Mick Flanagan reports on the trout fishing on Lough Owel…
Earlier last week we did a few hours trolling on Owel, and had some success on small rubber lures, trout and perch colors working best. It was a brutal cold day and it pelted down snow for about forty minutes.
The trout were taking small lures
I met L.O.T.P.A. officers Stan and Chris McKeon launching their boat for the coming season, and no more that my self that’s not Snow on their heads. I like to call them highlights, and they say when you go Gray you never go bald. Now you learn something every day. Stan told me the Ace Cup trout fly fishing competition date has being changed from April 16th, and will be fished on April 23rd. This we will feature in the coming weeks.
Alan Thomas with his 4lber
Lough Owel produced some super brown trout during the week, and our pal Alan Thomas from Carrickfergus is pictured with a trout just short of 4lbs. Local angler Johnny Corcoran was also having a ball of a time on Owel, and had quite a few nice trout on the troll.
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.
Killinarden Angling Initiative has been selected for sponsorship from Inland Fisheries Ireland to support its Open Day aimed at promoting inclusion and awareness. The initiative was formed in 2014 and is based in Killinarden Community Centre in Tallaght; the main goal is to help with youth development, social inclusion and cross community relationships… InTallaght.ie, 27/03/17. Read the full article ‘Angling for Inclusion‘.
The contribution of Delvin fisherman Jessie Dalton to the delivery of a Scientific Eel Fishery in Lough Muckno was acknowledged at an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) information day in Athlone. Jessie is one of 11 fishermen in different areas in Ireland who are involved in the initiative. IFI’s Information Day for the fishermen aimed to provide an update on the progress made through the Scientific Eel Fisheries and to recognise the contribution of the fishermen to date… Westmeath Examiner, 28/03/17. Read the full article ‘Westmeath fisherman celebrated by IFI‘.
Paddy Halpin, IFI Limerick, tells us there’s not much to report from the Feale for the past week…
We had a few anglers out from the Finuge Fishery to the Abbeyfeale Fishery and just the one Salmon was reported. It was caught in the Listowel area on worm on Sunday last and was a freshly run fish of 8lbs.
Water levels are still good especially for fly anglers at the moment. Not much rain given down for the coming days but hopefully we will get some to move a few fish up through the system and maybe have a better report for you this time next week.
Go fishing…
The River Feale is among the outstanding salmon and sea trout rivers of Ireland. The River rises in the mountain district of North Co Cork and flows westerly for 75 km (46 miles) through the county towns of Abbeyfeale and Listowel and enters the sea south of Ballybunion. For the final 10 kms (6 miles) of its course, it is known as the Cashen River. Throughout its meandering journey to the sea it flows through a picturesque landscape of heather bog land, fertile valleys and rolling hills. Its main tributaries, flowing from both North and South, combine to add in excess of 160 kms (100 miles) of fishable waters.
About 50% of the main River Feale and the Smearlagh River is controlled by 5 angling clubs. These clubs are some of the best angling waters and each club offers day tickets for visiting anglers.
North Kerry Anglers Association issues daily & weekly permits for fishing on 9 miles of the Feale & Smearlagh rivers. Web: www.northkerryanglers.com
Killocrim/Finuge Angling Club
Killocrim/Finuge Angling Club control approximately 6.5 kms (4 miles) of water downstream of Listowel. Web:killocrimfinugefishingclub.com
Brosna / Mountcollins Angling Club
Brosna / Mountcollins Angling Club control about 13 kms (8 miles) of double bank fishing from below the Owveg River confluence, up past Mountcollins, to within a short distance of Ahuan Bridge. Tel: +353 68 44251
For any angling query please contact the Limerick office at [email protected] or by phone 061-300238.
Brown tags
Brown tag fishery: Under the salmon tagging regulations, this year the River Feale is designated as a brown tag fishery.The brown tags for the River Feale bear the code F3. Anglers must affix a brown tag along with a blue tag to any salmon which is retained. This means that salmon retained on the River Feale will have two tags attached. All brown tags (including 1st tag) will be issued from IFI officers ONLY . Please ring 087-7639236 to arrange to receive your first brown tag prior to commencing fishing
Additional brown tags will only be issued by IFI staff, they may be contacted at 087-7639236 and they will arrange to meet and issue an additional tag upon verification that the previous brown tag has been used, i.e. a fish has been caught and recorded in the logbook.
1 brown tag will be issued at a time to each angler.
If you acquired a 1 day or 21 day licence which has expired, or you have finished fishing for the season, and you have not used the brown tag then this must be surrendered to an IFI officer prior to departure by phoning 087-7639236. IFI would like to thank you for your co-operation with this.
If an angler has used his brown tag or doesn’t have a brown tag in his possession to use then he must fish catch and release methods, i.e.single barbless hook and no worms.
Brown tags will continue to be issued until the angling quota is reached.
To report a suspected pollution or poaching activity please contact the 24 hour hotline on 0818 34 74 24
Trout angling report Monday 20th to Sunday 26thMarch 2017.
Lough Melvin was fairly quiet over the week but there were a few more boats out at the weekend. The trout fishing picked up however with a few rods reporting fair sport on wet flies in the shallows.
For info/Guides/boat hire on Lough Melvin contact Sean Maguire’s Tackle Shop, Main Street, Garrison. Tel: 0044 7871443304
For bookings/guides etc on the Rossinver Fishery contact Bill McNeary, Tel: 071 9854930 or Jim Hoye, Tel: 0831197428
For info see http://www.rossinverfishery.com/
Eddie Roulston recorded an 11½lb salmon caught on a Rapala
River Drowes report – 20 March to 26 March
Water levels were fairly high on the Drowes all week. The gauge was reading 0.88m on Monday and the gauge had risen to 0.9 metres by Sunday. Still, the salmon won’t complain! There were a dozen or so salmon caught over the week.
On Monday, Eddie Roulston recorded an 11½lb salmon caught on a Rapala lure from the Grazing’s.
Eddie Roulston recorded an 11½lb salmon caught on a Rapala
On Thursday, Pat McManus reported a 6lb salmon caught on a Copper Flying ‘C’ from the Mill Pool.
On Friday, Dermot McNeice recorded a 7½lb salmon caught on prawn from the Boat House. Brian Doherty reported a 9lb salmon caught on a Rapala from the Blackwater and Packy McDermot accounted for a 9lb salmon caught on a Flying ‘C’ lure from the Trout Pool.
On Saturday, Rory Morin recorded a 9lb salmon caught on a Willie Gunn tube fly from Briney’s and Brett McKee accounted for two salmon weighing 7½ & 6lb caught on worm from the Mill Pool and the Meadow with the smaller of these being released again.
On Sunday, Heiko Wintercrieg reported a 7lb salmon caught on a Willie Gunn fly from the Crooked Hole and there was another 4 salmon caught with 2 of these released of which we still await details.
The drier weather will see the river drop and prospects look very good over the coming week.
Lough Melvin
Lough Melvin was fairly quiet over the week but there were a few more boats out at the weekend. However, we have yet to hear of a salmon caught.
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
For info/Guides/boat hire on Lough Melvin contact Sean Maguire’s Tackle Shop, Main Street, Garrison. Tel: 0044 7871443304
For bookings/guides etc on the Rossinver Fishery contact Bill McNeary, Tel: 071 9854930 or Jim Hoye, Tel: 0831197428
For info see http://www.rossinverfishery.com/
On Saturday Glenda hosted a number of anglers on a March beginner Spey Casting course in lovely weather.
Glenda Powell from from the Blackwater Salmon Fishery where celebrity angler Keith Barry had one lovely salmon on Monday 27 March and reported 2 other anglers losing a fish each.
There was another salmon caught on of of the fishery’s lower beats on Sunday Morning.
Spey casting instruction
On Saturday Glenda hosted a number of beginner spey casters on an Introduction to Spey Casting Course which was very well received.
Glenda writes in her latest newsletter:
This week we had two Salmon caught in two days and four Salmon lost. We thought that Summer was here with temperatures of 16 degrees and we were fishing is shirt sleeves. The weather is back to normal again today with overcast sky and soft rain.
The river is at a wonderful height for fishing. Anna (my daughter) and I are leaving for the EWF Show in Germany this evening and will be back on Monday.
To book fishing over the weekend please contact Noel on 085 7220923.
Go fishing…
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.
29 March: One more spring salmon has been reported caught since our last update. Weighing 10lb, it was covered in sea lice and caught on spinner.
Spring on the Bandon
Conditions are still very good for fishing and the river is experiencing a decent rise in water levels this evening. This, paired with 4m high tides, means prospects are excellent for the coming days.
Water Level: 0.09m
Water Temp: 12.1 degrees Celsius.
Update 31/01: River has risen a foot and more rain on way. Set up nicely for weekend sport
Go Fishing…
For the new year, Bandon Angling Association have set up a new website which you can view here. A new guiding service has been launched in conjunction with Jason Nash, Peter Aspinwall and Phil Dewey. Details of the guiding service are provided on the website and they are looking forward to making memories and enhancing people’s fishing experiences on the river Bandon. Web: https://bandonangling.com/
Billy Downes reports that as of 28 March the Laune was at a beautiful 1.3m, ideal for all methods.
Heading up the river
A few fish have been landed from the Laune in recent weeks and some good sea trout also – up to 3 lbs. Mostly spinning at this stage.
Outlook is improving as tides very favourable also.
Billy Downes, Secretary Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association
Go fishing…
Day permits are the same as last year €25 to the end of July and €35 for the months of August and September. Be sure to display your permit on the dash of your car with the date and permit number visible and have the other part with you because you will be asked by members to identify yourself as a legitimate ‘One Day Member’ / Permit Holder.
Judy from Colorado, caught a cracker of a 12 ½ lbs. Salmon on the troll
Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane where the warm weather of the weekend revitalised the fishing…
23/3/17 All the Lough Currane anglers caught today was a frozen asset as temperatures plummeted, as my Noble Salmon froze the angler into defeat and into despair and why you ask yourself, its simple, they lack professionalism and the best of all they lack ability in all departments and the truth of the pudding is in the eating of. Wind East light to calm with bright sunshine. Amount of rainfall yesterday 0.1mm. Maximum air temperature 9.3c. Minimum 3.0c.
24/3/17 There were 5 boats out on this day, with bright sunshine all day with a light East wind this morning then veered West this afternoon, light with hardly a cloud in site all day and in the words of one Gillie all I caught today was Duck fly at the back of my throat, well at least the news of the Duck fly is good news so it won’t be long before the first specimen Sea Trout will be caught, fly anglers take note. Wind as already stated. Max air temperature 9.3c. Minimum 5.8.c.
Tham
25/3/17 All the Salmon headlines go to local angler Mr. Anulak Hitmiangsong and for good reason, Tham caught a fine 10lbs. Salmon on the troll off the point of Grassy Island and quote of the day is, Honourable Son-in-law 1. Honourable Father-in-law 0 so let battle commence. Now for the rest of the news There were 6 boats out in total. Wind West light with clear blue sky’s and bright sunshine all day. Maximum air temperature 14.3c. Minimum 3.5c.
26/3/17 All the headlines go to Mr. Maurice Quinlan Kenneigh, Caherciveen, he caught a cracker of a 9lbs. Salmon, while trolling with his good friend and Gillie Mr. Terence Wharton junior. Wind SE light to fresh with bright sunshine all day. Yesterday’s air temperatures, maximum 18.8c Minimum 1.5c.
Judy from Colorado, caught a cracker of a 12 ½ lbs. Salmon on the troll
27/3/17 It was Lady’s day on Lough Currane today and for good reason, US Angler Judy from Colorado, caught a cracker of a 12 ½ lbs. Salmon on the troll while fishing with her Gillie and just for the record this is the biggest Salmon caught so far this season so congratulations to Judy, just for the record Judy is staying with local Jim Hall of Triphailme on Cliff Rd, Waterville. Now for the rest of today’s angling news there isn’t any for the simple reason the other 5 boats failed miserably in their duties. Wind SE fresh with bright sunshine all day. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 17.8c. Minimum 7.4c.
28/3/17 Straight to quote of the day and fish of the day. Local Gillie Mr. Bob Priestley caught a fine 9 lbs. Salmon on the troll, I asked Bob you must be delighted and Bob replied, it took me 8 weeks to catch my first Salmon, wouldn’t you be delighted, if you took 8 weeks to catch your first Salmon. Now to the photography department, we have a new Salmon paparazzi photographer, yes the one and only Mr. Robert Elson of The Crescent B+B Lower Waterville, Co. Kerry. Tel:+353 66 9478530 As you can see by the photos I will have to watch it. Wind South strong and overcast with showers. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 17.8c. Minimum 9.4c.
29/3/17 There was some cracking fishing on the Waterville Fishery today, so lets get to the action. We start on the world Famous Butler Pool and for good reason renowned Waterville Golfer Mr. Liam Higgins, caught a fine 12 lbs. Salmon on the fly this morning. Now for the Butler Pool quote of the day, comes from Liam’s Daughter Lynda Higgins and I quote, two in one week, not bad going, think he should pack in the golf and take up fishing, well I would beg to differ because Liam is making we pro anglers look like amateurs so my advise is stick to the golf! Now we head down stream to the mighty Lough Currane and Straight the Mouth of the Commeragh Dr. Tim O’Connor of Cork and Waterville caught a cracker of a lightening fresh 10 lbs. Salmon on the fly, while fishing with his gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com Now we head for the trolling department, French angler Mr. Pierre Loyer of Paris, France, caught a cracker of a 10 lbs. Salmon on the troll while fishing with his Gillie and finished his day off with two fine Brown Trout. Wind South fresh and overcast with showers. Amount of rainfall yesterday 5.2mm.
That is your ration from the last week on Lough Currane, from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts. Vincent Appleby
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
