Ballina angler, Joe Quinn with his fine 3.2 lbs. early season brown from Lough Conn. (Joe wears a floatation jacket)
Fisheries Information Manager Markus Müller reports:
Lough Conn produced some fine early season brown trout during the past week. Despite the extremely high water levels some anglers ventured out and were rewarded with some fine catches. Amongst the successful anglers were John Burke, Foxford, with a nice 2.5 lbs. trout and Ballina angler, Joe Quinn who caught a fine 3.2 lbs. fish. Joe’s trout was caught along Brackwansha Shore and took a Fiery Brown, while John’s fish fell for a Green Peter near Glass Island. Other successful anglers included Peter Roche, John Walsh, Stephen Brown and Bernard Breslin who all had fish between 1 and 2.5 lbs. around the Cloghans area. With dropping water levels and milder weather forecast trout fishing should definitely improve in the coming weeks.
Ballina angler, Joe Quinn with his fine 3.2 lbs. early season brown from Lough Conn. (Joe wears a floatation jacket)
Markus Müller
Fisheries Information Manager ——————————————–
Iascach Intíre Éireann
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ballina
15 year old William Sudders, UK, Winner of our 'Catch of the Week'
Fisheries Information Manager Markus Müller reports from the IFI Ballina office:
With high water levels and strong winds fishing in general has been slow during the past couple of months. However, angling guide, Kenny Sloan reports some excellent early season pike action from the Foxford area. Visiting Essex anglers, William Sudders and Graham Applegate, made their way to North Mayo where they had arranged for a week’s pike fishing with local pike expert Kenny Sloan. The anglers fished a number of waters such as Loughs Conn & Cullin and Levally Lake but heavy showers and squally southwest winds made for difficult fishing conditions. However, persistence and fishing a range of different methods including fly, wobbling, lure casting and trolling paid off. The two anglers caught a total of 15 pike but it was 15 year old William Sudders who stole the show with fish of 12, 14, 18 and a personal best of 20 lbs. on his Super Shad Rap C.H. and Salmo Sweeper H.P. lures. Both anglers have planned to return in September for more pike and salmon fishing.
To book a day’s guiding or boat hire contact Kenny Sloan on +353 (0)9492 56501 or +353 (0)87 9670310 or visit www.pikemania.co.uk 15 year old William Sudders, UK, winner of our ‘Catch of the Week’
Markus Müller
Fisheries Information Manager ——————————————–
Iascach Intíre Éireann
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ballina DISCLAIMER NOTE: Inland Fisheries Ireland do not support any brand over another.
Ghillie/Guide Vincent Appleby is pleased that in between the stormy weather anglers are catching fish, earlier in the week he gives them a wake up call to get out there and fish, fish, fish. He reports from the Currane:
20/02/2014 : Where do I start, well the least said the soonest mended, you lazy articles, how the hell do you expect Lough Currane to keep its international angling reputation if your not out there manipulating and I am sad to say that I am as guilty as the rest of you, so get off your laurels’ and get out there and fly the flag of the wild North Atlantic Salmon. Wind SW fresh with heavy showers, amount of rainfall yesterday 16.3 mm.
The Paddy Carey Memorial Cup – Sion, Noel, Martha at the Waterville Inn.
21/02/2014:Yesterdays words of wisdom, brought the anglers out onto Lough Currane today and it wasn’t long before Mr. Noel Clancy of Waterville and Dublin caught a fine 8 lbs Salmon on the troll along the North Shore, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Sion Brain of www.kbfishingireland.com and as soon as they dispatched my Noble Salmon they headed straight for the Waterville Inn to receive the Paddy Carey Cup which was presented to Mr. Noel Clancy by Martha, and just for the record Noel’s Gillie was also telling me that they also caught a Kelt. Wind WSW fresh with showers.
Yesterdays and today’s catch
22/02/2014:In the words of renowned Gillie Mr. Sion Brain of www.kbfishingireland.com here are his notes, and I quote, A visit to remember. Yesterday morning noel got 4 kelts. At three o clock Sion joined him and we got a Kelt and a fresh 8 lbs Salmon trolling. Today we fished south side and we got 4 kelts trolling in morning and got 5 kelts fly fishing. Our day finished off with a beautiful 9 lbs bar of silver on the fly. It was landed at 2:30 and we were in just in time for the match. Wind SW strong and overcast.
First Salmon caught on the Fly by Mr. Noel Clancy
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.
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
There was a great turn out for the 2nd of Absolute Fishing‘s Introduction to lure fishing course last Saturday. The team went to a local lake to demonstrate lures and explain how to fish a range of hard and soft lures. Absolute fishing are going to run a third Getting Started Lure Fishing course this Saturday March 1st.
It is a two part course, one day classroom style and one day on the water working lures. The feedback has been great and we hope that people are getting something out of the course. It is Free of charge and starts this Saturday at 10am in Absolute Fishing.
If you would like to attend please contact us on 051 393559 to book in as spaces are limited.
The Leinster Youth Fly Tying Competition will take place 2nd March 2014 at the Dundalk Rugby Club.
Start time is 10am. Please note, entrants must be between 13 and 17 on the first of January this year.
Any fly tyers entering the competition, need only bring a fly tying vice, tools and black thread.
There will be a prize for all those who compete in the competition.
Many thanks to all the sponsors of prizes for the upcoming Leinster fly tying competition, these include, AM angling consultants, Lawrence Finney, Pro fly, Courtlough Trout Fishery, Toby Merigan and SKB fly fishing.
Any youths interested, please contact Shane Callen 087 2908887 or use the contact page on the TAFI Leinster website.
Lough Ree International Festival Pike 2014 & The Pike Angling World Cup
A Boat Angling Competition – April 9th-11th
Lough Ree is 16 miles long and the second largest lake on the Shannon system and it has been chosen based on the quality of its pike angling. All lawful angling methods will be allowed and for conservation reasons all fish will be measured and released immediately. Anglers fishing from boats will be required to have their own digital camera so that any fish caught can be photographed and released immediately.
The festival is open to all anglers and will take place on Lough Ree at Athlone, located in the very heart of Ireland, with boat angling over three days.
Please contact Eamon Cunningham for more information or visit the website address below. Telephone: 087 2340815 (from UK) 00353 87 2340815 Email:[email protected] Web: http://www.activeirishangling.com/lough-ree-pike-festival-world-cup.html
Anglers requiring a ferry from the UK and accommodation should contact Dave Houghton at Active irish Angling Book now by email:[email protected] Telephone from UK: 0151 324 4744 – Other countries: 00353 71 964 2743
Belturbet Pike Angling Boat Festival on March 15 and 16
Belturbet Angling & Conservation Club are staging the annual “Phil Fitzpatrick Memorial and Grand Pike Competition” on March 15 and 16.
The fishing will be on the River Erne and local lakes that last year produced 172 pike – all returned safely to the water. The total weight of pike caught was 823lb.
It is a “boat only” tournament, the entry fee is €60 per boat with a maximum of four rods allow.
For more details contact Alan Jones by telephone. Local call 087 1269923 or Overseas 00353 87 1269923.
Dave Houghton Active Irish Angling Tel: (UK) 0151 324 4744 or (IRL) +353 (0)71 9642743 Web:www.activeirishangling.com
Starting angling with a lot of questions ? Guide Gerard Doran of South East Angling Services describes the basic equipment needed when fishing for Bass.
“What length rod? What size reel for what size rod? Braid or Mono? What lures do I need?” Practical advice for a beginner. In his no-nonsense article he guides you through what you need to get in a step by step manner. Read more: ‘Bass on lure equipment basics‘
17 year old Colm O’Leary with his first ever salmon at Finlough
David McEvoy reports from Delphi:
Delphi had it’s second fish of the season when 17 year old Colm O’Leary landed his first ever salmon, a fine 9lbs 11ozs fish off Finlough on a Collie Dog.
It was indeed a real family effort as father Jack, mother Myke and younger brother Aodhan were all in the boat when the fish was landed. The fish was taken inside the stream and after a titanic struggle the fish was finally boated, much to the delight of all involved. I should add my congratulations to all involved, especially as it’s a first ever and a moment that was shared by all the family.
17 year old Colm O’Leary with his first ever salmon at Finlough
I must also mention Gerry Fitzpatrick and his group of some experienced salmon anglers tried hard for three days in the middle of the week. Conditions were quite good Tuesday and Wednesday but then we got another lump of rain on Wednesday night, 64.1mms (2.5 inches) which put the river right up to 90 again, which makes fishing difficult. Having said that I think Gerry and his group thoroughly enjoyed themselves, with great emphasis being placed on the social aspect of the trip which is how it should be.
I actually tried fishing myself yesterday for a couple of hours, without success it must be added but did see a fresh fish at the bottom of the Meadow pool, which is the first I have seen there this year.
The river was just over 60 this morning but we are expecting heavy rain again for the afternoon and overnight so most likely it will be well up again tomorrow. It looks like it may get a chance to settle then for a couple of days. It would be nice to land another couple of fresh fish before the end of the month.
John has a Number of Different Taget Species Including Mullet
Angling guide John Quinlan has been in touch to let us know that he has a brand new website and a new official Facebook page. John and his wife Lynn who run Thatch Cottage Fishing Lodge in Waterville Co Kerry offer great bass, salmon, sea trout, brown trout and mullet fishing opportunities in the Kerry area and their new website and facebook page can be found at following links http://kerrybassfishing.com/index.php and https://www.facebook.com/ThatchCottageFishingLodge
I would advise you to take a look at these as quickly as posible as there are some really great deals on offer. So if you are planning a trip this year I would get in touch with John and Lynn soon to avoid disappointment. There are some great early season offers well for those eager to get onto the water in the next few weeks.
John and Lynn would really appreciate if everyone could ‘Like’ this page. Instead of John’s own personal page, this is the page we will be posting all notices of fishing reports for the coming season, the latest news and especially lots of pictures of the fish we meet as we go along.
John Quinlan Fly Fishing for Bass in the Stunning Scenery in Co Kerry
John and Lynn say that “you never know who you might see posting on the Thatch Cottage Fishing Lodge Facebook Page. We would love it if our guests both past and future used it as a place to swap stories and raise any fishing related points of interest. There is a lot to discuss when it comes to fishing and fish and we’d like the Facebook Page to become a place we can easily catch up with our friends.
We hope the bad weather hasn’t caused too much damage or hardship where you are. It’s been as wild as you might expect in Kerry and there might be a tree or two out of place next time you visit us but it won’t stop us looking forward to the coming season”!
Take care in the storms and best wishes,
John & Lynn
John has a Number of Different Target Species Including MulletThe Beautiful Scenery and Many Moods of County KerryThe Different Faces of County Kerry on Two Days this Week
The weather has calmed down somewhat in the past week and water levels have started to recede slightly and a few first salmon of the year have been registered on some fisheries in the past week. Nonetheless anglers should be cautious and watch weather forecasts before venturing out especially in boats at sea or on inland waters.
Charles Quesda from France working with Ian Powell from Blackwater Lodge caught a lovely fresh salmon of 6 lb. on the Cork Blackwater on a spinner and released the fish. The Drowes continues to fish steadily and there was some nice fish recorded. Well known angler John Parkinson from Enniskillen caught a nice 8 lb. fish but Joe Broderick caught and released a fine 10 lb. fish and this wins our Catch of the Week. At long last a 10 lb. salmon has been recorded from Lough Currane and well known angling ghillie, Bob Priestly was the lucky angler. The honour of landing Delphi’s first salmon of 2014 fell to David Duffy of Knockrooskey, Westport who caught a lovely fish of 11 lb. 14 oz. on a Willie Gunn fly. Conditions were poor on Lough Melvin this week and there were no fish reported from the River Laune as high water prevails all week.
Our ‘Catch of the week winner’ Joe Broderick releasing his second Drowes springer in huge water at the Crooked Hole.
There was some fine pike recorded by anglers fishing with angling guide, Kevin Lyons from Longford. Ben Habekotte from Kampen city in Holland caught a best fish of 21 lb. 9 oz. and Jean Pierre from Belgium also enjoyed some good pike fishing there. Up in Monaghan, Angling guide Brendan O’Reilly reports that the Newgrange Active Angling Spring League got under way and with nice pike up to 9 lb. 12 oz. recorded.
There was a great report of shore fishing from the beach at Mullaghmore in Co. Sligo where four anglers recorded 40 fish landed between them including Rockling, Flounder and Coalies.
Angling guide Eamonn Conway reported that he enjoyed good trout fishing on nymphs on the River Glyde which is now open for angling.
In this week’s update, there are plenty of news clippings and other news items including reports on the recent Irish Angling Show at Cloghran last weekend and the Dublin Angling Initiative Family area during the great spectacle. Other news include forthcoming competitions, offers on fisheries, new fishery byelaws and the sponsorship programme from Inland Fisheries Ireland for 2014.
Take care out fishing and always wear a life jacket when afloat,
Tight lines especially in Ireland,
Paul Bourke Angling Information Officer
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
