Fishery manager Osgur Grieve reports on fishing from the 2nd – 9th September. The fishing has been slow with the lack of rain all week. However the arrival of Jean Jacques Calvar and Jean Francoise Calvar from France heralded a change. On the 6th Jean Francoise had 2 fairly fresh grilse of 3lbs and 2.5lbs on a small black fly which he returned, and lost 2 others, while Jean Jacques caught a 2.5lbs grilse which he returned also on a small black fly.
With rain forecast we hope to have more to report next week as we still have a few fresh fish entering the system. At the moment we have beats available during September, if you would like to book some fishing please call 095 42208 or check out www.aasleaghlodge.ie
Late hatches of olives and sedges have been providing anglers with good sport over the last week, although few anglers were out to take advantage. Frank Reilly fished out of Greenfields with Larry McCarthy on Sunday, and the fishing was so good that they called home to get the match recorded rather than come in off the lake early! They boated 5 good trout between 2.5 to 4.5lbs, all taken on dry olives, and had plenty of sport with other fish coming to the fly. Frank described it as one of the most enjoyable day’s fishing he’s experienced for many years. All fish were released again to go and enjoy their time on the spawning beds.
I met another angler who had a similar day on Monday, fishing from Birchall, who had 5 good trout to the boat to 3.5lbs, all on dry sedge patterns, and all released. Well done Greg!
Frank Butler was in touch with a great report on the recent SSE Airtricity Galway Wind Park Cup competition:
14 boats with 35 anglers hit the water from Collinamuck Pier on Sunday 30th August for the Inaugural running of the SSE Airtricity Galway Wind Park Cup. Conditions were far from ideal with the lake practically flat calm. 12 boats pulled in to Rabbit Island for the lunch and a chance to exchange reports on the fishing from the various locations visited, at this stage there were no keep-able fish in any of the 12 boats. Freshly cooked steaks, spuds and sausages were consumed with vigour and the odd chilled liquid refreshment was taken on board, and plenty of laughter was had. The wind was picking up as the anglers went back on the water again with full bellies and renewed hope for a ‘bit of a take’.
At 6pm all boats were back to Collinamuck Pier for the weigh-in. In total 8 trout had been landed for a total of 16lbs 14oz. Two teams of anglers had the same number of fish with the exact same weight and after some brief negotiations between committee and the 2 teams a very cordial agreement to share first place was agreed. The cup was shared by the teams of David Connolly and Dermot Walsh, with 2 fish for 4lbs 8oz, and the team of Frank Rigney, John Crowley and Michael Burke, also with 2 fish for 4lbs 8oz. In second position was the team of Pat McDonagh, Nathan McDonagh and Michael Hamilton with 2 fish for 3lbs 2oz. In third position was the team of Paddy O’ Farrell and John Howley with 1 fish for 2lbs 7oz. The Ladies prize went to Carmel McDonagh while the junior prize went to Ava McCarthy.
Celebrations went on until the late hours in Pegs with lashings of hearty stew going down as well as the pints, while local DJ Peter O ‘Halloran played tunes old and new to keep the place hopping ‘til late.
The Committee of the Collinamuck & District Angling Club would like to take this opportunity to thank SSE Airticity for their support and assistance with the funding and running of this competition. It can be difficult to get new competitions off the ground but the process was made very straightforward and hassle free by the professionalism and help shown to us by SSE Airtricity Personnel Dave O’Malley and John O’Sullivan. We look forward to working again with them in the coming years. We would also like to thank the members of staff from SSE Airtricity that made the effort to come and fish with us for the day, it was great to welcome new faces to Collinamuck and it added greatly to the fishing, the lunch on Rabbit Island and the celebrations in Pegs. We look forward to doing it all again next year and on.
First prize winners in the SSE Airtricity Galway Wind Park Cup competition receiving their shared trophyThe second-placed team of Michael Hamilton, Nathan McDonagh and Pat McDonagh with Dave O’Malley from SSE Airtricity.
The five day annual Gowna Festival took place last week with 79 anglers taking part. Venues fished included Rockfield, Glasshouse, Rosduff, Corfree, Dernaferst and Gulladoo. The winners are as follows:
1st. A Leathers 53.880kg
2nd. E Bridon 49.900kg
3rd. N Mallinson 48.660kg
4th. L Kilmcuk 48.600kg
5th. D Buckley48.320kg
6th. P Reilly 46.220kg
The annual Arva Fishing Festival is taking place this week with average weights at most venues topping at 12/14kg’s. The same applies to the annual Belturbet Festival which is also taking place in the Lough Oughter area. Results next week.
Anglers staying at Church View Guest House in Belturbet have been enjoying the fishing
Maura Hughes of Church View Lodge reports that her anglers have found that the fishing is picking up a bit in the Belturbest area with weights of 15lb to 40lb been caught by guests over the last two weeks.
Make a booking…
Great service is assured in a friendly atmosphere. Our guests have come back year after year to us and we are proud of the service we offer. Belturbet is nestled along the banks of the River Erne. The town can be easily explored on foot. Renowned for its angling, Belturbet is surrounded by the Erne river and numerous lakes and is considered to be one of Ireland’s best fishing destinations, making it a popular choice for fishermen in this Lakeland District.
The perfect venue for your piking holiday. Book & we can help you organise your full package.
Local expert guide & boat can be organised easily. Ring Maura Hughes for more details & prices
Carrigaholt skipper Luke Aston was on a shark drift on Saturday and there were plenty of blues around. One of his anglers had a handy Porbeagle in the boat. Later in the drift they got a take from a beast that took 300m of line with no stopping. Luke followed it with the boat but after half and hour it broke off. Luke and the crew got a couple of looks at it and it was estimated to be at least 300 lbs and completely out-gunned Luke’s blue shark gear. Since that bruising encounter Luke has been reporting megrim, skate, wrasse, tope and tubet as well as the usual white fish.
Porbeagle
Pollack, cod, ling, gurnards and some nice haddock have been landed by anglers fishing on the Lady Gwen. One group of anglers down from Dublin had all that and some blue shark too.
Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine that operates out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare.
I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!
To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke. Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishandstay.com
Séan Maguire Lady Gwen II
Fishing Adventures on Lady Gwen II’s Lochin 33 M265Ti Perkins charterboat which operates 15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush.
Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire. Telephone: +353 (0) 877508758 or +353 (0) 894431182 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishingadventures.ie
On Sunday Clare Dragoon enjoyed a light breeze and plenty fish. Simon had this fine Megrim
Paul,Wanne and Jan had 3 great days fishing at Courtmacsherry,fish included blue shark to over 2 m
Anglers fishing with Courtmacsherry Anglinghave been getting a good mix of species.OnWednesday they 17 sharks boated in 3 hrs, fishing off seven heads Courtmacsherry. This was followed up with a mix of ling, cod, pollack and conger fishing. At the weekend it was more of the same with a bit of bass fishing added to the mix.
Paul,Wanne and Jan had 3 great days fishing at Courtmacsherry,fish included blue shark to over 2 mLeo with a ling over 20lbs from a wreck off Courtmacsherry
Mark Gannon tells us that on Monday fishing was tough on the wrecks as the east wind meant every fish was worked hard for. The sharks didn’t help either at one stage they were loosing fish like 10 kg cod to as many as 25 sharks around the boat.
At Union Hall, the two boats in the Irish Deep Sea Charter fleet, Boy Scottand Rod’n’Reelhave had some more good shark fishing and also have been able to produce plenty of ling, cod and pollack. While most of the times the big bites are coming from blue sharks every so often something different gives the bait a tug. One angler got very excited when a seal pick up is bait in 45m and ran hard. Another angler in area reports a take that stripped 150m of line from the reel – porbeagle maybe?
There’s something big down there off the Union Hall coast…A nice shark on board
Tom Collins on Loch an Iasc out of Reen Peirfinished his film shoot with the Polish crew at at end of last week. They were trying for a sixgill shark on rough reef. Unfortuantely the hook ups did not produce fish for the cameras. Each shark played close to the sea bed and he first frayed the 60lb main line on the reef. The second fish swam around for a while also fraying main line but decided to circle the boat. When manoeuvring the rod around the anchor rope Tom had to give some slack and he reckons it may have rolled once or twice in the 300lb leader. Shortly after it bit straight through. It’s a change of tactics for the next outing – 100lb mono main line with 15 foot of 49 strand wire leader to 5 foot of 49 strand hook length.
At the weekend Tom ran a “Catch, Cook Eat Experience” for the West Cork Food Festival. Tom tells us Casey’s Bar in a Union Hall produced a great meal with the fish his crew caught.
Go Fishing…
Lady Patricia / Lady Louise
Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre is one of Irelands Premier Angling Centres based in the picturesque village of Courtmacsherry. Sea Angling in Courtmacsherry produces good results both for the offshore charter angler, the selfdrive angler for inshore fishing or the wreck enthusiast. Web:www.courtmacsherryangling.ie Email:[email protected] Telephone: +353 (0)23 8846427 or +353 (0)86 8250905
Sea Angling Charters is a modern and energetic business driven at the helm by experienced angler and skipper Tom Collins. Whether you are a seasoned angler in pursuit of a catch of a lifetime or a passing tourist hoping to get that photo of a breaching whale we aim to fulfil your every need. Tel: +353 87 2792983 Web:www.seaanglingcharters.ie Facebook:www.facebook.com/seaanglingcharters.ie
Bert Müllrick, Germany, with a fine Lough Conn Esox
Regular visitor to the Foxford area, Bert Müllrick from Germany, had an excellent day’s pike fishing with guide Kenny Sloan. Fishing Lough Conn & Cullin, Bert had a one meter plus pike on the troll.
Bert Müllrick, Germany, with a fine Lough Conn Esox
He also caught a number of nice pike on the fly, all in the double figures. These were Bert’s first fly caught fish ever! While playing another large pike Bert’s line unfortunately snapped as it frayed across rocks. However, Bert enjoyed some great pike action and is already planning another visit to Mayo in the new year to try for more fly-caught pike.
Kenny Sloan has become synonymous with big pike in the Foxford area. Kenny can guide you on the big wild waters around him Conn and Cullen but he also has a lot of smaller waters at his disposal and even if the wind blows he always has some where to fish making your break as productive as possible. Web:www.pikemania.co.uk
William Appleby, UK, with his first ever Irish salmon
Fishing on the River Moy picked up only slightly during the past week. Water levels dropped with angling conditions improving further but angling effort was still low.
William Appleby, UK, with his first ever Irish salmon
On the Ridge Pool, flyangler William Appleby, UK, caught his first Irish salmon ever, a nice 9 lbs. fish!
Paul Whelan, Co. Kildare, had one at 6 lbs. on bubble & fly on Gannon’s, while David McIvor, Northern Ireland, caught a grilse on the Foxford Fishery. David’s fish took a worm. A cracking thirteen pounder was caught by Luxemburg angler, Jacques Montaldo, on the Cloongee Fishery while spinning.
Further upriver, on East Mayo, regular visitor, Stuart Longhurst, Germany, proved that flyfishing can be very productive. Stuart had a total of three grilse averaging 4.5 lbs.
The ‘Lakelands & Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championship’ is match fishing in Ireland at it’s very best! Taking place from September 7th to 11th with a Guaranteed Prize fund for top ten Pairs of €20,650 and £1500 tackle prizes for the winners from DAIWA.
Sponsorship to the value of £6,500. 100% payout
Day one…
We were out and about at Section 3 Fermanagh for Day One and quality fish have made the difference on these venues. As is the norm for good fishing pre-baiting of the venue was essential and DCAL Inland Fisheries gave us a hand to produce ground bait in bulk to get the feed out there on these previously unfished sections.
Andy Leathers got his campaign off to a good start with 13.850kg from peg 3. Casting to 50m with a base-weighted cage feeder and double red maggot n a 90cm trace, the Browning Hotrods angler sneaked enough to see off Dean Barlow’s, Drennan International net of bigger fish. Philip Jackson showed his class with a 75 fish net from peg 9. his 18.120kg was top weight of the day overall, but only scratched the surface of how good Magho can be.
Lower Lough Erne is an impressive body of water and the Magho Jetty shore is known for some great bream catches of up to 50kg. it’s not currently available to the every day angler but a fish survey being carried out by the anglers during the championships will contribute to the Lough Erne Management Plan which we hope will bring better access for all in the future.
The organisers would like to thank DCAL Fisheries and the Ulster Angling Federation for the special dispensation awarded to use this venue this September.
Day two…
No change at the top of the pairs, with two-times winners Cathal Hughes and Philip Jackson still ahead of a reshuffled chasing pack.
In the Daiwa Cup, Dean Barlow hits the top today from Brackley Lake (Cavan 4), on peg 5. Dean’s 18.825kg came on the pole, which after most weights coming to the feeder, will give others pause for thought.
THE DAIWA CUP
The fantastic sponsorship from DAIWA of vouchers to the value of £6,500 supplements a 100% payout for this optional match running inside the Pairs. With 5/4 peg sections paid by default there is the opportunity for everyone to pick up some money with 82 out of the 84 competing anglers entered.
Sidney Kennedy wins Catch of the Week for his albacore tuna on fly
Mike Dennehy promised us some tuna action and he didn’t disappoint. Mike and a few of his angling pals headed out on Sunday and Monday in pursuit of albacore tuna. The weather was settled and the forecast was favourable. Kinsale disappeared behind the horizon and they found themselves on the feeding grounds. Trolling produced about a dozen fish on Sunday. A selection of tuna caught out of Kinsale
Monday was a bit bigger and 20 fish were landed. What made it all the more exciting was 2 albacore for well known specimen hunter Sidney Kennedy. These might well be the first recorded tuna on fly in Irish waters. Our ‘Catch of the week’ winner Sidney Kennedy got 2 albacore tuna on fly off the Cork coast
Mike tells us that he hopes to get out again when the weather is suitable. He knows he has set the bar high with a fair few specimens caught over the last couple of years, but he he want’s to try and better his 63lb fish from last year…
Go fishing…
When not chasing tuna with friends Mike is skipper of Silver Dawn, based at Castlepark Marina in beautiful and historic town of Kinsale, Cork, Ireland. The coastal area benefits from a range of mixed grounds with mud, shingle, rock and sand banks all with in reach to offer some excellent and varied fishing. http://www.kinsalecharters.com/ https://www.facebook.com/kinsalecharters
Lower Lough Erne is an impressive body of water and the Magho Jetty shore is known for some great bream catches of up to 50kg. it’s not currently available to the every day angler but a fish survey being carried out by the anglers during the championships will contribute to the Lough Erne Management Plan which we hope will bring better access for all in the future.
