The Good, the Bad and the Fugly at L’ile Verte Pike Lodge

By

-

February 23, 2024

Norbert Renaud of L’ile Verte Pike Fishing Lodge has been busy in the lodge lately, as he has been tailoring a range of ‘Fugly’ pike fishing lures that will be available though his web shop. While Norbert prefers to fish with a fly rod during the milder months, when the days are short he stashes the fly rods in the rafters and fishes lures slow and deep to try and entice his pike.

Norbert has produced a range of videos on his YouTube channel detailing the process he goes through in the design and manufacture of his Fugly range and the latest of those videos is online now and well worth a look. Norbert takes a scientific approach to his work and has put in a huge amount of time trying to perfect his range.

Links are available in-video to browse the available range, don’t forget to like the video and subscribe to the channel.

Melview Fishing Lodge back in piking action for 2024

By

Paul O'Reilly

-

February 23, 2024

John from Kilkenny, who is a regular angler to Melview Fishing Lodge, was up once again for a spot of pike fishing with host and guide Kevin Lyons. Over the four days John had some nice pike to 103 cm along with a few more good fish that managed to avoid the net once hooked.

Kevin had taken some time off guiding to oversee refurbishments on the lodge and to attend a number of angling trade expos in different countries – essential to meet potential clients and promote overseas angling tourism to Ireland. With all that taken care of, it was now time to get back to some fishing.

The weather and water levels have not been perfect over the past couple of months, with high water a recurring feature of the winter, but that was not going to stop Kevin and John from getting out there for some long overdue pike fishing. During their sessions both float and ledgered dead baits were the most productive methods for the bigger pike.

Host Kevin said, ‘Great four days John – and thanks for your company’.

Steve Gilby from Staffordshire in the UK, who is also is a regular to Melview Fishing Lodge, was over once again for the first of his pike fishing trips of 2024. When it comes to pike fishing, Steve loves his dead baiting above all else and it was the method that did the trick for him during his week-long stay at the lodge.

All smiles with a nice Pike for Steve from a flooded area

Steve managed to catch some very nice pike to 105cm and host Kevin was sure that there were a couple of much larger pike that managed to shake the hooks.

But for Steve the disappointment didn’t last, it was rebait and get it straight back out there for the next one.

Host Kevin said, ‘Well done Steve and thanks for a great week, look forward to seeing you again later in the year’.

ALL FISH RELEASED UNHARMED.

Melview Lodge

Address Drumlish Road Clonrollagh Longford Ireland Phone: +3534345061 Email: [email protected] Website: melviewlodge.com

More information

Find on Map |

The Lure Fishing Podcast – with angling legend Mike Ladle

By

Paul O'Reilly

-

February 22, 2024

325230029_2786483284820028_659731482724467116_n — The Lure Fishing Podcast with Cormac Walsh

In the latest episode of the Lure Fishing Podcast, host Cormac Walsh speaks with angling legend Mike Ladle.

Mike is one of the most knowledgeable anglers out there, with a PhD in Marine biology, he has has contributed to hundreds of articles, papers and books on the subject of marine life and angling.

His widely read angling website has over 1,600 pages related to all his angling. A real treasure trove of information which can be found at www.mikeladle.com.

In this episode, Mike talks about some of his tried and tested tactics and tackle. He also tells us some fascinating stories abut the old days of bass fishing. This is a thoroughly enjoyable chat with one of angling greats.

You can listen to the episode on Spotify or whichever podcast provider you prefer.

Shane Bird wins AWOL League 2023/24

By

Paul O'Reilly

-

February 22, 2024

This report from the organisers of the AWOL League 2023/24:

With all of the lines out of the water, in reflection the 2023/24 AWOL league was a great league with some very close competition between the participating anglers.

Albert Adcock won the first match at Laois Angling Centre, with Denis Goulding taking both the second and third matches at Laois and Ardaire Springs respectively. However, there was someone gaining ground on the leaders even after missing the first match. The league only counts the best four results out of five sessions, and even though he was in 7th place after the first 3 matches, Shane Bird won the fourth match only weeks after winning the Munster Banks which put him 4 points behind Denis Goulding, the overall leader. Jano Knazko won the fifth and final heat and it was down to the points overall to decide this year’s champion.

With the scores totted up there were two anglers tied on place points with 36 points apiece, a record number of points for the league. The anglers chatted and enjoyed the food and hospitality at Laois Angling Centre as the scores were checked and checked again. Sure enough, Shane Bird had caught up with Denis Goulding with some superb angling over his 4 legs – including the longest fish overall of 69cm. Fish points were counted and although Denis had caught 44 fish to Shane’s 42 fish, the fish points had Shane out in front with 25490 to Denis’ 24310 – 1180 points in the difference.

Shane deservingly had won the AWOL League 2023/24.

The organisers would like to thank everyone that took part in the league and hope to see the anglers back again to commence battle again later this year.

They would also like to thank all of the main sponsors,

Rory’s Fishing Tackle.
Southside Angling.
Premier Angling.
PiscariFly
Fario Fly.
Alan Lawless Doors and Floors.
Brian Conway for his donation of a bottle of Jameson.
Denis Goulding for donating 2 x prizes.
Ned Maher & family / Ardaire Springs for allowing two heats at the venue and donating two prizes.
Enda and Johno for accommodating the three heats at Laois Angling Centre and arranging food for the final.

Without the continuing sponsorship of these people the competition would be very hard to run – so please support these businesses when buying fishing gear.

A big shout out to Denis Goulding, Peter M Doherty, Brian Conway and Kevin McClean for all of their work during the league.

Go Fishing…

Laois Angling Centre

Address Laois Angling Centre Coolrain Laois R32NF80 Ireland Phone: +353-(0)57-8735091 Mobile Phone: +353-(0)87-9962864 Mobile Phone: +353-(0)87-7548823 Email: [email protected] Website: laoisanglingcentre.ie

More information

Find on Map |

Ardaire Springs Angling Centre

Address Ardera Mooncoin Kilkenny Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 86 812 8937 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ardairesprings.com

More information

Find on Map |

Super start to the season for Killybegs Fishing Trips

By

Shane O'Reilly

-

February 22, 2024

It took till mid-February before Killybegs Fishing Trips got out on the water in 2024, but it seems like it was worth the wait. The trip got off to a good start, with plenty of mackerel in the harbour, meaning the bait was quickly sorted. Then it was off to the first mark, and anglers were pleasantly surprised when some nice pollack started showing. Then they moved to the next reef, and the quality of the pollack jumped, with some cracking fish up to 4kg. And there was a bonus of a nice cod for one lucky angler, making it a pretty good start to the season!

Some of the other fish caught on the day

1 of 3

Go Fishing…

Fiona Tee

Address: Moneygold, Grange, Co. Sligo.
Telephone: +353 (0)87 6224348
Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.killybegsfishingcharters.ie/

Tralee Bay SAC’s Tag-a-Ray comp set for April 27-28

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 22, 2024

Tralee Bay SAC‘s ever popular TAG A RAY competition is back and bigger than ever for 2024.

Mark your calendars for April 27th-28th because it’s going to be an epic adventure in the kingdom once again.

Stay tuned at Tralee Bay SAC’s Facebook page for all the important details – from sign-up times to HQ locations and everything in between. They’re going to make sure you’re fully equipped for the search for the elusive Ray in the Bay.

Get ready for the excitement and camaraderie looking forward to seeing you all back again this year!

Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club
Facebook: facebook.com/TraleeBaySeaAnglingClub

Join Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club

Tralee Bay SAC is a thriving community of enthusiastic anglers – young and old, experienced and newcomers – with new members joining all of the time. We have a busy schedule of shore and boat competitions and lots of social events planned throughout the year. Tralee Bay is a family friendly, welcoming club with a reputation for promoting angling and encouraging newcomers to the sport.

Joining could not be easier – simply get in touch with us via our Contact us page leave your address and we will send you out an application form. Please also let us have your email address – especially if you have any queries for us. We are especially eager to hear from junior anglers who want to take advantage of club membership. For more information on joining see here – Joining Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club.

West Cork and District SAC midweek league to start soon

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 22, 2024

West Cork and District SAC advises that the closing date for the first leg of their midweek league is next Sunday night the 25th of February.

This is league is open to all IFSA members and is PRE-ENTRY ONLY. More information is available on our WCAD MIDWEEK LEAGUE facebook group.

Contact West Cork and District SAC on messenger if you would like to join up.

All about West Cork and District SAC…

The club was formed on march 19th 2009, in the small picturesque harbour town of Kinsale County Cork. We’re an inclusive club, this can be seen in our membership profile; from anglers who are new to match fishing all the way up to members of the Irish World Shore Team 2010, two of which are in the club! The club holds circa 10 competitions per year, members are encouraged to practice a catch and release policy in the interests of conservation. Anybody wishing to join our club is always welcome, just use the contact us page and we will give prospective members full details.
Web: http://westcorkanddistrict.webs.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/West-Cork-and-District-SAC/

Newcomer makes his mark at Limerick Pike Anglers Competition

By

Shane O'Reilly

-

February 22, 2024

The Limerick County Pike Anglers Association stayed close to home for their latest club match, and were rewarded with some fine weather and a few decent fish. There were a decent number of smaller fish in the 1lb – 5lb category that helped anglers inch up the league table, but it was one of the newer members, Paul Maloney, that made his mark on the day with a couple of hefty fish of 12lb+ and 9lb+. That was enough to give him a clean sweep, winning him both the biggest fish and biggest bag of the day.

High water on the Flesk but salmon being caught

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 22, 2024

Tim Moore from IFI Macroom reports that there were several Springers caught off the Killarney Flesk last week. Best of these was estimated to weigh 9lb and was caught by a by local angler.

Conditions on the river have not been easy with continuously high water levels following nearly daily rains.

Go fishing…

Rivers Laune and Killarney Lakes system

Targeting overwintered trout on Knockaderry Reservoir with Game Fishing Ireland

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 22, 2024

Jason O’Riordan of Game Fishing Ireland reports on an early February trip to Knockaderry Reservoir in County Waterford. Jason is by day permit angler Dave from Kilkenny. The fishery had not been stocked since autumn 2023 so any fish encountered will be overwintered trout. Conditions were good for the time of year with temperatures up around 12ºC with a south westerly wind which was forecast to be very strong at times during the day.

Jason and Dave set up with a lure and a nymphing/buzzer outfit each. The plan was to start off with the lures and later try some sheltered areas with buzzers and nymphs. The pair decided on the morning it was too early in the season for dry fly fishing.

On the lighter 6wt outfits they used floating lines, long leaders and imitative patterns to match what they expected the trout to be feeding on. On the 7wt outfits they fished 2 lure/wet fly patterns 6ft apart on sinking lines. The leader was made up of .20 fluorocarbon tippet for the lures and .18 for the nymphs.