Events will be organised locally, under the umbrella of World Fish Migration Day (WFMD), to create awareness about open rivers and free fish migration routes. Our aim is to have more than 250 events around the world on WFMD; starting in New Zealand, following the sun and ending as the sun sets on the west coast of North America. The WFMD will bring global attention for the need for open rivers and free routes for fish migration. It will deliver international press coverage and a global petition will also be developed.
We encourage organisers to be creative with their events, but here are a few examples of what could be done:
Field trips, e.g. to rivers, fish passages or sites where dams have been removed
Citizen science projects
Celebrating the opening of a new fishway
River cruises
Seminar for professionals on fish passage issues
Workshops/talks for members of the public
What will be done with the results?
The global event will be summarized in a visual presentation with the key numbers of the event (number of locations, number of participants, photo’s, films etc). This will be presented to politicians and high-level officers of the European Parliament and possibly to others. Furthermore we will develop a petition “for open rivers and free fish migration routes” to be signed by people around the world. This will as well be presented to politicians worldwide.
Ten boats took part in the match producing a great weekend’s fishing on local lakes in the Belturbet area.
Winners of the competition were Seamus Smith and Phil Egan with an overall weight of 154.06lbs. Second place went to Joe McDermott with 132lb and in third, Barry Darby with 102.03lbs.
John Smith with his 15lb Pike caught on Saturday
Winner of the heaviest fish on Saturday was John Smith with his 15lb Pike and on Sunday it was jointly shared by Barry Darby and Jo McDermott both weighing in a 12.08lb Pike.
All fish caught over the two days were safely returned to the water
Belturbet Angling and Conservation Club would like to thank all those who sponsored raffle prizes and Ann Fitzpatrick for the €500 sponsorship.
The world’s “richest” match angling competition has got a lot poorer with its prize fund shrinking from a reported £100,000 to just £20,000 in three years.
The prize fund for the World pairs has dropped from £100,000 to £20,000 in three years .
The World Pairs has also migrated south, with more of the fishing taking place in Cavan and Leitrim and less in Fermanagh. Neighbouring Monaghan has been dropped completely from the event.
And after last week’s launch of the 2014 event the Ireland Travel Plus, which is selling holidays based on the competition, was only offering accommodation in Leitrim, although it was promising “more to come”….
Jim Hendrick reports that its all starting soon for him, another season of bass guiding on the Irish coast, in 15 days time in fact. Jim says “its an early start for me April 02 with Myles, but we’re chasing some trout on the fly in the sea and possibly light lure if we need to.”
There’s something about trout fishing in the sea that really does it for me, in ways similar but often very different than bass on the fly. More later.
I’m looking forward to getting started and its not very long after April begins, that I’m down to the Dungarvan area to guide Daniel from the UK and his two pals for three days. This is a combination workshop/guiding trip for me and I really like these kind of days with another six day series in Kerry in Mid month followed by some fly fishing workshops.
That brings me almost to the end of April and the 3-Day Saltwater Fly Fishing Primer kicks into place. This is a big adventure for us, with 7 of 9 places filled its slowly but nicely falling into place. I guess having a world champion fly caster / instructor, an incredible fly tier and a very experienced bass fishing guide in the one place at the one time at The Bella Vista Hotel provides a good solution and opportunity to fish, learn and have a bit of fun too. I’m really looking forward to these few days.
To book the workshop in Bella Vista, Call Jim at 086 3444557
Micheál Quinn has notified us that the third leg of the Leinster Shore League will be taking place this Saturday 22nd March. Check in will be in Sean Ógs in Kilmuckridge from 1.30 to 3.30 and fishing will be taking place from 5pm till 10pm.
The entry fee including pool is €10. Golden peg €5. ( €450 in golden peg so far). Pre-entry contact Jimmy Doyle 087 2077330.
The nice spring weather has brought a lot of angling activity on many of our inland waters and at sea. Water levels are still quiet high but are dropping daily at present. There is some wintry weather promised in the next few days but hopefully it will not curtail the tremendous fishing effort which anglers are enjoying at present.
Radek Vyhlidaal from the Czech Republic, with his magnificent 93cm ferox from Lough Corrib wins Catch of the Week
There are still high water levels on Lough Corrib and it is still impossible to fish at the famous Galway Weir. Over in Delphi there was five days without rain last week and four more salmon were recorded. On the fifth day, Lisa Engbert from Sweden hooked and landed a lovely salmon of 11 lb. 15 oz. from Fin Lough on a black and orange tube fly. Steve Neely caught some nice sea trout up in Donegal using the black minnow lure while returning several kelts he caught also. Eight year old Alana Kelly fishing with her dad on Lough Currane captured her first salmon of 8 lb. and there were some nice salmon reported during the week there also. The season opened on the River Slaney and four springers were reported including two lovely fish for Eamonn Power. The first salmon of the season from the River Moy was reported on Thursday 13 March. It was caught by local angler Val Mitchell to be followed by a second fish on the following day. A fine sea trout of 4 lb. was captured on the Ridge Pool but the pool is still free to fish for salmon until the first salmon is landed there. The Drowes in Donegal continues to provide nice salmon fishing daily.
There was a lot more activity for anglers, trout fishing this week and while it has been a very slow start to the season on Lough Corrib in the west some nice trout have been recorded on some days. However there was another big monster Ferox Trout landed this week. Radek Vyhlidaal from the Czech Republic caught a magnificent 93cm ferox trout which he caught and released from the lough. The fish was estimated to weigh well over 20 lb. and is our Catch of the Week. On Lough Owel in the midlands there was a few nice trout reported mainly to anglers fishing small lures. Flies and small lures accounted for some nice trout from nearby Lough Lene. On the River Liffey, fly hatches were scarce but trout were coming to Spiders and beaded nymphs patterns according to Pat Cleere. Up in Lough Sheelin, good numbers of trout were reported on fly in the past week including trout up to 6.3 lb. The two Waterford trout reservoirs at Carrigavantry and Knockaderry produced some super fish for anglers fly fishing in the past week with some super trout up to 6 lb. reported. Over in the west, Loughs Conn and Cullin produced some good trout to the fly and small hatches of olives were spotted in recent days.
On the sea there was some lovely Pollack reported for Jim Clohessy and Kevin Murphy fishing lures on the new BIG1 boat outside Cork Harbour. There was plenty of activity reported from shore and boat in Donegal with pollack and coalies taken by boat anglers and some nice flounders reported by shore anglers. Young angler James Brennan from Wexford recently qualified to fish for the Leinster shore team and is catching some nice bass on lures.
There was some good pike activity this week with some Dublin anglers taking some fine pike while fishing with angling guide Kevin Lyons on waters near Longford. The Newgrange Active Angling club held a competition on loughs near Kingscourt Co. Cavan and only smaller jack pike were recorded on the competition day but it was enjoyable all the same. Angling guide Sean Jordan usually fishes for bass but turned his attention to pike angling and caught some fine specimens on lures and flies.
World Pairs winner, Cathal Hughes was at his best in winning the St. Patrick’s Festival at the weekend on Inniscarra Lake catching 28.700 Kilos of bream, hybrids and roach to beat the 38 other anglers from Ireland and the UK. David Byrne reports on a nice catch he made on a small lake near Baileborough in Co. Cavan including some nice rudd and perch.
There are many other notices and news clippings in the Angling Update this week and they can be accessed through the ezine. Prospects for plenty more good fishing look good despite the cooler weather promised this weekend
The featured image for this week’s ezine was taken at Finea Bridge at Lough Sheelin, a beautiful spot that features in a famous Irish song.
Tight lines especially in Ireland,
Paul Bourke
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
Finea Bridge on Lough Sheelin – The Garden of Eden has vanished, they say But I know the lie of it still; Just turn to the left at the bridge of Finea And stop when halfway to Cootehill. Name that tune…
Radek Vyhlidaal from the Czech Republic, with his magnificent 93cm ferox from Lough Corrib wins Catch of the Week
Lough Corrib has seen a slow start to the early season, with high water levels and stormy weather in the first couple of weeks keeping most anglers off the lake. Since the end of February, conditions have improved, and fishing has been reasonably good for those anglers venturing out.
Opening day was quieter than normal, due to the inclement weather leading up to the season start, but fishing on the day proved very productive. The Langan Cup, held by the Collinamuck Anglers, produced some great catches, particularly for John and Frank Butler who took top honours with 8 trout for 12.84kgs. The team of Bernard Halloran, Brian Noonan and Ger Regan finished in second, with 5 trout for 7.40kgs. Overall 17 anglers landed 18 trout for 28.25kgs, with the heaviest fish caught by Ger Reilly, a trout of 2.12kgs.
Elsewhere, opening day fished well for anglers trolling in the Oughterard area, with Gerry Molloy, Kevin Molloy and Emmet McGloin landing 9 trout for 13.5lbs. Rory and Mark McGauley had 4 trout for 8lbs, including a fine fish of 4lbs, while Tommy Tuck and Kenneth Ferguson reported 4 good trout to their boat.
Over the following week, strong winds prevented many anglers from fishing, with the only activity in the Oughterard area, Mark and Eamon O Brien landing 5 trout for 10lbs on fly. James Kelly and Cillian Tierney, also fly fishing, landed 4 trout for 6lbs. Raymond Lee landed 3 trout for 5.5lbs while trolling for a day. Donal Connolly reported that he school mid-term break was put to good use by Paul & Shane Joyce, Liam Butler and Cillian Tierney, with some lovely fish being caught over 2 days. They ended up with over 12 fish – best was a nice 3lbs fish but several more in the 2 to 2.5 lb bracket were also caught, nice fishing!
Over the turn of the month the high water levels prevailed, preventing many anglers from even launching their boats, however some anglers enjoyed good fishing, again mainly around Oughterard, Patrick Molloy landing 8 trout for two days trolling. Harold O’Toole 2 trout for 4lbs on the fly, while Kenny O’Toole and a friend landed 5 trout for 8lbs while trolling for one day. Dermot Fitzpatrick from Ballinrobe also landed and returned a cracking trout of 7.5lbs while spinning in Ashford Bay, Cong.
As March came in, the good fishing has continued in spite of the conditions. Mike Shanks from Cornamona fished for 1 day and had a nice trout on fly. Patrick and Kevin Molloy from Oughterard, had 6 trout for 10lbs trolling for one day. Aidan Kelly, also Oughterard, had 2 trout for 3lbs to the fly. Joe Trill, fly fishing the lower lake, reported that the fishing was very good and for 5 days he landed 20 trout up to 3lbs. The T.A.F.I. Connaught Youth Fly Tying qualifier was held on Sunday the 3rd March in Headford. 1st was Caran Reilly, Loughrea. 2nd was Oisin Reilly, Glencorrib. Joint 3rd was Blaine and Matthew Barry, Clifden.
Donal Connolly was again in touch to report on a lovely day on Corrib with Nathan and Katie Eberly from Michigan in the U.S. They ended up boating 4 good fish for an average just under 2 lb., and got another 6 or 7 takes but the fish just didn’t hold. Katie caught the best fish of the day, a lovely fish of just over 2lbs. To book fishing, boat hire or accommodation with Donal, check the website at www.fishingcorrib.com or give him a call at 085 7364830.
Katie Eberly from Michigan, USA, with a nice early season trout from Lough Corrib, caught while fishing with guide Donal Connolly
Ferox trout
The guys at Corrib Predator Team have been out as well, and as ever producing some fine fish for their clients. Over the first couple of weeks fishing was tough, but they landed several ferox trout into the low double figures. At the start of March, they had their first group of Czech clients, and what a trip it was for Radek Vyhlidal, who struck into his first ever ferox trout, not realising just how big this fish was.
After a hectic fight, the magnificent fish was finally netted, and after being measured and photographed, quickly released again. The fish was a monstrous 93cm long, probably well over 20lbs, although it was not weighed, with the priority being to release it safely. Full credit to the Predator Team guys for this commitment to looking after their fish.
Radek Vyhlidaal from the Czech Republic, with his magnificent 93cm ferox trout that he caught and released from Lough Corrib.
A couple of days later the guys were back it, and after doing a bit of spinning for trout, landing 7 up to 50cm, they went back trolling for the big guns again. Client Robert Maslanka had two good fish, one of 60cm and the other a massive 84cm. Once again the Corrib Predator Team guides are producing the goods. To book fishing, contact Tomi on 085 7318541 or Jack on 085 7741578, or see Corrib Predator Team on Facebook.
Robert Maslanka with a beautifully marked 84cm ferox from Lough Corrib, March 2014
“Out of order” is the catchphrase at the moment, as prolonged high water has made fishing impossible at Galway. With 16 sluice gates open on the weir, and Lough Corrib dropping only very slowly upstream, this is one of the wettest starts to the season for many years, and no one has even wet a line yet on the fishery.
Unless we get a long dry spell I would say high water will prevail for weeks to come yet, and fishing prospects are non-existent currently.
Clare River
The Clare River upstream is dropping nicely and while some anglers were out over the bank holiday weekend, I have no reports of any fresh fish yet. Anglers are reminded that they are likely to encounter kelts (spent fish) at this time of year, and these fish should be handled as little as possible, and returned immediately to the water. Catches of Kelts should be recorded in your logbook.
Cong River
The Cong River is also open for fishing now, and after last year’s excellent grilse run here, hopes are high for a good spring run this year.
Helen Rainsford of www.irelandtravelplus.co.uk reports on the recent St Patricks Festival fished at Inniscarra…
The Munster Coarse Angling Council held the St. Patricks festival last weekend. The three day event was the first of many festivals held annually on Inniscarra Lake, Coachford, Co.Cork. A decent net of fish from Inniscarra brough Will Freeman, Suffolk, England to 27.550kg and 2nd place
39 competed with anglers coming from across Ireland and the UK. Fishing was mainly for Roach on the feeder with weights improving throughout the weekend.
The sections of the reservoir fished were Garden Centre, Graveyard and Concrete and not the new match stretch which is currently under construction ready for the World Feeder Fishing Championships in July. Julian Kendrick, Edenderry, Co. Offaly finished 3rd with 26.250kg
Cathal Hughes from Galway produced 16kg on the final day to become the festival winner with 28.700kg. In second place was Will Freeman, Suffolk, England with 27.550kg and in third Julian Kendrick, Edenderry, Co. Offaly with 26.250kg. Cathal Hughes from Galway produced 16kg on the final day to become the festival winner with 28.700kg
James O’Doherty, Junior International with NCFFI Team Ireland came a very credible 8th place. Well done James – watch out seniors!
Information on NCFFI festivals can be found at http://www.ncffi.ie/fishing_matches.php
For a comprehensive list of coarse festivals see – https://fishinginireland.info/coarse/coarseevents.htm
