South Shore Sea Angling Club fished their first competition of the year at the weekend. Paul Mason reports…
South Shore anglers on the beach at Dodd’s Rocks
05 February: Dodd’s Rock, just north of Courtown, was the venue for our first competition. The weather wasn’t looking good during the week with very low temperatures forecast over the weekend. However things changed overnight on Saturday and the wind blew us some warmer stuff.
40+ anglers had put their name in the hat to appear with rods at the ready. As always lads pull out for various reasons and 34 of South Shore finest wedged themself into the carpark.
With the small neap tide we were able to peg right down to the forest and cover beach rarely fished. Whiting and Dabs were expected and they duly obliged with fish being caught right from the off. The bigger casters were getting doubles and trebles with most casts and there were some good whiting in the mix. Scores were racking up for the first three hours in the higher pegs down at the forest. Then as if by magic, “puff” they disappeared.
“Back Stop” Paul Whelan continued his remarkable run of good form after winning the recent Winter Beach festival with three zone wins. He blitzed everyone with 34 fish from peg 14, well done !!!
Young Sam Findley under the watchful eye of junior international coach Joe Byrne caught 16 fish to win the junior section. Some good whiting were caught with the best being 38cm with a lot of them in their mid 30s.
Newcomer Gerald West caught a nice coalie of 38cm in the gutter to win the longest round fish pool. Niall Carabini meanwhile was charming a 31cm Flounder from the coloured sea to claim the longest flatfish pool, about time you won something.
Jammy John Bermingham had a late flurry nailing five fish in his last two casts to claim a win in zone B. “How do you do it jammy…”, some auld bearded git was heard bawling his eyes out on the walk back.
We had some new faces join us today. A big welcome to Rory Mc Keown and Colin Mac Alister; they had 7 and 4 fish respectively. Not bad considering they were wedged between two international anglers from the Farrelly clan.They really enjoyed themselves and can’t wait for the next competition. Well done lads.
A big thank you to Peter Flahive for doing the check-in, scores and getting the results out so fast. Lads love to see results to see how they done while the competition is still fresh on their minds.
Well, after Mattias Eder’s cracking first fish of the season here on opening day, we had a lull for a few days, as one would often expect this early in the season. Conditions were reasonable, if anything the water being a little high, rarely falling below 65.
There were a few people who did take the initiative and venture forth in the hope of an elusive early spring fish. One of these was Mary Donovan, an experienced Delphi angler who tried her luck. Conditions were difficult yesterday with the river at 70, but Mary persisted, guided by the very experienced Peter Joyce. The teams experience and luck were in, when Mary landed a beautiful 8lbs10.5ozs fish in the Waterfall Pool yesterday at 2:20 pm. Once again, the fish was taken on a Delphi Collie tied on a copper tube, fished on an intermediate line with a sinking tip.The ranched fish was kept, as is policy, but all wild salmon are released.
Mary Donovan, guided by Peter Joyce, took this fine February springer in the Waterfall Pool on Delphi fishery, 7 February 2019. The fish took a Delphi Collie on a copper tube. This fish was a ranched fish, which are all removed from the river once caught. All wild fish at Delphi are released.
It goes without saying that, when I went down the river to take photos, I was met by two beaming faces. All I can say is well done to both and thank you Mary for taking the initiative and giving it a go. There is no question that fishing in February is difficult. It is, more often than not, cold and miserable. People always say to me that they didn’t see any fish, but I know from experience that this time of year you rarely see fish break the surface here. There are times in the right light conditions that experienced fish spotters, with good glasses will be able to pick up that grey shape under the water. There is also the added attraction of fishing in one of the most beautiful places in the country in total peace and tranquillity. As one of the Delphi greats John Mills used to say; “Keep the flies in the water and you’d never know the minute.”
There are some rods left this month, here and there, but anyone interested can ring the office on 095 42222 or you can call me directly on 087 6388510. (Evening time probably best to get me). Remember if you’re not in you can’t win!!
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.
CM Lakelands report on the 5th round of their Lough Muckno Winter Feeder League…
03 Feb: Final round of the Lough Muckno feeder league today.
1st Piotir Horbinski
2nd Artur Czarnocki
3rd Graham Worley
Section winners were Mariuz Kilan, Irmantas Sriupsa and Darius Kobrzynski.
Overall the top 7 of the league, shared a massive pot of €3100.
41 anglers took part in the league. And after today’s match the final places are as follows
1st Shamie Winters with 10 pts ( weight)
2nd Graham Worley with 10pts (weight)
3rd Alan Larkin with 10 pts
4th Robertas Zilaitis with 11pts(weight)
5th Brenton Sweeney with 11pts (weight )
6th Piotir Horbinski with 11pts
7th Artur Czarnocki with 12pts (weight)
Well done to Shamie Winters who has won the feeder league, 2 years in a row, a fine achievement.
Well done to all the anglers who took part in the league.
Thanks to the following who without there help the league wouldn’t be a big success, Richard Caplice, Geoff Quinn, Peter Walsh – Anglers Choice, Darren Fairhurst, Graham Worley and Les from Lakeside Angling.
Next year’s feeder league will start in early November.
Join the club…
Membership open to all is €30, €15 for OAP’s/Juniors.
Galway Angling Centre owner convicted for illegal netting on Lough Corrib
Friday, 8th February 2019: Michael Canney with an address at Portarra Lodge, Moycullen, County Galway was convicted at Galway District Court for the illegal use of a net and for possession of an unlawfully captured trout on Tuesday 5th of February.
The court heard that Mr. Canney was approached by Inland Fisheries Ireland Fisheries Officers on the morning of 25th June 2018 as he was hauling an illegal net into a lake boat on Lough Corrib. Diorai Ford, solicitor acting for Inland Fisheries Ireland outlined to the court that Fisheries Officers had covertly kept the illegal net under surveillance throughout the night. The net had been fishing since the previous evening when it was discovered during a routine fisheries patrol. Mr. Canney was accompanied in the boat by a foreign student who was staying with him where he operates an Angling Centre.
When Mr. Canney retrieved the net into the boat it contained one dead brown trout. While in the act of lifting the net Mr. Canney was approached by a Fishery Officer on a jet ski. Mr Canney was co-operative throughout and the equipment used in the commission of the offences was seized and included a lake boat and engine. Solicitor for the defendant, Sinead Fitzpatrick, stated in his defence that Mr. Canney had a group of Italian anglers staying with him at the time and he was undertaking a survey to see what fish stocks were in the area.
Judge Mary Fahy commented that she knew several people who fish legally on a regular basis on Lough Corrib and that Mr. Canney was a mature man and that he knew that what he was doing was illegal. Judge Fahy convicted Mr Canney on both counts, and imposed a fine of €500 for the use of an unlawful net, along with a fine of €500 for the possession of an unlawfully captured trout. Costs of €600 were awarded to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s solicitor. The boat and engine that Mr. Canney used in the commission of the offences were also forfeited.
Dr. Ciaran Byrne CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland said “Lough Corrib is considered Ireland’s finest wild brown trout fishery and is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for the protection of numerous aquatic species including Atlantic salmon. Lough Corrib attracts a vast number of anglers from all over the world who enjoy the unique angling for wild brown trout, Atlantic salmon, pike and coarse fish that the lake offers. This conviction reflects the long hours that dedicated Fisheries Officers spend on a daily basis in protecting our valuable fisheries resource.”
Members of the public can report instances of illegal fishing, water pollution of invasive species by calling Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24 or 0818 FISH 24.
Brian Bohan reports on his latest day out with Sheemore Angling Association…
23 lb 1oz for Brian Bohan
3 Feb: Not the nicest day to go fishing. It was cold and wet all day but it’s Sunday so off to fish a Sheemore match. I decided to fish 8 meters to hand which was OK for the first 2 hours but I should have set the pole up for better presentation and indeed I payed the price but still ended up with 23 lb 1oz for 3rd. Today’s mix was VDH SUPER CRACK. I had Bill Cassidy next peg for good company and Bill was second with 23lb 15 oz. Robert Howgate won the match with 30lb 15oz.
The ULTIMATE OF IRISH DREAMS
the Ultimate of Irish Dreams will be launched at the angling show in Swords in 16 and 17 February. This is the most comprehensive book ever done on Irish angling. 4 years work have gone into this book by myself and Martin and it weighs in at 2 kilo – stuffed with information on new and old waters! To find out more and buy a copy visit http://www.irishdreams.co.uk/
Adrian Browne reports from Oaklandswhere its all to play for in the Winter League…
Thomas Quinlan 50.100 lb peg 24
27 Jan: Very cold and very windy at Oakland’s today for the open match. Pole fishing was pit of the question with the strong gusts up the lake. The method feeder was the best tactic of the day.
1st. Mike Miauguidy 55.300 lb (13)
2nd Thomas Quinlan 50.100 lb (23)
3rd Sorin 45.300 lb (21)
4th George Quinlan 43.300 lb (9)
Section 1
Ivo 43.150 lb (7)
Section 2
Trevor Platt 36.300 (16)
Thanks to all how travelled down on a very cold day.
5 Feb: Late report from last Sunday 5th round of the winter league one a lot will forget quick.
We where met with a frozen lake from the start and by the time we got going we only fished a 4 hour match. There was a few fish caught at the start of the match but the melting ice killed it resulting in a lit of blanks. Thanks very much to all how travelled down and hope to see them at the final winter league match 17th February.
Sorin with 45.300 lb from Peg 21
Its all to play for with only 6 points between 9 anglers going into the final round.
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.
Shane Gallagher reports from the Drowes Fishery office…
Jackie Mc Erlean with a 10lb springer from the Drowes
05 February: The first salmon of the 2019 season from the river Drowes was landed today shortly after midday from Briney’s Pool. The fish estimated at 10lbs took a luminous yellow flying c and was released by angler Jackie Mc Erlean earning him a one kilo bar of fine silver, the Drowes Perpetual Cup and the newly commissioned Thomas Gallagher Conservation Cup for the first caught & released fish from the fishery of the season.
Jackie Mc Erlean won the 1kg bar of silver and the Thomas Gallagher Conservation Cup for catching and releasing the first salmon of the season on the Drowes
Water levels have risen following rain and the melting of last weeks snow. This morning was mild and dry before turning wetter this afternoon. Current water level at the Four Masters Bridge gauge is 0.68 metres, water temperature rose today to 6 degrees Celcius.
Luminous yellow Flying C
Make a booking
River Drowes
The Drowes Fishery is one of Ireland’s premier spring salmon and grilse fisheries. The river is some 5 miles in length, with over 70 named pools, flowing from Lough Melvin at Lareen Bay and entering the sea at Tullaghan, just outside Bundoran. The Drowes has a wide variety of water suitable for all fishing methods, including several miles of good fly water and deeper slower moving pools suitable for spinning and bait fishing.
For information and bookings on the Drowes Fishery & Lough Melvin see http://www.drowessalmonfishery.com Tel: 071 9841055 (8am to 12 noon). Mob: +353 (0) 87 8050806
Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane where the first reported salmon of the year from Co. Kerry was caught last week…
23/1/19 Lough Currane was all quiet on the SW front in all departments. Wind North and light and overcast with a few showers. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 6.7 mm. Maximum air temperature 8.c felt like 5.
24/1/19 There were a few boats out manipulating their flies and lures and trying their best to stimulate a Wild Atlantic Salmon, but sadly we Currane anglers and readers of Salmon and Sea Trout are still waiting for the Currane ice to be broken. Wind WNW light and overcast with the odd shower. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 5.4 mm maximum air temperature 10.9c.
25/1/19 The Currane anglers were chopping and changing their flies and lures in anticipation of the first and at present very elusive Wild Atlantic Salmon and as light turned to darkness, the Currane anglers called it a day and headed for a well deserved liquid libation and in the words of one Angler 9 days and counting!! Wind W light and overcast and rain this evening. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 1.0 mm maximum air temperature 12.1 c.
26/1/19 The Currane Salmon anglers were at a stand still today and for good reason because there was a strong SW wind blowing across the lake. As I write today’s notes its wild out there and in North Kerry this evening 5000 homes were cut off from the electricity, so if I don’t hurry and put today’s notes up on the net we may be out for more than 5 minutes. Wind as already stated and overcast with heavy showers. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 1.9 mm, maximum air temperature 11.1 C.
27/1/19 Lough Currane was calmer this day after yesterdays and last nights storm and one could say the Lough Currane waters got a good shake up, so it wasn’t surprising the Currane anglers were counting their blank days and not counting their fish this day. Wind NW light and overcast with heavy showers. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 10.0 mm, maximum air temperature 10.7 c.
28/1/19 Today on Lough Currane there was a nice but cold wind from the NW plus the odd shower which I might add made for good fishing especially in the trolling department but sadly the Wild Atlantic Salmon would beg to differ as the Lough Currane anglers drew a blank in all departments, so on that negative note we will head over to the Kerry Salmon detective agency, on a positive note, it was brought to my attention that on the Killarney Flesk over the weekend there were a few Salmon caught of which the biggest was 12 lbs. All I can say is come on Currane Anglers and pull your finger out !! Wind and weather as already stated, yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 6.9 mm, maximum air temperature 9.5 c.
29/1/19 All the Lough Currane anglers caught today was a cold, as the Big freeze hit Lough Currane, just for the record at the top of Coomakista it was 2 c. at 3.37 pm, so one can say that the Currane anglers were exonerated for the lack of action in all departments. Wind West then veered NW light with heavy hail showers and snow falls on high ground. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 4.5 mm. Maximum air temperature 9.1C
30/1/19 The Lough Currane anglers are still waiting to break the Currane ice of the mighty elusive Wild Atlantic Salmon and talking of ice it was dam cold out there on the Lake today and that’s not surprising as there was a light wind from the NE followed by hail, sleet and snow and all the Currane anglers caught for their efforts were a few Kelts, all caught on the troll. Today’s weather as already stated. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 5.9 mm. Maximum air temperature 6.3 c.
31/1/19 Lough Currane was all quiet on the SW front on this last day of January and still we Currane anglers haven’t broken the Wild Atlantic Salmon code of I’ve Got him, but I can say without any fear of contradiction the Currane anglers and their faces are red and it ain’t the cold weather!! Wind NE light and variable with good cloud cover followed by a few showers. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 3.8 mm. Maximum air temperature 6.9 c.
1/2/19 At last the Lough Currane code is broken and yes you have it, Local Angler Mr. Michael O’Dwyer caught a cracker of 10 lbs. Salmon on the troll and in his own words in a text message, got him! So congratulations to Mike in breaking the Currane code and on that note Mike said lets head for the Waterville Inn and collect the Paddy Carey Memorial Cup and I can tell you the Landlord of the Waterville Inn Mr. Damian Duff was ready and waiting to present the Cup to Mike and the party is in full swing by now!! Weather, bright sunshine all day and a light NE wind. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 21.5 mm. Maximum air temperature 6.3 c, min air temperature 2.6c.
2/2/19 Going by today’s performances by the Currane Anglers they were still celebrating the first Salmon of 2019 and the reason I come to this conclusion is because local angler Mr. Mike O’Dwyer went playing Cards last night and by all accounts he wouldn’t lay his cards on the table on what lure he caught his Salmon on, even as the beer flowed at the Waterville Inn, all I can say is Mr. Paddy Carey R.I.P would have been disappointed with today’s performance but delighted with the celebrations and I can say Paddy was some Gillie in all departments of Salmon and Sea Trout fishing and that’s why we have this great cup in memory on this great Gillie!! Wind NNE light and variable with reasonable cloud cover with showers. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 4.8 c.
3/2/19 The weather takes all the headlines as a strong SW wind makes the Currane anglers redundant and in the words of one Gillie it’s a day for the high stool and reminisce and what could have been! On that note that raps up this weeks action when the Currane ice was broken and now it’s the battle of the first Salmon caught on the fly. Wind as already stated and overcast with rain in the late afternoon, yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 2.2 mm, maximum air temperature 7.3 c. 4/2/19 Today the Currane anglers reels were silent in all departments except for a few Kelts being caught on the troll. Wind was slack NW and variable plus the sun was shining down on a calm Lough Currane. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 8.6 mm. Maximum air temperature 10. 9 c.
Sunset…
4/2/19 Today the Currane anglers reels were silent in all departments except for a few Kelts being caught on the troll. Wind was slack NW and variable plus the sun was shining down on a calm Lough Currane. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 8.6 mm. Maximum air temperature 10. 9 c.
5/2/19 Again the weather takes all the headlines as a strong SW wind hits Lough Currane and followed with heavy rain, so as you can imagine all the Currane anglers could do was look at the waves hitting the shoreline, come afternoon the wind dropped. One Currane angler did head out and that was the one and only Local Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com and Dominic reported that he caught 3 Kelts on the troll and that raps up today’s action, but just one point of order there was a good flood today, so to all you Salmon fly anglers take note and let the battle commence in the premier league of Currane fly Anglers. Today’s weather as already stated. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0 maximum air temperature 10.6 mm
Learn CPR
6/2/19 Again its all strong wind from the SW, admittedly one boat did venture out and by all accounts the Currane angler recorded a blank log book! Now on a serious note and to all you Currane anglers you should take note and for good reason. Why because the Waterville Community First Responders are having a Family open Day on CPR and all Currane anglers should come because it could be your friend or you one day, so if asked what did you catch today ? I caught noting, but thank God I learnt CPR because I Saved a Life! Today’s weather as already stated. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 17.1 mm. Maximum air temperature 12.1 c.
That is your ration from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts.
The Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust, formed by concerned volunteers in 2016, is one of the new Rivers Trusts to be set up in Ireland and is currently aspiring to Charitable Status. Its remit is to protect the fresh and coastal waters of the Iveragh Peninsula.
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
Captured by Declan on Kiwi Girl. see it and weep. Imagine the poor anglers fishing in the 51st. World Boat Angling Championships looking at this and not being allowed even to try to catch them....
Donegal Bay is alive with fish - large and small!
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., announced earlier this week that he has secured approval at EU and international level for the introduction of a science based catch, tag and release fishery for Bluefin tuna for Irish recreational anglers. This scheme will compliment the work on satellite tagging of blue fin tuna that is being under taken by the Marine Institute.
Photo by Declan Kilgannon on Kiwi Girl during the 51st. World Boat Angling Championships on Donegal Bay
Minister Creed said that “As part of the negotiations on the new international management plan for bluefin tuna in the east Atlantic, Ireland was able to secure agreement that will allow countries like Ireland, that do not have a commercial Bluefin tuna quota, to operate a catch-tag-release fishery for gathering scientific data.” This new management plan was adopted at the 2018 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Annual Meeting.
Minister Creed continued “My Department is currently working with the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority on a pilot project that will allow up to 15 angling vessels with trained tagging operators to target blue fin tuna in 2019. This aim of the project is to build on work undertaken to date and to increase our knowledge of the behaviour and abundance of BFT in the waters off the Irish coast. It will also provide an ancillary benefit in that it will support angling tourism in peripheral coastal communities, including in particular Donegal.”
Previously, under ICCAT rules, Ireland could not allow targeted angling for blue fin tuna as we do not have a blue fin tuna quota. The changes secured by Ireland will now allow targeting for tagging purposes only by recreational anglers.
Minister Creed added “Our fishing industry has expressed concerns about the increasing numbers of Bluefin tuna in the Irish 200 miles zone and this programme will allow us to understand more about blue fin tuna – their habitat, migration patterns and concentration in waters around Ireland.”
The exact details of the pilot scheme will be developed over the coming period in consultation with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is responsible for angling.
February 1st saw the Munster Blackwater open. Unfortunately the river was high and rising on the day. The was heavy and colour was was deep brown. Never the less a good number of anglers turned out to their favourite haunts. Fishing was done in respect of opening day rather than in any real hope of catching a salmon. For most it was all about the ceremony and marking the moment. Many toasted the river with a nip of something strong while others took a moment to pray for a good season, old friends and safe returns of both salmon and fishermen alike.
Fort William’s Senior House Ghillie Chris Coady with his first casts of 2019.
Conditions improved over the weekend and the water levels fell back and the sun shone brightly. A few kelts were met and landed at Blackwater Salmon Fishery and Ballyduff Bridge and Paul Hanely reported losing a fresh springer at Ghaira (http://salmonfishingireland2012.blogspot.com/) but in the last couple of days rain has brought the river back up and fishing has become difficult again.
Noel at Blackwater Fishery about to release a well mended kelt.
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: fishing@fortwilliamireland.com Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Blackwater Salmon Fishery
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:info@blackwatersalmonfishery.com Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929 Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com
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.
