Andrew McGall has sent us in some great videos of his salmon fishing in recent times, but this time he sent us in something a little different – some late season Dollaghan fishing from the Six Mile Water in Antrim.
Dollaghan are Lough Neagh trout that run the rivers in the upper Neagh system to spawn. They behave very much like sea trout, and fishing for them is mostly done at night – unless the rivers are in the right condition for daytime fishing – as they are for Andrew in this late season fishing expedition. The season on the Six Mile Water goes right up until the end of October, so anglers get to target these mighty lough trout as the run to the headwaters to spawn.
Andrew uses either a single handed or double handed rod, depending on the size of the river sections he fishes, and coneheads or small doubles at the business end. Needless to say, Andrew takes great care of the fish he catches and they all swim away strongly.
Andrew has some great clips on his YouTube channel – along with lots of great advice on how to fish and how to tie the flies that he uses – so don’t forget to like and subscribe or ask Andrew any questions you may have yourself!
The Ireland on the Fly podcast talks to well-known angling guide Bodo Funke and IFI’s Markus Muller about flyfishing for pike
Another fish to target over winter is pike, with pike on the fly becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.
For this week’s Ireland on the Fly podcast, Tom and Daire wanted to find out more about the set-up, the flies, the tactics and why fly fishing for pike isn’t just for Christmas either and they spoke to Markus Muller, angling advisor with IFI and pike fly fishing aficionado, as well as Bodo Funke, the well-known pike guide based in Roscommon.
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.
During the week, Killybegs Mariners made use of the fantastic settled weather on the first few days of meteorological winter. Fishing the local beach, the Mariners crew had dozens of flatties including some nice turbot in perfect conditions.That’s what you can call beach fishing at its best…
The Mariners’ next winter league outing will take place tonight, Friday 9th December on Rossnowlagh Beach from 7.30 until 11.30pm.
After a few weeks tied up with bad weather, Killybegs Fishing Trips were back on the water. There were still a good few mackerel around, which is handy to get the day started. Pollack fishing was mixed with some good drift’s and some not so good ones, but the crew got their reward with some nice pollack. Not too bad for a day out on the water in December…
Go Fishing
Fiona Tee
33′ Interceptor. 300HP Caterpillar Skipper: Michael McGettigan Licence: 961 Base: Mullaghmore Operational area: Donegal Bay. Within 30 miles of land.
Notes: With over 40 years experience in Sea Angling in Donegal Bay, we bring you to the best locations and guarantee the best that angling in Donegal Bay has to offer. The MV Fiona Tee is equipped with all the latest technology ensuring all our fishing charters are monitored and offer real time tracking. We are also fully equipped with the latest in onboard safety equipment.
Youth Manager Gavin Walsh retired from the role this year. In 2012 Gavin took on a task that generations of Irish coaches had avoided and through his dedication and support we have youth teams on the world stage. Having returned for a second term in 2018, Gavin retires on a high having led the Under 20’s to the world championships in Slovenia this year returning with the Ireland’s first Youth World Champion. A fantastic achievement! On behalf of the NCFFI Executive and Ireland’s young anglers we thank Gavin for all his efforts and insight to youth angling sport.
Team Ireland 22. Front Coach James O’Doherty, Rhys Walsh, John Browne. Rear: Nick Richards (parent of Charlie), Donagh McSherry, Brian Clarke, Charlie Richards
We are now looking for an enthusiastic Manager who, with the support of the NCFFI Executive will lead the youth teams to the world championships over the next three years. Assisted by a dedicated manager/coach for each of the three age groups, if required, he/she will give young anglers the opportunity to progress their skills at this level whilst providing a pathway to international angling at senior level.
It’s desirable for applicants to understand our sport at international level but not essential as you will have the full support of the National Executive and Senior Team Managers. You must have Safeguarding 1, Basic Awareness (ROI) or Safeguarding Children in Sport NI as a minimum passing Garda vetting/Access NI checks before taking up the post. You should hold a coaching certification or be prepared to train, and will be required to attend meetings, budget and submit reports. This is a volunteer role but finances permitting, overseas team travel is subsidised.
If you think you have what it takes and want to get involved in the future development of our Youth anglers, please send your credentials for the role along with why you wish to take on the task by email to the secretary at [email protected]. If you would like to know more, please contact the Chair, and former youth manager Jack Tisdall at [email protected] who is happy to assist with any enquiries you may have.
Closing date for applications is 21st December 2022. After this time, we will plan opening days for aspiring young anglers, many of whom have expressed an interest in qualifying for the World Championships to be staged in Portugal in August 2023.
Interested parties should familiarise themselves with the NCFFI Constitution and Protocol & Policies specifically those related to Team Ireland and the NCFFI Safeguarding Policy and Guide found here https://www.ncffi.ie/about-us/protocol-policies/
Round two of the C/M Lakelands winter feeder league was held on a cool and windy Lough Muckno.
Twenty nine anglers fished and, as expected, fishing was hard. Thankfully there were still plenty of small roach about, especially on the South Lodge and White Island sections, and these roach, along with hybrids, made up the winning weights. Joe Nolan won the match with a 3kg plus bag of hybrids and roach while Andy Chapman won the South Lodge end with another 3kg weight of roach, closely followed by Irish feeder international James O’Doherty who had just under 3kg. Robertas Zilaitis made up the top 4.
Windy, cold and wet on Muckno
1 of 3
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There are still 4 rounds left, and the league will recommence after the Christmas break. It is looking good so far for Graham Worley, who has a perfect score of 2 , closely followed by James O’Doherty, Robertas and Alan Larkin. The Top eight will be paid out overall, with just over €2,000 in the kitty so far.
RESULTS /OVERALL
1ST JOE NOLAN 3.290KG
2ND ANDY CHAPMAN 3.025KG
3RD JAMES O’DOHERTY 2.925KG
4TH ROBERTAS ZILAITIS 2.750KG.
The club have also announced the dates for the 2023 edition of the Ireland’s FeederKing series of events. With an expected total pot of €12,000, places will be in demand – so make sure to book on early!
Ireland’s FeederKing Dates:
Q1 Lough Gowna – April 2nd.
Q2 Lough Erne, Enniskillen – May 6th.
Q3 RIVER Suck, Donamon – May 14th.
Q4 Lough Scur/Kiltybarden – June 18th.
Q5 Gulladoo/Rockfeild/TBA – July 16th.
Q6 Lough Muckno – July 22nd.
Q7 Lough Muckno – August 13th
Q8 Lough Sillan/Annaherrin – Sept 2nd.
GRAND FINAL: Lough Sillan, September 23rd/24th.
Details and purchase of tickets in Early January 2023.
On the Erne system, Guided Predator Angling have been busy putting their clients on the fish – that is despite the easterly winds that have slowed the bites right down. Fish were very choosy – playing with the deadbaits instead of proper solid runs. They did manage to land four good fish even with the east wind, the best of which was over the metre mark and in the mid teens of pounds.
Simon is running a Christmas raffle for interested pikers to enter if they fancy a free day’s guiding with him – there are 59 tickets up for grabs and they are selling out fast – for more info check out the Guided Predator Angling Facebook page.
Live this Saturday night at 8.30 is the Piscari Fly Live Fly Tying Session.
Peter Driver is back once more to host a fly tying session on 10th December at 8.30pm on his Facebook page.
Peter has a great show lined up with some cracking lake and river emergers to be tied. It will be happening LIVE on the Piscari Fly Facebook page. Tune in at 8.30 on Saturday and don’t miss a great night of fly tying & chat
Peter has a great show lined up every Saturday at 8.30pm on the Piscari Fly facebook page. If you can’t watch live on his Facebook page you can always watch back on YouTube.
Catch this seasons previous episodes
As ever you can catch up on past episodes at the PiscariFly YouTube channel where all our episodes can be watched at your leisure.
Winter Live Fly Tying Session Season 3 Episode 8 Nymphing November. Peter Driver ties some cracking Grayling Nymphs and looks forward to the Hanak European Grayling Festival on the River Dee in Wales
For all your fly tying and fly fishing needs. Stocking rods, reels, clothing water etc
Guiding
Want to improve or learn any aspects of your fly fishing? Then why not give us a shout and we will look after you. Fishing available locally on the River Nore at Thomastown and other club water by arrangement. We have also teamed up with Blackwater Trout and Salmon fishery to offer you an amazing fishing experience with over 8km of amazing river to be discovered.
Full & Half Guided days
One to one coaching
Master classes
Groups and Clubs welcome
Nymphing. Dry Fly. Wet Fly. Streamer. Dry Dropper
Instruction
Peter Driver is a qualified casting instructor with APAGI, and advanced qualified fly dresser with APAGI. He specialises in competition nymphs and fishing, Irish lake flies, streamers and lures.
As a qualified casting instructor with APAGI I Peter offers casting clinic’s and lessons, to suit your desires. Being able to cast correctly and have a good understanding of the mechanics of casting is a solid foundation in fly fishing that will pay off in your fishing, be it rivers or lakes.
Saturday December 3rd saw West Cork and District SAC wrap up their club Master Angler series. Garrylucas beach was once again the venue. We had originally selected neighbouring Garretstown but big surfs, possibility of weed and a higher than expected turnout saw the safer option of Garrylucas selected.
As the 14 anglers made the trip down West, there were still opportunities for Master Angler slots to be booked and the Junior club Master Angler was coming right down to the wire with Liam Davis having led for most of the year going into the last session tied with Noah Tahran who was in a good vein of form having won the last two outings.
Conditions on the night were cool but pleasant enough. A light Easterly breeze and an odd sprinkle of a shower did little to annoy, it was comfortable fishing, certainly a world away from Redbarn the week before. A small surf was present as we began fishing the last hour or so of the ebb tide and 3 hours up. Looking at the beach, it was easy to be caught in 2 minds as to whether to play the doggie game or scratch around in the small waves for bits and pieces. Those who went out looking for dogfish found them, those scratching around in close also had fish. Kevin Roche managed a double doggie on the first cast and there were a few singles along the beach on first retrieve. Stephen O’Donovan was merrily battering away on peg 1 with numbers of small fish, Colin O’Sullivan a little further up the beach hit 3 dog fish on consecutive casts to get away to a good start.
Sean Healy with his Huss
In the Junior section Kevin Roche had his double dog, Liam managed a decent 30cm flounder and Noah fought back with a dog and a coalfish. A double shot of coalfish saw Liam sneak his nose in front as the fishing in general seemed to die off. Kevin added another dog and a coalfish to his tally and with an hour to go Liam sneaked out a small 16cm rockling. Barry O’Rourke left the dogfish alone for a while and picked up a flounder a cast at his feet with 4 in a row coming. Slack enough for the rest of us but that’s fairly typical for this beach on a small tide in an easterly.
Stephen O’Donovan with a nice flounder double shot.
As the evening drew to its close, there was to be little in the way of last ditch drama. Stephen O’Donovan scratched his way to 13 fish and 373 points to finish well in front. Barry O’Rourke came in second with 7 fish for 292 points with Colin O’Sullivan in 3rd with 5 fish for 215 points. Kevin Roches double dog start held him up well and he won the junior section on the night with 4 fish for 190 points. Liam Davis in 2nd with 4 fish and Noah in 3rd on 2.
2 nice fish took the pools with a 74cm Huss taking the roundfish pool for Sean Healy and a fine 37cm flounder for Barry O’Rourke capping a decent night for him too.
JP Molloy, WCADSAC Master Angler 2022
JP Molloys sheer consistency throughout the year saw him take the Club Master Angler title once again, finishing clear of the pack on 75 points. Barry O’Rourke fished superbly all year with just the one blip to finish in 2nd place on 68 points closely followed by Stephen O’Donovan in 3rd. Jamie Santry proved he hasn’t lost his touch either following up in 4th place on 61.
Our Junior and Senior 2022 Master Anglers.
The junior race was hotly contested at the finish by 2 of our junior and youth international anglers who did so well in Weymouth earlier this year. It ended up being won for the second year running by Liam Davis with 37 points. Noah Tahran followed hot on his heels with 36 points in a race that was still wide open until the final retrieve. Nothing between them over the year.
Because it’s Christmas!
It had been a funny year fishing wise, the weather gods didn’t play ball for us on occasion but it was, once again, a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Special thanks to our stalwarts who did a cracking job of running the club and hosting the Munster Open and Closed comps too.
All on the committee deserve a mention but particularly Stephen O’Donovan and Mark O’Sullivan for all the hard work they have put in over the year behind the scenes. We will have a bit of a break now as WCADSAC have members away at the Fish-Offs in January and will be hosting the Master Angler Championship in February so our next competitive fixture on the club circuit will be in March. Many thanks to all our members for their continued support of the club and participation in our events.
We are of course open for new members, get in touch via our Facebook page if interested in joining.
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.
