Congratulations to Conor Mountaine on winning leg 2 of our shore master angler series, on a wind swept beach in Connemara. First casts produced fish along the beach with Conor getting off to a flyer in the first hour putting him several fish clear of the chasing pack. Things slowed down after that with single fish coming in, no Turbot on show on the day with Flounders making up the catch the biggest of which was caught by Sean Gerrity 38cm which helped him to secure 2nd place on the day. Thanks to all who came out to fish see you all at the next one. Full result to follow.
Great start to the new season for Valentia Fishing skipper Siegy Grabher onboard the Sioux. With an early morning start, all the anglers got on well before the wind picked up at midday.
Ghille Vincent Appleby reports from his blog at Waterville Fishery :
02/04/14 Straight to the fly department, UK Angler Mr. Mark Knowles, caught a fine 9 lbs. Salmon, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com and on a personal note on their catch of the day, I would like to apologise for not taking the photo sadly I was on me bike, and yes I failed miserably in my Duties, and staying with the photo Mark did get a photo of his fish and with any luck I will have it up tomorrow? Wind SE fresh with reasonable cloud cover and just for the record it made a flood this morning. Now to the duck fly department, Local Gillie Mike O’Dwyer, reports that there is a record amount of Duck fly hatching on all Loughs with some nice Brown Trout rising.
03/04/14 Lough Currane was on the quiet side, until renowned all-round angler, Mr. Jim Sayers of Waterville, went manipulating with his lures, and it wasn’t long before his trolling rod was doubled into a lightening fresh 9 ½ lbs. Salmon, Jim was telling me, he had one almighty fight with his Noble Salmon and the rest is history, as the beer flowed down at the back of the Lobster in celebration. Now to yesterdays photo of Mr. Mark Knowles of the UK, photo taken by fellow Angler Mr. Ken Towner of Waterville and the UK. Wind SSE light with reasonable cloud cover.
Mr. Jim Syers
04/04/14 All the head lines go to German angler Mr. Axel ZurBrugge, who caught a cracker of a Salmon on the troll in the 11 lbs. class, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and fishing out of www.butlerarms.com and for the rest of my Noble anglers they looked on as Axel admired his fine fish. Wind SE fresh to strong and overcast with rain in the late afternoon.
Mr. Axel ZurBrugge and Mr. Neil O’Shea
05/04/14 There was good sport in all game fishing departments, so lets start in the specimen Sea Trout department, Mr. Peter Thornton of the USA caught a fine Sea Trout in the 11 lbs class on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of Waterville Boats and at [email protected] Now staying with the trolling, we cut across to the south side and Edery Bay, and the Salmon and the Brown Trout department, Mr. David Homes, fishing with his Gillie Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com caught a cracker of a Salmon of 10 ½ lbs and finished their day of with a great Brown Trout in the 4 lbs class. Wind S in the morning then veered SW in the afternoon fresh to strong and overcast with heavy rain at times.
Peter Thornton with his fine specimen Sea TroutMr. David Homes with his fine catch of Trout and SalmonAgain David Homes with this magnificent 4 lbs Brown Trout
06/04/14 Again Lough Currane kept its international reputation on the specimen Sea Trout front and all the headlines in that department go to long time regular angler Mr. Tim Van Der Laan of Holland, who caught a cracker of a Sea Trout of 11 ½ lbs. on the troll on the South Side of Church Island, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Terence Wharton. Now to my Noble Salmon department, first in the striking zone was another Dutch Angler and Tim’s good friend, was Mr. Ger Jager of Amsterdam, Holland, who caught a fine Salmon on the troll in the 10 lbs class, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Terence Wharton Jnr. Now we cut across the lake to the North side, staying in the trolling department, Mr. Martin Coveney caught a fine 6lbs Salmon on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com Now on a personal note I would like to thank www.loughcurrane.com and all you anglers for sending in your photos of today’s catches, so remember all you anglers keep catching and clicking because its you the anglers that makes this site what it is and that is a fact.
Mr. Ger Jager of Amsterdam, HollandMr. Martin Coveney and Mr. Tom O’Shea
Mr. Tim Van Der Laan of Holland
07/04/14 There were two Salmon caught, first to the fly department, there was a fine 6 lbs Salmon caught by Mr. Ken Towner of Waterville and the UK, fishing with his Gillie Mr. Vincent O’Sullivan of www.vincentsfishing.com Now to the trolling department, Local gillie, Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com caught a fine 10 lbs Salmon. Wind NNW fresh with heavy showers at times and talking of showers it made a good flood last night.
Up and coming Angler and just for the record he caught his fine Brown Trout todayMr.Ken Towner
08/04/14 My Noble Anglers failed miserably in their duties in all departments, so the least said the soonest mended. Wind WSW light and overcast. To all you Anglers who want booze on the slate, this is how its done in Waterville and theres no leaks in this photo.
That is your ration for the week on Lough Currane, from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts. Vincent Appleby
Robert Crichton. Best Rod in 2014 International Team Fish Off
Congratulations go to Robert Crichton from Douglas who took the top rod at the 2014 ITFFA International Team Fish Off. Robert, who caught nine trout and accumulated 1490 points, will go forward to represent Ireland for the seventh time in 2015. Robert and twenty five other members of the current Irish Fly Fishing Team converged on Lough Lene in County Westmeath on Sunday 6th April, each hoping to be one of eight privileged anglers who would retain their place and represent Ireland once again in 2015. With strong blustery winds and occasional bright sunshine these finicky Lene trout proved difficult even for experienced international anglers. For those who persisted, Lough Lene did not disappoint, with some fabulous trout being caught and released; the best of which was caught by Seamus Kelly and measured an impressive 60cm and would have weighed in the region of 6lb. Robert Crichton. Best Rod in 2014 International Team Fish Off
Other successful anglers who will join Robert in representing Ireland at the 2015 International Matches include, Paddy Ward (Lough Derravaragh), Harry McAteer Jnr (Straid Fishery), Barry Fox (Lough Gill), Seamus Kelly (Ballina Cloghans), Gary Binley (Ballina Cloghans), John Brennan (Silverstream) and Gary Smith (Bangor Anglers).
Lough Lene is one of the best stocked trout fisheries in Ireland and provides some fabulous action using a variety of fly angling methods. With the duckfly fishing in full swing, and a variety of other chironomids due to arrive shortly, Lough Lene is well worth a visit. The areas around Fagans, The Cut and Madams appear to be most productive at the moment and effective fly patterns at this time would include diawl bachs, various nymph patterns, or epoxy buzzers fished is a light ripple on a midge tip or floating line. Day permits are available from the Gala Store in Collinstown and boat hire is available from Mr Tom Fagan.
The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association would like to congratulate Robert and we wish the rest of the team the very best of luck as they begin preparing for the International Matches!
Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association
The primary aim of the Association is to organise and run Provincial competitions in order to select competitors for Interprovincial, National and International fly fishing competitions on both Loughs and Rivers. http://itffa.webs.com/
Aiden Dooney with the first real Roach of the season - 1lb 10.5oz
Paul Waghorne, blogger, podcaster and angler is back at Lanesborough and lanesboroughangling.ie for his annual long stay. So far the fishing has not been great but it’s early days yet. Here are some of the highlights from the last seven days…
02/04 Not much fishing done yesterday. The water temperature is rising rapidly, so it won’t be long before we see some serious action. It was a wet day but Aiden Dooney was just below me and caught an 8oz Roach before landing the seasons best Roach so far weighing in at a hefty 1lb 10.5oz. For the last 45 minutes of daylight, we barely had a bite between us, but I did get a Gudgeon.
Aiden Dooney with the first real Roach of the season – 1lb 10.5oz
03/04 My first dawn session of the year. It was very slow to start, even with Krilled maggots, only a solitary Perch in the first thirty minutes, but then the action was non stop. I was fishing the slack water five yards down from the post and had a 14oz Roach before hooking something bigger. My apologies to the local residents for my attack of “Tourettes” when I lost it. Then three Hybrids in quick succession, all around 2 lb and several 4oz Roach.
04/04 Up early again but was beaten to the gusher so fished below the bush. It was very slow to begin, no hot water, but gradually I got the Roach feeding. Most were only 2oz with some going 4oz. Only two fish of note, a hybrid which surprisingly only had 11 rays on the anal fin which was about a pound and a half and a Roach of 12oz.
During the day Peter Wood tried the duckpond area but only got a 6oz Perch for his effort. On the hot stretch, near the bush, Andy Burnett had a short session with a 1 lb 9 oz Roach being the highlight. I had the last 90 minutes of daylight to myself near the bush after Aiden vacated the swim. I had lots of 2oz Roach (and my 6th Gobio of 2014) before landing the best Roach so far this season. I had another of about a pound.
I only smile when Brighton win, – 2014 best Roach (so far) – 1lb 14oz
05/04 There was no one on the river when I arrived at 6:15 and at 9:00 I was still the only angler.There were no fish over 4oz, except a rogue Perch of about a pound. In fact, 2oz was about the average size. Later a group of youngsters from Mulhuddart Foroige fishing Club in Dublin under the supervision of Killian McCormack caught many Roach along the hot water stretch, the best going a pound. After that, Peter Wood arrived and chose the gusher where he had a very nice Rudd of 12oz amongst his mixed bag including a few hybrids. I did 90 minutes before rain stopped play at 19:30 catching loads of Roach, but aside from a 14oz fish first cast, were mainly 2-3oz a piece, except for my 7th Gudgeon of my spring campaign.
06/04 James McHugh gave up on his overnight session as the southerly wind was prohibiting presentation. He had one bite yesterday evening which took him into the reeds. Was it a Tench? Later in the day I went out to do the dutiful thing and found the bright sunlight as much as a problem as the wind. I had only a handful of Roach this evening and nothing over 4oz.
07/04 It was cooler this morning, thought he wind has dropped. Still no hot water. After five minutes or so, I landed a 1lb 4oz Roach, followed by an 8oz Perch. Then onwards it got steadily worse. Bites were few and far between and I probably wasted most of my ground bait trying to build the swim. Aside from a 10oz fish at 8.45, it wasn’t the best of sessions, but at least I had the river to myself. This evening I was back indoors long before sunset, my two hour session produced an abundance of fish not usually attributed to Lanesborough. I was fed up with 1/2 ounce Roach. OK, I did get some 4oz fish but these were mainly Rudd. The weather was typical of April, rain followed by bright sun.
08/04 This mornings session was a disappointment, resulting in 18 Roach. a Perch and a Gudgeon. The Roach were mostly tiny with the biggest about 3oz. Two other anglers arrived for the day. Three hours on the feeder to blank for one, and four fish for the other on the stick float. Needless to say, these two visitors were gone long before mid day.
Still no hot water, so I’m giving up fishing the hot stretch, until tomorrow anyway…..
The above is just a few short extracts from the angling reports at Paul’s website. For the full daily reports and more photos visit the www.lanesboroughangling.ie
Paul’s reports often save anglers many miles in journeys to Lanesborough when you could probably be better off staying at home. He always tell it as he sees it – find out more at www.lanesboroughangling.ie
On 31 May and 01 June Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club will host the first ray tagging weekend in Ireland. There will be boat angling and shore angling competitions on both days with 16 prizes to be won.
Boat Places are limited. Accommodation available but again limited.
For more info ring : 0877803046 or 0864044671
A string of mackerel are a welcome sight at this time of year
Daryl Ewing, Sligo Boat Charters , reports on the start to his charter fishing season in Sligo…
The Sea Star was the first Boat back in the channel at Rosses Point year after her winter servicing, painting and improvements. Fishing is already underway, 01 April, though sea temperatures are still cool enough. The first full house of mackerel came to the boat on Saturday, 05 April, though there was no great run of fish.
A string of mackerel are a welcome sight at this time of year
On Monday his anglers had some decent sport including some rewarding coalie fishing.
Sea Star is based in Rosses Point, Sligo (10 mins from Sligo town on local bus route). Services available include deep sea angling, reef fishing, shark fishing (August-October) and eco tourism cruises. Trips can be tailor made to suit anglers and include modest half day, full day and evening trip rates for groups, individuals, and children. Rods and tackle are available for hire on board and skipper can arrange accommodation if contacted in time. Gift vouchers are also available. Sight seeing tours for non anglers.
A bass caught in tough conditions will put a smile on your face
John Quinlan from Thatch Cottage Ireland reports that a few bass were caught last week when the conditions were poor, hopefully the improved conditions will see more caught this week…
Bass fishing conditions were tough last week – a mix of strong east winds and very coloured water. Still, there were a few bass around. And some were landed.
Cold bright conditions and bassA bass caught in tough conditions will put a smile on your face
Conditions look to be improving from this week. A little more sunshine to warm the water up would be nice, but it is likely that things will pick up now that the wind is more in the West and the water clarity has improved.
We are now taking bookings for the 2014 season. Lure and fly fishing for bass normally begins mid to late March with April and May often giving superb sport. Please get in touch to check for best times and availability. If you fancy a spring bass fishing break just give John a call on (066) 947 4721 (or +353 66 947 4721 from abroad).
Tomasz Ekert reports in his blog Sea Bass Hunting that last month he had a few bass on lures. Unfortunately as the conditions deteriorated and the winds became easterly the sport dried up.
On 12 and 13 March Tomasz had a few bass on a variety of hard and soft luresAnthony with his personal best bass
Tralee Bay Sea Angling Clubangler Antony Foley had a fine bass from Stradbally towards the end of last month. This fish measured 52cm and was Anthony’s PB for bass.
Frank Maunsell reports on the conditions and prospects on the Owenmore Fisheryin co. Kerry…
As of Tuesday, 08 April, the seatrout have started to move into the river especially since the easterly wind has gone. Conditions are improving and there is more activity showing from the fish in the estuary, which is always a good sign. When the water rises another degree or two in temperature there will be fish caught in the lakes.
There are approximately five miles of fly fishing along the main part of the Owenmore River in Kerry, with 33 named pools and an additional 180 acres of lake fishing in this Kerry beauty spot. The salmon, grilse and sea trout begin to run in April. The runs continue through spring and summer into early October.
Today's conditions on the Bandon. Water levels for the Bandon can be checked on the Farsom Digital Watercams site.
The Bandon Angling Association reports that not may salmon have been caught on the river yet this season. The first confirmed springer was caught and released on March 5th using a Dee Monkey fly tied on an aluminium tube. The second fish was not landed until March 20th and also fell to the fly. However, conditions have been good recently and few fresh salmon have come up on the tides. Leon Costello caught this fresh 12.6lb fish up river on Thursday 03 April. The springer fell to a Flying C.
A 12.6lb salmon for Leon
Jason Nash was also trying a Flying C for salmon on Thursday – though he had rather different results. The spinner, intended for a salmon, hooked a hungry trout, which in turn was taken by an otter! Despite reeling frantically to avoid the determined predator, all that came to the bank was the unfortunate fish’s head.
The River Bandon is a most scenic and prolific game fishing river flowing through some of the most picturesque country side in West Cork. It’s source is a few miles north west of Dunmanway from where it flows through that town and and on through the villages of Ballineen, Enniskeane, Kilcoleman, Bandon and Innishannon where it become tidal and widens into an estuary before meeting the sea past Kinsale.
