Tom Purple from the US grassed a beautiful fresh 12 lb. springer taken on an Orange Shrimp fly
Justin Green reports from the Ballyvolane Fishery on the Cork Blackwater.
Strong runs of fish were evident during the last 10 days of the month. Our rods enjoyed some fantastic sport as the water level maintained its height during the course of the month due to small floods during the second week and at the end of May. Springers up to 12 lb. were taken during this time. Dr. Stephan Gretschel from Germany on his first visit to the river Blackwater caught and released a 5 lb. grilse taken on an Ally’s Shrimp fly on 24 May at Upper Kilbarry. The highlight of the month was Tom Purple from the US grassed a beautiful fresh 12 lb. springer taken on an Orange Shrimp fly on 20May also at Upper Kilbarry. Fish were seen by our rods consistently during the last ten days of the month. All in all, a very encouraging May for the river Blackwater. Prospects looking very good for June provided we avoid the heavy rains.
Tom Purple from the US grassed a beautiful fresh 12 lb. springer taken on an Orange Shrimp fly
BALLYVOLANE FISHING SCHOOL
In addition to our 2-day Residential Salmon Fishing Course, Ballyvolane House is now running one-day ‘Quickie’ Fishing Courses with qualified instructor Norman Gillet. One is aimed at ‘Beginners’ and the other is designed for ‘Improvers’. For more information, please visit the website at: www.ballyvolanehouse.ie.
STUDENTS FROM the transition year at the FCJ School in Bunclody abandoned the classroom last week to take a lesson on the bank of the River Slaney. The eleven students went to Clohamon for an open-air session with experts in the art of fly fishing from Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Rosbercon New Ross native John Flynn, resident of Cushenstown, and three of his IFI colleagues were in charge of the five-hour crash course in casting. Their pupils proved immediately adept, pulling a few brown trout out of the water, despite the fact that none of them had ever tried their hand at the sport before……..Enniscorthy Guardian…..29/05/12….read full article..
Some of the participants on the Fisheries Awareness Day in Carlow Town.
Disabled Anglers have a great day on the Barrow
Carlow CAC chairman Gerry McStraw reports on a great day for disabled anglers as part of Fisheries Awareness Week on the River Barrow.
Some of the participants on the Fisheries Awareness Day in Carlow Town.
Carlow Coarse Angling Club based in Graiguecullen recently held an awards ceremony on the river Barrow as part of the Inland Fisheries Ireland Fisheries Awareness Week. The club have been running an eight week programme for people with disabilities in conjunction with I.F.I. the Carlow Sports Partnership, Rehab Carlow, Angling Council of Ireland, National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, the Caredias center Tullow and the Lazy River Cafe Graiguecullen. Chairman Gerry mcstraw congratulated all 28 anglers for taking part in the awareness day and thanked the local Gardai for presenting the Certificates and new club memberships. Pics from this event and others can be viewed on the very popular carlow cac Facebook page. The club are still running the programme every Tuesday morning on the new walkway facing the Town Park. If you would like any information regarding the Carlow C.A.C. or their activities please do not hesitate to contact Gerry on 085 2844566 or by e-mail on [email protected]
Angling Council of Ireland Coach Ian Warburton receiving his Certificate from a local Gardai
Mr. Mark Knowles UK. and his ghillie Dominic McGillicuddy with a fly caught salmon of 7.5 lb.
Angling ghillie Vincent Appleby reports on recent fishing on Lough Currane.
Mr. Mark Knowles UK. and his ghillie Dominic McGillicuddy with a fly caught salmon of 7.5 lb.
29/5/12 We will start with the early shift, Mr. Arthur White of the UK caught a 2.5 lb. sea trout on the fly and finished his fishing Holiday off with two salmon, a grilse of 2.5 lb. and topped that with a fine 6.5 lb. salmon, and both were caught on the troll, with his ghillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of Waterville Boats – [email protected] Now to the Salmon fly department, Mr. Mark Knowles of the UK caught a fine 7.5 lb. salmon on the fly fishing with his ghillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com Now to the sea trout fly department and the hired out boat department of www.lakelandshouse.com Mr. Dara Treacy caught a 3.5 lb. sea trout on the drift, also in good form was Dr. McGuinness who caught a 2.5 lb. sea trout on the fly, and staying www.lakelandshouse.com German Angler, Mr. Markus Krusas fishing with his ghillie Mr. Mike O’Dwyer, caught a 2.5 lb. sea trout on the fly, also local ghillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy, reported to that Cork anglers caught a fine 5 lb. sea trout on the fly this morning, Now to catch and release of the day and that goes to the one and only the king of the Irish sea trout fly, Mr. Sean Smith of the UK, as Sean was casting his fly upon the water a 3 lb. sea trout took his fly and as Sean brought his sea trout under control his fly reel went berserk and he was down too the backing and the next thing my noble game fish took a almighty jump it was Salmon on the 8 lb. class and a few seconds later my noble salmon was gone and all Sean was left with was the 3 lb. sea trout which he sportingly put back, and as Sean is keen catch and release angler we will give him that Salmon because he would of put my Noble back too fight another day, and it wasn’t long before Sean caught another sea trout of 3.5 lb., Sean and Michael’s ghillie Mr. Neil O’Shea and of www.oshealoughcurrane.com was telling me that Sean and Michael rose a few nice sea trout, also and Neil also reported to me that he saw an angler catch a sea trout in the 3 lb. class.
30/5/12 Straight to the Sea Trout department, Mr. Mark Knowles of the UK fishing with his ghillie, Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com caught 4 sea trout on the fly, ranging from 2 lb. up to 5 lb., also in good form was Mr. Liam Ellis who caught 3 sea trout on the fly ranging from 2 lb. up to 3 lb. Now to the catch and release department Mr. Michael Smith and his son, Mr. Sean Smith, fishing with their ghillie Mr. Neil O’Shea and of www.oshealoughcurrane.com caught two sea trout ranging from 2.5 lb. up to 3 lb., staying in the catch and release department and my catch and release of the day and that goes too Mr. Noel Curtain of Castlemartyr Co. Cork, fishing with his ghillie Mr. Roger Baker and of www.cloghvoola.com caught a specimen sea trout estimated at 8 lb. on a size 12 Green Peter, for quote of the day from Roger, Noel is 6 feet tall with hands like shovels and is not holding the fish out to make it look bigger, note the length of the fish across his arms, Now to the Hired out boat department of www.lakelandshous.com Mr. Paul French and Mr. Pat O’Toole, caught 5 sea trout ranging from 2 lb. up to 3.5 lb., and just for the record there were a few boats out and sadly they haven’t reported their catches. Wind SW light and overcast.
31/5/12 All the head lines go to hired out boat department of www.lakelandshouse.com Luxembourg Anglers caught 3 sea trout, also in good form was Mr. Paul French and Mr. Pat O’Toole with 2 sea trout, ranging from 2.5 lb. up to 3 lb., now to my catch of the day and that goes to sea trout angler Mr. Dara Touhy, who I might add has been fishing Lough Currane a good few years and he was telling Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com in all years he has fished Lough Currane he has never caught a salmon on the drift, well Dara caught his first ever salmon on the drift today and his salmon weighed in at 5.5 lb. and Dara finished his day off with a sea trout of 1.5 lb. Wind SW light and overcast.
1/6/12 Mr. Rob Elson, caught a fine 12 lb. salmon on the troll with his ghillie Mr. Brod O’Sullivan of Stella Maris guesthouse Waterville. In the Salmon and sea trout fly department it was hard going for the lack of wind and but at least one or two Anglers did come up with the goods in the sea trout department, Mr. Dara Treacy fishing in a hired out boat from www.lakelandshouse.com caught a fine 2 ¾ lb. sea trout on the drift. Now we cut across the Lake to the North side and the hired out boat department of Waterville Boats and @ [email protected] Mr. Michael Bonner of Donegal caught a fine 3.5 lb.sea trout on the drift. Wind all over the place and calm and this evening it was flat calm so at least my Noble Fly Anglers had an excuse for the lack of Game Fish. 2/6/12 There were few sea trout caught, Mr. Rod Robinson of Waterville caught 3 Sea Trout up to 3 lb., Mr. Mark Knowles of the UK caught a fine sea trout of 3.0 lb. on the fly, fishing with his ghillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com also in good form in the C&R Department was Mr. Peter Thompson of the UK with two Sea trout ranging from 1lb. up to 3 lb. and my fish of the day goes to Dr Reinhard Biniek of Waterville and Germany, who caught a fine 5 lbs sea trout and last but not least Mr. Mark Doorman fishing with his ghillie Mr. Bob Priestley, caught a 2 lb. sea trout on the troll. Wind ESE light, and raining for most of the day and I can tell you my Noble Game fish will be grateful for this liquid refreshment as we anglers are.
3/6/12 Straight to the trolling department Mr. Gerry O’Sullivan of Cork, caught a Salmon just under 10 lb. on the troll, and in the hired out boat department of Waterville Boats and @ [email protected] Mr. John White of Bristol in the UK, caught a 4.5 lb. grilse on the troll, and staying in the trolling department, Local ghillie Mr. Vincent Appleby and of www.salmonandseatrout.com caught a grilse, now to the sea trout department, Mr. Alan Houlahan fishing in a hired out boat from www.lakelandshouse.com caught a fine 2 lb. sea trout on the drift this morning, there was also a fine 5 lb. sea trout caught by Dr Reinhard Biniek of Waterville and Germany. Now we cut across the valley to the River Inny and the breaking news that the first 7.5 lb. salmon was caught on the fly this season by local Gillie Mr. John Young so congratulations to Mr. John Young Esq., and just for the record Mr. Kevin Brain of www.kbfishingireland.com reported to me that he caught a few juniors on the drift in the past few days. Wind W then veered N light and overcast.
John Young with a fly caught salmon from the River Inny in Co. Kerry.
4/6/12 There was some good action in the Sea Trout department both in the and trolling department, In the fly department Mr. Michael Power fishing in a hired out boat from Mr. Tom O’Shea and @ [email protected] caught his first 2.25 lb. sea trout this year, on the drift off Church Island, and staying with the fly, Mr. Mark Knowles of the UK, fishing with his ghillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com caught 2 sea trout ranging from 2 lb. up to 5 lb., a guest fishing with his ghillie Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com caught a fine sea trout just under the 2 lb. on the fly, now to catch of the day and that goes to Mr. Mathew Herrold of the USA, first his sons started the day off with two Brown Trout, and Mathew finished the day off with a fine 5.1 lb. sea trout caught on the troll with his ghillie Mr. Vincent Appleby and of www.salmonandseatrout.com
Mr. Mathew Herrold of the USA, and his sons fishing on Lough Currane.
That is your ration for this week, from your Gillie/Guide and the Waterville fishery. No Spin No Fly’s just facts.
A 5 lb. sea trout for Mr. Mathew Herrold of the USA, along with his sons on Lough Currane.
Leigh Mooney with a 19 lb. pike from the River Shannon
Leigh Mooney here from the Dublin Pike Anglers.
Leigh Mooney with a 19 lb. pike from the River Shannon
The story behind it was me (Leigh Mooney) and Dave Moody were fishing up on the Finn the last bank hol and my friend Dave found this lure on the bank and handed it to me and said put it to your collection (as I am only fishing the last 3 years).
I hadnt been out since, so we headed to the Shannon this bank holiday to our favorite spot (cant be named) and had a cracking day with over 30 fish caught. Half way through the day I was just after losing about a 10 pounder and decided to tried the lure. First cast nothing second cast in the same spot I saw this fish coming after the lure and hit it hard. Thought it was about 15 pound, weighed in at 20 pound 7 ounces with the sling and the sling was 1.7 which meant it weighed 19 pound! Couple of 8s 6s 5s and few 3s on the day. My bag, Leigh Mooney was about 46 pound. Dave Moody’s was about 35 lb. Most fish caught on a wobbled smelt few on the bottom couple on spoon and the 19 lb. fish on a lure.
Members of the Carlow Coarse Angling Club in conjunction with the Tagit fishing club based in Belfast recently held a cross border coarse angling match in Carlow Town. The match was held as part of a weekend of angling and was thouroughly enjoyed by the visitors from Belfast who all stayed locally at the Holiday homes in Graiguecullen. Chairman of the Carlow C.A.C. Graiguecullen man Gerry mcstraw arranged the match with Mr Scottie Lonsdale from the Tagit fishing club who are heavily into youth development and cross border relations. The local club were selected due to their constant work with youth development and work with people with disabilities amongst other things. The weekend was sponsored by Mr David Cowan from the Lazy River Cafe in Graiguecullen. Mr Cowan commented that it is great to see the river barrow in Carlow being used especially to promote the peace process and his company and will continue to support the most active coarse angling club in the country. Mr Lonsdale made a statement that the Tagit club were made feel more than welcome, caught and released plenty of fish and look forward to next years match. Pics of this event can be viewed on the very popular carlow cac Facebook page. If you would like any information regarding the Carlow Coarse Angling Club or indeed fishing the river Barrow please do not hesitate to contact Gerry mcstraw on 085 2844566 or e-mail [email protected] The club are still running their programme in conjunction with the Angling Council of Ireland, the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and Carlow Sports Partnership and can be seen every Tuesday morning from 10:30am along the banks of the river Barrow facing the Town Park.
Gerry McStraw, Chairman of Carlow Coarse Angling Club reports on a cross border match held on the River Barrow in Carlow.
Lazy River Cafe Cross Border Peace Match
Members of the Carlow Coarse Angling Club in conjunction with the Tagit fishing club based in Belfast recently held a cross border coarse angling match in Carlow Town. The match was held as part of a weekend of angling and was thouroughly enjoyed by the visitors from Belfast who all stayed locally at the Holiday homes in Graiguecullen. Chairman of the Carlow C.A.C. Graiguecullen man Gerry mcstraw arranged the match with Mr Scottie Lonsdale from the Tagit fishing club who are heavily into youth development and cross border relations. The local club were selected due to their constant work with youth development and work with people with disabilities amongst other things. The weekend was sponsored by Mr David Cowan from the Lazy River Cafe in Graiguecullen. Mr Cowan commented that it is great to see the river barrow in Carlow being used especially to promote the peace process and his company and will continue to support the most active coarse angling club in the country. Mr Lonsdale made a statement that the Tagit club were made feel more than welcome, caught and released plenty of fish and look forward to next years match. Pics of this event can be viewed on the very popular carlow cac Facebook page.
Neville Martin Carlow C.A.C. vice-chairman left and Chairman Carlow C.A.C gerry mcstraw right with members of the Tagit fishing club Belfast.
If you would like any information regarding the Carlow Coarse Angling Club or indeed fishing the river Barrow please do not hesitate to contact Gerry mcstraw on 085 2844566 or e-mail [email protected] The club are still running their programme in conjunction with the Angling Council of Ireland, the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and Carlow Sports Partnership and can be seen every Tuesday morning from 10:30am along the banks of the river Barrow facing the Town Park.
Kevin, Simon and John from Norwich with a great catch of tench and other fish at Melview Lodge.
Kevin Lyons reports on good coarse fishing for his clients fishing out from Melview Lodge.
Kevin Fuller, Simon Goodyear and John Barker from Norwich were over on a short five day fishing break and decided to stay with Kevin and Jane of Melview Lodge Longford. Kevin said as soon as they arrived at the lodge they were ready to go out looking at a couple of venues to prebait, one of the venues was slow to produce so we switched our attentions to the other. This proved to be a good move, fishing it for a couple of days produced some cracking Tench and also Bream, Hybrids, Roach and Rudd. The prebaiting and early mornings seemed to do the trick, well done lads.
Kevin, Simon and John from Norwich with a great catch of tench and other fish at Melview Lodge.
Some lakes, Loughs and Rivers in and around the Longford area have been slow to produce while others have been producing some great catches of all species. The weather along with wind direction has been changing from day to day making some days catches better than others. Anglers from the UK still continue to have some great catches of Tench along with some Bream and Plenty of Hybrids and Roach, both feeder and float tactics seemed to work using red maggots and worm cocktails. Next week we will see how other anglers staying at Melview Lodge have done so log on to see what’s been going on and what’s been caught.
Lough Owel Trout Anglers are also reeling in some fine catches. Quite a few Olives were hatching, and also some reports of May Fly activity was reported from the Top end of Owel near the Rookery. Plus the fish are starting to hit fry hard on the shallows and I had a beauty weighing just over 2lbs on Sunday across the shallows near Church. On Saturday I met Newry Anglers Brian, Sam, and Joe Berry who had super day fishing on Owel with pal Eddie Bunker. The lads boated many fish, and really enjoyed the day on one of the Midlands top fisheries.
Michael Flanagan
Pike and Trout angling guide. Telephone: +353 (0)44 9348969 or +353 (0)87 2797270 Fax: +353 (0)44 9342781 Email:[email protected]Web:www.midlandangling.com
Last week Boat-Angling -Ireland.com regulars Congereel and Rooster76 enjoyed some good tope fishing in Lough Swilly…
A day at Dunaff
Crew: Wilks, Harry, Phillip and myself. Duration: 8.30-4.30 Tide: low water at 12.30 Weather: Sunny with cool easterly breeze Bait: mackerel Rigs: Animal rigs and other tangly ones Results: lesser spotted dogfish,red and tub gurnards, spurdogs, mackerel, thornback ray and tope
With the weather looking good it was off to Dunaff for the day. Wwe managed to leave the marina on time today after numerous warnings to Harry that if he was not on time he would be left high and dry. We stopped at the cages for mackerel, but none were to be had there so on to the hole at Knockalla where we got enough there for the day.
Harry gets to pose with a tope
Onward to Dunaff and let the games begin… …first in was Harry with a triple shot of dogs. Fishing was fairly steady with the animal rigs accounting for quite a few spurdogs, dogfish and gurnards. Then something more substantial took mine. I had a fair idea it was a tope but never thought we could land it. Ten minutes later and thanks to Harry’s tailing skills he was aboard. Now Harry, as you may know from previous exploits, has never caught a tope so we set him up for the trophey shot.
On with the fishing and Phillip had a double shot of spurs and lsd. You may find this hard to believe but both these fish were firsts for a man who’s angling career spans more than 30 years. Where has he been fishing? Not much else for the rest of the day so it was back to the marina and the watering hole to mull over the days crack
Tope and thornbacks
Crew: Bertie, me and Wilks Duration: 6 pm—8.30pm Tide: Low water 6.30 Weather: great Bait: mackerel Rigs: tope rigs Results: Tope and thornback ray
We fished on Monday with a few macks left from Sunday. We set out early and the anchor was deployed and we were ready for action around 6.15.
Ten minutes in and I had my first run of the year.15 seconds later, I had my first dropped run of the year…
Shorly after that Wilks had a run. After a good wee scrap from the senior citizan he had a fine tope on the deck, brought onboard by Bertie with little fuss. It was too heavy for Wilky too get a photo so I took his place for the trophy shot.
The first tope in the boat
We weighed him in the sling and he came in at a fine 38-40 lb. I am sure it wasn’t too far away from that. Bertie then got in the action and decided to release his by the side of the boat, another good tope.
The tope approaches the boat to be released
Things where very hectic all evening with myself and Wilky missing two good runs. That was one of the best tope runs I have had so far. It stripped plenty of line and felt really good but after 3-4 minutes it was gone I was starting to think am going be the new Gareth (cannae catch a tope)? Bertie got in the action again and released expertly at the side of the boat.
Releasing a tope at the side of the boat
I then had good take on the rod and after several seconds this dose came up… Not what I was looking for but a decent thornie.
Not what I was looking for but a decent thornie
With half an hour left away my reel went again. This time it felt good and after a great run and 5 minutes of battle I had my first tope of 2012. Bertie did the lifting again and she was in and out of “Shazza“in seconds. I had to get the trophy shot to stop the guilt from sitting with Wilky’s tope.
My own tope
A fine evenings action for a few hours and a big thank you to the skipper for the trip. Gareth…..you should have been out lad! I would have let you bring one of mine in! Great to see so many tope up the lough and with great weather, very hard to beat.
26LBS PIKE FROM OWEL. Mullingar Angler Philip Keena rattled the scales last weekend on Owel, and boated a huge pike of 26lbs. Philip fished Owel in very calm condition on Friday June 1st, and in recent weeks he has produced some cracking pike.
Excellent fishing by young Philip Keena
Michael Flanagan
Pike and Trout angling guide. Telephone: +353 (0)44 9348969 or +353 (0)87 2797270 Fax: +353 (0)44 9342781 Email:[email protected]Web:www.midlandangling.com
