Belturbet Angling & Conservation Club report on a good weeks festival angling in Irelands Hidden Heartlands. The competition, the second of the year held by the club saw 40 anglers including those from England and the Netherlands compete on five selected County Cavan venues of Town Lake-Killeshandra, Derreskit, Eoinish Shore – Lough Oughter, Lower Derries and Tullyguide.
Irish angling expert Enniskillen based Tony Kersley took first place with 67.690kgs.
Results
1st Tony Kersley – 67.690kgs
2nd William Van Helm- 59.940kg
3rd Keith Murphy- 58.060kg
Anglers enjoyed the good fishing and variety of venues along with the local hospitality of Belturbet and the Castle Sports Bar. The club would like to acknowledge the help of all organisers, supporters and local landowners.
NCFFI
Belturbet CAA are affiliated to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and are members of the Angling Council the National Governing Body for coarse and predator angling. www.ncffi.ie
The Lene trout are really surface feeding, and some cracking brown and rainbow trout are being caught. Pat Brown from Delvin who is Lene Competition captain had some super rainbows, on dry fly, as did our old pal Owen McEnteggart.
Owen McEnteggart
Owen ties his own flies, and had a few emergers working well, that caught lovely brown trout best weighing 2lbs 9oz. Val Wynn his angling pal boated a rainbow stuffed with small green snails, no bigger than the head of a match. This time of year these small snails are just below the water surface, and the trout really feed on the snails.
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.
Last week we featured a picture of Danil Shapiro wit ha beautiful Derravaragh perch. The Shapiro family Vladimer, Danil and his sister Nina had a fantastic few hours fishing in Westmeath, and are holidaying across Ireland. They are from Hoffenheim in Germany and dad Vladimer was impressed with the lakes and rivers he checked out in Westmeath. I would not be surprised if you see Vladimer and a few angling mates back over in the capital of the Midlands come 2019.
Percy the Perch
I had a bit of fun last weekend testing the range of Westin Lures available in Brian Conlons Angling Center Wild Total Outdoors. They really have some catchy names such as Mike The Pike, Tommy The Trout and Percy The Perch, plus some of the Shads are very realistic, and have fantastic action.
All these can be checked out in Wild total Outdoors in Friars Mill Road. One thing is for sure these lures will work a treat come the winter months, when we eventually can get back on the River Inny and fish by boat. I ventured up the River Inny last Sunday, and its low, and choked up with weeds.
Up coming action on Derravaragh
The Jimmy Nally Memorial Cup will be fished on Lough Derravaragh this coming Sunday September 16th. This competition rotates yearly from Derravaragh to Bane and this years its Derravaragh turn to host the competition. Derravaragh Chairman Liam Gilsenan tells us fishing is from 11am, and all boats back at Donore Shore at 5:50pm.
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.
Kevin Lyons of Melview Lodge in Longford reports on the coarse fishing in the Longford area…
Stephen with a good catch of Bream and Hybrids.
UK anglers Stephen and Dennis were again over in Ireland for their annual fishing trip, and once again decided to stayed with Kevin and Jane at Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. The guys are no strangers to Melview Fishing Lodge and by now know the waters and how to fish them. On arrival it was bags in rooms and straight out the door to fish one of the waters I had selected for them to start the week.
Nice Tench for Dennis
fishing the place cold by the end of the session it looked promising for the next day. It was out with the bath and in with the Prebait, this was repeated on just a couple of venues which see all the hard work and preparation pay off for them. They caught some cracking Bream and Tench along with some Good Roach and Hybrids.
Good mixed catch of Bream, Hybrids and Roach for Dennis
The best method was the feeder using a number of various hook baits, joint weights at the end of the sessions were well over the 100lb and well deserved it was for all their efforts. Well done guys and thanks for the company, see you next year.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
5/9/18 All the Sea Trout head lines are as follows, UK Anglers Mr. David Burton and Mr. Bill Shackleton, while fly fishing with their Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea and at www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught and released 5 juniors on the drift. Now we head for the South side and the hired out boat department of www.lakelandhouse.com Anglers Mr. David Delap and Mr. John Delap, caught 3 fine Sea Trout on the fly all in the 1 ¾ lbs. class and they also caught a few small ones. Wind Light variable and overcast with misty rain at times. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 16.4 .
C&R By David – To Fight another day!
6/9/18 All Sea Trout headlines come from the North Shore and the Bungalow, UK Anglers Mr. David Burton and Mr. Bill Shackleton, while fly fishing with their Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea and at www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught and released 5 juniors again today on the drift and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind NW and overcast. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 15 c.
7/9/18 Lough Currane was more on the quiet side today, but at least UK Anglers Mr. David Burton and Mr. Bill Shackleton, while fishing with their Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea and at www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com finished their weeks Salmon and Sea Trout fly fishing holiday at lunch time today and Bill finished off his trip by catching a fine Junior just before leaving at lunchtime, their total catch for the week was 3 Grilse on the World famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie and 21 Sea Trout On Lough Currane, their fly line of the week was a Midge Tip, and fly of the week was a Dunkeld. Now for the rest of today’s manipulations it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind SW light to fresh. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 15.0 c.
8/9/18 Lough Curran was on the wild side with a strong SW wind blowing down the lake, wind or no wind a few boats did venture out and hoping to get on a crest of a wave by catching a Wild Atlantic Salmon, well that’s exactly What Tralee Angler Mr. Eugene Ferris did while trolling with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse, for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind as already stated and overcast and raining for the best part of the day. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 16.4c.
9/9/18 UK Anglers the Hampshire Hogs are back to the Waterville Fishery and were in good form as usual today and for good reason, Mr. Pete Ruffle and expert skittles player as proven today as he skittled his fellow anglers in the Salmon and Sea Trout fly department, by catching a fine 5 lbs. Salmon and finished with 6 Sea Trout ranging from Junior class up to 2 lbs. While fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominick McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com and out [email protected] and www.cliffordbandb.com Staying with Waterville Boats and at [email protected] and the Hampshire Hogs, Mr. Nigel Henshaw, while fly fishing with Gillie and at [email protected] caught two Sea Trout ranging from 1 ½ up to 2 ½ lbs. I will finish today’s notes by saying going by my phone this evening that that Hampshire Hogs scuttled the rest of the Currane anglers. Just for the record, yesterday Cork Angler Mr. Martin Coveny, fishing out of www.bayviewhotelwaterville.com caught a fine Salmon on the Commeragh River. Wind West light to fresh with reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 16.4 c. and made a good flood.
10/9/18 The Hampshire Hogs brought Waterville Fishery alive in all departments today, so lets go straight to the North Shore and Waterville Boats and at [email protected] First to the Salmon department, Hampshire Hog Mr. Pete Ruffle the Skittle Man was in great form again today, while trolling with his Gillie and at [email protected] and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com caught a cracker of a 10 lbs. Salmon. Now we stay with the Hampshire Hogs and for good reason, Hampshire Hog Mr. Nigel Henshaw, fishing out of [email protected] and www.cliffordbandb.com was in cracking form in the Sea Trout fly department, while fly-fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and at www.fishingwithdom.com caught 6 Juniors. Now we head up stream to the Word Famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie Hampshire Hog Mr. Trevor Dewberry and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com while fly-fishing caught a fine 4 lbs. Salmon Grilse and finished his day off with 3 Sea Trout and in the words of Trevor’s Gillie and Commander-in-chief Mr. Michael O’Sullivan and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie The Hampshire Hogs had a cracker of a day and considering the wild conditions on the Lake we certainly deserve a liquid libation after today’s performance and there’s no argument to that. Wind SW and strong and overcast, some of the boats left the Lake at lunchtime. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 16.5 c.
11/9/18 The Hampshire Hogs again take all the Game Fishing headlines, all I can say they were Skittled in the Salmon department, but it was a different story in the Sea Trout fly department, So lets get down to today’s facts and we will start on the Upper Lakes and Copal Lake, Hampshire Hog Angler, Mr. Trevor Dewberry and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com caught and released 7 Sea Trout, ranging from Junior Class up to 2 lbs. while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and of www.fishingwithdom.com Now we head downstream to Lough Currane and Waterville Boats and at [email protected] Hampshire Hog Angler, Mr. Peter Skittles, fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com and fishing with his Gillie at [email protected] caught two Sea Trout on the fly. Staying in the Sea Trout fly department, Hampshire Hog Angler, Mr. Nigel Henshaw and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com caught and released 1 Sea Trout, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan and at [email protected] Wind WSW light to fresh and variable with good cloud cover. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 16.6 c.
We are delighted to report that Professor Ken Whelan has started his survey work on the small streams, which discharge into Lough Currane, as the first part of our Small Streams Conservation Project. The project is designed to assess those streams, which are most favoured by sea trout, for suitable spawning gravels and to highlight areas where additional gravel would be advantageous to the spawning effort. Professor Whelan’s report will inform the proposed second phase of the project where local volunteers will be transporting gravels to the identified locations before the onset of the sea trout spawning season in November.
Ken Whelan instream
It is of course impossible to cover all the streams in this 135 square kilometer catchment at this point in time, but the current project will act as a pilot scheme to inform future and ongoing work to these critical spawning streams in the Cummeragh Catchment. The stock survey work carried out by IFI in 2014 identified the distribution and density of sea trout fry in the various streams and we are using the data from this document, together with our own red count survey carried out in November / December 2017, to target those streams which appear to have been the most productive before the recent crash in our sea trout stocks.
It is clear to us that these, often surprisingly small, streams act as ‘spawning channels’, where sea trout run up them on a flood, spawn and then promptly drop back into the lake before returning to sea. In this catchment the fry produced in these streams very quickly vacate them and drop back into the lakes, which then become their ‘nursery areas’, feeding on phytoplankton until they grow big enough to assimilate invertebrates. There are very few areas actually in these small streams, which are used as ‘nurseries’. The IFI survey showed this fact in detail, where the numbers of 1+ fry in the streams was extremely low compared with 0+ fry.
We are looking forward to the conclusion of the report and to the help and advice we will be having from the Wild Trout Trust in the second part of the project.
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
The Arva International Coarse Angling Festival took place last week with 61 anglers taking part. Sections fished included A – Hollybank, B – Gulladoo, C – Corfree, D – Kevins, E – Killykeen. Match HQ was the Breffni Arva which was central to all venues. Excellent weights were recorded during the week with some daily weights in excess of 20kg.
The following is a list of the winners:-
Phil Bardell 73.400kg
Neil Parkinson 69.775kg
Kevin Rowles 63.000kg
Simon Godfry 59.800kg
Kevin Johnson 56.920kg
Ian Bowman 56.800kg
Gowna Festiva
The Annual Gowna Festival took place during last week in August. Again excellent weights were recorded with the winning total coming in at 100.780kg R Dunne. In second place T Kersley 63.450kg and third place J Ibbotson 63.320kg. Day one saw R Dunne bagged a massive 42.150kg of fish so it was a matter of trying to catch up all week for all other anglers.
Try out fishing at the National Ploughing Championships
Inland Fisheries Ireland to attend with free fishing simulator for novice anglers
Novice anglers are invited to try their hand at fishing at the upcoming National Ploughing Championships. Inland Fisheries Ireland will attend the event, which takes place in Screggan, Tullamore from the 18th – 20th of September, with a fun fishing simulator suitable for all the family.
The simulator will be present at Inland Fisheries Ireland’s stand, which will be located within the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment’s tent at the Championships. Anyone interested in fishing is invited to come along and have a go of the pursuit. There will also be aquariums with a range of coarse and game fish species on display.
Fisheries Officers will be on hand to answer questions from members of the public around best farming practice, angling and how to take it up as a novice as well to provide information and guidance around Ireland’s fish species and the aquatic environment.
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The National Ploughing Championships is a flagship event in the Irish public’s calendar and we are delighted to attend once again this year with an interactive offering for all the family. Angling is a past time which is suitable for both young and old of any ability and we hope that attendees who enjoy fishing on the marquee floor may be enticed to try it out for real on the river bank.
The participation of the public in the fisheries resource is vital in ensuring it is protected and enhanced in a sustainable manner for both the recreational and economic benefits it offers to communities nationwide. We are looking forward to sharing insights into the fisheries resource, and the indigenous fish species that live within it, with both the general public and the farming community.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland will be located in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment’s tent. Follow Inland Fisheries Ireland’s activity at the event online at www.facebook.com/inlandfisheriesireland or @AnglingUpdate on Twitter. For more information about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie and to find out more about the National Ploughing Championships, visit www.npa.ie .
Salmon angling on the Munster Blackwater has improved following the recent rains and although there are lots of resident fish in the system now some fresh fish have been caught and released.
Ballyduff Bridge, Blackwater Salmon Fisheries and Fort William are all reporting fish at the moment.
Reporting for Fort William Fishery, Paul Whelan tells us that the fishing has certainly picked up over the weekend with good reports in.
Alan Dempsey landed 3 fish on fly all released. Joe Hegerty landed 2 fish on fly also released. Sean Power landed and released a fish on spinner as did Mark Dempsey. Eddie O’Brien landed and released a fine fish of 7lbs off the Glenmore beat. Jeff Bennett from the US had a nice fish of 5lbs off the Bishops beat.
#CPRsavesfish salmon goes back
Paul Lawton landed a released this fish this morning (11 September) off the Castle beat. Fish was in a bit of a hurry to get back! Paul finished his day with 3 fish 4 to 5lbs all returned, and his friend had 1 4lb returned as well.
Well done to all!
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
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:[email protected] 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.
Catch of the Week:
A very happy John Fleming with his first stone bass
Church Island, Lough Sheelin
There is a definite autumnal feel in the air now, with cooler, showery conditions prevailing this week and night time temperatures taking a tumble. With the cooler weather has come some rain, which gave good water levels in some rivers, although the east coast rivers are still at a low ebb and need a lot more. Salmon angling has picked up with the change, with the Munster Blackwater producing good sport. Lough Currane showed a welcome return to form after a tough summer so far, and hopefully the last few weeks of the season will bring more good sport there. Salmon fishing in west Cork also picked up, while the Moy had a good week with over 200 fish recorded.
Trout fishing season is drawing to a close shortly also, and fishing has really improved on most trout fisheries since the weather cooled, with Corrib the pick of the big lakes performing at the moment. River fishing is also picking up, with the Suir producing some good evening on the evening hatch of olives and sedges.
Thomas Buggy, Kilkenny with his September trout
Cooler weather suits pike angling, as pike tend to sulk in the warmer summer months and are waking up now and feeding hard. Mick Flanagan reports good pike fishing on the midland lakes, and with pike anglers also waking up from their summer siestas, we expect a lot more pike angling sport, and reports, in the coming weeks.
The Shapiro family from Germany.
Coarse angling has been full speed ahead of late, with several large festivals and competitions being held around the country, and great fishing reported from many venues. The Daiwa World Pairs Championship, fished across a range of venues in Cavan and Fermanagh, provided great sport and stiff competition, eventually won by Lee Kerry and Rob Wootton with a bag of 175.96kg, including Lee’s 114.020kg catch, which won him the Daiwa Cup for best individual angler. Phil Bardell took the Arva International with a fine haul of 73.400kg, where daily weights over 20kg were common. Good fishing was also reported from Tullamore, and Portumna ahead of their upcoming festival, while a huge congratulations goes to the Garda Siochana team, who took top honours at the European Police Championships in the Netherlands.
Some good Tench for first timers Bert and Ronald.
Sea anglers have been enjoying good sport of late, with water temperatures at their best at this time of year and fish feeding hard ahead of the winter. The weather has been hampering offshore trips a bit more, but there are still plenty of blue shark being caught around the coastline. Great pollack and mixed species fishing is also reported from Cork and Galway, where skipper John Fleming had our Catch of the Week, a rare stone bass, or wreckfish.
Catch of the Week: A very happy John Fleming with his first stone bass
And now the weather…
The forecast for the week ahead is a very unsettled picture, with plenty of showers and longer spells of rain, with moderate to fresh winds at times, and a chance of very unsettled, even stormy conditions early next week. Remember to check the forecast before going fishing, and if in doubt, sit it out!
Stefan Martin from Killybegs Mariners SAC reports on the fishing around Donegal Bay…
38cm turbot for Johnny
12 September: A maiden voyage on club member Pete’s new raider 18 provided great sport over the banks with Pete catching and releasing his first ever Blonde Ray which was a lovely catch and Johnny had a fine Turbot of 38cm among numerous other flatties and rays.
Blonde Ray for Pete
On the way ashore they switched over to the squid hooks and quickly picked up a few squid for evening tea. A very enjoyable trip and quite a few “small boats” appearing at the marina now and maybe a few small boats species comps in the pipeline on the bay ahead.
08 September: Last of the summer league club outings took place last night in lovely conditions and with the evenings drawing in now giving more darkness and cover for the fish. Some lovely flounder to 35cm on the ebb tide and a hard fighting pollack of 48cm before the dogs came on the prowl towards the end of the comp.
Stefan Martin with a double flounder 35cm and 29cm
13 anglers fished on the night with longest fish prize of €39 going to Christopher Noctor and 2nd place points prize of €39 going to Stefan Martin and 1st place points prize of €78 also going to Chrostopher Noctor and €39 to the club for the trip away. So that’s the summer league over a huge well done to overall winner who fished great all summer John Cunningham congrats and also well done to everyone who took part along the way enjoying the fishing. and huge thanks to the club sponsors Mooney Boats in Killybegs and Land and Sea Sports in Bundoran for prizes and support.. next up will be the winter league of 12 outings starting in the next few weeks.
Winter League
The new season starts now, first winter league outing will take place this Friday evening 14th September on Narin strand far side of the island from the car park 19.30pm – 23.30pm. Everybody welcome to come along and enjoy fishing with a gang over the next few months
Mariners sea angling club Killybegs Co Donegal. The club runs a shore league and boat comps and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love. Get in touch at www.facebook.com/mariner.sac
