Kevin Crowley from the IFI office in Galway reports on the first salmon from Ballynahinch and the Costello and Fermoyle Fisheries.
Ballynahinch Castle
The first salmon of the season was reported at Ballynahinch Castle Fishery this week. The fish, a lovely fresh-run springer, was landed on the 26th by regular angler Ann Corcoran, who was ably assisted by Ballynahinch head guide, Cyril Biggins. Good water conditions at the moment should hopefully see more fish reported here soon, and we look forward to a good season and many great reports from Ballynahinch. To book fishing or accommodation, contact the castle at 095 31006, or check www.ballynahinch-castle.com
first salmon of the year at Ballynahinch.
The first salmon of the season from Ballynahinch Castle Fishery, a fine springer landed by Ann Corcoran and assisted by head guide Cyril Biggins.
Costello and Fermoyle
Fishery manager Terry Gallagher was in touch to report the first salmon of the season at Costello. The fish, an 8lbs bar of silver, was landed at the Cabbage Pool on River Beat 1 by Geoffrey Fitzjohn, who was fishing his trademark Black Shrimp (Size 8) on the 26th.
Terry reports that staff at Costello are hoping for a continuation of last year’s great season, with a salmon rod catch of 73 salmon, the best annual rod catch at Costello since 1996. The sea trout rod catch also recovered, with over 600 fish caught and released last year, despite relatively light angling effort. Hopefully this year will see a continuation of that trend, and a few more anglers on this beautiful fishery should see numbers increase again.
To book fishing at Costello, contact Terry at [email protected] or phone 087 2399988
Kevin Crowley from the IFI office in Galway reports on Trout fishing on Loughs Corrib and Mask
Lough Corrib
Frank Reilly reports that there were good hatches of duck fly over the last week, with some very good catches. Seamus and Packie O’Loughlin from Ennis fished out of Greenfields for 2 days on the 26th and 27th, landing 18 trout (14 returned) up to 4 lb. Mick McCluskey and Maurice McDavitt of Northern Ireland fished for 5 days and landed 30 trout (27 returned) up to 3.25 lb. Peter McGuinness and Frank Reilly fished for 1 day and landed 8 trout (all released) up to 2 lb.
Larry McCarthy with a lovely Trout on Duckfly
Angling guide Larry McCarthy from www.corribangling.com with a fine Corrib trout taken during the duckfly hatch, March 2014
The Oughterard Development 50 two day team competition was held over the weekend, with 48 anglers landing 83 trout for 70.2 kg. The winners were Darren Maguire from Co. Fermanagh and Pat Connell of Cork, with 7 trout for 9.3 kgs. 2nd place went to Harold O’Toole and John Reidy with 8 trout for 7.2 kgs, while in 3rd place were Michael and Eamon Molloy with 9 trout for 6.4 kgs. Gerry McGuire of Omagh fished for 1 day in the Oughterard area and landed 5 trout for 1day. Larry Kelly, Dublin and John Jacks of Scotland also fished for one day and landed 4 trout, the best at 3 lbs. Pat Gallagher, Meath had a very good day landing 7 trout up to 2.5 lb. Catch of the week goes to well know international angler and guide Larry McCarthy of www.corribangling.com with 26 trout (24 returned) for 53 lbs. Larry reported his best day was Saturday 29th when he landed 7 trout for 19 lb.
Lough Mask
After a long, wet and wild winter, Ronan Cusack’s first report of the season makes for great reading.
After a long winter and extremely wet spring, Lough Mask has finally shed some of its flood water and begun to come alive for the 2014 season. Many local anglers around the lake have been slow to launch their boats and said that extreme water levels in Feb/Mar of this year have never been seen before.
Floods at Cushlough Bay during the Winter of 2013
Photo shows the incredibly high water levels seen on Lough Mask earlier this year, with much of the carpark at Cushlough under water.
On Tuesday last the Burke family of Clonbur organised a two day competition in memory of well-known Mask angler Ignatius Burke. This event was well supported and fishing was in top form. A total of 76 anglers competed, weighing in 181 fish over the 2 days. Fermanagh angler Nigel Greene took first place with 6 trout for 8.31lbs. In second position was Mike O’Shea from Kerry, who also had 6 fish for 7.54lbs. In third place, with 6 trout for 7.12lbs, was Loughrea angler Malcolm Naughton. Heaviest fish over the 2 days went to Julian Beehal from Dublin, with a fine trout weighing 4.65lbs.
The welcome rise in temperatures this week has reflected in an abundance of fly life. Huge hatches of both dark and cinnamon sedge have been reported around the lake and fish have been seen freely rising, yet the more seasonal duckfly have not been as plentiful. Ballinrobe Anglers chairman Kevin Beattie had 5 nice trout fishing dries on Sunday last (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). Kevin also fished on Thursday with local angler Ray Broughton and they had 6 fish pulling wets in shallow water (best fish 1.5lbs). Sean Maloney, Ballinrobe and Partry angler Oliver Wickham had 4 fish on Sunday, again fishing wets in very shallow bays (best fish 2lbs). Tommy Foley and Tim Hannon had a day on Mask last Wednesday and they finished with 9 fish over the size limit, and several under size (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). Kevin Egan, Partry fished for a few hours on Saturday and he had 5 fish pulling wets (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned).
Despite a slow start Mask is fishing really well at the moment and with the mild weather forecast for the coming week it looks as if this is set to continue.
Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at [email protected] or at 087 2869487
Another shot of Pierre with the 16 Kilos pike from Lough Derg
Angling guide Pierre Monjarret reports on the capture of a huge pike last week on Lough Derg.
Pierre Monjaret with the biggest pike of the year at 35 lb. 5.5 oz (16 Kilos) and 118cms from Lough Derg is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner
Pierre reports in an E-mail:
“Just let you know I catch a really big fish last week 118 cm for 16 kg. on x buster strike pro.
Another shot of Pierre with the 16 Kilos pike from Lough Derg
We had a 107 cm pike today
Pierre with another Lough Derg pike of 107 cms.
All the good fish were just before my first group. I going out to find some active fish and all the fish was on a big drop 7 meters deep and all catch on x
buster strike pro shallow. I start guiding tomorow and I am busy everyday until
june for the moment.
Best regards ,
pierre
Pierre Monjarret
Guide de Peche Professionel
Killaloe, Co. Clare, Ireland
Andrew Ryan, APGAI guide with Clonanav Fly Fishing reports:
Today March 28th was the first day this season I managed to get out on the river. I missed opening day and opening week due to the flu.. the first time in many years that I haven’t been out on opening day. I was itching to get out, so I was out on the river today with regular client Gerry and fellow guide Kevin. …Mmm decisions, decisions !
The weather was pleasant mid morning with some good sunshine so we went to the river Nire and we looked over the bridge we saw several trout rising, not big ones but rising all the same. Gerry put on an Adams and a 5X leader and had a cast. Third cast he was into a fish, not huge about 8 inches, but his first of the season. 2 casts later he was into another fish about the same size… then they stopped rising. We had a few more small fish on nymphs in the fast water, with Kevin also getting quite a few hook ups. It is great to be on the water again, it was a long winter and it is so good to have the rivers finally open again. Was nice to test some new gear today too, we had the Hardy Jet rod in an 8ft 6 # 4 line, which is amazing and the new Simms Guide waist packs.. really handy on the river! Andrew Ryan Clonanav
Go fishing…
Clonanav Fly Fishing is one of Irelands leading destinations for river fishing. We specialise in fly fishing for both brown trout and salmon in the River Suir and tributaries. Crystal clear rivers teeming with native brown trout await you on you visit to Clonanav. Experience some of the best river trout fishing Ireland has to offer coupled with excellent guiding and tuition. Clonanav Fly Fishing
Ballymacarbry, Clonmel, Co Waterford. Tel: + 353 (0)52 6136765 Web:www.flyfishingireland.com DISCLAIMER NOTE: Inland Fisheries Ireland do not support any brand over another.
My mother always had a saying when there was work to be done – “Do it yourself says the little Red Hen”
Well there’s no doubt but Sean Jordan is singing from the same hymn sheet. He decided to recycle or should I say upcycle an old 25 litre drum and convert it into a Stripping Basket for his Salt Water fly fishing.
Sean tells us “It’s well known in saltwater fly fishing what a great asset a stripping basket is, allowing the angler to maintain control of stripped/slack line in tidal flows whilst wading, and keeping the line up off the ground/rocks,(so the line won’t be stepped on and damaged or tripped over) and gives you the freedom + ability to move quickly should you see some fish activity nearby, in an efficient manner without reeling in and pulling back out the correct length of line again.”
Angling Guide and journalist Mick Flanagan reports on trout fishing on Lough Ennell and Lough Owel and other fisheries in the midlands
Gulls feeding on duckfly on Lough Ennell
DUCK-FLY UP ON ENNELL. The first hatch of fly have finally arrived on our Lakes, and huge drifts of Duck Fly are drifting across Ennell. There is not a lot of surface activity on the Trout scene but the Swallow type birds, and Gulls are having a great time feeding on the Duck- Fly. Some super trout are being caught on the troll on Ennell, and hopefully as the water temperatures rises, so two will the Ennell Trout. Its certainly not easy going on Ennell, and you will put many hours in for a few fish. Local anglers Tosh Grimes and Seam Matthews are putting in quite a few hours on Ennell, and have boated some fine fish. I had a few earlier in the week on small Lures, and Ennell is worth checking out as we drift into April.
Mick with two nice trout
DAY OUT ON OWEL. We are blessed to have such fantastic fisheries on our doorstep, and last weekend Lough Owel produced some lovely fish for a group of hardy Anglers who braved the elements. Last Saturday conditions were chilly on Owel, and as the day progressed we were hit for six with heavy rain. There was a bit of a Flanagan gathering on Owel, and we were joined by some friends for a days fishing. Naturally their was a competition edge to the day, and local Angler Johnny Plunkett topped the day with a lovely trout of 1 lb. 15 oz.Their was no fly life on Owel last week, but soon Duck- Fly will start hatching, and fly anglers will be Out & About on Owel. Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association hold their first fly fishing competition on Sunday week April 13th, and we will have more on this in next weeks Angling Focus. Membership is open, and you will also need a current IFI Angling permit.
LOUGH BANE BROWNIES. Lough Bane Anglers Association hosted their first Trout competition of the 2014 season, and it produced some super Brown Trout. Top prize was the Dromone Engineering Cup, and Kells angler Pat McLoughlin produced a beautiful Brown Trout of 4.56 lb. to take Top Rod. Johnny Murray of the Downs boated another fine brown trout of 4.43 lb. to take 2nd place, 3rd spot went to Liam McLoughlin, Pat’s brother and his fish weighed an impressive 3.54 lb., with Trim Angler Enda Hyland 4th with 3.27 lb. Unfortunately Johnny Murray had to leave the lake early due to football commitments and missed the photo-shoot, but his Angling pal Colin Cahill collected his prize.
COMPETITIONS ON LINE. On Wednesday April 9th the 3- day Lough Ree Pike Festival will be fished out of Coosan Point. Up on 80 boats will venture out with some huge cash prizes up for grabs. On Sunday week April we have a clash of Trout competitions. Lene host the Peadar Caffrey Cup, and Owel Anglers will fish for the Ace Cup. More on these trout competitions in next weeks Angling Focus.
Edenderry Coarse Angling Club will celebrate its 25th Anniversary and running one of the most successful canal fishing festivals in Ireland over 25 years on the Grand Canal. The club itself has 40 stalwart members with regular events across 19 miles of canal that have been well stocked with carp, tench, bream, roach, hybrids and perch. With such a landmark event about to take place in the midlands of Ireland, Waterways Ireland responded well to news of such an important event and has already released a large batch of rudd. Two large tanks of fish were released at Tubberdaly and are expected to spread along the waterway from there.
“We have a great relationship with Waterways Ireland and Inland Fisheries”, said Pauric Kelly, President of Edenderry AC. “We appreciate their level of interest and the continuous effort they make to keep the canal in good order for boats and fishermen alike.
“The 2014 Edenderry Angling festival will take place over three days on June 2, 4 and 6; tying in with the nearby Prosperous Festival on June 1-3-5 and we are hoping for a big entry!”
Getting the tournament off the ground took a lot of hard work and in its first years there were nine canal fanatics from Liverpool and 10 other anglers but it has matured well and the best entry was 114 matchmen. It is truly an “Irish Angling Festival” of the old style with local pubs put on a complimentary supper every evening, there are at least 90 beds in the various BB’s and pubs and there are lots of prizes on the table when it comes to the presentation. Catch returns are very good for a canal venue and the festival one-day record is held by Liverpool’s Frank Holding who had 54lb of bream, tench, roach and rudd on pole and caster.
The entry fee is €130 each and a three man team an extra €20. For more details please contact Pauric Kelly 00353 86 3503117
And by the way … this is a terrific canal, stuffed full of fish and only an hour from Dublin. If you fancy four days or a week on the canal call Active Irish Angling for accommodation and ferry. Telephone 0151 324 4744 or email: [email protected]
Dave Houghton Active Irish Angling Tel: (UK) 0151 324 4744 or (IRL) +353 (0)71 9642743 Web:www.activeirishangling.com
Ghillie/Guide Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane:
25/03/14 We will let the professionals do the talking in the Salmon department, Mr. Sion Brain of www.kbfishingireland.com caught a lightening 7 ½ lbs Salmon on the troll and for the rest of my Noble anglers they failed miserably in their duties, be it fly or troll. Wind N fresh with reasonable cloud cover. Sion Brain
26/03/14 Lough Currane was on the quiet side today, but having said that, I did see one local Gillie fishing as if he was into my Noble gentlemen or was he? You could say a Toby or not Toby is the question, and as he came closer, I shouted, you have the right to remain silent, and he did, so here endeth today’s notes, with gone with the Wind NNE light with bright sunshine all day. Mr. Nick Park RIP
27/03/14 I start on the sad news that a renowned fly Angler Mr. Nick Park of the UK and Tullig, Cahersiveen, has sadly passed away, I would like on behalf of all we anglers and the good people of Kerry send our sincere condolences to all his Family and friends on this sad occasion. Well Nick you have left this fishery for a much better one and I can assure you and your family, you will never be forgotten. I am sure Nick wont mind if I give all today’s news in the Salmon and Sea Trout department, first congratulations to Mr. John Allen of East Dean Village, Eastbourne, East Sussex UK, for getting catch of the week, click and admire https://fishinginireland.info/salmon-reports/a-fine-specimen-sea-trout-of-9-lb-for-uk-visitor-reported-from-lough-currane/ now today’s catches, Mr. David Mehigan of Kildare caught a fine Salmon on the troll while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com also in good form was Mr. Tommy Duggan of Kilkenny, fishing with his Gillie Mr. Mike O’Dwyer, caught a fine Salmon on the Troll. Wind E light Tommy Duggan and David Mehigan
28/03/14 All quiet on the SW front in all departments, or you could say the paparazzi were redundant on the Salmon and Sea Trout trail, like my Noble anglers. On the weather front, wind NE light with reasonable cloud cover at times.
29/03/14 Straight to the C&R trolling department, Mr. Enrico Fantasia of Italy, fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com caught and released a fine Salmon in the 9 to 10 lbs class, will have photos later, sorry for the delay but beyond my control and as Max Boyce wouldn’t say, I wasn’t there to snap. Now to the fishmongers’ department, Mr. Dan Sugrue of Waterville and Tralee, caught a fine Salmon in the 10 lbs class, on the troll, while fishing with his good friend Mr. John O’Sullivan of Waterville. Wind SE light and overcast. Mr. Enrico Fantasia of Italy And he’s off
30/3/14 Sorry for the delay I was in north Kerry, yes I agree, but that’s life. Now today’s facts, well there isn’t any and for good reason my Noble Anglers failed in all departments and if they did procure they failed to register their catches. Its cold in North Kerry
31/3/14 Lough Currane was on the wild side with a strong SE blowing down the lake, for that reason very few anglers ventured out, but one boat did fight against the elements, but alas with all their manipulating failed to produce the Wild Atlantic Salmon. www.loughcurrane.com reports that there are now good hatches of Duckfly taking place on all the Lakes, why not give our ‘Duckfly Deal’ a try?!!
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
Lots of Activity for Pike Anglers with Brendan O'Reilly
US Marine Collie Dwyer and Paul Burns were out for a days pike fishing with Brendan O’Reilly of Newgrange Active Angling today Monday 31st March. There were over 20 fish caught the two men were well happy. Collie has plenty experience with fish as he catches Bass and Trout back in the US. Paul from Dublin it was his fish time Pike fishing, Paul a Sea angler wanted to try pike fishing and reading reports on “Fishing in Ireland” contacted Brendan. We fished a river in Monaghan the river was colored and a little high. We covered a lot of river as the fish were in pockets along the river and the two men was happy to view the beautiful Monaghan Countryside. No big fish were caught but we had plenty fish in the 6-7 lb mark. Paul never having caught a pike before was thrilled with the power of the fish and was wondering what a double would feel like and he might find out next time as they are out with me on the April 13th.
To book your day out contact Brendan at [email protected] or 086-6010272.
Lots of Fish Taken During Yesterdays Outing With Brendan O’ReillyLots of Activity for Pike Anglers with Brendan O’Reilly
The end peg produced the goods at the March open match at Oaklands yesterday March 30th. Alain Aphadine from Dublin bagged a massave 55kg to win the match from peg 24.
Danny Murphy from Carlow was 2nd with 44kg and Ronan Minogue was 3rd with 29kg.
Thanks to all the lads how travelled down from Belfast ,Cavan ,Dublin ,Carlow, Waterford and more.
Results
1st A Aphadine 55kg peg 24
2nd D Murphy 44kg peg 21
3rd R Minogue 29kg peg 19
Section 1
1st J Foley 21kg peg 14
2nd T Bourke 19kg peg 8
Section 2
1st D Maddock 27kg peg 19
2nd M Davis peg 23
Go fishing…
Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford. Telephone: +353 (0)51 445348 Mobile: +353 (0)87 6988979 Web:Oakland Lake Fishery
