 1 fish of 2 lbs, Gerry Martin with 2 fish – heaviest 3.25 lbs, John Hargadon 2 fish heaviest 3 lbs, Peter Dunne 4 fish heaviest 3.5 lbs,
Jimmy Toye & Emmet Mc Williams from Derry 2 fish on wets average 2 lbs returned.
Judd Ruane on Pegasus carried on from where he left of last week with another week of good catches for his clients. Freddie Beggs, northern Ireland and Jacques Van’t Hart were amongst the anglers fishing with Judd who experienced first hand the quality of sea trout fishing in the Estuary last week.
Jacques Van’t HartFreddie Beggs
To book a day’s sea trout fishing visit www.fishingireland.ie or contact Judd on +353 (0)87 6736969.
“ Hooked for life “ -
18 year old student Bronagh Murphy from Dublin who has just completed her Leaving certificate caught her first ever salmon on the Ridge Pool on Tuesday 19 July. The fish weighed 4.5 lbs and was caught on the fly.
Mixed weather lead to a big decrease in angling effort last week (week ending 24th July). However salmon were caught throughout the system with 231 reported.
“ Hooked for life “ – 18 year old student Bronagh Murphy from Dublin who has just completed her Leaving certificate caught her first ever salmon on the Ridge Pool on Tuesday 19 July. The fish weighed 4.5 lbs and was caught on the fly.
On the Moy Fishery Margaret Downes from Dublin had a 5.5 lbs grilse on fly, Jimmy French NI. was successful on the weir pool and Mark Walton had a 4.5 lb grilse on the Cathedral beat. However the best bag of the week went to Donegal angler Pat Kane fishing the Spring Wells. Pat had 4 salmon, 2 on fly & 2 on spinner.
Pat Kane holding a 4 lb fish caught on fly and 12 lb fish caught on spinner
Upstream Colin Jones UK. Had 2 grilse on the Coolcronan Fishery and Eric Fabre France had a 5 lbs grilse fishing Bubble & fly on Gannons Fishery. Above Foxford Thierry Coulm France had 5 salmon fishing Bubble & fly on Cloongee, all 5 were released. On East Mayo Anglers Severin Ullmann from Switzerland had 2 fish 5 lbs each on fly and German angler Horst Weiss Germany a 4 lb grilse also on fly.
Lindsey Clarke reports from the Owenea Fishery – Monday 18th to Sunday 24th July 2016.
The Owenea ran out low levels from Monday to Thursday but on Friday we received a big flood of 0.48m. This ran off very quickly however and by Saturday the gauge had dropped to 0.18m and was back to low levels by Sunday with the gauge only reading 0.14m. The gauge average for the week read 0.18m. The river was not particularly busy with 26 visiting rods in attendance for the week with 18 of these fishing in lower water conditions. There were some 20 salmon caught for the week with the majority of these caught during the good flood on Friday. Given here are some of the catches taken from the Fishery Catch Register.
On Monday, Eddie Manthorpe recorded a 4lb grilse caught on a fly from beat 8. On Wednesday, Tommy Corr recorded a 5lb grilse caught on a spinner from beat 9. On Friday, Paul Brennan logged a 4lb grilse caught spinning from beat 9. Tommy Corr registered a 4lb grilse caught spinning on beat 9. Mickey McLoughlin recorded a 6¼lb grilse caught spinning on beat 7. Neil Gallagher reported a 3lb grilse caught spinning on beat 8. John Joe Doherty reported a 5lb grilse caught on a fly from beat 8 and Jim McLean accounted for a 5lb grilse caught spinning on beat 8. On Saturday, Hugh Frazer recorded a 4½lb grilse caught on a fly from beat 3 and James Compston accounted for a 5lb grilse caught on a fly from beat 5. The weather forecast for the coming week gives some rainfall but so far the rainfall seems to be variable. Hopefully there will be enough to raise water levels significantly.
As it turned out, I was launching into a 15 knot (approx 30km) westerly which was gusting up to 20 knots (approx 40km). Having not been on the water for a while I decided that I wouldn’t be comfortable anchoring up in those conditions so I abandoned the plan to anchor and fish crab baits. They will keep fine for another while in my bait fridge, I should get a chance to use a few of them during the coming week.
