Ronan Cusack reports from Lough Mask on late season fishing there.
Last Tue/Wed saw 131 anglers from all across the country compete in the Licenced Vintners Fly Fishing Competition on Lough Mask. This is the 17th year running of this hugely successful competition. Patrick McCarthy from Cork took first prize with a weight of 2.63kg. Billy Kavanagh, also from Cork was in second place with a total weight of 2.59kg. Local man Declan Gibbons from Cong took third position, with a weight of 2.55kg. Heaviest fish prize went to Kevin Cremin from Cork with a fine trout weighing 2.09kg.
Mick Dunne from Tourmakeady said fishing on Mask was tough this week and after spending two days pulling wets he finished with 4 trout (best fish 2.25lbs). Richard Cameron from Ballinrobe fished on Sunday with regular UK visitor Phil Brooks and they had 2 fish, both 1.5lbs. Ballinrobe anglers Tommy Foley and Sean Maloney had 3 fish in the deep on Friday and a further 5 on Sunday (best fish 2lbs) all on wets. Ronan Cusack and Willie Cullinane fished wets over the deeps and shallows on Monday last and they finished with 5 (best fish 2.25lbs, all released)
Temperatures are beginning to drop as water levels rise over the past couple of days, so hopefully we should see an improvement in fishing before the season ends.
First place: The ‘Screaming Reels’ Team (from L-R) – Josie Mahon (Inland Fisheries Ireland), Stephen Donoghue, Martyn Rayner, Neville Murphy and John Belger (UK organiser of festival).
‘Screaming Reels’ wins the Rosslare Small Boats Festival for a record 9th time
In what turned out to be the most exciting and closest competition in 33 years the Irish boat ‘Screaming Reels’ has won the Rosslare Small Boats Festival for the ninth time. This is a record nine wins for the crew from Rescue R117 Waterford Angling Club who first started fishing the competition in 2008. They beat 37 boats from Britain and Ireland catching 28 different species of fish for 12.17 kilos. This prestigious competition generates in the region of €300,000 for the local economy, bringing jobs and employment to Wexford.
First place: The ‘Screaming Reels’ Team (from L-R) – Josie Mahon (Inland Fisheries Ireland), Stephen Donoghue, Martyn Rayner, Neville Murphy and John Belger (UK organiser of festival).
Sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Garmin, DAIWA and Saltwater Boat magazine, the 33rd festival attracted more than 112 anglers from Scotland, Wales, Isle of Wight, Ireland and many other parts of England including Manchester, Liverpool and Portsmouth. This prestigious competition continues to attract the best boat anglers in Great Britain and Ireland in what is now regarded as the most species rich fishing in the Irish Atlantic. There were four new boats to the competition this year from all over the UK.
Weather conditions were challenging early on with strong southerly winds delaying the start of the competition. Due to the expertise at forecasting weather and sea state, the Rosslare small boats festival committee enabled anglers to get afloat during short windows of weather. Changes of venues meant that on one of the days the boats were launched from Rosslare Safe harbour with the assistance of the local community. Weather conditions then improved enabling the other three days of the competition to be fished from Kilmore Quay.
The anglers fished hard and the fishing was tough, however this did not deter the competitors and the competition was neck and neck right until the end with three boats on the same number of species, with only small weights dividing them. In the end, Screaming Reels got to the finishing line catching 28 species beating the other two boats on the same number of species with a weight of 12.17kg.
The winning crew of ‘Screaming Reels’ consists of Martyn Rayner, Neville Murphy and Stephen Donoghue from Rescue R117 Waterford Angling Club with 28 species for 12.17 kilos. The boat ‘Nauti Lass’ from Yorkshire came second, consisting of Neil Spencer, James Spencer, Phil Armstrong and Stewart Atkinson who caught 28 species for 11.33 kilos. In third place was ‘Nirvana’ from the Wirral Sea Angling Club – Richie Stead, Keith Pemberton and Mark Phillips caught 28 species for 11.01 kilos. The heaviest fish was caught by Johnathan Davis on board the boat ‘2 JD’s’ from Bray Head Fishing and Social Club with a Bull Huss of 5.48 kgs and they received a cash prize and a perpetual trophy sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Boat 2 JD’s from Bray Head Social and Fishing Club who took home the Heaviest Fish title– John Belger (UK organiser), Josie Mahon (Inland Fisheries Ireland), David Frazer, Jonathan Davis, John Davis.
Many successful conservation initiatives for our marine species have been introduced in the last number of years and these were extended further this year with the vast majority of fish now being caught, photographed and released by anglers at sea. This proved to be very successful with many fish including species such as smoothound, black bream, conger, dab, gurnards, mackerel, mullet, pouting, ray and many mini species such as dragonet and gobies being measured on Inland Fisheries Ireland mats, photographed and returned alive. This also enabled anglers to target species such as bass and tope for the first time.
There were 44 different species caught including a topknot which was recorded for the first time in the history of the competition by the Irish boat ‘Fin Chaser’. Other unusual species recorded include black bream, garfish and streaked gurnard. Anglers fishing the festival have provided a historical map of the movement of our marine species over a 33 year period.
Inland Fisheries Ireland officiated at the photographic identification of fish species and a marine fish tank was also used for the purpose of displaying fish species that were caught during the competition. Staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland were on hand to educate the public about the fish species on offer from Kilmore Quay. The educational benefits of the marine tank and practising catch and release for marine species are hugely beneficial in terms of conservation and creating public awareness of Ireland’s marine resource. The public were able to view marine fish such as bull huss, ballan wrasse and plaice which were kept in the fish tank and released back into their marine habitat alive. This was hugely supported by Kilmore Quay harbour master and staff at Wexford County Council.
Daniel Parker from ‘Shy Torque’ in Liverpool won best junior of the competition with 25 species for 10.03 kilos. Sue Tait from ‘Predator 2’ in Cork won best female competitor with 26 species for 8.88 kilos. The ‘Ken Evason’ Memorial trophy for the biggest cod was won jointly by the boats ‘Highlander and Strongbow’ who each caught a cod of 2.90kilos and they donated the trophy to Ken Evason’s family. The Conningbeg Trophy for the longest bass of 60cm was won by Steve Mills aboard the boat ‘Samaki’ from Portsmouth.
Daniel Parker from Liverpool won the best junior of the festival on the boat ‘Shy Torque’ with a ballan wrasse
‘Coast Hotel, Rosslare Strand’ was the centre of the competition where competitors met each evening to discuss their catches and make plans for the following day. The prize giving night took place here where there were fantastic prizes worth in the region of €30,000 including fishing equipment, cash prizes and engraved trophies. Tim McPhearson one of the festival’s sponsors from ‘Saltwater Boat Angling’ said: ‘I would like to congratulate all competitors on their success at the 33rd Rosslare Small Boats festival. This is the first time I have participated in this competition and I would like to complement the organisers on their military precision in organising the competition from start to finish and on their wonderful prize table for this prestigious competition’.
Competitors at the fish tank where fish were held and later released back into the sea.
For futher information on The Rosslare Small Boats Festival 2019 contact John Belger, 98 Dunbar Road, Southport PR8 4RL, UK. Phone: 00441704566195 or email: jbandfirefly@aol.com or Ms. Josie Mahon, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Tel: 01 8842 600 or email josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie.
Eileen Carroll has been in touch with an update on catches from the West Cork rivers.
RIVER BANDON
There were 3 salmon reported last week. These are on Bandon Angling Association Waters. Two of these were fresh fish with lice. At the time of writing the river has risen by two feet so prospects are bright for the coming week.
RIVER LEE
No angling effort. Water levels rising very slowly.
INNISCARRA FISHERY
No catches reported
KILLARNEY LAKES AND RIVER LAUNE
No data.
KILLARNEY FLESK
No data.
RIVER ILEN
12 salmon landed for the week, best was 6lbs landed by a club angler on a fly.
Vincent Appleby reports on fishing from Waterville over the past week:
12/9/18 Straight to the North Shore and Waterville Boats and at watervilleboats@gmail.com and the Hampshire Hogs and their C&R Sea Trout fly department, Hampshire Hog, Mr. Nigel Henshaw and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com while Fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy and at www.fishingwithdom.com caught 3 Sea Trout ranging from Junior class up to 3 lbs and considering the bright sunshine one would call it a class act, and staying with the Hampshire Hogs, Mr. Pete Ruffle fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan and at watervilleboats@gmail.com caught 1 Junior, and last but not least Hampshire Hog, Mr. Trevor Dewberry, fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com caught two Juniors with his Gillie and at watervilleboats@gmail.com just for the record the Hampshire Hogs caught 9 Salmon on their last trip in June and 3 Salmon this Trip and a good few Sea Trout and all I can say thanks for your great support for the Waterville Fishery and that goes for all anglers. Now we head for the Bungalow along the North Shore, UK Angler, Mr. Adren Francis, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of oshealoughcurrane.com caught two trout. Now we head up stream to the world famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie Belgium Anglers, Jacques and his good friend Max, while fly-fishing, caught a grilse each on the fly, weighing in at 4 lbs. Wind WNW fresh and bright sunshine. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 15.8 c.
13/9/18 The Currane anglers and Lough Currane wild Game Fish were keeping a low profile today after the Hampshire Hogs and their Gillie’s performance in the Fly and Lure departments in the past week. Wind SW fresh with reasonable cloud cover.Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 15.6 c.
14/9/18 The Currane anglers were drifting with their flies and Gillie’s were holding their clients boat so their flies were hitting the right spot but sadly Lough Currane’s Wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout ignored the temptations of being lured into an almighty battle and the same goes for My Noble Currane trollers. Wind West fresh with reasonable cloud cover with the odd shower, yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 15.9 c.
15/9/18 It was a wild day for the Currane anglers, with a strong SW wind blowing down the Lake, so as you can imagine just the odd boat ventured out from the North Shore, mind you there could have been a few boats that ventured from the South side and if they did, going by my phone it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind as already stated and overcast with rain this evening. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 16. 4 c.
16/9/18 There was some great action and a bit of history from the South side today. So we will begin in the hired out boat department of www.lakelandshouse.com Killarney Angler Mr. DJ Riordan, While fly-fishing on the drift, caught 15 Sea Trout, ranging from Juniors up to 1 ¾ lbs. Staying with www.lakelandshouse.com hired out boat department, anglers also reported nice catches of Juniors caught on the fly and were well satisfied with their days manipulations. Local Gillie Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com reported that one boat was out there all day, signalled on his way home that he also caught a few Sea trout. Now Catch of the day goes to 5 year old Conor who celebrated his 5th Birthday today and got his first fishing rod and I can tell you it didn’t take Conor long to ask his Grandad Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com would he take him fishing so he could catch a fish with his brand new fishing rod, well Grandad obliged and by jove Conor christened his new rod in style by catching his first ever Junior and may it be the first of many and by the looks of it a Gillie in the making. On a personal note on bealf of all the Currane anglers well done Conor and a very Happy Birthday to you. Now we head for the North side and the Bungalow, Mr. John Smith of Birr, Co. Offaly, caught 2 Sea Trout up 2 ½ lbs. While fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and for the rest of the Currane anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind SW calm to light with reasonable cloud cover. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 16.7 c.
17/9/18 Lough Currane was like the wild West as you can imagine Currane anglers were left stranded all day at their Salmon and Sea Trout stations as the waves pounded the North Shore and in the words of one local and I quote, you could see the white horses ¾ of a mile away or put it this way the distance from Mace Supermarket to the Butler Pool. Wind S and strong and overcast with rain in the afternoon and this evening. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 16.9 c.
18/9/18 We start today’s notes with yesterdays notes and for good reason, I failed miserably in my duties again and yes I’m guilty as charged for failing to check my email and if I had I would have seen an email telling me that Dr. Tim Gleason caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse on the fly on the World Famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie again all I can say is my apologies to Tim and his Gillie. Now back to the present and today’s action or I should say lack of action, again today all Salmon Stations were at a standstill with a strong SW blowing across the lake and with Storm Ali to hit Kerry tomorrow you can forget it until late afternoon. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 17.9 c.
The Trust report
Rod Robinson reports on the recent activities of the Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust.
Last week we assisted Professor Ken Whelan with his survey of the prime spawning streams on Lough Currane, which proved to be a very interesting and productive week for the Trust!
Professor Whelan has worked on the Currane system on several previous occasions and he found this last week was a great opportunity to reacquaint himself with the streams and the topography of the Currane Catchment.
We had a chance to discuss in detail the objectives of the Trust’s programme, which is orientated towards selecting a number of key sea trout spawning tributaries to see what can be done to optimise the production from these pilot areas. As is now widely known, the runs of adult sea trout have dropped very significantly and it may well be that compaction issues with the gravels, as well as the need to supplement gravel in other areas, are a contributing factor.
Interestingly in many Irish lough systems the biology is such that sea trout spawning takes place in what are in essence spawning channels. The fry leave for the lake from the early feeding fry stage right through the following summer. The recruitment largely takes place in the loughs and stream habitat for sea trout parr is generally not a major consideration.
A sea trout spawning channel
What was clear on the survey was that virtually all the streams visited were devoid of fry, undoubtedly the result of the prolonged hot summer and the near drying out of these feeder streams. Some of the landowners commented to us that they had observed that there had been a period when the zone where the streams run into the lake had been ‘choked with fry in their millions’. The impact of this premature fry vacation of the streams has yet to be understood, but no doubt the brown trout in Currane had a feeding bonanza!
We selected some six streams to survey, based on the IFI stock survey of 2014 and our week was spent walking all of these streams and assessing their potential. We found that the selected streams on the south side of the Lough were in pristine order and apart from some issues relating to blockages etc. were considered to require no action. Those selected on the North side, however, were found to be largely silted and poaching by cattle and sheep was also an issue. The resultant compaction of gravels will need need some loosening of the gravel before the onset of the spawning season and quite a few areas of replacement gravel, where this has been removed by a series of severe winter floods, will be needed.
Professor Whelan will be returning in early October to assist with this work.
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
Ronan Cusack reports from Lough Mask on late season fishing there.
Last Tue/Wed saw 131 anglers from all across the country compete in the Licenced Vintners Fly Fishing Competition on Lough Mask. This is the 17th year running of this hugely successful competition. Patrick McCarthy from Cork took first prize with a weight of 2.63kg. Billy Kavanagh, also from Cork was in second place with a total weight of 2.59kg. Local man Declan Gibbons from Cong took third position, with a weight of 2.55kg. Heaviest fish prize went to Kevin Cremin from Cork with a fine trout weighing 2.09kg.
Mick Dunne from Tourmakeady said fishing on Mask was tough this week and after spending two days pulling wets he finished with 4 trout (best fish 2.25lbs). Richard Cameron from Ballinrobe fished on Sunday with regular UK visitor Phil Brooks and they had 2 fish, both 1.5lbs. Ballinrobe anglers Tommy Foley and Sean Maloney had 3 fish in the deep on Friday and a further 5 on Sunday (best fish 2lbs) all on wets. Ronan Cusack and Willie Cullinane fished wets over the deeps and shallows on Monday last and they finished with 5 (best fish 2.25lbs, all released)
Temperatures are beginning to drop as water levels rise over the past couple of days, so hopefully we should see an improvement in fishing before the season ends.
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“And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain… ”
The season is slowly drawing to a close, with just 12 days remaining, and anglnig effort was considerably lighter this week. Inclement weather and rising lake levels have contributed to that lighter effort, and this week is looking like a washout with Storm Ali about to sweep in off the Atlantic on the jetstream express.
Declan Gibbons reports that lower temperatures resulted in smaller hatches of sedges and olives this week, and dapped crickets and wetfly seemed to be the favoured methods, or at least the most successful ones.
Starting off in Woodquay in Galway City the Commerical Boat Club hosted the Last Cast Competition in which 16 boats (32 rods) participated and 17 trout were returned. The inaugural Willie Murphy Memorial Cup (Overall weight of Trout Category) went to the 1st place pair of Nicholas Hanley & Robbie Pittman with 5 fish for 9.15lbs. In 2nd place was Eugene McCarthy & Noel O’Toole with 2 fish for 4.35lbs; 3rd place went to Michael & Niall O’Donoughue with 1 fish for 3.70lbs and 4th Place went to Harold O’Toole & Stephen Greaney with 3 fish for 3.60lbs. The Greaney Cup (Heaviest Fish Category) was won by Michael O’Donoughue with a fish weighing 3.70lbs.
In the Cornamona area Tom Doc Sullivan http://www.tomdoc.com reports of Chris Oliver from Navan enjoying a day on Lough Corrib and had 3 good trout for his trip which was crowned with a personal best brown trout of 4lbs – measuring 22 inches, a trip to savour with Chris catching his PB on a Green Peter which he tied himself for the day. James Nobel visiting from England fishing with Tom also had a good day when they boated 4 good fish with one 2.5lbs and another beauty in or around the 4lbs mark.
Chris Oliver,Navan guided by Tom Doc Sullivan caught this lovely fish
In The Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091552550) reports of Loughrea angler Malcom Naughton fishing on Corrib for one day and had 4 fish from the deeps with the fish averaging 1.75lbs. Cork duo Jerome & Pat Mullane had 5 fish from the deeps for their visit to Lough Corrib with the fish again averaging 1.75lbs in size.
Staying in the Oughterard area Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat hire & Self Catering (087-9604170) reports of Michael & Alan Bowes from Cork along with himself enjoying two days fishing landing 4trout with the best 4.5lbs – sportingly released. Mark Curtin had 2 trout dapping for his day on Corrib with the best fish being 2.25lbs. Kevin himself fished on Monday last and landed 2 fish of 1.25 and 2.5lbs .
Kevin Molloy, owner Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat Rental and Self Catering with a fine trout.
Also in the Oughterard area the Oughterard Anglers Association hosted the John Gill Memorial Cup in which 28 anglers participated and 22 trout were caught. First place went to Charlie McCormican with 3trout for 5.5lbs dapping, second place went to Joey Tierney with 2trout for 4.5lbs casting, third place went to Gareth Little with 2 trout for 4lbs casting and fourth place went to Gerry Molloy with 2 trout for 3lbs casting.
This week’s forecast is quite stormy, and it is hoped the weather will calm enough to provide some quality fishing for the final week of the season next week.
Lough Sheelin Angling Report By Brenda Montgomery, IFI September 10th – September 16th 2018
‘My best fishing memory is about some of the fish that I never caught’ – George Orwell John Ryan with his superb 5lbs autumn trout
This was another good fishing week on Sheelin with reports of impressive catches of trout breezing in at over 6 and 7 lbs and fish in the double figures coming to the boat. Autumn fishing for brown trout on this wild piscatorial jewel is extra special for it is at this time of the season that our biggest, cagiest and toughest-to-catch browns are starting to move. Specimen trout that normally stay in the deep are now working their way upwards with that seemingly inbuilt knowledge that winter isn’t that far away and so they have a tendency to feed more avidly to lay on that extra layer of fat to sustain them through the rigorous of river migration, spawning and the eventual return to base. Peadar Smith with one of his Sheelin catches
Water levels are low, with the lake still showing its bones with its bleached shorelines and long stretches of shallows trailing far out into the water particularly around the Tonagh side of the lake.
Although approaching mid-September it feels as if we are only on the cusp of autumn, still clinging to the remnants of summer, in the ‘jumper on, jumper off’ stage as temperatures swing from morning chill to afternoon warmth. Our migrant birds are suddenly gone and there are signs that nature is stocking up ahead of the winter months, with fish being no exception. 11 year old Aaron Flood, Finea with his first Sheelin trout
A quick photo before release #CPRsavesfish
The weather consistently had the last say this week in the fishing here with any breaks of sunshine, blustery conditions or sudden change in wind direction clobbering the good surface movement of fish by effectively and consistently chasing them down to the lower columns. Cloud cover and a certain amount of wind preferably South to South Westerly are the ideal requirements here with variations on this ideal making fishing very possible but more challenging. Time and time again I am told that it is not the rain but the wind that matters so even on those days of wet and cold I found my angler ignoring by negativity by staring distractingly over my head studying the trees for movement.
A plump trout from Tony Grehan caught mid lake on a Chocolate Drop Sedge
With the seasonal chill sneaking in water temperatures are inevitably dropping which would account partially for the increased activity of the trout. The Sheelin trout are continuing to be very visible with follows, bulges, leaps and splashes. Trout are still preforming their aerial dances, leaping free of the water with a sporting exuberance, advertising their presence to the onlooker. There have been no shortage of follows to the pro-offered flies but it is the actual take that can be a bit more elusive. The smaller fish are easier to catch with the theory being that they don’t have the memory of previous hook encounters that their senior counterparts may have had. I have been told to stop trying to compare a trout’s brain to that of a human’s so although it is only the size of a pea (the fish not the human’s) it still contains enough natural wiliness to outwit, most of the time, our more developed intelligence.
Dean Reed, France with his 46cm trout
September fishing here is all about teams of wets and for those persistent dry fly advocates now is a particularly challenging time. There is little or no natural fly on the water during the day. Any insects that are hatching are small which necessitates smaller sizes and a more delicate presentation as well as good eyesight.
Sooty Olive
This month is always synonymous of Daddy and Hoppers. Morning, afternoon and evening is ubiquitous of these gangly aquatic aliens and a few fish were nailed on Daddy patterns during the week and also using traditional patterns with those hopper legs. Breezy days are best for Daddies. On a bright day a Claret Hopper can provide all the silhouette trigger factors that a trout needs. Claret and black are the favourite colours in these patterns. Caddis patterns such as the CDC sedges had some success. September can provide some of the best buzzer fishing so it is worth changing to buzzer patterns for that last hour of light.
The colour claret seems to get its toe in the door on all the patterns that bring in fish on Sheelin – Claret Dabblers, Claret Hoppers, Claret Bumbles and Claret Stimulators. Trout see silhouettes of objects and pick up movement well, rather than intricate detail so the ability to work the fly along with the apparent desirable contrast that claret gives as well as that essential thread of bling as an added attractor is worth a thought. Claret works well at this time of year
Trout here are feeding on Daphnia so a brightly coloured fly on the bob is a good plan and to head for the deeper water.
Rusheen fly
The Dabblers are featuring heavily here and as both a sedge and fry imitator they seem to be very desirable to the trout. The most popular were the Pearly, Fiery Brown, Claret, Sooty Olive, Silver, Claret Sparkle and International (fished as a top dropper). John Keating, Tipperary with an impressive 64cm Sheelin trout
Other flies that worked well were the Hopper patterns, the Silver Daddies, Sooty Olive, Gorgeou George, Green tailed Peters, Black Pennell, CDC Sedges, Telephone Flies and Stimulators.
Cian Murtagh, Cavan with his 3-4lb trout caught on a Stimulator Sedge fishing mid lake
The most productive areas for fishing was mid lake, Stony, Merry pt. at the back of Church Island and from Derrahorn down along the Western shoreline.
The heaviest trout over the past number of weeks was a trout of 7lbs caught by Mayo angler John Muldoon using a Claret Dabbler fishing at Merry Pt.
Total number of trout recorded: 71
Selection of Catches
Pat O’Toole, Trim – September 10th 2 trout at 5lbs & 5 ½ lbs on wets.
Martin Smith, Dublin – 2 trout at 4 ½ and 5lbs fishing Claret Stimulators.
Tom O’Malley, Dublin – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ and 4lbs using Leggy Peters, Gorgeous George and Claret Dabblers.
Thomas Harten, Cavan – 1 trout at 5.5 fishing wets.
Paddy Brady, Cavan – 2 trout heaviest at 2lbs on Dabblers.
Frank Kelly, Cavan – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ lbs fishing Claret wets.
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham – 4 trout heaviest at 6.25 lbs fishing off Holywell shore using a Pearly Dabbler.
Lawrence Hickey, Dublin – 2 trout at 43cm and 46cm fishing Leggy wet flies.
Stuart Topp, Orkney – 2 trout at 56 and 59cm fishing small Claret Dabblers.
Dean Reed, France – 5 trout heaviest at 4lbs fishing Claret wets.
Cathal McNaughton, Northern Ireland – 1 at 2lbs on a Red Tailed Peter.
Thomas Harten, Cavan with his 5.5lbs trout
Sean Creamer, Tipperary
Stuart Topp, Orkney with another Sheelin fish
Martin Connor, September 13th Lough Sheelin
Lawrence Hicky, Dublin
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham with his beautiful 6.25lbs trout caught using a Pearly Dabbler
The Royal Cup
On Saturday last September 15th local angler Pat Bannon held The Royal Cup on Lough Sheelin. Of all the competitions held on this lake I think this is one of my favourites. Relaxed and informal Pat has the ability of making us all feel like part of one big happy family. It was a great day with nine superb fish being caught with an impressive seven of these weighing in at 4lbs and over. Lisnaskea angler Albert Berry took the cup with his 4.98 lb trout. 2nd was Robert Keen at 4.73lbs with Kells angler John Mulvaney on his heels with a 4.47lb fish.
Albert Berry (1st) with his 4.98lbs trout and Larry McAlinden with his 3.83lbs fish
Upcoming Competitions
The McIntyre/Guider Cup
The McIntyre/Guider Cup – Saturday September 29th, starting at Kilnahard 11.0am to 6pm, this is an open fly fishing competition and gives a good warm up before the biggest competition of the season on October 1st. For further information please contact Dessie McEntee on 047 77216 or 086 8937568.
Stream Rehabilitation Competition
Click to download leaflet [pdf] On Saturday October 6th Lough Sheelin’s angling club The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association will host their annual Stream Rehabilitation Competition starting at Kilnahard from 11am to 6.0pm.
All proceeds of this event go towards the enhancement and rehabilitation of the rivers within the Lough Sheelin catchment.
The club and organisers of this competition, now in its thirteenth year, welcome all anglers who wish to fish one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in Ireland and to experience first-hand the magic and allure of this lake which has the potential to produce the heaviest trout in the country.
Denis O’Keefe Memorial Cup
The LSTPA have added an additional cup on to their list this year, this cup is in honour memory of great angler and Sheelin advocate – Denis O’Keefe and will be awarded to the best member over the 3 senior competitions (Kilroy Cup (18/3/18), the McDonald Cup 9 11/8/18 & The River Enhancement Comp. 6/10/18). For details please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033 Back she goes… #CPRsavesfish
Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition
The Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition will be held at Lough Sheelin on Sunday October 7th from Kilnahard Pier, 11a.m – 5.30p.m. Weigh in at 6.30pm and meal at Pat Bannon’s Pub, Ballyjamesduff. Entry fee of €25 taken at Kilnahard.
This competition is for: The Heaviest fish – visitors and The Heaviest fish – Cavan/Monaghan Division Garda Members.
For further details please contact Colin Dodd 086 6000630, Pat Foley 087 2405313 or DessieMcEntee on 086 8937568.
#CPRsavesfish
A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times
Extra care is needed when playing and releasing trout during periods of high water temperatures as additional stress at these times will decrease the survival rate of hooked and released fish. BYE-LAW 949 strictly prohibits:
The taking of any brown trout of less than 36 centimetres.
For a person to fish with more than 2 rods at any one time.
To fish with more than 4 rods at any one time when there is more than one person on board the boat concerned.
For a person to take more than 2 trout per day.
All trolling on the lake from March 1st to June 16th (inclusive).
To fish or to attempt to take or to fish for, fish of any kind other than during the period from March 1st to October 12th in any year.
Join the Club…
For anyone interested in joining Lough Sheelin’s Angling Club – The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033.
We would implore anglers and all other users to wear life jackets for their own safety as well as it being the law.
Life jackets are required by law – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005. Water rarely gives second chances and a life jacket is just that – it saves your life.
Please put on and keep on that life jacket until you are back on dry land.
Chris Oliver,Navan guided by Tom Doc Sullivan caught this lovely fish
“And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain… ”
The season is slowly drawing to a close, with just 12 days remaining, and anglnig effort was considerably lighter this week. Inclement weather and rising lake levels have contributed to that lighter effort, and this week is looking like a washout with Storm Ali about to sweep in off the Atlantic on the jetstream express.
Declan Gibbons reports that lower temperatures resulted in smaller hatches of sedges and olives this week, and dapped crickets and wetfly seemed to be the favoured methods, or at least the most successful ones.
Starting off in Woodquay in Galway City the Commerical Boat Club hosted the Last Cast Competition in which 16 boats (32 rods) participated and 17 trout were returned. The inaugural Willie Murphy Memorial Cup (Overall weight of Trout Category) went to the 1st place pair of Nicholas Hanley & Robbie Pittman with 5 fish for 9.15lbs. In 2nd place was Eugene McCarthy & Noel O’Toole with 2 fish for 4.35lbs; 3rd place went to Michael & Niall O’Donoughue with 1 fish for 3.70lbs and 4th Place went to Harold O’Toole & Stephen Greaney with 3 fish for 3.60lbs. The Greaney Cup (Heaviest Fish Category) was won by Michael O’Donoughue with a fish weighing 3.70lbs.
In the Cornamona area Tom Doc Sullivan http://www.tomdoc.com reports of Chris Oliver from Navan enjoying a day on Lough Corrib and had 3 good trout for his trip which was crowned with a personal best brown trout of 4lbs – measuring 22 inches, a trip to savour with Chris catching his PB on a Green Peter which he tied himself for the day. James Nobel visiting from England fishing with Tom also had a good day when they boated 4 good fish with one 2.5lbs and another beauty in or around the 4lbs mark.
Chris Oliver,Navan guided by Tom Doc Sullivan caught this lovely fish
In The Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091552550) reports of Loughrea angler Malcom Naughton fishing on Corrib for one day and had 4 fish from the deeps with the fish averaging 1.75lbs. Cork duo Jerome & Pat Mullane had 5 fish from the deeps for their visit to Lough Corrib with the fish again averaging 1.75lbs in size.
Staying in the Oughterard area Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat hire & Self Catering (087-9604170) reports of Michael & Alan Bowes from Cork along with himself enjoying two days fishing landing 4trout with the best 4.5lbs – sportingly released. Mark Curtin had 2 trout dapping for his day on Corrib with the best fish being 2.25lbs. Kevin himself fished on Monday last and landed 2 fish of 1.25 and 2.5lbs .
Kevin Molloy, owner Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat Rental and Self Catering with a fine trout.
Also in the Oughterard area the Oughterard Anglers Association hosted the John Gill Memorial Cup in which 28 anglers participated and 22 trout were caught. First place went to Charlie McCormican with 3trout for 5.5lbs dapping, second place went to Joey Tierney with 2trout for 4.5lbs casting, third place went to Gareth Little with 2 trout for 4lbs casting and fourth place went to Gerry Molloy with 2 trout for 3lbs casting.
This week’s forecast is quite stormy, and it is hoped the weather will calm enough to provide some quality fishing for the final week of the season next week.
‘My best fishing memory is about some of the fish that I never caught’ – George Orwell
John Ryan with his superb 5lbs autumn trout
This was another good fishing week on Sheelin with reports of impressive catches of trout breezing in at over 6 and 7 lbs and fish in the double figures coming to the boat. Autumn fishing for brown trout on this wild piscatorial jewel is extra special for it is at this time of the season that our biggest, cagiest and toughest-to-catch browns are starting to move. Specimen trout that normally stay in the deep are now working their way upwards with that seemingly inbuilt knowledge that winter isn’t that far away and so they have a tendency to feed more avidly to lay on that extra layer of fat to sustain them through the rigorous of river migration, spawning and the eventual return to base.
Peadar Smith with one of his Sheelin catches
Water levels are low, with the lake still showing its bones with its bleached shorelines and long stretches of shallows trailing far out into the water particularly around the Tonagh side of the lake.
Although approaching mid-September it feels as if we are only on the cusp of autumn, still clinging to the remnants of summer, in the ‘jumper on, jumper off’ stage as temperatures swing from morning chill to afternoon warmth. Our migrant birds are suddenly gone and there are signs that nature is stocking up ahead of the winter months, with fish being no exception.
11 year old Aaron Flood, Finea with his first Sheelin trout
A quick photo before release #CPRsavesfish
The weather consistently had the last say this week in the fishing here with any breaks of sunshine, blustery conditions or sudden change in wind direction clobbering the good surface movement of fish by effectively and consistently chasing them down to the lower columns. Cloud cover and a certain amount of wind preferably South to South Westerly are the ideal requirements here with variations on this ideal making fishing very possible but more challenging. Time and time again I am told that it is not the rain but the wind that matters so even on those days of wet and cold I found my angler ignoring by negativity by staring distractingly over my head studying the trees for movement.
A plump trout from Tony Grehan caught mid lake on a Chocolate Drop Sedge
With the seasonal chill sneaking in water temperatures are inevitably dropping which would account partially for the increased activity of the trout. The Sheelin trout are continuing to be very visible with follows, bulges, leaps and splashes. Trout are still preforming their aerial dances, leaping free of the water with a sporting exuberance, advertising their presence to the onlooker. There have been no shortage of follows to the pro-offered flies but it is the actual take that can be a bit more elusive. The smaller fish are easier to catch with the theory being that they don’t have the memory of previous hook encounters that their senior counterparts may have had. I have been told to stop trying to compare a trout’s brain to that of a human’s so although it is only the size of a pea (the fish not the human’s) it still contains enough natural wiliness to outwit, most of the time, our more developed intelligence.
Dean Reed, France with his 46cm trout
September fishing here is all about teams of wets and for those persistent dry fly advocates now is a particularly challenging time. There is little or no natural fly on the water during the day. Any insects that are hatching are small which necessitates smaller sizes and a more delicate presentation as well as good eyesight.
Sooty Olive
This month is always synonymous of Daddy and Hoppers. Morning, afternoon and evening is ubiquitous of these gangly aquatic aliens and a few fish were nailed on Daddy patterns during the week and also using traditional patterns with those hopper legs. Breezy days are best for Daddies. On a bright day a Claret Hopper can provide all the silhouette trigger factors that a trout needs. Claret and black are the favourite colours in these patterns. Caddis patterns such as the CDC sedges had some success. September can provide some of the best buzzer fishing so it is worth changing to buzzer patterns for that last hour of light.
The colour claret seems to get its toe in the door on all the patterns that bring in fish on Sheelin – Claret Dabblers, Claret Hoppers, Claret Bumbles and Claret Stimulators. Trout see silhouettes of objects and pick up movement well, rather than intricate detail so the ability to work the fly along with the apparent desirable contrast that claret gives as well as that essential thread of bling as an added attractor is worth a thought.
Claret works well at this time of year
Trout here are feeding on Daphnia so a brightly coloured fly on the bob is a good plan and to head for the deeper water.
Rusheen fly
The Dabblers are featuring heavily here and as both a sedge and fry imitator they seem to be very desirable to the trout. The most popular were the Pearly, Fiery Brown, Claret, Sooty Olive, Silver, Claret Sparkle and International (fished as a top dropper).
John Keating, Tipperary with an impressive 64cm Sheelin trout
Other flies that worked well were the Hopper patterns, the Silver Daddies, Sooty Olive, Gorgeou George, Green tailed Peters, Black Pennell, CDC Sedges, Telephone Flies and Stimulators.
Cian Murtagh, Cavan with his 3-4lb trout caught on a Stimulator Sedge fishing mid lake
The most productive areas for fishing was mid lake, Stony, Merry pt. at the back of Church Island and from Derrahorn down along the Western shoreline.
The heaviest trout over the past number of weeks was a trout of 7lbs caught by Mayo angler John Muldoon using a Claret Dabbler fishing at Merry Pt.
Total number of trout recorded: 71
Selection of Catches
Pat O’Toole, Trim – September 10th 2 trout at 5lbs & 5 ½ lbs on wets.
Martin Smith, Dublin – 2 trout at 4 ½ and 5lbs fishing Claret Stimulators.
Tom O’Malley, Dublin – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ and 4lbs using Leggy Peters, Gorgeous George and Claret Dabblers.
Thomas Harten, Cavan – 1 trout at 5.5 fishing wets.
Paddy Brady, Cavan – 2 trout heaviest at 2lbs on Dabblers.
Frank Kelly, Cavan – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ lbs fishing Claret wets.
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham – 4 trout heaviest at 6.25 lbs fishing off Holywell shore using a Pearly Dabbler.
Lawrence Hickey, Dublin – 2 trout at 43cm and 46cm fishing Leggy wet flies.
Stuart Topp, Orkney – 2 trout at 56 and 59cm fishing small Claret Dabblers.
Dean Reed, France – 5 trout heaviest at 4lbs fishing Claret wets.
Cathal McNaughton, Northern Ireland – 1 at 2lbs on a Red Tailed Peter.
Thomas Harten, Cavan with his 5.5lbs trout
Sean Creamer, Tipperary
Stuart Topp, Orkney with another Sheelin fish
Martin Connor, September 13th Lough Sheelin
Lawrence Hicky, Dublin
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham with his beautiful 6.25lbs trout caught using a Pearly Dabbler
The Royal Cup
On Saturday last September 15th local angler Pat Bannon held The Royal Cup on Lough Sheelin. Of all the competitions held on this lake I think this is one of my favourites. Relaxed and informal Pat has the ability of making us all feel like part of one big happy family. It was a great day with nine superb fish being caught with an impressive seven of these weighing in at 4lbs and over. Lisnaskea angler Albert Berry took the cup with his 4.98 lb trout. 2nd was Robert Keen at 4.73lbs with Kells angler John Mulvaney on his heels with a 4.47lb fish.
Albert Berry (1st) with his 4.98lbs trout and Larry McAlinden with his 3.83lbs fish
Upcoming Competitions
The McIntyre/Guider Cup
The McIntyre/Guider Cup – Saturday September 29th, starting at Kilnahard 11.0am to 6pm, this is an open fly fishing competition and gives a good warm up before the biggest competition of the season on October 1st. For further information please contact Dessie McEntee on 047 77216 or 086 8937568.
Stream Rehabilitation Competition
Click to download leaflet [pdf]
On Saturday October 6th Lough Sheelin’s angling club The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association will host their annual Stream Rehabilitation Competition starting at Kilnahard from 11am to 6.0pm.
All proceeds of this event go towards the enhancement and rehabilitation of the rivers within the Lough Sheelin catchment.
The club and organisers of this competition, now in its thirteenth year, welcome all anglers who wish to fish one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in Ireland and to experience first-hand the magic and allure of this lake which has the potential to produce the heaviest trout in the country.
Denis O’Keefe Memorial Cup
The LSTPA have added an additional cup on to their list this year, this cup is in honour memory of great angler and Sheelin advocate – Denis O’Keefe and will be awarded to the best member over the 3 senior competitions (Kilroy Cup (18/3/18), the McDonald Cup 9 11/8/18 & The River Enhancement Comp. 6/10/18).
For details please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033
Back she goes… #CPRsavesfish
Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition
The Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition will be held at Lough Sheelin on Sunday October 7th from Kilnahard Pier, 11a.m – 5.30p.m.
Weigh in at 6.30pm and meal at Pat Bannon’s Pub, Ballyjamesduff. Entry fee of €25 taken at Kilnahard.
This competition is for: The Heaviest fish – visitors and The Heaviest fish – Cavan/Monaghan Division Garda Members.
For further details please contact Colin Dodd 086 6000630, Pat Foley 087 2405313 or DessieMcEntee on 086 8937568.
A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times
Extra care is needed when playing and releasing trout during periods of high water temperatures as additional stress at these times will decrease the survival rate of hooked and released fish.
BYE-LAW 949 strictly prohibits:
The taking of any brown trout of less than 36 centimetres.
For a person to fish with more than 2 rods at any one time.
To fish with more than 4 rods at any one time when there is more than one person on board the boat concerned.
For a person to take more than 2 trout per day.
All trolling on the lake from March 1st to June 16th (inclusive).
To fish or to attempt to take or to fish for, fish of any kind other than during the period from March 1st to October 12th in any year.
Join the Club…
For anyone interested in joining Lough Sheelin’s Angling Club – The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033.
We would implore anglers and all other users to wear life jackets for their own safety as well as it being the law.
Life jackets are required by law – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005. Water rarely gives second chances and a life jacket is just that – it saves your life.
Please put on and keep on that life jacket until you are back on dry land.
‘My best fishing memory is about some of the fish that I never caught’ – George Orwell
John Ryan with his superb 5lbs autumn trout
This was another good fishing week on Sheelin with reports of impressive catches of trout breezing in at over 6 and 7 lbs and fish in the double figures coming to the boat. Autumn fishing for brown trout on this wild piscatorial jewel is extra special for it is at this time of the season that our biggest, cagiest and toughest-to-catch browns are starting to move. Specimen trout that normally stay in the deep are now working their way upwards with that seemingly inbuilt knowledge that winter isn’t that far away and so they have a tendency to feed more avidly to lay on that extra layer of fat to sustain them through the rigorous of river migration, spawning and the eventual return to base.
Peadar Smith with one of his Sheelin catches
Water levels are low, with the lake still showing its bones with its bleached shorelines and long stretches of shallows trailing far out into the water particularly around the Tonagh side of the lake.
Although approaching mid-September it feels as if we are only on the cusp of autumn, still clinging to the remnants of summer, in the ‘jumper on, jumper off’ stage as temperatures swing from morning chill to afternoon warmth. Our migrant birds are suddenly gone and there are signs that nature is stocking up ahead of the winter months, with fish being no exception.
11 year old Aaron Flood, Finea with his first Sheelin trout
A quick photo before release #CPRsavesfish
The weather consistently had the last say this week in the fishing here with any breaks of sunshine, blustery conditions or sudden change in wind direction clobbering the good surface movement of fish by effectively and consistently chasing them down to the lower columns. Cloud cover and a certain amount of wind preferably South to South Westerly are the ideal requirements here with variations on this ideal making fishing very possible but more challenging. Time and time again I am told that it is not the rain but the wind that matters so even on those days of wet and cold I found my angler ignoring by negativity by staring distractingly over my head studying the trees for movement.
A plump trout from Tony Grehan caught mid lake on a Chocolate Drop Sedge
With the seasonal chill sneaking in water temperatures are inevitably dropping which would account partially for the increased activity of the trout. The Sheelin trout are continuing to be very visible with follows, bulges, leaps and splashes. Trout are still preforming their aerial dances, leaping free of the water with a sporting exuberance, advertising their presence to the onlooker. There have been no shortage of follows to the pro-offered flies but it is the actual take that can be a bit more elusive. The smaller fish are easier to catch with the theory being that they don’t have the memory of previous hook encounters that their senior counterparts may have had. I have been told to stop trying to compare a trout’s brain to that of a human’s so although it is only the size of a pea (the fish not the human’s) it still contains enough natural wiliness to outwit, most of the time, our more developed intelligence.
Dean Reed, France with his 46cm trout
September fishing here is all about teams of wets and for those persistent dry fly advocates now is a particularly challenging time. There is little or no natural fly on the water during the day. Any insects that are hatching are small which necessitates smaller sizes and a more delicate presentation as well as good eyesight.
Sooty Olive
This month is always synonymous of Daddy and Hoppers. Morning, afternoon and evening is ubiquitous of these gangly aquatic aliens and a few fish were nailed on Daddy patterns during the week and also using traditional patterns with those hopper legs. Breezy days are best for Daddies. On a bright day a Claret Hopper can provide all the silhouette trigger factors that a trout needs. Claret and black are the favourite colours in these patterns. Caddis patterns such as the CDC sedges had some success. September can provide some of the best buzzer fishing so it is worth changing to buzzer patterns for that last hour of light.
The colour claret seems to get its toe in the door on all the patterns that bring in fish on Sheelin – Claret Dabblers, Claret Hoppers, Claret Bumbles and Claret Stimulators. Trout see silhouettes of objects and pick up movement well, rather than intricate detail so the ability to work the fly along with the apparent desirable contrast that claret gives as well as that essential thread of bling as an added attractor is worth a thought.
Claret works well at this time of year
Trout here are feeding on Daphnia so a brightly coloured fly on the bob is a good plan and to head for the deeper water.
Rusheen fly
The Dabblers are featuring heavily here and as both a sedge and fry imitator they seem to be very desirable to the trout. The most popular were the Pearly, Fiery Brown, Claret, Sooty Olive, Silver, Claret Sparkle and International (fished as a top dropper).
John Keating, Tipperary with an impressive 64cm Sheelin trout
Other flies that worked well were the Hopper patterns, the Silver Daddies, Sooty Olive, Gorgeou George, Green tailed Peters, Black Pennell, CDC Sedges, Telephone Flies and Stimulators.
Cian Murtagh, Cavan with his 3-4lb trout caught on a Stimulator Sedge fishing mid lake
The most productive areas for fishing was mid lake, Stony, Merry pt. at the back of Church Island and from Derrahorn down along the Western shoreline.
The heaviest trout over the past number of weeks was a trout of 7lbs caught by Mayo angler John Muldoon using a Claret Dabbler fishing at Merry Pt.
Total number of trout recorded: 71
Selection of Catches
Pat O’Toole, Trim – September 10th 2 trout at 5lbs & 5 ½ lbs on wets.
Martin Smith, Dublin – 2 trout at 4 ½ and 5lbs fishing Claret Stimulators.
Tom O’Malley, Dublin – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ and 4lbs using Leggy Peters, Gorgeous George and Claret Dabblers.
Thomas Harten, Cavan – 1 trout at 5.5 fishing wets.
Paddy Brady, Cavan – 2 trout heaviest at 2lbs on Dabblers.
Frank Kelly, Cavan – 4 trout heaviest at 3 ½ lbs fishing Claret wets.
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham – 4 trout heaviest at 6.25 lbs fishing off Holywell shore using a Pearly Dabbler.
Lawrence Hickey, Dublin – 2 trout at 43cm and 46cm fishing Leggy wet flies.
Stuart Topp, Orkney – 2 trout at 56 and 59cm fishing small Claret Dabblers.
Dean Reed, France – 5 trout heaviest at 4lbs fishing Claret wets.
Cathal McNaughton, Northern Ireland – 1 at 2lbs on a Red Tailed Peter.
Thomas Harten, Cavan with his 5.5lbs trout
Sean Creamer, Tipperary
Stuart Topp, Orkney with another Sheelin fish
Martin Connor, September 13th Lough Sheelin
Lawrence Hicky, Dublin
Christy Cox, Multyfarnham with his beautiful 6.25lbs trout caught using a Pearly Dabbler
The Royal Cup
On Saturday last September 15th local angler Pat Bannon held The Royal Cup on Lough Sheelin. Of all the competitions held on this lake I think this is one of my favourites. Relaxed and informal Pat has the ability of making us all feel like part of one big happy family. It was a great day with nine superb fish being caught with an impressive seven of these weighing in at 4lbs and over. Lisnaskea angler Albert Berry took the cup with his 4.98 lb trout. 2nd was Robert Keen at 4.73lbs with Kells angler John Mulvaney on his heels with a 4.47lb fish.
Albert Berry (1st) with his 4.98lbs trout and Larry McAlinden with his 3.83lbs fish
Upcoming Competitions
The McIntyre/Guider Cup
The McIntyre/Guider Cup – Saturday September 29th, starting at Kilnahard 11.0am to 6pm, this is an open fly fishing competition and gives a good warm up before the biggest competition of the season on October 1st. For further information please contact Dessie McEntee on 047 77216 or 086 8937568.
Stream Rehabilitation Competition
Click to download leaflet [pdf]
On Saturday October 6th Lough Sheelin’s angling club The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association will host their annual Stream Rehabilitation Competition starting at Kilnahard from 11am to 6.0pm.
All proceeds of this event go towards the enhancement and rehabilitation of the rivers within the Lough Sheelin catchment.
The club and organisers of this competition, now in its thirteenth year, welcome all anglers who wish to fish one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in Ireland and to experience first-hand the magic and allure of this lake which has the potential to produce the heaviest trout in the country.
Denis O’Keefe Memorial Cup
The LSTPA have added an additional cup on to their list this year, this cup is in honour memory of great angler and Sheelin advocate – Denis O’Keefe and will be awarded to the best member over the 3 senior competitions (Kilroy Cup (18/3/18), the McDonald Cup 9 11/8/18 & The River Enhancement Comp. 6/10/18).
For details please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033
Back she goes… #CPRsavesfish
Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition
The Cavan/Monaghan Garda Divisional Fly Fishing Championship and Open Competition will be held at Lough Sheelin on Sunday October 7th from Kilnahard Pier, 11a.m – 5.30p.m.
Weigh in at 6.30pm and meal at Pat Bannon’s Pub, Ballyjamesduff. Entry fee of €25 taken at Kilnahard.
This competition is for: The Heaviest fish – visitors and The Heaviest fish – Cavan/Monaghan Division Garda Members.
For further details please contact Colin Dodd 086 6000630, Pat Foley 087 2405313 or DessieMcEntee on 086 8937568.
A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times
Extra care is needed when playing and releasing trout during periods of high water temperatures as additional stress at these times will decrease the survival rate of hooked and released fish.
BYE-LAW 949 strictly prohibits:
The taking of any brown trout of less than 36 centimetres.
For a person to fish with more than 2 rods at any one time.
To fish with more than 4 rods at any one time when there is more than one person on board the boat concerned.
For a person to take more than 2 trout per day.
All trolling on the lake from March 1st to June 16th (inclusive).
To fish or to attempt to take or to fish for, fish of any kind other than during the period from March 1st to October 12th in any year.
Join the Club…
For anyone interested in joining Lough Sheelin’s Angling Club – The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033.
We would implore anglers and all other users to wear life jackets for their own safety as well as it being the law.
Life jackets are required by law – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005. Water rarely gives second chances and a life jacket is just that – it saves your life.
Please put on and keep on that life jacket until you are back on dry land.
Grey Duster Guiding
