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A tough start but then the Bass start biting on the south coast.

By
IFI Staff
-
Bass on measuring tape
Bass on measuring tape

Rock Hunter reports from the South Coast : – The strorm that hammered the south coast last Thursday and Friday certainly had a detrimental effect on the fishing, producing highly coloured water, weed choked bays and estuaries full of dark brown flood water. As last Saturday was the first day after the month long bass closed season, I had to give it a go so I went bait fishing to a beach that can fish well in daylight on a rising tide. But the surf was still very big and I guess the bait scent was just lost amongst the sediment charged breakers. I packed up just before high tide without a hint of a fish.

The next day the weather was calm and sunny. After doing some gardening I headed down to the shore to try some lure fishing for a few hours over high tide. But again the water was highly coloured. I perservered, trying a range of hard and soft plastic lures, but it was to no avail.
Monday 18th was another nice fairly calm day. I still had some lug left over from Saturday and picked up some crab on the way home from work. I planned to try a small beach that I have not fished for about two years. I took both the bait and lure fishing gear as there is good lure fishing ground either side of the beach. However, when I got there a couple of hours before low tide I found the bay was full of seaweed, with masses of kelp floating for about 30 m out from the shore. The water was still highly coloured. So it was pointless fishing there. I back-tracked to another beach which I thought might be cleaner.

By the time I got set up it was 11.30 pm, much later than I had intended to start. The water was weed free but the surf was quite weak. It was a lovely clear night and although there was no moon it never got totally dark. Due to the clear skys there was a glow of daylight to the north as it was only a few days before the longest day of the year. Even at 2.00 am there was still a glow in the north, after that it started to get brighter again.

I set up two rods, one baited with lug, the other with crab, both on 4/0 pennel pulleys. Shortly after setting up I noticed some subtle nibbles on the rod with the lug, picked it up, then felt a strong tug, lifted into the fish but after having it on for a few seconds it was gone!!!

There then follows a succession of missed bites, about six on the lug and two on the crab, some were fairly subtle knocks, others were stronger tugs. I felt a sense of frustration, it was like watching Ireland play football in the Euro 2012. A change of tactics were required. Over the last few months I have not been striking when a fish bites due to a post on Sea Angling Ireland where a far better angler than myself said he never struck and let the fish hook itself. Obviously that was not working for me despite using brand new rigs with new hooks!!!

So next bite I struck hard – this time there was no mistake, the fish was well hooked. It fought strongly and at first I thought I had a bass, but when I hauled it out of the surf I could see it was a large dogfish. Two more dogfish followed, one on lug the other on crab.

At about 12.30 am I had a much stronger bite on the rod with the lug and again struck to set the hook. This fish was putting up a better fight so I has hoping that it was not another dogfish. Fortunately this time it was a bass, a well fed stocky fish of 55 cm and approximately 4 lbs.

Bass no 1 for Rockhunter
Bass no 1 for Rockhunter

 

...and two
...and two

A little later I spotted a slight knock on the rod with the crab but then it went quite. At first I thought the fish was gone but then there was another small tap. I retrieved and found a small codling on the end. That was a bit of a surprise for mid-June!!!

At about 1.30 am I noticed some subtle taps on the rod with the lug so picked it up, waited until I felt a stronger tug and then struck strongly. I was into a bigger fish, it was fighting very strongly, stripped some line as it tried to escape, pulling the line to the right. It felt a powerful fish, especially as I got it in close and I could see a good size bass splashing about in the shallow surf. It was a chunky 61 cm fish with a weight of 5.75 lbs.

Bass on measuring tape
Bass on measuring tape

I fished on until about 3.00 am, no more bass but I did have two coalfish and another dogfish. Interestingly from the moment I changed tactics and reverted to striking on a bite I did not miss a single fish.

RockHunter
South Coast, Ireland
http://rockhunter-southcoastbass.blogspot.com/

River Moy catch increases to 500 for the week!

By
Markus Muller
-

Bryan Ward from the IFI Ballina Office reports:

Despite water levels still being slightly high, it was another excellent week for anglers on the Moy, where over 500 salmon were reported! The lower fisheries are suffering due to the water level, however, this is having a positive effect on the upper fisheries.

The Moy Fishery produced just seven for the week, with five from the Ridge Pool and two from the Freshwater Beat. On the Ridge Pool, Dublin angler Eamon Fitzsimons had two of 3.5lbs and 6.5lbs on the worm, as did Jim Keeley, N.Ireland. Both John McKinley and Padraig Hastings had success while spinning on the Freshwater Beat.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water yielded fifty salmon, while Mount Falcon, Knockmore, Attymass and Coolcronan also produced their share. Byrne’s Fishery produced twenty-six and Armstrong’s thirty-five including one of 8lbs for Michael Braun, Germany.

Gannon’s Fishery reported thirty-nine for the week, where Simon Stokoe, U.K. had one of 11lbs. The Foxford Fishery also enjoyed a very good week, where their total was fifty-one salmon. At the Foxford Fishery, Peter Feeney, N.Ireland, had two of 9lbs, each to the worm, while Sean O’Brien, Co. Wexford had one of 11.5lbs, also on the worm. Rinanney and the Foxford town fisheries all reported very good numbers of fish. At Rinanney Horst Zettle, Germany, caught one of 13lbs spinning while Guy Herve, France had one of 12.5lbs.

IFI’s Cloongee Fishery produced almost ninety salmon, including a great fish of 15lbs for Tom Cogan, Co. Monaghan to a spinner and one of 13.5lbs for Alain Soisson, France, also spinning. East Mayo Anglers’ water yielded almost one hundred for the week, where John Noad, U.K. had two of 5lbs and 7lbs on fly, Lothar Deeg, Germany had one of 7lbs also on the fly while Dennis O’Manoney, Dublin had one of 10lbs.

 

Plenty of salmon reported from the Ballisodare Fishery.

By
Markus Muller
-

Bryan Ward from the IFI Ballina Office reports:

The Ballisodare Fishery also experienced a great week, where over two hundred salmon were caught and over one hundred of these released. Among those to have success were local angler Christy O’Gara, who had one of 8lbs, John Murray, 9lbs to the fly, Ronan Waters, 8lbs on fly and Peter Henry who also had one of 8lbs, on the worm.

Shane Maye and Jimmy Cuffe, released fish of 6lbs and 5lbs respectively, taken on the fly, with Eddie Harte capturing a fine fish of 10.5lbs also to the fly. Visiting angler Peter Cunningham released one of 7lbs to the fly, John Connolly had a nice salmon of 11lbs on fly with Eamon Ruddy, taking one of 8lbs to the worm.

 

Very good salmon fishing on Carrowmore Lake despite bad weather conditions hampering angling at times during the week.

By
Markus Muller
-

Bryan Ward from the IFI Ballina Office reports:

Although the high wind did hamper efforts on Carrowmore Lake at times during the week, many anglers had good sport on the lake. Michael Naughton and Vincent Rigney had one each to the boat, while J.J. Sullivan and boat partner had two each. Ronnie Maye boated one as did Gary Copney, Vincent Roche and Paddy Byrne. David Donnell had two, Alan Boyd and Jim Ruane, one each as did Larry McElendon. Flies which proved successful over the past week on Carrowmore were the Black Dabbler, Green Peter and Cascade varieties.

 

Bad weather hampers trout fishing on Loughs Conn and Cullin but anglers taking fish on the better days.

By
Markus Muller
-

Bryan Ward reports from the IFI Ballina office:

The weather did hamper angling on Conn and Cullin once again, despite this, some anglers did enjoy success. Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Rodger Sanders, Paul Dixon and Ben Dixon, U.K. had five trout to the boat for a day, all taken on the Grey Wulff. Sean Almandras, U.K. also had five for a day, his best was 2lbs. Steven Forehead, also from the U.K. reported seven, his best 1.5lbs, all taken on the Royal Wulff.

Angling out of Murphy’s of Massbrook, Barry Graham and Ned Tyrell, Co. Offaly had six for a day, their best was 2lbs. Boat partners Liam McHugh and Mick Sweeney, Co. Galway had six for a day, including two trout each weighing over 4lbs, taken on mayflies off Coleman’s Shallows. Dominic Concannon, Co.Derry released four trout, while Bob Allis, U.K./Terrybaun had three for a day on Cullin, his best 1.5lbs.

In the Cloghans area Stephen Brown and Sean Creane, both Cloghans, had two each on dry Olives, their best 1.5lbs while John Burke, Foxford and Adrian Murphy, Cloghans also had two each all taken on dry flies.

 

Over a hundred salmon up to 17 lb. recorded for the week for anglers fishing on the river Drowes.

By
IFI Staff
-
John O'Neill with three nice salmon taken on fly on the River Drowes.

Lindsey Clarke reports:

RIVER DROWES – Monday 11th to Sunday 17th June 2012.

There were good water levels all week on the Drowes and allied to the great run of salmon, this was a very good week on the river with around 100 salmon caught over the week. The fishery was well attended with good numbers of rods fishing throughout the week and fish were reported being caught every day from all sections of the river. Catch reports were too numerous to list all them so given here are a selection of catches taken from the register. On Monday, John O’Conner recorded a 5lb grilse caught on a fly from the Trout Pool. On Tuesday, Walter Huldi logged an 8lb salmon caught on a fly the Mill Pool & Andy Lattimer registered a 5lb grilse caught on a fly from the Upper Mill Pool. On Wednesday, John O’Neill had a good day recording 3 grilse caught on the fly.

John O'Neill with three nice salmon taken on fly on the River Drowes.

 

 

The fish weighed 4, 5 & 6 lb and were caught from Briney’s & Lennox’s. Darren Haire had a good day landing a 17lb salmon on prawn from the Sea Pools.

Darren. Haire with a 17 lb. salmon from the sea pool on the River Drowes.

 

 

On Friday, Declan McNerny accounted for an 8lb salmon caught on a spinner from Lennox’s Bridge Pool. On Saturday, Tony Parker had a good day recording 4 grilse caught with 3 of these released again. The fish weighed from 4 to 5 lb and were caught on a Rapala from the Mill Pool. William Rainy also had a great day recording 6 grilse caught with 5 of these released. The fish weighed from 4 to 5lb and were caught on worm from the Mill Pool & Upper Mill Pool.

All in all a very good week! Prospects remain good for the coming week with good water levels and a continuing good run of salmon.

For info/bookings etc on the Drowes Fishery & Lough Melvin see http://www.drowessalmonfishery.com/ or Tel: 071 9841055 (8am to 12 noon).

 

John Roy With His Fish From The Crooked Hole On Wilkinson Shrimp on Wednesday morning

Johnny Beirne With His Fish From The Mill Pool Last Friday.
Johnny Beirne With His Fish From The Mill Pool Last Friday.

 

Richard Todd With His Fish From The Upper Mill On Sunday.
Richard Todd With His Fish From The Upper Mill On Sunday.

 

Maurice Laurent With Two Fish On Worm From The Otter Pool On Tuesday.
Maurice Laurent With Two Fish On Worm From The Otter Pool On Tuesday.

 

Drowes Salmon Fishery

T: +353 (0) 71 98 41055
M: +353 (0) 87 8050806

http://www.drowessalmonfishery.ie/reports/

Lough Muckno producing some coarse fishing in the difficult weather conditions

By
David Byrne
-
Paul and Peter Martin from Belfast Show their Muckno Catch
Paul and Peter Martin from Belfast Show their Muckno Catch

Resulting from all of the heavy rain over the last while, Lough Muckno is at and above winter levels. Despite this fish can still be caught but the fishing is difficult to say the least. Paul and Peter Martin from Belfast visited Muckno recently and were unable to access White Island so instead settled for a few hours at South Lodge. Fishing was patchy and difficult with the fish in the swims switching off for long periods. However, the lads had some nice roach, skimmers and hybrids fishing feeder at 35yds. Red maggot on a 4ft hook length over darkened crumb produced the results in very high water.

 

Paul and Peter Martin from Belfast Show their Muckno Catch
Paul and Peter Martin from Belfast Show their Recent Muckno Catch

No salmon on the River Fane this week but sea-trout are starting to run

By
David Byrne
-

Following on from the capture of two nice early fish on the River Fane last week Bernard Devenney reports that things have been quieter on the river this week. Bernard reports that water conditions are excellent at present and some nice sea-trout are starting to come into river, althoughthe main run does not arrive until mid July. Unfortunately, no salmon have been caught this week but some fresh run fish have been observed showing in river. The Fane is usually a late river and the main run will not normally arrive until August/September. However, with such good water in the river and more rain expected we anticipate some salmon will show up in river earlier than usual.

Great pike fishing for father and son from Milan while fishing in the Boyle area.

By
Paul Bourke
-
Young Edoardo from Milan with a fine 20 lb. pike with angling guide Bodo Funke

Angling guide Bodo Funke reports on recent pike fishing for his clients in the Boyle area.

Big Fish for father and son from Milano with Angling Servicves Ireland

Young Edoardo from Milan with a fine 20 lb. pike with angling guide Bodo Funke

Regular visitor and pike spinn-angling enthusiast Marco Podesta from Italy once again visited Boyle for a pike angling trip. As usual he booked his trip with professional pike angling guide Bodo Funke (www.anglingservicesireland.com). Along with regular angling companion Marco A., he also for the first time  brought along his 12 year old son Edoardo. Their goal was for Edoardo to catch a big pike during this trip and after a slow start on the first day with only a few small pike caught, it was Edoardos lure that was engulfed by a big pike right beside the boat. The young angler played the fish quite expertly, with a little coaching from his father and guide Bodo. After a short but intense battle the fish was netted and quickly unhooked. The fish weighed exactly 20lbs and what a great achievement it was for the boy and his proud Dad.

The next day saw Dad Marco catch his fish of the trip, measuring 96cm and estimated at ~18lbs. it was a nice pike too.

Meanwhile their friend Marco also had his share of the fun, catching pike of 12 and 17lbs. that day. Marco was out in an additional boat with another Angling Services Ireland guide.

Many other smaller pike were also landed by the group during their short trip. They had come over on the new flight from Milano to Knock Ireland West airport, allowing them to conveniently fly from their home town in Italy right into the heart of some of Irelands best fishing grounds.

Marcos and Edoardo with an 19 lb. pike

Professional Angling guide Bodo Funke can be contacted on: www.anglingservicesireland.com, e-mail: [email protected]

Or Tel: +353(0)866011878

Bodo Funke

Failte Ireland Approved Angling Guide

Angling Services Ireland

3, Canal View

Deerpark

Boyle

Co. Roscommon

Ireland

Tel: +353 (0) 86 6011878

e-mail: [email protected]

web: www.anglingservicesireland.com

Irish International Fly Fair 2012 at Killyleagh

By
IFI Staff
-

The Irish International Fly Fair 2012 takes place on June 30th & July 1st at Killyleagh, Northern Ireland. Irelands first and up-to-the-minute event on the Fly-Fishing and Tying calendar.

We are delighted this year to again bring a very high standard of exhibitors to the fair.

Open from 10am to 4:30pm daily.

Exhibitors:

Rodgers Fishing Tackle⁄Bronte Hackle Some of the best quality feathers available to the fly dresser

Celtic Flycraft The most up to date fly tying supplies.

Moorbrook Lodge Hardy Greys

Wendy Cromie, Killyleagh

Forums and Talks:

A range of subjects will be covered in our discussion forums and talks, these will be held in the entrance hall of Killyleagh Castle.
Times will be posted on the festival notice board.

Professor Ken Whelan
Research Director, Atlantic Salmon Trust
Trout in Ireland – Telling fact from fiction.
Dr Robert Rosell
Fisheries Scientist, Agri-Food and Bio-Sciences Institute for Northern Ireland
Sea Trout and Strangford Lough.
Dr Richard Kennedy
Fisheries Scientist, Agri-Food and Bio-Sciences Institute for Northern Ireland
Salmon in Northern Ireland, catch and release.

Forums and talks may be subject to change as circumstances dictate. You are guaranteed a wealth of expertise and experience no matter what.

All proceeds to The Dibney River Conservation Trust.

Childrens Fly Tying, Fly Casting & Entomology Workshops:

Run by APGAI Ireland, AAPGAI & EJ “Ted” Malone.
These will be free to all children. While we will try our best to cater for everyone places are limited, to be certain of a place for your child please use the “Contact Us” page to e-mail us and book your childs place.

The workshops will be held in Killyleagh Bridge Centre on Saturday from 11am to 1:30pm with casting clinics all day Sunday in the castle grounds which are free to under 15’s.

Click the link to Contact us by e-mail
Prizes will be awarded each day for best caster and tyer as well as an ultimate angler award.
 
APGAI Ireland instructors confirmed so far:

Pat Mulholland
Arthur Greenwood
Pat Hughes
Gary Bell
Jim Hoy
Joe Stitt

This will be updated as more APGAI Ireland and AAPGAI Members offer their services.

See Web page : http://www.irishinternationalflyfair.com/index.html
 

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