May 16th: After a long wait we finally looked over Shrule Bridge today and found shoals of big Roach looking back at us, they were not present yesterday so they are still making their way up to the breeding spot. Word has been spread and we hope that there will be anglers catching 2lb+ Roach tomorrow.
A cuckoo has also put in an appearance near us, one was calling away today down near Jimmy’s house and flew towards the Salmons land in the late afternoon, hopefully we will get some photos of this ellusive bird soon.
Peter was out on the Canal today and had good fun catching small Tench and Roach, despite the drizzle.
Shrule Bridge Trout
May 17th: With a low pressure finally on the horizon the fish are moving up the river Inny.
Chris and Peter headed down to Shrule Bridge and had some sport on the Roach for a couple of hours, nothing much over the 1lb mark so Peter packed up and headed for the Canal.
Chris stayed on and fished until dusk, trying swims from Shrule Bridge down to the sand bar but all of the fish were of a similar size. He finished off back close to the Bridge where he had a nice bag of Roach and Trout, the Roach were getting bigger as the evening drew in some of them close to the 2lb mark, not a sinlge Hybrid though.
He was joined by the Tiverton lads, one of whom decided to set up directly opposite him, much to his disgust… both of the lads caught well and were still there when Chris left at 9pm.
Tiverton Lad
The Roach are still making their way up the River and the Females are not full of Roe yet, a couple of the bigger 1lb+ Males were producing some milk but it looks as though it will be a few days before it all kicks off in earnest.
Terry Jackson captures the essence of fishing in his stories. His obsessive hunt for the 3 to 4lb perch makes great reading. In his story ‘Drop-shotting for perch’ he travels from the quiet loughs in the hills above Enniskillen to a small lough in Monaghan that produced twenty-three two pound perch in a single session for him some ten years ago. As he says “We may have missed our target species on this occasion, but drop-shotting for pike has proved extremely successful and pure entertainment to say the least. If I can have that much fun, whilst failing, surely it can’t be a bad thing! I know where to find thousands of standard sized perch in the four to eight ounce range queuing to give themselves up, but the challenge is finding that lone “lunker” that gets the adrenaline pumping.” Read his full article on http://www.eu.purefishing.com/drop-shotting-for-perch-
GIVE US A KISS BABY !!
On May 10th Terry headed out with his buddy Glenn Drennan to Lough Erne. The forecast gave squally showers with north-west gusts of twenty mph, and for once, they were correct. Yet on they went on Glenn’s nineteen foot McAlinden lough boat and using bait split tails, ripple grubs and shads, killer patterns that had caught many perch for them during recent sessions. At over a knot, the drift was running far too fast for perfect presentation, but using the drogue brought them down to a respectable 0.2 of a knot, where the lures could be bounced and jigged off the lake bed and made to dance with ease. Read Terry’s full story on http://www.eu.purefishing.com/the-perch-pursuit-continues
Weather worsening so time to head for harbour, but they still found plenty on the way back to the slip-way.
Francis McGoldrick won the recent Kileshandra Festival with a catch of 53.2 kg over 4 days. Members of the Fishmaniak club report great bream and tench to 52cm from the Cavan area during the week. John Cole reports a very thundery Inny on the 9th May with the weather turning windy and cold rain. None the less he ventured out with his buddies Phil, Chris and Peter to catch a good bag of Correen Roach. They found the Correen Forde much more obliging compared to the River Inny where the only thing moving is the water!
Trout fishing reports
A terrific battle raged on Emy Lake last Saturday. But Local Emy & District Angler Jimmy Skinnader won and caught a beautiful 6.25lb brown trout.
Colm Lynch from East Coast Angling in Navan tells us the fish on Sheelin have been moving to the hatching fly, while the river Boyle is in great condition with plenty of trout up to 1.5lb being taken by anglers.
A visiting UK angler Merlin Unwin of Merlin books returned to Sheelin after an absence of 18 years and landed himself a lovely 2lb trout and lost another using mayfly patterns but Mr Unwin will not leave it this long again to return. Despite the tough fishing conditions Sheelin did not disappoint its anglers and reinforced its reputation as being one of the best trout fishing lakes in Europe with the catch of the first specimen trout of the season – a magnificent almost 11lb wild trout caught by Gary Connor of Armagh on Saturday May 11th using a gosling close to the Sally Islands. This fish was released back into the water to fight another day.
This week sees the International Fly Fishing Competition. The teams (14 anglers to each team) are from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and will fish 3 prematch days starting tomorrow May 15th with the official competition date being Friday May 18th.
All is fair in fishing and war and we wish all teams the best of luck and tight lines but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for the Irish!
The Youths International 2012 Match will be held at Lough Owel on 1st August 2012. Practice days will take place on the 30th and 31st July and teams will be based at the Bloomfield House Hotel. ITFFA and IFI wish all the best to these fine young men who will proudly represent our country.
Approximately 110 anglers competed in The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association Leinster Championship at Lough Owel on 13th May 2012. The overall winner Michael McCormack was presented with the Corcoran Cup, and the Donnelly Cup for the heaviest trout went to DJ Byrne who had a beautiful trout of 2lb 12oz.
Salmon fishing reports
The best fish recorded on the River Boyne was taken by Tony Lyoness from Navan who hooked and landed a fine 13lb fresh run fish (covered with sea lice) on a Flying C with a single barbless hook. This great shot of a salmon going back wins Tony Catch of the Week..
We had Bieber at Delphi but unfortunately for our younger readers it wasn’t Justin! Bernd Bieber landed a 9lbs 4ozs on a Collie Dog. Now isn’t that something to sing about. On Tuesday Paul Smyth caught a seal damaged 6lb 12oz fish off the Turn Pool on a Shrimp fly. Plus 16 year old Eoin Dunne managed to land his first ever on the fly, weighing 5lb 8oz.
Angling was only possible on Carrowmore in the early part of last week due to the unseasonal weather and strong winds. However, Mal Parrot, U.K, caught a salmon of 7lbs and releasing a second. Ronan Murphy also returned one of 7lbs, while Toby Gibbons had one of 8lbs. Conn Cleary, Co. Limerick, had one of 8lbs as did Pat Doherty and John Cosgrove.
Flies which proved successful over the past week there included the Black Dabbler, Clan Chief, Green Peter, Hairy Mary and various Cascade patterns.
Well done to Sandra Fleming, Nrth Ireland who caught a fine 7lb salmon on a spinner winning her the Coolcronan Cup at the mid Moy fisheries.
While at Cloongee, 29 salmon were recorded with Michael Monaghan and Brendan Doyle both landing two each.
We had juvenile anglers checking out the Ridge Pool on the Moy and transition year students from Coola Vocational School visiting Ballisodare Salmon Fisheries in Co. Sligo. These are our anglers of the future and it was great to see them turn out in such numbers for FAW.
Pike fishing reports
Up to 80 people joined with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Irish Angling Development Alliance and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club at their Fisheries Awareness Week event at the Brothers Lake, Dundalk Road, Carrickmacross on Saturday 12th May. Participants learned how to fish for pike. The event was such a success that a coaching follow up session is being organized for Brother’s Lake next Saturday from 11am to 2pm. A summer camp is being organized and run by angling Coach in July and this has already been filled.
Meanwhile Bodo Funke, angling guide from Boyle brought two Italian anglers Ezio and Ivan out on Monday and they landed a big pike 114cm long which turns out to be the biggest pike landed by Angling Services Ireland guests (and staff!) this year so far.
During their stay in Foxford, the Monier Family, France, enjoyed a great day’s pike fishing with guide Kenny Sloan. Trolling proved to be the best method on the day and Cedric had the best fish of the day which has been his best sized pike to date.
29 children made their way in very inclement weather to Lebeen lake Aughnacliffe in north Longford for the Pike Angling Competition and barbecue. Heaviest Pike went to David Boyle and he shared the heaviest bag with Aaron Carr and Tommy Daly. Good fishing boys, congratulations.
Sea fishing reports
Jim Hendrick discusses with us his guiding season for Bass fishing around Wexford and in poetic language tell us of the coastal intimacy allows him to create a sense of reality for any travelling customer either from within Ireland or from elsewhere in the world. His season is from June 16th to October 31st and has done so for the last 10 years.
Also from Wexford Rob Millard headed out on his first trip off Cahore and caught tope, the smallest being about 20lb and three of them well over the 20lb mark.
Wicklow Boat Charters treated the Irish Home Nations Team to an early season fishing bonanza.
Heading up the country to Mayo, Donal Kennedy, skipper of the Leah went out from Killala Harbour for a day’s fishing on Saturday 12th May 2012. He caught some nice coalfish and approximately 15 pollack with the best weighing close to 8lbs, two nice cod, a few cuckoo wrasse, pouting, and mackerel.
The Rosguill went out from Mulroy Bay, near Downings in Donegal and one amused lady angler found she only had the head of a ling when she drew her line back in!! I guess there was something hungrier than her out there!
Over to County Antrim we see the Predator skipper Hamish Curries took advantage of a break in the weather to head out the channel and caught a few nice spurdogs.
The weather still causing problems with unseasonably cold weather down in Cahersiveen making fishing very difficult for John Quinlan of The Thatch Cottage but none the less some nice Pollock was caught as well as some bass.
Luke Aston from Carrigaholt Sea Angling tells us shads on lead heads were by far the best rig with a fish on every cast for him. His main catch at the moment is the trusty Pollock together with Mackerel, Haddock, Coalfish and Gurnard among others.
Newspaper Clippings
In the newspaper clippings we had the sad news of angler David Scully’s body being recovered from the river Blackwater. Our sincere sympathy goes out to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
We had the Irish Times telling us Dr James King of Inland Fisheries Ireland and Brian Cooke from Irish Federation of Sea Anglers delivered a talk on estuaries as nursery areas for marine species at the National Sealife Centre in Bray, Co Wicklow.
And we also had the good news that almost €200,000 has been made available to promote the environmental protection and economic development of the Midwest region’s principal waterways.
Fisheries Awareness Week
Fisheries Awareness Week is in full swing and reports from all around the country have shown us the excitement and fun enjoyed by all. From young to old, they have taken to the waterways seeking out that elusive catch, learning a new hobby which they will have for life. Enjoying what our wonderful lakes and rivers have to offer and becoming aware of what is around them. Tuition from experience angling clubs and IFI staff, fly tying, face painting, fish tanks……etc., etc. From Sea angling in Killybegs to Trout fishing in Kenmare, there was something for everyone! There is a great gallery of photos from all the events at www.faw.ie/photos-of-the-week/.
Ballymote and District Angling club together with IFI will hold a FAW event at Fin Lough on Saturday 19th May. Also a game event at Lough na Leibe will be held on Sunday 20th May. For both events most equipment will be provided on the day, so just wear suitable outdoor clothing bring a peaked/brimmed hat and sun/safety glasses for safety purposes (especially important for fly fishing). All you have to do is turn up and have some fun. There are still lots of events to go on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All the remaining events of Fisheries Awareness Week can be seen here: www.faw.ie
Emy and District Anglers PRO Enda Fields reports this week that following the huge 6.25lb trout caught by local angler Jimmy Skinnader last week on Emy, club boat hire rep Paul Gormley has had numerous phone call requests about fishing the lake.
This week’s fishing so far has been ‘top notch’ with anglers catching the strict bag limit of TWO trout within a couple of hours or so. In the best interests of the lake the club recommends all anglers to practice catch and release. If taking fish to please limit to 1 or maximum 2 PER WEEK. Lake rules state maximum of 2. Enda himself so far this week has caught 10 (all returned bar one pictured below) while local anglers Martin Mc Kenna, Emyvale and Gerry Hughes, Monaghan brought to the boat in excess of 20 fish (all returned bar keeping one lovely 3lb+ brownie). In recent days some anglers have reported catching and seeing a number of small wild trout which will hopefully auger well for the lake’s future. To encourage more native wild brownies in the lake and incoming river, the club plan to do some work next month on the stream with the introduction of spawning beds and some clearing of blockages etc.
The majority of fish in the last week/ few days have been caught on the Mayfly, however, a range of different fly pattterns are working namely:- the Green Peter, the Dabbler family, Gosling patterns, the Golden Olive and the Silver Invicta. Anglers have reported any fly that has within its make up a tinge of green, red yellow and silver appears to have some success and is work a go. With recent fresh water entering the lake in recent days, shore fishing can be difficult but hopefully lake levels will come down to normal levels by the weekend. All anglers are advised to book a boat early and not to leave it to the last minute as presently, for the moment anyway, demand is out-stripping supply. In contrast, Emys’ shoreline is easily accessible via a new perimeter pathway.
A very limited number of places are still available in the club for the 2012 season, so why not contact us today! Trout fishing only is available on Emy Lake for holders of day tickets or season permits. Day tickets may be obtained from Paul Gormley “ GORMLEYS SHOP” North Main Street Emyvale Telephone 047-87573 Mobile 087- 6128259 or Dick Kiernan at Venture Sports in Glaslough Street, Monaghan Town, Tel: 047- 81495 or mobile 086-8351378. Anglers become members of the club for insurance purposes on the issue of a day ticket or a season permit.In the interest to all and the resource, please take note Emy Lake water keepers are presently checking for membership etc and will be strictly applying lake rules re bag limit etc so your co operation is kindly requested.
Finally, many thanks to the Inland Fisheries Ireland for their continued support. For more information about Emy Lake, please also check out www.emyvale.net and also check out our Emy & District Anglers video channel at www.youtube.com/user/emyangler
North Longford Angling Club held a Pike Angling competition and barbecue in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland Fisheries Awareness Week on Lebeen Lake Aughnacliffe.
29 children took part in this event in very inclement weather.
The following is a list of winners in the different groups:-
Heaviest Pike
1st. David Boyle 4-0½kg
2nd. Ben Brady 3-9kg
Joint 3rd. Cathal Reilly & jack Scott 3-5kg
Heaviest Bag
1st. David Boyle, Aaron Carr & Tommy Daly 12-8kg
2nd. Ben Brady, Jack Scott & Aiden Walsh 11-7kg
3rd. Cathal Reilly & Ryan McLoughlin 9-12½kg
Compliments of Alice Murtagh Admin Assistant – North Western River Basin District
The weather window allowed The Predator to push across the channel into the deep water where they were rewarded with a few nice specimen spurdogs and bmd. Over the next few days they hope to be targeting tope south of red bay. Hamish sent us on these photos of his catch:
ITFFA President Tony Doherty with 2012 Leinster Team Captain Jimmy Cahill and ITFFA Leinster Chairman Dr William Waldron
The Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association held their Leinster Championship at Lough Owel on 13th May 2012. Approximately 110 anglers competed; each of them hoping to represent their province at the Interprovincial Match which will take place at Lough Melvin on 15th September 2012. The fresh south west wind and arduous angling conditions suited traditional style Irish angling and when the scales came down at 6PM it was renowned Mullingar angler Michael McCormack who had the heaviest bag with 22 fish for 23lb 6oz. Other successful anglers from Westmeath included Mullingar man, Andy Duncan, who finished in second place, Paddy Ward from Multyfarnham and Jimmy Cahill of Clonlost. The overall winner Michael McCormack was presented with the Corcoran Cup, and the Donnelly Cup for the heaviest trout went to DJ Byrne who had a beautiful trout of 2lb 12oz. The competition was followed by a fine meal at the Greville Arms Hotel which was organised by Leinster Chairman, Dr Waldron.
The 2012 Leinster team will be captained by a very experienced Westmeath angler, Jimmy Cahill. This team is extremely strong and the Leinster committee wish every member of the team the very best of luck in the Interprovincial competition. The ITFFA Leinster committee wish to extend their gratitude to Inland Fisheries Ireland and Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association for facilitating this competition.
ITFFA President Tony Doherty with 2012 Leinster Team Captain Jimmy Cahill and ITFFA Leinster Chairman Dr William Waldron
The coarse event to be held by Ballymote and District Angling Club will take place on Fin Lough on Saturday 19th May from 11.00am until 2.30pm
Directions to Finlough: From the Toberbride Roundabout take the exit for the N17, Drive along the N17 through Ballinacarrow and continue for about 1.25 miles, at the second crossroads after Ballinacarrow, turn right off the N17, drive 2 miles until you reach the first crossroads and turn right and drive about 0.5 miles and Finlough will appear on the left side of the road.
Game event
The Game event to be held by Ballymote and District Angling Club will take place on Lough na Leibe on Sunday 20th May from 12.30pm until 3.30pm.
Directions to Lough na Leibe: Drive into Ballymote, At the Church of Ireland (opposite Ulsterbank) turn left and drive past the Coach House Hotel and continue for about 3 miles to a crossroads, turn right at the cross roads (there is a sign for Lough na Leibe at this point), drive 0.4miles then turn left at the first joining road, drive about 1.9miles along this road at which point a small parking area appears and the Lough is visible on below.
For both events most equipment will be provided on the day, so just wear suitable outdoor clothing bring a peaked/brimmed hat and sun/safety glasses for safety purposes (especially important for flyfishing). All you have to do is turn up and have some fun.
Dermot Broughan (IFI), Team manager George Behan and Stan McKeon of Lough Owel Trout Preservation association with ITFFA Youths International Team
Fisheries awareness week commenced on May 12th 2012. To launch this event Inland Fisheries Ireland held an open day at their angling centre at Lough Owel. Members of the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Associations 2012 and 2013 Youths International Teams were on hand to give fly tying and casting demonstrations. The open day also saw the launch of the 2012 Youths International Match which will be held at Lough Owel on 1st August 2012. Practice days will take place on the 30th and 31st July and teams will be based at the Bloomfield House Hotel. ITFFA wish all the best to these fine young men who will proudly represent our country. Good luck lads!
Our boys in green ! Dermot Broughan (IFI), Team manager George Behan and Stan McKeon of Lough Owel Trout Preservation association with ITFFA Youths International Team
