The first springer for Fort William was landed yesterday by Pat Kiely from Abbeyside. Pat landed his fish of 7lbs off the Castle beat at the Weir pool. Weather conditions are certainly not the best but in sheltered areas it goes to show fish can be caught. Water levels are coming good and with this cold spell set to continue levels should drop even further.
For Information and Bookings Contact
Paul Whelan,
Fishery Manager,
Fort William Estate,
Glencairn, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland
Lawrence Fitzpatrick from Cork returning his Good Friday fish at Heffernan's. It was Laurences first time fishing Laune Angler's waters.
Despite the fairly low water fish are running the river. Gerald McCarthy and his friend Laurence Fitzpatrick fished Laune Anglers for the first time. They fished Johnston’s and Heffernan’s on Good Friday in very cold weather. Lawrence caught a lovely sea liced salmon of 5 lbs which was returned.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick from Cork returning his Good Friday fish at Heffernan's. It was Laurences first time fishing Laune Angler's waters.
Lawrence had two sea trout after his salmon. Gerald had 5 sea trout to 1.5lbs, all fresh sea liced fish. All fish returned. This is very good sea trout fishing for late March continuing on from Garry Fernane’s catch of sea trout last week.
One of five sea trout to 1.5 lbs caught by Gerald on his first visit to Laune Angler's waters. All trout returned.
The pick up continued on Saturday with Sean O’Sullivan catching his first salmon of 2013 at Johnston’s a lovely fish of 6lbs. Billy Cotter had his second sea trout of the year a fish of 1.5lbs fishing with Sean at Johnston’s.
Sean O'Sullivan with his first salmon (6lbs) of 2013 at Johnston's on the 30th March.
We are now about to come to the time (April) when there should be a chance of meeting a good Spring Sea Trout up to 3 lbs. The best sea trout fishing on the Laune in 2012 was during April especially in the last two weeks.
As of Monday 1st April, water now just under 2 feet on the gauge at Johnston’s.
Ross Macklin with a decent pike give the conditions
Sidney Kennedy and Co. of Lee Reservoirs Angling Servicesgot out on one of their boats on Bank Holiday Monday for a few hours. The weather was rotten for the most part but they still enjoyed themselves.
Ross Macklin with a decent pike give the conditions
The winds behaved in a peculiar manner; there was one section of the reservoir that was mild with very little wind and felt quite nice but other parts were blowing a gale. Even with the strong wind it was still fishable to Sidney’s surprise . They had only got a handful of pike so when they saw fish on the finder close to the bottom they tried to drop-shot for perch. They landed about nine but all small. By this stage it was getting that bit too cold so with everyone on the score cards they decided to head in. Boats are available to rent from this weekend on.
Make a booking
Lee Reservoirs Angling Services have started a new angling guiding service for pike, ferox trout and any coarse fish of your choice on the Lee Reservoirs.
Boats available for rental on previously untouched water as no boat rental has been available to the public before now.
Be sure to visit their new website www.leeangling.com for a range of guided angling options in the Lee Sytem.
Ross 087 920 8742
Sidney 087 281 6778 leeanglingservices@gmail.com
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) says it is in negotiations with Inland Fisheries Ireland over differences relating to the proposed €60 million fish farm for Galway Bay.The two State agencies have been at odds over the project for a 15,000-tonne organic salmon farm, which BIM is seeking licensing approval for from Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney. Both agencies have differed over scientific interpretations of the possible impact on wild salmon stocks and they were due to debate the issue at the Galway Food Festival over the weekend… Irish Times, 31/03/13. Read the full article ‘State agencies in talks to resolve dispute over Galway Bay fish farm‘.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has claimed that it has received extensive support from the Irish seafood industry for the controversial proposed Galway Bay Salmon Farm. According to a statement released by BIM, in excess of 60 seafood and associated companies from the west and north-west coasts, currently employing in excess of 1800 staff, have pledged their strong support for this project. BIM Chairman, Mr Kieran Calnan said that the benefit to Ireland’s seafood exports and the creation of a potential 500 jobs were the board’s priority… Galway Independent, 30/03/13. Read the article ‘‘Seafood industry behind salmon farm’‘.
RELAND – Tourism, anglers, and environmentalists have written jointly to all TDs calling on them to help resolve the underlying issues causing the growing and increasingly bitter conflict over the proposed Galway Bay salmon farm. The groups are seeking a full review of the current aquaculture licensing system to ensure transparency and the right to an independent review of any decisions. “Under the current system”, says Alec O’Donovan of Save Bantry Bay, “the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine hold responsibility for all stages of the aquaculture licensing process… Thefishsite.com, 28/03/13. Read the full article ‘Call to TDs to Review Salmon Farm Licensing Procedures‘.
Derek Evan had the biggest of the day a lovely 60cm rainbow
Des Chew reports that the 9th Annamoe Media Fly Fishing Competition was held recently in appalling conditions. Extremely heavy rain had made driving hazardous and this coupled with a bitterly cold east wind meant nearly half the competitors were unable to attend. However 12 of Ireland angling media braved the elements. The competition ran for 3 hours and was followed by a welcomed hot meal in the fishing lodge at Annamoe.
Derek Evan had the biggest of the day a lovely 60cm rainbow
During the competition 14 hard fighting top quality rainbow trout were landed and measured. Derek Evans landed a mighty fish over 60cms in length which gave him the longest fish of the day and the over all winner.
Brian McNally with 2nd place Peter O'Reilly
Peter O’Reilly landed four fabulous trout with total length of 147cms giving him 2nd place.
Josie Mahon of IFI landed three rainbows with total length of 127cms and 3rd place.
Peter O'Reilly Derek Evans and Josie Mahon with Brian Nally
The presentation took place in the lodge following the lovely hot meal laid on by Brian Nally and Rose of Annamoe Trout Fishery.
Following the presentation the sponsors were thanked for their support and generosity which ensured a very enjoyable day despite the extreme weather conditions. The sponsors were;
John Buckley ( Emerger Tackle),
Dave McBride (Southside Angling),
Kit Dunne (Wicklow Charter Boat),
Inland Fisheries Ireland and
Brain Nally ( Annamoe Trout Fisheries).
David McBride and John Buckley having a laugh before they got outKit Dunne and Josie Mahon
Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co. Wicklow
Annamoe Trout Fishery is a 4 acre fly fishing lake set in the village of Annamoe, Co Wicklow on the banks of the Avonmore River. The Fishery consists of a fly fishing lake and a Junior Bait Pond. The fly fishing lake is open all year round allowing you to fish for brown or rainbow trout from 10am till dusk.
Des and Eric pose with the 12lb trout before releasing it back to the lake
A new record has been set by the Dublin Angling Initiative with Eric Cahill, 16 years old catching a fish of a lifetime – a 12lb specimen trout from Lough Ramor, Virginia, Co. Cavan. This is the biggest fish ever caught by a youngster out fishing with the Dublin Angling Initiative.
A fishing trip for a group of 10 youngsters was organised for Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing club (Dublin 15) to Lough Ramor, Virginia by Des Chew, Dublin Angling Initiative in March. Following an introduction by Des on the setting up of rods, rigs and bait presentation the youngsters were soon fishing for roach, hybrids and perch with others choosing to fish for pike. Great fun was being had by the group who were catching and releasing lots of coarse fish.
Des Chew and 16 year old Eric Cahill pose with the 12lb trout before releasing it back to the lake. Eric is our "Catch of the Week" winner. Well done, a fine fish.
Meanwhile, Eric patiently waited for a pike to take his smelt deadbait. He signaled for assistance when his rod tip nodded indicating a take. Under the guidance of Des Chew and Chris McGregor he was instructed to knock his bale arm over so this cagey fish would feel no resistance. Suddenly there was a short run and Eric struck. It was obvious he had a big fish on. When the fish drew close the golden spotted body revealed that Eric was now playing a fish of a lifetime and maybe the first specimen caught by a Dublin Angling Initiative youngster. The fish was landed amidst great excitement by the youngsters, the youth workers and a crowd of local anglers who all looked on in amazement! This was clearly the fish of a lifetime for Eric.
The fish was weighed on certified scales, laid out and measured on an Inland Fisheries Ireland measuring mat. It reached a length of over 80cm and weighed in at over 12lbs. There was jubilation among Eric and his peers. Des announced that Eric had just caught his first specimen that had been recorded from over 10,000 teenagers who have participated in Dublin Angling Initiative courses over the last 15 years. If this fish is ratified by the Specimen Fish Committee it will also be the first specimen recorded from Lough Ramor. Josie Mahon photographed the fish with its proud captor Eric Cahill beside his mentor, Des Chew and the fish was safely released.
Eric Cahill is 16 years old and has been a member of Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing in Dublin 15 club since he has been 10 years of age. During that time he has always shown unique ability to listen and learn angling skills from his DAI tutors. He has attended numerous fishing courses in game, coarse and sea fishing run by the Dublin Angling Initiative with his Foroige youth officers, Bernie Moloney and Siobhan Hennessy. This was truly a very proud moment for Eric and Dublin Angling Initiative who now have a new record to beat!
A quick photo and the sea trout was released to the cold sea
A quick photo and the sea trout was released to the cold sea
Sean Jordan of bassfishingwexford.com reports that with the endless easterly winds the Wexford coastline has been fairly quiet lately. Sean did manage a short session when the wind eased on Thursday evening. This trout was the only fish seen and it took a plug on a fairly sheltered estuary mark. A quick snap and it was on its way. Sean like nearly every other angler out there is looking forward to good fishing when the winds change direction.
Make a booking
If you’d like a day out with Sean you can book him at…
To fish for sea trout a licence is required and the tagging regulations and bag limits apply. The closed season of the local river also applies. Sea anglers are advised to handle any sea trout inadvertently caught with great care to assure their safe return to the sea. More information…
March, in like a lion out like a lamb. Not likely! Though last year we were basking in 20C at the moment it feels like the longest winter ever. Snow is still swirling about in many areas and the temperatures seem colder than ever. The prevailing easterlies all the way from Siberia are to thank for this, and most anglers have had very tough time of it. But as ever there were some who prevailed and succeeded.
This fine haddock did made specimen weight at over 7lb and wins Martyn Rayner Catch of the Week
Trout anglers managed to squeeze in some fine fishing between floods and squalls. And again, though the cold easterlies made fishing impossible much of the time, perseverance made for unlikely catches on Lough Corrib where trout were taking a variety of wets and buzzers. Trout anglers had some exceptional fishing on the Cong Canal last week. This unique piece of water opened on St Patricks Day and many anglers fish all through the night and into the next morning to maximise their chances of hitting into a big fish. A number of specimens were reported recently and the photos testify to some fine fish taken.
Unfortunately Dodder Day had be postponed due to heavy flooding in Dublin. The Dodder Action Group have set a new date of Saturday the 6th of April.
Pike angling reports are thinner on the ground than in previous weeks but a few good fish were reported from Portumna, around Lanesborough and on the River Barrow.
Coarse reports, too, are in short supply but Alan Alphidne landed 26lb 10oz of carp to win the match at Oaklands on Sunday. Good roach are a possibility despite the cold at Portumna, but few anglers are on the banks. Paul Waghorn is back in Lanesborough and reports that the water is a summer levels and fishing is tough. Paul has just launched his new online radio show and it worth a listen. It broadcasts live on Wednesdays and Saturdays but you can listen online at any time.
One small boat from Waterford had a red letter day last Wednesday before the weather was turned on its head. The crew of Screaming Reels enjoyed fine sunshine, and light winds(!). Using frozen mackerel and razorfish with a variety of rigs the trio had some exciting angling and landed 30 ling to 24lbs, 2 cod to 12lbs, specimen sized haddock, plaice, whiting and poor cod. Martyn Rayner wins Catch of the Week for his 7.05lb haddock. Unbelievably an intrepid kayak angler enjoyed good fishing off the west coast over the weekend. Gary Robinson fishing the Galway seas had so many ray he ran out of bait, succeeding with aplomb where nearby shore anglers had failed.
There will be more flurries of sleet and snow over the weekend, and though it will be mostly dry the cold and wind form the east is set to stay with us a while longer.
The organisers of the FINS Conference are delighted to offer a special day rate for Tuesday 9th April. At €60 per person you get a full day of lectures, book of abstracts, poster session, lunch and refreshments and a chance to hear and meet global Invasive Alien Species experts. Session commences at 8.30am and continues until 18.00pm.
Tight lines, Myles Kelly Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.
