Thirty five anglers fished match seven of the Erne Anglers Winter League on a clear and low River Erne on the weekend of February 11th/12th. The main channel of the river was the venue on the day and there were some really good weights taken considering the time of year.
Winner of the match for the second win in a row was Dave Williams on the Ring peg 5 with 13.600Kgs, Runner up was Eddie G on peg 3 at Schools with 11.930Kgs.
Third place was Rap O’Pray on the Ring peg 6 with 11.480Kgs.
What are your go to flies? These are mine and available on Fulling Mill now.
Due to popular demand I’d like to supply a bit more context on my fly range now available in Fulling Mill. The guys at Fulling Mill asked me last season to put together a selection of Irish style Lough flies that will not only work on Irish waters but also on English waters.
As a guide and commercial tyer I am always looking to develop innovative files and techniques that will catch more fish for my clients, who could be guests on Lough Arrow or Melvin, or they could be for a team and competition purposes. So when I was asked by Steve Carew from Fulling Mill which flies I like best my reply was I like them all because they are my preferred patterns for their part of the season. The range starts from early spring right through until late summer and consists of Stimulators, Mayflies and Daddies.
I selected the patterns that have worked for me and my clients throughout the season, which suits Irish and English waters, covering Wild Trout and of course Rainbows. Then I sent my representations of those patterns to Steve and we had a bit of collaboration on material selection and tying and reviewing the Fulling Mill versions. By January we had the selection and patterns nailed and reviewed and then it was put to production, with the flies being made available in recent weeks. It’s been a pleasure dealing with Steve and the team and I am honoured to have my flies listed with such a fantastic company.
Early Spring
Early Spring sees Stimulators in action, and are designed to provoke the Trout into a reaction. My design ensures enough disturbance when the fly is pulled through the water. It has a hot spot or “hot head” as a target, and pearl rib to also attract the fish. There’s a range of colours as well to suit the conditions.
The original stimulator pattern was designed for a stone fly imitation, many anglers believe the name “Stimulator” was given to the pattern by Jim Slattery who was an angler from Montana. The stimulator arrived on our shores over 20 years ago and since then it has been one of those patterns that just catches fish. It can be tyed in size 8, 10 and 12. Many years ago while fishing Lough Melvin during a mayfly hatch I caught my first ever Salmon on an Olive Stimulator. The range that I have put together can be fished from the start of the season right to the very end of the season. It can be fished on either floating line, intermediate line and even down to a DI5 line, I even caught Sonaghan on a DI5 on this pattern.
Hot Head Fiery Brown Stimulator
Jackie’s Hot Head Fiery Brown Stimulator
This is a definite pattern for your cast for pulling across the rocks for fish feeding on shrimp and hog lice. It is also good for the end of season when sedges are about and are on the trouts menu.
Hot Head Black Stimulator
Jackie’s Hot Head Black Stimulator
Another very good early season pattern especially when duck fly or black midge are hatching.
Hot Head Sooty Stimulator
Jackie’s Hot Head Sooty Olive Stimulator
A pattern that fishes extremely well when olives are hatching.
Hot Head Olive Stimulator and International Stimulator
Jackie’s Hot Head Yellow International Stimulator
These 2 patterns have fished extremely well when Mayfly are around especially on Lough Mask and Lough Corrib.
Summer and Late Summer
Summer sees warmer days and evenings and a wide range of hatches to interest the Trout. Starting in May with Mayfly patterns and the Green Drakes and Mayflies. The Mayfly selection consists of some of my favourite patterns that work on Lough Arrow, Corrib, Mask and Melvin. They have also worked well on Lough Sheelin. Last season Fulling Mill were in Ireland fishing with Tom Sullivan and Mike Keady during Mayfly and they got a chance to test out the range I put together with great success. I’m looking forward to seeing the video which will hopefully be out soon. They are available in size 10.
The Spent Gnat range consists of 3 patterns, 2 of which are Para Spent. One has white indicator the other has pink indicator. The pink indicator makes it really easy to see when the light conditions are starting to fade. The flies are designed to sit right into the surface film.
When conditions suit the cream of dry fly fishing is of course Spent Gnat fishing and I’m including my Spent Gnat pattern for late afternoons and evenings.
For Summer and late summer the Daddy comes into it’s own, and is one of those flies that started off as a dry fly but very soon anglers figured out it was equally good stripped as a Wet fly.
Jackie’s Melvin Daddy
Jackie’s Melvin Daddy
This pattern is a must if you are fishing Lough Melvin, it’s also a very good Seatrout pattern to have on your cast.
Jackie’s Pearly Daddy
Jackie’s Silver & Pearl Daddy
I have tyed this pattern for Lough Melvin and it also helped me to get one of my Irish caps on the International scene. It was also on my cast when I won the Melvin Open in 2006. It has also taken Salmon and Seatrout on Carrowmore lake.
Buy a fly
All these flies and more of Jackie’s top class patterns are available for purchase on the Fulling Mill website.
Go fishing…
You can purchase some of my patterns in the new Fulling Mills brochure for 2023 which will be out soon.
Notes: Provides guiding on Lough Arrow, Melvin, Glencar Lake & Lough Gill .
Clients from all over the world from England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Usa and South Africa. Total C&R on Jackie’s boat while guiding.
Flies for sale
2023 started off for me with an email from Fulling Mill to say that my fly patterns have just arrived in the UK and are up on the Fulling Mill website. The range consists of wet Mayfly, Spent, Stimulators and Daddies. The patterns have been working the last number of seasons throughout Ireland, the United States and the UK with great success. I will also be working closely with Fulling Mill on some new products which will be launched soon, so keep an eye on my page for updates.
For the latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, Tom and Daire are continuing their fly fishing book club and this time they’re joined by Dan O’Donovan, the author of Salmon of the River Lee as well as a monograph on Sidney Spencer.
Dan’s book on the Lee is a fascinating social and cultural insight into the communities around Cork’s famous river and they delve into the heyday of the Lee before its damming in 1957 and the effects that has had on the fishing, the people and the subsequent decline in fish numbers as well.
Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify at: https://pod.fo/e/165aed.
Earlier this month, guests of Guided Predator Angling enjoyed some great pike fishing on the Erne system. Check out Simon’s reports below…
We enjoyed a fantastic day’s pike fishing with Danny Hagan and Seamus Graham. It’s one thing to smash your personal best from 12lb to 21lb but then to actually catch a second fish at 20lb in the same day is just showing off! Super fishing from Danny! 21lb and 20lb, 107cm and 104cm! What a day! Both fish super fat and in great condition! Eleven fish overall for both the lads.
However, after this fantastic day, the following day was completely different. Next to no action all day! Ten degrees yesterday but a sudden drop to -2 through the night completely shut the pike down. Spot after spot produced nothing and I won’t lie I was really starting to feel the pressure! Last spot of the day pulled it out of the bag with a few nice fish to 100cm, estimated 17/18lb.
Fish starting to move from deeper water now and I don’t think it will be long before they move fully into the shallows!
Dan O’Neill, fly casting instructor and angling guide report on his latest perch session on River Barrow…
At last, we are coming to the end of what was and always is a long-closed season. This closed season, as many of us do, I promised myself that I would pursue the predators. With mid-term break due I had my apprentice and his fishing buddy free for a trip to the river. They were delighted to have the opportunity to get to the river and I even got to take my fly rod along. And so the trip began…
A visit to Peter in Piscari fly for some soft plastics, perch flies and a couple of Poly leaders was our first stop followed by some healthy(ish) snacks for our bankside lunch.
The car journey down was most enjoyable as tales and stories of “the one that got away” echoed. Memories flooding back from childhood as this was where I cast my first line and caught my first perch and many other species. Taking a look at the River it seemed to be just perfect, showing up some nice boils and currents that just had to have a couple of perch in. It was quite clear where my two guests were set on heading today as we have visited here before. They had their “go to” place so it was time to load up and be on our way.
Arriving at the spot it looked beautiful. The water was quite clear so we could see drop offs, weeded areas, small shoals of minnows and dace fry – it just was predator heaven. The lads began tackling up coming to me to check their knots and if their wire traces were correctly clamped. Looking at the area for a short while, both picked their areas and began to fish. It wasn’t very long before I heard a shout and Anthony was into the first perch of the day.
What a stunning fish perch are. Their colours are beyond explanation as is their design. There was absolute silence as we removed the barbless hook from the perch and took in how fabulous these fish are. As we released the perch it held for a second or two just in front of us showing off its stripes and magnificent dorsal. As the perch shot away small shoals of fry sprayed to get out of the way which almost looked like a little fireworks display.
Full of excitement the lads resumed casting to the features along their chosen areas. They both hooked quite a few perch getting more excited as each perch was landed and released, both Anthony and Rares had some perch over a pound which they were delighted with.
With the lads well on their way to having a double figure catch record I took out my fly rod. Gearing up to try perch on the fly I found a nice area near the lads. My first cast was parallel to the river bank and about 8ft out. Counting my fly down as it landed I began a jig retrieve. I knew these perch were here I just needed to find where and what way they wanted the retrieve today. After at least a dozen casts my line finally went tight and shot out to the middle of the river, an olive flash under the surface confirmed this was the perch I had been waiting on. After a nice battle the fish came to the net. I was delighted with my catch even more so that it was on my fly rod.
Barrow perch on a fly
More perch did come to the fly as the day went on lovely – explosive takes and one right at my feet which took me by surprise.
Really looking forward to my next trip with Anthony and Rares, hopefully it will be 3 fly rods.
Go fishing…
For a full list of classes in various different aspects of fly fishing or guiding please contact me on the below details
Adrian Browne reports from Oaklandswhere the 5th round of the Winter League was fished on Sunday…
It was a match of two completely different sections for the 5th round of the Winter league at Oaklands.
Section A, Shop end of top island, produced the top weights today with Ronan Minogue bagging 44kg from peg 11.
For those on B Section above the top island the carp were a no show and it was mainly silver’s.
Results
Section A
1st Ronan Minogue 44 kg
2nd John Browne 33 kg
3rd Sorin Zamfir 10.200 kg
Section B
1st Adrian Browne 7.780 kg
2d Andrei pirchio 3.880 kg
3rd Kirean Reeves 3.760 kg
Big thanks to all the lads who fished today, we had a great turn out.
Go fishing
Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling. It offers a wide selection of fish. The lake can be fished by people of every level of experience from beginners to professionals.
Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Oakland’s Coarse Angling Club is open to new members. The club based in Co. Wexford welcomes senior, ladies and junior members to league and open matches throughout the year fished on a variety of venues.
The club is centred around it’s own water, the magnificent Oaklands lake at New Ross; the 4.5 acre lake stocked with carp, tench, bream and rudd has great facilities including 60 stands which are all wheelchair friendly. This superb facility plays and important role in the introduction to angling for newcomers. Popular events include the NCFFI All-Ireland Commercial Pairs and the Dunbrody Festival.
Oaklands Fixtures 2023
March 12th Open Match
April 16th Open Match
May 7th Open Match
May 20th & 21st
NCFFI All Ireland Commercial Pairs
Pre Entry Only on NCFFI details to be released asap.
June 3rd, 4th & 5th
South East Classic
3 different venues in 3 days
Pre Entry only (30 peg limit) *
June 11th Open Match
June 25th Open Match
July 8th & 9th
2 Day Dunbrody Festival
(38 peg limit) Pre Entry Only.
Book @ Oaklands *
July 23rd Open Match
August 20th Open Match
September 3rd Open Match
September 17th Open Match
October 8th Open Match
October 29th & 30th
2 Day Feeder only.
November 5th Open Match
November 12th & 13th
2 Day Silver fish Only.
December 3rd Open Match
All Events wich are * this years contestants will have first perchance on
2023 events.
The settled weather allowed for some enjoyable late winter fishing for Killybegs Mariners. Read their report below…
The Mariners crew had plenty of sea trout, flounders, coleys and turbot earlier in the week, while two days ago the first two bass of the year were landed.
With no league outing this week the club group chat organised a bit of fun tenner a rod longest flattie competition on a beautiful night out after a week of big seas.
Plenty of fish on the take with doubles and trebles of trout and flounders for the gang of 9 anglers and in the end the €90 was shared at €45 each for Aaron Vambeck and Chris Whyte with 26cm flounders each.
Vincent Appleby reports on another quiet week for anglers fishing Lough Currane…
8/2/2023 My Noble Salmon were all quiet this day as were the Currane anglers. Wind SW and variable fresh and overcast all day.
9/2/2023 Mr. Eric Jouen of Waterville boats and at watervilleboats@gmail.com reports that there were three boats out and their reels were all silent this day. Wind SE and veered SW light with reasonable cloud cover.
10/2/2023 Mr. Eric Jouen of Waterville Boats and at watervilleboats@gmail.com reports just two boats out and all quiet on the SW front, just the odd Kelt caught. Wind SW light and overcast.
11/2/2023 There were six boats out manipulating their lures and by all accounts just the odd Kelt was caught. Wind South light and overcast.
12/2/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet this day. Wind S at times SE light with good cloud cover. Just for the record to all you Currane anglers remember as from tomorrow there is a good chance of a good Salmon being caught this week and especially on the 17th. Good Luck to all.
Waterville House flies its flag at half mast today
13/2/2023 I start this week on a sad note on the passing of Mr. Dan McGillicuddy RIP and Dan may not have been a Gillie but he knew every angle of Salmon and Sea Trout fishing. In the sixty’s He worked in the Finglas Hatchery, Waterville Golf Club and Waterville House. On a personal note, I have one good fishing story of Mr. Dan McGillicuddy RIP. When Dan was in his teens he was watching an angler on The Butler Pool playing a cracker of a Salmon and shouting for his Ghillie to come and gaff his fish. The Ghillie was nowhere to be seen so Dan ran down and gaffed the Salmon with one swipe of the Gaff and left the angler dumfounded with his speed. So on behalf of the Currane Anglers all the good people of Caherdaniel, Waterville and all of Kerry and our Sincere Sympathies to all of Dan’s family.
14/2/2023 We start with yesterday’s manipulations it was all quiet on all fronts. Now back to today Lough Currane was on the wild side with a strong SSE wind blowing with gusts up to 76 Km/h average wind speed was 41 Km/h. and overcast all day.
15/2/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet on all fronts. Wind SW and veered SSW fresh to strong with strong gusts up to 61 Km/h and overcast followed by heavy rain this afternoon.
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see:
Notes: Located at Lakelands House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation, on Ireland’s best sea trout lake, Lough Currane. Frank is a professional angling guide and boatman.
Sea angling can be arranged with local operators.
Boat Hire
Boats for hire. All boats and engines are moored on the farm, 300 metres from the house, with easy access from the road with car park and boat shed.
Notes: Having ghillied on Lough Currane for over 30 years Vincent is a great choice for those looking for a guided service or flyfishing instruction on the Lake. All ages are catered for and even experienced anglers will benefit from the watercraft and fly-lore unique to Lough Currane. All tackle is provided and accommodation can be organised if required.
Kit Dunne from Wicklow Boat Charters found the time for a brief trip to a deep water mark in chase of spurdog last Sunday. The spurs certainly were not present in packs, but one angler managed to land a specimen-sized spur as Tadgh Nealon came up trumps with a fish measuring circa 113cm.
The other anglers onboard also managed to land a few spurs, but none over the magic 105cm and it was good to see a thornback ray also put in an appearance.
Go Fishing
Angling Charters are offered on a full-day, half-day and evening trip basis and can be tailored to suit your needs. Two boats are available – Lisin and Castle Maiden. All levels of anglers are catered for. Anglers will benefit from your skipper’s angling experience and local knowledge with advice and guidance on-hand at all times.
SPECIALIST ANGLING CHARTERS
Specialist Angling Charters are offered for those who wish to target specific species, specimen fish or try new angling methods.
ANGLING COACHING
Whether you’re a Club, Individual, School or Junior, you can have an angling coaching session or programme tailored to suit your needs.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
