A 20lb 14oz pike caught on a Stuart Wylie hot orange, barbless pike fly
A 20lb 14oz pike caught on a Stuart Wylie hot orange, barbless pike fly
A very cold and frosty morning on Lough Ramor with temperatures only reaching 2C by 10.30am. I did however venture out on the lake, “well togged out with plenty of winter layers” and fly fished away for Ramor’s illusive ”Winter Pike”. The 20lb 14oz predator pictured above was caught on a Stuart Wylie hot orange pike barbless fly. I also had some missed opportunities and a several follows from some larger fish . This fine Ramor pike was returned safely to fight another day, just before the wind and rain came which hampered an excellent days fly fishing. This Fish wins the Catch of the Week for this the third week in December.
Co Cavan Pike Fishing
Neill Collins from Lakeland Marine & Tackle in Virginia reports that the Ballyjamesduff Anglers held a competition on 11th December 2011. Eleven anglers fished from 11am until 4pm. It was a terrible day weather wise with sleet, snow, cold wind and rain all making an appearance during the day. Eight fish were landed for the day and the best fish weighed in at 7.5lbs. Fish were taken on dead-baits and trolling lures.
If you are looking fro up to the minute fishing information or that last minute bait or lure Neill from >Lakeland Marine & Tackle can be contacted at 049 8543712 or 087 2732152
County Monaghan Pike Fishing
Staff from ESB International Fishing Club and Kieran Roche from ESB Networks and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club joined up for a day’s Pike Fishing in the South Monaghan Area. 10 Anglers turned up for what was to be another successful days fishing. Kieran Roach reports that the start of the day was grey with low cloud cover and slight winds with light drizzle. This drizzle quickly cleared and a gentle breeze resulted in a nice ripple on the water. Air temperature was in and around 5 degrees.
The group took to the boats deploying half the anglers to the shore line for some shore fishing with dead baits and spinning, the group rotated between shore and boat with all the success coming from the boats. A mixture of trolling and spinning on the boats resulting in a variety of sizes being caught from 1.5kg to 4/4.5kg.
The first fish caught was by Kieran himself on a Salmo Perch. A MASSIVE Pike of 1.5kg and this set the tone for the rest of the day, there was no set pattern to the fishing with fish being picked up all over the lake in all depths, an array of lures were in use and most produced fish of various sizes. The total catch for the day was 12 fish.
Kieran Roach shows off the First Fish of the Day
The group extended a big thank you to Peadar O Brien and Tom Cogan for what was the 2nd very successful 2011 ESB International Pike Outing and the group are already looking forward to the 2012 event and availing of the outstand professional services of Peadar and Tom who never fail to put us on some great fishing.
Dimitris Nikitakis proudly Displays his Catch with Angling Guide Peadar O'Brien
If you fancy a days pike fishing with Peadar and Tom the can be contacted by email at [email protected] or on the mobile at 087 9265867
Expert Angling Guide Peadar O'Brien Searches out More Pike for his clients Metin Amet and Peadar O'Brien Show off Another Pike taken During the Outing
ENNELL CRACKERS. Last week I ventured out on Ennell for two days trolling with Angling pal Martyn Smith.Martyn is over from England monthly on business in Ireland, and we always get a few days fishing done. On Friday last we broke ice heading out on Ennell, but it was certainly worth the effort. We trolled lures all day, and after lunch Martyn hit two super pike, one up on 15lbs, and the other pushing the 18lbs mark. The pike were in mint condition, and the bigger fish, was a short powerhouse, and gave a great scrap before being unhooked and released. On Saturday we decided to try Ennell once again, but the weather had changed a bit, and there was a brutal raw wind blowing across the lake. The only pike of the day fell to Martyn and it was caught on a Bass Harasser 8 inch rubber lure.
Handsome Perch on Lough Ennell
Later on Saturday evening the sun broke through the clouds, and we ventured out deep for Perch. Here we boated 5 nice fish, and I picked up a small Perch hard on the bottom in 56ft of water. The sport of Perch fishing in winter months is really taking off, and Ennell will produce some Specimen Perch in the coming weeks. All you need in light Tackle and a few rubber Jigs, and get them down deep. Over the Christmas break I will do a special feature on Perch fishing, and give readers an insight into this growing sport. Please note, Pike & Coarse regulations are in place on Ennell, and if any angler is concerned about Illegal fishing, water pollution, or invasive species please call 1890-347424.`
Anthony Green wins catch of the week with his 110cm, 20lb pike
Anthony Green wins catch of the week with his 110cm, 20lb pike
The weather certainly turned very wintery in the past week with sleet, snow and hail on most days in the past week but it still did not deter anglers from venturing out and recording some fine fish. In sea angling this week, the Leinster Provincial Council Shore Committee held an open shore angling competition and awards night in Courtown. 56 anglers turned out for what was to be a terrific event. An estimated 800 mainly small fish were reported to have been taken during the event. The main species taken were whiting, dab and flounder but small numbers of other species such as codling, coalfish and rockling were also recorded. The overall winner of the open shore event was Alan Mulcahy with 46 fish and the winner of the ladies section was Paula Dunphy with 23 fish. Junior section winner was Roy Daniels with 20 fish. The seniors section was won by Frank Lawlor. Up in Red Bay in Co. Antrim, anglers fishing with charter skipper Hamish Currie had good sport for Spurdogs and some juvenile skate while confined to the shallower waters due to rough seas offshore.
On the River Barrow Carlow Coarse Angling Club Junior member Lewis Parr from Graiguecullen managed to net himself a huge surprise whilst fishing for a Pike locally to Carlow town. Fishing a small roach he landed a very big brown trout which was photographed quickly and then returned to the river. The trout season is closed at present. Neither storms, nor snow, nor ice could spoil the excellent rainbow trout fishing at the Curragh Springs Fishery where anglers recorded some fine big fish. There was a group of Carlow club anglers fishing the new South County rainbow fishery at a competition recently. Several anglers in the fly fishing only competition netted Rainbow Trout that were over two foot long thus keeping judges Gerry McStraw and Leon Deere from Graiguecullen busy for the day measuring and documenting each angler’s catch. Anglers turned up from Shileliagh and as far afield as Sallins and Dublin for the competitions and were not disappointed at the stamp of fish being caught, most of which were in the 4 to 5 lb bracket. Up in Derry the bitter weather does not stop the rainbows from biting at the Cashel Fishery where anglers enjoyed good fishing.
A group of anglers from a new online fishing tackle company top tackle fished with many of their new lures to capture some lovely pike on several lakes in the Roscommon area. There was many fish into double figures recorded on swimbait lures. Anthony Greene landed a lovely fish over 20 lb. and wins our Catch of the Week. Many rivers and lakes are flooded at present and anglers are asked to be careful with ice on some roads and very cold conditions for the next few days.
Tight lines especially in Ireland,
Paul Bourke
Angling Information Officer Catch, Photo, Release
A section of anglers at Courtown last Sunday afternoon.
In sea angling this week, the Leinster Provincial Council Shore Committee held an open shore angling competition and awards night in Courtown. Anglers participating in the event checked in at the Orphan Girl, bar and restaurant, on Sunday morning last 11th December 2011.
The weather on the day was fantastic, especially considering the mixed bag that we had experienced in the proceeding weeks. Despite the possibility of bad weather, 56 anglers turned out for what was to be a terrific event. The sea was calm with a slight colour and it was overcast with intermittent sunny spells and it did turn very cold in the afternoon.
A beautiful day and a beautiful calm sea at Courtown on Sunday last 11th December 2011
The action was immediate following the all in being called at 12 noon and some anglers hit trebles straight away. The tide at one stage did not know if it was coming or going, not unusual at this location. Lulls and calm periods were interspersed with frantic periods of activity, something that all match anglers can bear witness to.
Preparation and process is key to success when match fishing, and all anglers had their next trace prepared and baited in advance waiting for the next hook up. After which the fish was then landed, trace quickly changed and new baits recast. The fish were then carefully unhooked, recorded, measured and released carefully and swiftly back to the water. This was done seamlessly and expertly and then the whole process started all over again.
Brian Cooke with a nice flounder at the Courtown event last Sunday 11th December 2011
Many of the fish taken during the competition were small but an estimated 800 fish were reported to have been taken during the event. The main species taken were whiting, dab and flounder but small numbers of other species such as codling, coalfish and rockling were also recorded. Crab, maddies mackerel and lug baits all produced results on the day. The overall winner of the open shore event was Alan Mulcathy with 46 fish and the winner of the ladies section was Paula Dunphy with 23 fish. Junior section winner was Roy Daniels with 20 fish. The seniors section was won by Frank Lawlor.
At the awards ceremony on Sunday evening in the Orphan Girl the winner of the league John Bermingham, South Shore SAC was awarded with his gold medal. Second place went to Paul Whelan, Raheny SAC and Third Place went to Paul Tyndall Bray Head SAC. Darragh Bermingham took first in the junior section.
A section of anglers at Courtown last Sunday afternoon.
RESULTS OF THE LPC OPEN SHORE COMPETITION
ZONE A
1st Frank Baxter
2nd Joe Duggan
3rd Eamon Bermingham
4th Gerry Flood
5th John Bermingham
6th TC Keogh
7th Shay O’Neill
8th Stephen Glynn.
ZONE B
1st Alan Mulcathy
2nd Paul Heffernan
3rd Paul Scanlan
4th Ian Daly
5th Robbie Gilbert
6th Paul Tyndall
7th Mick Quinn
8th Chris Keane.
Overall Winner Alan Mulcathy with a nice double at the LPC open shore competition last Sunday 11th December
Ladies Section
1st Paula Dunphy
2nd Ann Whitty
3rd Vivien Champ
4th Jane Cantwell
5th Karen Byrne
Winner of the ladies section Paula Dunphy with a nice flounder at Sundays LPC open shore competition.
Junior Anglers Section
1st Roy Daniels
2nd Darragh Bermingham
3rd Richard Warren.
Senior Anglers Section
1st Frank Lawlor
Longest Fish Pool
Longest Round Fish went to Chris Keane with a whiting of 35cm.
Longest flat fish went to Jane Cantwell with a flounder measuring 37cm.
Jane Cantwell, Wexford Garda SAC with her winning 37cm flounder at Courtown last Sunday 11th DecemberIts not all about the fishing, old friends get a chance to catch up at last Sundays event
17 year old Carl Owens from Dublin with a couple of fine Curragh Springs Rainbow caught on buzzers
Despite the various and sometimes extreme weather conditions with storms, rain, snow and even 75% of the lake surface frozen on Saturday morning, fishing continues to be excellent at Curragh Springs this week.
17 year old Carl Owens from Dublin with one of two fine Curragh Springs Rainbow caught on buzzers
Those who braved the weather were well rewarded with several big fish, landed and then carefully released again to fight another day. Fish are being caught at various depths and taking a variety of lures, nymphs and especially buzzers.
Freddie Miller from Dublin with a fine fully finned RainbowNot to be left out Paul Owens, Carl's father with a nice fish
Anyone wanting to fish over the Christmas period please call ahead and we will accommodate them as we will remain open everyday apart from Christmas Day.
Tel: Shaun 087-2462028.
Carl Owens with another fine rainbowFreddie Miller, Carl Owens and Paul Owens fishing from the stands
The big one – 110cm 20lb, a cracking fish for December.
Anthony with his110cm, 20lb pike
It was quite frustrating as fishing can be at the best of times as it seemed it was just one of those days and we were just about to refer to the big book of fishing excuses when I suddenly I felt a powerful tug on my line. I was so excited as I felt some more thumps so I let Noel I was on and I started reeling in. The line felt quite heavy and I caught a glimpse of the fish but not enough to judge the size of it, it was not putting up that much of a fight so I assumed it was a jack with a bit of weed caught on it. I reeled it in close to the boat and was shocked to see the size of it as was Noel, it was a monster and then the pike woke up and the battle was on. She leapt up and tried to tail walk away but the Poseidon treble was well hooked in and she was going nowhere, she did some amazing powerful runs and two more incredible jumps, I had never seen such a big pike jump this high from the water, it was truly spectacular sport. Noel got the net and slipped it under and we boated the beautiful pike which turned out to be 110cm in and around the 20lb mark. The camera came out and there were plenty of pictures taken and then we sent her home and she slowly swam back to the deep.
Niall’s day out and his first pike
We have recently been out testing out some of our lures from Top Tackle throughout November and early December and have had some success. On one of these trips we were joined by our good pal Niall Kenny. Niall has always been a fan of our fishing tales and wished to join us for one and see the fish in the flesh and we didn’t want to disappoint.
Niall and Anthony with Niall's15lb Pike
It was a great day and we even managed to land Niall a lovely 15lb Pike, he had his worries about holding it when he saw the monster so I took on the responsibility for photo purposes.
We have had some really cracking doubles on some of our swimbait lures which can be found in our online store http://toptackle.ie/ also on the site you can read all about our tales on our days out.
Anthony Greene Top Tackle www.toptackle.ie Tel: +353 (0)85 7412767
Gerry mcstraw Carlow cac Chairman presenting Ozzy Conway with his winners trophy
The weekend saw an absolute first for the Carlow Coarse Angling Club as they were asked to judge a competition and present prizes at two competitions in the Southern Counties Fishing Resort in Garryhill, Co. Carlow.
With the back drop of the beautiful Mount Leinster as a canvas the competitions kicked off on Saturday morning well wrapped up for the day ahead. Several anglers in the fly fishing only competition netted Rainbow Trout that were over two foot long thus keeping judges Gerry McStraw and Leon Deere from Graiguecullen busy for the day measuring and documenting each angler’s catch. Anglers turned up from Shileliagh and as far afield as Sallins and Dublin for the competitions and were not dissapointed at the stamp of fish being caught, most of which were in the 4 to 5 lb bracket.
Gerry McStraw, Carlow Coarse Angling Club Chairman, presenting Ozzy Conway with his winners trophy
After two hours on each day the anglers broke for a well deserved cup of tea. The Foley family provided a very well recieved bowl of homemade soup, sandwiches, rolls and cakes for all competitors in the purpose built clubhouse at the lakes. Angling resumed at 2pm on with all anglers eager to get at the very hard fighting fish and fill up their cards. The first competition was eventually won by popular Leinster angler Mr Robbie Phelan with eight fish averaging around 50cm each, the biggest fish of the weekend also went to mr Phelan at 63cm. Young 12 year old Ozzie Conway from Sallins Co.Kildare won the Sunday event with five fish averaging 40cm each. Pics taken during the event can be viewed on the popular blog ran by the Carlow CAC chairman http://carlowcoarseanglingguides.blogspot.com/
If you require any information regarding the fishery or indeed the Carlow Coarse Angling Club please do not hesitate to contact Gerry on 085 2844566.
