Midlands angling guide Mick Flanagan reports on a couple of nice pike coming from the midlands area:
HUGE PIKE FOR ALAN MURRAY: I got a call from my pal in Collinstown Johnny Keating regarding a day of pike fishing with his pal Alan Murray. Johnny moved to Collinstown some years back from Mullingar and knows the North Westmeath waters quite well. The lads had a great day fishing and Alan Murray is only a few weeks into the sport of pike angling but it will be hard for him to beat this personal best pike. Johnny Keating measured the pike at well over 100cm and the beautiful fish was released after a quick photo. A great start to your pike angling Alan and keep us posted on more of your outstanding catches.
Alan Murray’s 100cm + pike
BLIGHT LANDS ANOTHER FINE PIKE: Last Sunday, Davie Blight and another one of Mullingar’s top anglers Pauric Martin teamed up for a day of pike fishing. The lads were drifting dead baits and working colourful lures when Davie latched onto a fine pike of 16lbs. These fish are in mint condition after the spawning season and I am sure more savage big pike will be caught in the coming weeks, especially now that we can travel to many more local lakes.
Midlands Angling provide a top class Guiding service covering many of the top coarse and game waters across the Midlands. Visiting fly anglers have landed some fine trout while out with Midland Angling Guides, pike anglers also recorded some net bursting catches including many pike over 20lbs. Top waters include Lough Ree, Ennell, Owel, Lene, Mount Dalton, and Glore Lake just to mention a few. Michael Flanagan Midland Angling
Pike and Trout angling guide.
Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre is one of Ireland’s Premier Angling Centres based in the picturesque village of Courtmacsherry located only 30 miles from Cork International Airport on the West Cork coast between the Old head of Kinsale and the Seven Heads peninsula. Our purpose built Sea angling and self drive boats offer the sea angler the ultimate in safety and comfort.Sea Angling in Courtmacsherry produces good results both for the offshore charter angler, the self drive angler for inshore fishing or the wreck enthusiast. Web: www.courtmacsherryangling.ie Email: [email protected] Telephone: +353 (0)23 8846427 or +353 (0)86 8250905
Re-Opening After Covid is a series where we will be featuring angling-related businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and are getting back on their feet now. With the new requirements for physical distancing and continued vigilance, angling businesses like many others face challenges. They may have to restrict customer numbers, limit their interactions, introduce new working methods. And of course, the primary requirement is to keep themselves, their customers and families safe.
Tiernan Brothers
Our first featured business is Tiernan Brothers tackle shop in Foxford, Co. Mayo. Michael and PJ run a great business, and also do their best to promote the local fishing, principally the salmon fishing on the River Moy.
“Hit hard”
Like most other “non-essential” businesses, Tuernan Bros were hit hard by the Covid-19 lockdown. As Michael says:
“At the very start of the Covid 19 pandemic we knew it was going to be disastrous to our angling trade. We decided early to tighten our belts and prepare for the bumpy ride. We figured the only way we could come out of the situation better was to follow the guidelines and encourage anglers to do the same. This meant for a large part closing our tackle shop and discouraging anglers from visiting. We did this in as gentle of a manner possible but of course we do know that some customers were not happy“.
Michael and PJ run a website www.themoy.com where normally they give updates on water levels and fishing. During the lockdown, they used this to promote angling and in particular encouraged junior and beginners to become involved, which got a great response online.
Michael and P.J Tiernan with a nice sea trout
Silver Lining
There is a silver lining to every cloud, and the shop being closed gave the brothers more time to go fishing themselves and experience the great angling that Mayo has to offer. Lough Conn and the Moy Estuary both provided good sport.
And Michael has also been targeting the early-feeding trout on Conn, from where he sent a photo of a beautiful sunrise. An apt photo to go with reopening the shop after Covid!
Tiernan Bros are now open again, albeit with the universal requirement for distancing in the shop, and can be contacted at 09492 56731, or online at www.themoy.com
Tommy McCallion of seafishingsligo.ie reports in that he started back fishing at the weekend following the lockdown period. They have introduced social distancing due to the Covid-19 restrictions and so are reduced to 7 anglers onboard. But that didn’t seem to stop the anglers catching.
They had some great fishing with every angler averaging about 25 to 30 kilo of mixed fish including mackerel, coalie, pollock, wrasse and cod on Saturday and Sunday.
Just 1 wild salmon weighing 8.5lbs was caught and returned in the last week. The fish was taken by a local angler on a fly. Very few salmon being caught as they are not taking at present. Water levels are low
Go fishing…
The River Lee drains a catchment of 484 square miles of which much is taken up by two large reservoirs. Salmon Angling is confined to an 8 mile stretch from Inniscarra dam to Cork city.
Lee Salmon Anglers Club
The Lee Salmon Anglers club was established in 1967. It was formed by a group of anglers interested in protecting and promoting the sport of salmon and trout angling on the river Lee. Day tickets available: http://www.leesalmonanglers.ie/
Inniscarra Fishery
This salmon fishery is located between Cork City and the dam at Inniscarra (9 miles). The fishery is run by the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) and an ESB permit is required. There is a fair run of fish with a very good grilse run dependent on water. Permits can be purchased on site from Dan O’Riordan, ESB Inniscarra; 087-9983879.
Some fresh grilse have been landed and the heavy thundery downpours of last Friday night/Saturday morning (the first bit of fresh water since the 22 of May) did some good with fish seen making the passage virtually unhindered to the mid to upper reaches of the catchment.
Fishing has improved as a result above Mallow with some nice fish landed and some fishery beats were even reported too heavy due to the sudden influx of rain but levels have fallen back fast enough.
The gauge at Ballyduff is currently reading 0.156m (18/06/20)
At the other end of the river we had a report of a beautiful sea trout of about 6lb from Fortwilliam. Paul Whelan, Fishery Manager, told us “Sea trout fishing at the moment is very good with some crackers like this in. This trout is estimated in and around 6lbs. Great to see it swim away and continue on its journey.”
Fisheries along the river are cautiously reopening with an expectation of being back to business from the 29th. However, some are maintaining a cautious outlook on things so it is best to ring ahead if you are planning some fishing.
Go fishing…
Fortwilliam Fishery & Self-Catering Cottages
Fortwilliam Fishery offers two miles of double bank salmon and trout fishing over five beats on the river Blackwater.
Our salmon include – Springers, May Salmon, Grilse, Back End Salmon, and in Summer sea trout.
Our beats provide a wide variety of water, suitable for both beginners and the more experienced fishermen.
Fortwilliam Fishery, Glencairn, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland Web: www.fortwilliamfishing.ieEmail: [email protected] Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery
Ballyduff Bridge fisheries control a number of beats of the Munster Blackwater. The Ballyduff Bridge beat is almost a mile long offering a huge variety of water and is particularly suited to fly fishing. Upstream near the village of Ballyhooley (a few miles outside the town of Fermoy, Cork) we have two beats. The Ballincurrig Beat is one of the most beautiful locations along the river and has an excellent piece of fly water flowing into a deep pool. Just downstream on the opposite bank we have a short but productive beat, called Magners. This beat fishes also well in high water.
Careysville Fishery offers some of the best salmon fly fishing in Ireland and includes 26 named pools. It is considered by many to be one of premier beats for salmon fishing in Ireland. Wading is excellent and among the numerous streams, pools and glides there is a great variety of fly fishing to suit both complete novice and challenge the most competent of fly casters.
Blackwater Salmon Fishery has 3 beats downstream of the weir and 2 upstream of the weir. Blackwater Salmon Fishery offers fishing on approximately 5 miles of the river Blackwater. The fishing is spread throughout the middle section of the river to offer good sport throughout the fishing season. Due to the location of the beats, fishing can still usually be offered in low or high water. Contact Glenda Powell: Lismore, Co Waterford, Email:[email protected] Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929 Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Blackwater Salmon Anglers, Mallow
We provide Day Tickets for some prime Salmon fishing in Mallow Co. Cork. We have excellent fly water, shrimping worming and spinning also. We also have very competitive Day rates and we have very recently upgraded our fishing.
Tickets available from “The Bridge House” and “Vincent Downes Menswear” Mallow.
Located on the Munster Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Situated mid river between the towns of Fermoy and Mallow. A productive left bank beat in stunning surroundings.
For bookings contact Conor Arnold: +353 87 755 4682
Kit Dunne reports from a couple of his first trips out since the lockdown…
Smoothhound
12 June: Nice few Hounds Tuesday for Darren Bailey’s crew. The biggest was around the 7.5lb mark, with a Ray and a good few Mackerel. Good to have our first charter after so long but shame the wind blew us out the last 2 days.
Another Smoothie
Our new procedures working out well, all safe. Hopefully few days out this weekend after this NE blow.
Blustery day on the east coast
Big Specimen Hounds and Tope are the targets and hopefully a check for the summer Spurs which seem to b popping up recently.
1 of 5
Tope
Thornback ray
Tope
Bullhuss
Smoothhound
15 June: Another Great Days fishing for Derek Scarlett and the boys. 15 Tope, 2 Ray, 2 Huss, plenty of Hounds. And if want them, Gurnard and dogs…
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 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 methods of angling.
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.
If you have 10 minutes to spare why not take it wander up the River Dodder with Christian of Christian C Fishing… ?
With nothing but birdsong for a sound track and some occasional commentary from Christian you will find yourself drawn into an entirely engaging angling journey. The tactics are simple, a single barbless hook on a small spinner fished with very light gear, but there is great skill and gentle passion in everything he does.
Delphi Lodge has some exciting news. They will be back in business from the 29th of June.
At the moment they have fishing available for anglers in the county or 20km from the river, but from 29th June they’ll be open again to the rest of us.
On the angling front, there was a big dirty flood on Sunday following some torrential rain. As water levels came back down fishing picked up and 5 salmon were caught yesterday.
Go fishing…
At Delphi Lodge, with many years of experience with the timing of the best runs of fish, we have in place a price system that offers both great value fishing and lets our anglers know when they have the best chance to catch a fresh run spring salmon or a summer grilse or Delphi sea trout.
Accommodation
Our Self Catering Cottages will be open from the 29th of June.
Due to the restrictions we are also offering the Lodge for exclusive private rental.
You and your group can rent the entire lodge from €125pps,
for a minimum of 6 guests to a maximum of 16 guests.
Min 3 nights stay.
Ideal for an extended family gathering.
For more information contact us directly on: 095 42222
Email: [email protected]
The latest of instalment of Daire Whelan’s topical and entertaining podcast Ireland on the Fly is out now and available on a number of services. Irish Bass and the Call of the Ocean features west Cork-based guide, David Norman.
“With summer upon us and the next phase of Covid restrictions being lifted, I thought what better time to get some tips and advice on fishing for bass.
With some justification Ireland has become known as the bass Mecca of Europe and has regularly seen visitors from the UK, France and further afield visit these shores to fish for Irish bass.
But, are we in danger of exploiting these fish too much and just why is it getting harder to catch them?
For this week’s episode I speak to David Norman, a west Cork-based guide who has vast experience catching bass on fly and lure.
With a background in windsurfing and the navy, the call of the ocean has always been central to David’s life as I find out.
Ireland on the Fly is the podcast about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.
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