The level of the Shannon is expected to stabilise or fall marginally over the next five days. That is according to Pat Keating, Town Clerk, Athlone Town Council.
He said: “The level of the River Shannon in Athlone remains high but to date flooding to low-lying houses has not occurred. Based on the current weather forecast, the council is expecting river levels to stabilise or fall marginally over the next five days.”….
A massive pollution leak affecting the Ballinderry River could wipe out unhatched fish and fish food stock, anglers have warned.
With the fishing season due to open this Saturday, angling clubs in the Cookstown area have warned that the slurry pollution could not have happened at a worst time.
Last night the Northern IrelandEnvironment Agency (NIEA) said it was investigating a report of an extensive spillage of slurry into a tributary of the Ballinderry River earlier yesterday…..
Shane Gallagher reports on how things are on the River Drowes:
The water is still high but has dropped this evening to around 0.93 metres on the gauge despite very heavy rain overnight. Two fish were reported yesterday. Gerry Fox had his 2nd springer of the season, a fish of about 8lbs on black flying c from the Meadow and John O’ Connor had a fish of 7.5lbs on flying c from the Long Hole. Today another two fish came off. Julian Ciconte had a 9lbs bar of silver perfection complete with long tailed sea lice from the lower Blackwater on black flying c and John Todd had an 11lbs fish from the Otter Hole on a hot tiger Rapala. There is a new moon on Saturday and large tides but more heavy rain is forecast for the weekend and the water level is likely to remain around 0.9 metres. Fishing despite very high conditions continues to be encouraging and augers well for anglers wetting their first line on the Finn and elsewhere this Saturday, 1st March.
Silver perfection. Julian Ciconte with his fish from the Blackwater today. Photo courtesy Julian Ciconte.John O’Connor with his fish from the Long Hole yesterday. Photo courtesy John Todd
We will be holding a Salmon Fly Fishing Weekend on the first weekend in April, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th. IFFF casting instructor and Premier Angling Pro Jason O’ Riordan, Mackenzie Pro, Maurice Cahill and AM Angling fly tying Ace Denis O’ Toole will be on hand to give instruction, tuition and casting and tying demos. Rods, reels and lines from Sage, Rio, Gaelforce, Danielsson and Mackenzie will be available to try out.
John Todd with his fish from the Otter Hole Thursday afternoon.
The price for the weekend including tuition, an overnight stay on Saturday night and fishing is €180 per person or €160 per person for groups of 3 or more. For more details see: ‘Drowes Salmon Fishing Weekend‘ or email Shane on [email protected]
Fresh from the sea. Photo courtesy Julian Ciconte.
The European Commission is investigating why it did not receive a scientific report from the Department which showed the amount of sea lice likely to come from such a farm could devastate much of the country’s wild salmon and trout. This report was drawn up by Inland Fisheries Ireland, responsible for protecting and developing inland fisheries and sea angling and protecting wild salmon under the EU’s Habitats Directive… Irish Examiner, 26/02/14. Read the full article ‘Full-scale war over Galway fish farm‘.
Work is continuing on regenerating one of the county’s most famous waterways. Donegal Local Development Company Ltd. (DLDC) are supporting Creeslough & District Angling Association with riverside works at Lackagh including the development of a boardwalk which is generating a renewed interest and positivity around the river as an amenity for both locals and DLDC has been delivering the new employment initiative… Donegal Democrat, 26/02/14. Read the full article ‘Riverside regeneration continues at Lackagh‘.
The new 170cm measuring mat from IFI is available to buy online
Fishing conditions still remain difficult with high water levels; nonetheless a number of good fish were caught during the week. The Drowes saw John Parkinson recorded his first springer of the season followed a couple of days later by two 7lbers caught by Paul Mc Causland and Colin Gardiner. Other anglers had to contend with conditions that suited the fish more than the angler and a lot of fish were lost.
Noel Clancy caught the first salmon on the fly this season on the Currane last Friday and a cracker of 14 lbs 4 oz Salmon was caught on the troll by Tom and Neil O’Shea yesterday. It was a case of Delphi Delight for 17 year old Colm O’Leary when he landed his first salmon at Finlough on a Collie Dog. The fish weighed 9lbs 11ozs and Colm managed to impress father Jack, mother Myke and younger brother Aodhan who were all in the boat when the fish was landed.
15 year old William Sudders, UK, Winner of our ‘Catch of the Week’
Lough Conn produced some fine early season brown trout during the past week ranging from 1lb right up to 3.2lbs. Ballina angler Joe Quinn took the honours for the heaviest of these, which was taken on a Fiery Brown along Brackwansha Shore.
The Erne system provided one Co. Down angler with a super 24lb pike. Danny Mageean used a pollan fished on a ledger boom. The fish put up a massive fight but Danny put up a better one ! A crystal clear Royal Canal allowed Mullingar Angler Frank Cotter the opportunity to catch and release a superb conditioned pike. Unfortunately Frank didn’t get the chance to weight it but we are assured it was one of the ones he won’t forget.
The Foxford area of Co. Mayo is the ideal location for relaxing but who needs relaxing when there are pike to be caught. Angling guide, Kenny Sloan was in the thick of the action this week when he had a couple of anglers from Essex out with him. William Sudders and Graham Applegate caught a total of 15 pike. Dreadful weather conditions on Loughs Conn & Cullin and Levally Lake kept the boys on their toes and they tried everything from fly, wobbling, lure casting and trolling. 15 year old William stole the show with fish of 12, 14, 18 and a personal best of 20 lbs. Well done William on your persistence and on receiving our ‘Catch of the Week’.
Not many coarse angling reports this week but one little chap who can’t go without a mention is a young Cork chap called Conor Hennessey who caught a specimen 12lb 8oz carp on the Lough. Conor landed the fish himself and made Dad Micheal (IFI) stand to one side as he got on with the job. After all this little champ had learned from the best.
Daniel Brosnan, Tralee Bay SAC gave us a roundup of how their sea angling competition went on a stormy Sandy Bay beach. The battle began with 24 anglers mostly from either Clare or Kerry. As the day progressed the weather waged war on those taking part. The Clare contingent found the Kerry conditions hard to handle and left early….or so I’m told by the Tralee boys anyway! Overall winner was Phil Ord, followed by Aidan O’Halloran and Eugene Farrelly. Christopher O’Sullivan and Paddy McMahon won the junior section.
Looking ahead to competitions, courses and good offers we have;
The banner image shows the IFI measuring mat which is now available at 170cm making it ideal for submitting claims for length based specimens like tope. The IFI Fish Mat can be purchased from our online shop.
The weather for the next few days will be cold and dry in many places with clear spells but wintry showers continuing to affect western counties, especially those bordering the Atlantic on Friday. Saturday again will see wintery showers but these will die out during the night leaving Sunday sunny for a time. The rain will clear eastwards overnight into Monday with showers following on Atlantic coasts; winds will veer westerly and slacken for a time, resulting in icy patches around dawn. Monday will be a day of sunny intervals and scattered wintry showers, along with moderate to fresh, westerly breezes.
Rivers are high, stay safe and enjoy the fishing
Tight lines especially in Ireland,
Nancy Hearne
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
Danny Mageean from Crossgar, Co. Down reports again on his pike catches. This time from the Erne system…
With the slight improvement over the weekend Danny headed of to the Erne system on Sunday to find somewhere that looked promising.
Using his preferred method, a pollan fished on a ledger boom, he hooked a fish that turned out to be more that a little bit good. The fish put up a tremendous scrap and after around 5 minutes or so, was netted, weighed, photographed and returned safely to fight another day. The pike weighed in at exactly 24lb.
Well done to Conor Hennessy for this 12lb 8oz carp
Micheal Hennessy from the IFI’s offices in Co. Cork reports that his son Conor, no stranger to the Irish Angling Update himself, had some great fishing on the Lough last weekend. In fact Conor has landed the first specimen Carp reported to us from the Lough this year. Conor caught the fish without assistance, although Dad was on hand to land the fish. The Carp weighed 12lb 8oz. Well done Conor!
Well done to Conor Hennessy for this 12lb 8oz carp
After a shaky start due to the gales force storms the Currane is coming into it’s own now as Vincent Appleby reports:
23/02/2014:Lough Currane was on the wild side for most of the day, so my Nobel anglers had a good excuse to head for the bar. Wind SW fresh to strong, plus there was heavy cloud with heavy showers.
Wild Atlantic
24/02/2014: Again Lough Currane was on the wild side with a strong SSE wind blowing up the lake. Just for the record one boat did venture out across the south side but failed to Procure. Wind as already stated with very heavy showers.
25/02/2013: Again Lough Currane was on the wild side with a strong westerly wind blowing down the lake with reasonable cloud cover, but this didn’t deter Mr. Tommy Duggan of Kilkenny of procuring a lightening fresh 7 lbs Salmon caught on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com
Mr. Tommy Duggan
26/02/2014: Big salmon caught on the troll by Tom and Neil O”Shea.
Tom and Neil O’Shea
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
A Nice Double Figured Salmon from The River Fane (File Pic)
Bernard Devenney of the Dundalk Salmon Anglers Association has provided some great information for anglers following the Associations Annual General Meeting which was held on Sunday 23rd February. Approximately fifty Members attended this year’s AGM which was held in the Club rooms of Dundalk Brown Trout Anglers Association at Toberona, Dundalk, Co Louth.
The meeting agreed that for 2014 the first time joining fee for Senior Members would be €80. This would apply to existing and new members and would have to paid before 1st. May 2014. After 1st May the fee will be increased to €130. The membership of the club is capped at 175 members each year, so the earlier you get your application in the better chance you have.
The fee for members over 65 is €45 and junior membership is only €10. There is no limit to the number of Junior Members. Day Tickets will cost €15.
The Total Allowable Catch for the River Fane for 2014 is 411.
The average Salmon catch on the Associations waters over the last five years (2008 – 2012) was 219 of which the average release back into the river was 40%. The average Salmon caught on the Fane weighs 7lbs or 3kgs.
A Nice Double Figured Salmon from The River Fane (File Pic)
The Association controls fishing on approximately five miles of the Fane. When water conditions are right the fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout can be excellent. There is no commercial fishery on the estuary or the river. The Fane is also one of the countrys top wild brown trout fisheries and a paradise for dry fly enthusiasts.
