A fine Wicklow Tope for Tony Santry, after a 25 minute battle.
As part of their plan of action for the 2012 Home Nations Championships Team Ireland spent a very successful weekend fishing out of Wicklow with Wicklow Boat Charters. Captained by John Dennehy the Team embarked on a mission to practise their speed fishing on dogfish, this they certainly achieved but they also had the added bonus of many super fish. Although they fished small doggy baits all day, Tope, Ray, and Bullhuss were all taken in big numbers. John Dennehy and Teammate Tony Santry both caught Tope, after a 25 minute battle with a hard running tide Tony landed his fine fish. Many fine Bullhuss were taken and a host of Ray, mainly Thornback but with some Homelyn (spotted) also. A Dutch guest Jakie landed a beautiful near specimen at 7.5Kg, Jakie was delighted at his prize catch, which turned out to be the second largest of his 3 Ray.
A fine Wicklow Tope for Tony Santry, after a 25 minute battle.
The Team made some great developments in their plan of action, our Dutch guest was happy to have bagged a great opportunity to fish with Irelands elite, and I was just happy to be out ! Roll on the summer Months, some decent weather and more and more fish.
When does it start and when does it end? – As a bass fishing guide its one of those most ‘frequently asked questions’ that I experience. For me operating a business based on fishing I find it necessary to provide accurate and real information to queries from customers based on what I see and experience during my working day on the coast. After all this is where and how I do my job.
This coastal intimacy allows me create a sense of reality for any travelling customer either from within Ireland or from elsewhere in the world. For me my guiding season starts on June 16th and ends on October 31st and has done so for the last ten years. Within those dates I manage client days accordingly – often making cancellations and moving dates.
Beautiful Wexford
I very seldom take international customers on guided trips to Wexford prior to June 16th or post October 31st as many years of experience has thought me that the fishing is simply too unpredictable, always has been and it looks like its staying that way for a while. Yes of course there will always be exceptional circumstances, like March of this year and April of last. Last year was great early and terrible later, with somewhat of a return in September! Reasons are many as to why, see this post here – Influences.
Of course this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go bass fishing when and where you want, especially if you live in Ireland close to the coast and don’t have to travel far – but, travelling to Wexford on spec from an international location with the expectation of a fully operable fly and lure bass fishery before May 15th – we would have a lot to talk about!
Some people, after much discussion and chat often wish to come just for the experience and to learn of the fishing anyway, a bit like Alan below – this is done of course, not regularly but done and all possibilities are discussed including the high likelihood of disappointment in fish numbers or the possibility the fishing just might click.
We are lucky as Irish sea anglers living close to the shore, we can pick and choose our moments, make a dash to the coast and catch some fish at different times. This is not always evidence of seasonal stability but more often fish are reacting to irregular early or late favourable influences.
Out of a personal rating of five I award April and May a score of 2 – its a speculative time of year after all, but from June 16th through to October 31st – is in my mind a defined and valid guiding season for the travelling angler. Within these days nothing can be confirmed other than optimal tidal periods but based on considerable guiding experiences I expect the fishery to be at its potential best between these dates, and sometimes even a little later!
For me the Wexford bass fishing season for fly and lure begins somewhere around mid April and ends during November or a little later, of course this is not the same thing as a valid bass guiding season.
A little bit of fishing in your day –
Jim Hendrick
00353(0)53 9123351
00353(0)86 3444557 [email protected] www.bassfishing.ie/ www.probassfisher.com/
Cashel Trout Fishery report by Marlene McLaughlin
Despite the blustery conditions at times anglers are still trying out their dry patterns hoping to make contact with the great fighting trout at Cashel. Derry’s Paul Temple and Ian Hetherington used brown dries and white moths to bank six and ten trout respectively. Don Mc Arthur and Tony McKelvey (Limavady) spent a couple of hours and did very well to release three trout in total which fell to gold head nymphs and daddies. Danny Walker and Jim Russell (Monkstown) banked thirteen trout in total but only took five trout home which weighed a total of ten pounds. Limavady’s Nigel Rathfield hooked one which fell to a bloodworm. Well done to all. Remember, fish more than one day on any given weekend and receive discount the following day. Good luck!
Any fishery or bed and breakfast enquiries to 028777 42159 or email [email protected] Check out our new improved website www.cashellakeview.co.uk
Saturday 12th May was quite a nice fishing day in north Co Monaghan. Overcast with sunny spells and a light breeze meant that conditions were good for fishing on Emy Lake, Emyvale. Local Emy & District Angler Jimmy Skinnader decided to try his luck and caught a beautiful 6.25lb brown trout on Emy Lough. The fish put up a terrific fight but was eventually brought to the net.
Ranched hatchery salmon caught by Sean O Halloran on Beat 6 of Castleconnell Fishery on Thursday 10th May. Weight is given as 18.5lb and the fish was caught on the fly
A Focused Group of Young Anglers Fish with Dick Caplice IADA
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. The event took place from 10am to 5pm and participants learned how to fish for pike, coarse fish and how to fly fish with qualified angling coaches. A tented area staffed by anglers and coaches provided visitors with expert information on tackle and tactics. There was also lots of literature and contact information available and a fish tank display.
APGAI Members Demonstrating Fly Tying at the Brothers Lake Event
Following a chat in the tented area, visitors were invited to have a go at a number of stands on the lake. All of the children and many adults took the chance to have a go and many caught their first fish. One young boy had 15 roach and it was his first time fishing. A draw was also held for some great tackle and tuition and the prizes will be handed over at a tuition day which is being held in two weeks time. The event was also supported by members of the Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI) Ireland who provided casting instruction and fly tying demonstrations.
Children Enjoying Themselves After Catching A Fish at the Brothers Lake Event in Carrickmacross
The event was so successful that a follow up coaching session is being organised next Saturday at the Brothers lake from 11am until 2pm. The Irish Angling Alliance and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club will be supporting this initiative. Dick Caplice from IADA said that “because of the demand from the youngsters and parents we have to hold this event, this will ensure that they will continue to pursue the sport of angling now that they have been introduced to it. A summer camp being organised and run in July by angling coach Geoff Quinn has also been filled.
A Focused Group of Young Anglers Fish with Dick Caplice IADA
A Big Thanks to This Family who Travelled all the way from Santry for the Event
Mums Can Catch Fish Too!!
This Young Anglers Had 5 Fish in 5 Minutes. Fishing is Child's Play
A Future Champion? This Three Year Old Had No Problems Getting to Grips with Fishing
These Young Lads are Paying Close Attention to Dick Caplice's Advice
The APGAI, IADA and Carrickmacross Coarse Anglers Volunteers who Made the Brothers Lake FAW Event a Great Success
This Young Fly Angler Gets Some Advice from Tom Cogan
There is plenty to report in this week’s angling update. With loads of news from coarse, pike, salmon, trout and sea anglers there is surely something for everyone in the audience. There was a small improvement in weather conditions which in turn improved the fortunes of many fishermen, but nonetheless most are still hoping for temperatures to increase so angling can really get going. But the big news in this week’s Irish Angling Update is Fisheries Awareness Week.
French angler Eric Tournaire Wins Catch of the Week with a 6.5lbs brown trout caught on Lough Inagh, Connemara. The fish was kept for a quick photo before being released again. Also in photo is Lough Inagh fishery manager Colin Folan.
Fisheries Awareness Week kicks off on Saturday 12th of May with 12 events covering all aspects of angling – coarse, pike, sea, salmon and trout taking place in Meath, Cork, Monaghan, Donegal, Tipperary, Mayo, Galway, Offaly and Westmeath. In addition to the angling events there are 2 Balsam Bashes taking place in Dublin and Carlow. You can find the details of all these events here: www.faw.ie/category/12-may/
There are 16 events focussing on sea angling with some of the highlights including charter boat fishing from Donegal, Wicklow, Galway and Cork, bass fishing from the shore with Jim Hendrick in Wexford and by boat with Bella Vista in Cobh, shore fishing in Galway, Sligo, Donegal. These events will suit beginners and more experienced anglers alike but booking would be wise as places will be limited on the boats in particular. See www.faw.ie/category/sea-fishing/ for more information.
Salmon anglers will find events where they can improve their casting and budding anglers are particularly well catered for at the Juvenile Angling Day on the Moy. This event is hosted on the world famous Cathedral Beat of the Moy Fishery. It aims to introduce youths to game fishing, and allow them the chance to fish for wild Atlantic salmon, to learn about the ecology of the salmon and to learn more about the methods used when salmon angling. Young anglers will be able to fish with fly, bait or spinner, with rods and equipment available for the day from IFI. To find out more about all those events catering for salmon anglers see www.faw.ie/category/salmon-fishing/. Trout anglers have even more choice with river fishing, rainbow trout fisheries, bring a friend fishing days, angling club open days and ladies days all scheduled to take place over the 8 days of Fisheries Awareness Week. Find details of all these events here www.faw.ie/category/trout-fishing/.
Over a dozen coarse and pike angling events have been organised by clubs, association and IFI at venues from Cork to Cavan and Carlow to Carrickmacross. Once again budding anglers and junior have lots of events to chose from but more experienced anglers are also welcome to attend and pick the minds of the experts on hand. If you are interested in attending any of the coarse or pike angling events you can find out more here www.faw.ie/category/coarse-fishing/ and here www.faw.ie/category/pike-fishing/.
If you can’t make it to the planned events Inland Fisheries Ireland has done even more to encourage you to go fishing next week. During Fisheries Awareness Week anglers can fish for free at selected IFI fisheries. These fisheries include many of its stocked lakes and all the venues in the Midland Fisheries Group. You can get your free permit online here and now. Please note that boats may be required to fish some fisheries and these need to be arranged in advance.
With so many free events and IFI making permits available for free at many of its fisheries you’ve never had a better reason to go fishing. So bring a friend, your kids or partner out for an unforgettable day at Fisheries Awareness Week.
As usual all the headlines from last week’s angling reports are below.
Tight lines to all,
Paul Bourke
Angling Information Officer. Catch, Photo, Release
NCFFI Senior Canal Championship with John Daly and Sean Ward making presentation to Robert Buick
The now annual NCFFI Senior Canals Championship, sponsored by Waterways Ireland, returned to Daingean for 2012. 29 Anglers from the UK and the North and South of Ireland fished both days. Conditions were far from perfect leading up to the event with unseasonably cold weather and a lot of rain and hail in the week before. However, on both days, whilst very cold, stayed dry.It was clear on both days that smaller fish such as roach were not feeding prolifically and a lot of anglers held out for bigger fish. Robert Buick from Belfast did just this and had an excellent 11lbs plus to put distance between himself and the chasing pack on day 1 as he landed some good Bream and a big Hybrid.
Robert Buick on day one
Day 2, catches were smaller but Fintan Brennan added nearly 6lbs to his previous days catch of 4lbs plus to get close to Robert. Brian Kane was just behind Fintan on weight on both days to finish 3rd overall. However, Robert added to his Day 1 weight to finish comfortably ahead.
The NCFFI would like to thank Waterways Ireland for their continued sponsorship of this event and the preparatory work done on the venues by Daingean and District Anglers. Many thanks also to Castle Barna golf club for the use of their facilities for the draws and presentation.
NCFFI Senior Canal Championship with John Daly and Sean Ward making presentation to Robert Buick
Emy and District Anglers PRO Enda Fields reports this weeks that Emy Lake in Emyvale Co Monaghan continues to fish extremely well. Anglers report that some lovely brownies of 3-4 lb have been caught by club members Martin Mc Kenna and Giedrius Vilpauskas.
Martin McKenna Displays another Well Conditioned Emy Lake Trout
Giedrius Vilpauskas with a nice Emy Lake Trout
The lake is very accessible with a new walk way around the beautiful shoreline. Shore fishing is very popular which shelves gently into the lake but a life jacket is recommended at all times. Boat hire is available with a jetty and secure carpark situated along the north western side of the lake.
The Boat Jetty at Emy Lake, Emyvale Co. Monaghan
The lake is nearby tothe village of Emyvale on the main N2 Dublin – Derry road network. In Emyvale there are shops, pubs restaurants and close by is the charming village of Glaslough.
Back to the fishing – There is alot of fly life showing at the moment and all different types of fly patterns and methods are producing fish. The bag limit is two fish per day and the club are encouraging anglers to adopt a put and take approach. Some of the flies worth a try for the month of May on Emy are the Mayfly, Gosling, Connemara black, Sooty Olive, Green Peter Silver Invicta & Green Peter to name a few. Late evening is a good time to try sedge patterns & buzzers. The club will soon be holding its annual 2012 Eugene Muilligan Memorial Cup Competition. More details soon.
Great Feeding in Emy Produces Some Great Fish
With the 2012 season well under way now, only a limited number of places are still available in the club for the current 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. More news about Emy Lake can be found on local website link at http://www.emyvale.net/emy%20lake.html
