Inland Fisheries Ireland is fully committed to the ongoing protection of the Gweebarra fishery in accordance with the High Court judgement of Ms. Justice Laffoy delivered on 19th December 2012.
Anglers wishing to fsh the Gweebarra fishery from the opening of the angling season on 1st April 2017 are required to have a valid licence and permit which are available from the village shop in Doochary or from Glenties Angling Centre (phone 074 9551141) or online at www.donegalanglingholidays.com. Following recent notification from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE) that amending legislation is required to provide explicit powers to Inland Fisheries Ireland to prosecute offences under the Fisheries Acts, Inland Fisheries Ireland has been obliged to withdraw a significant number of prosecution cases around the country.
The Department has further advised that the necessary amending legislation is being progressed urgently and will be put in place in a matter of weeks. Until the amending national legislation is put in place, it has been necessary to withdraw a number of cases, including those related to the Gweebarra fishery which were before the Donegal courts in recent days.
In the interim all current provisions and offences of the Inland Fisheries Acts continue in full force and effect. Consequently anyone who commits an alleged offence remains liable to prosecution within the statutory time frame for initiation of legal proceedings.
James Francis Athlone with his 6+lbs. River Moy Salmon
After the first fish of the season was caught on St. Patrick’s Day, angling on the River Moy system picked up further during the past week with more fish being reported.
On the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water, James Cash, Dublin had a 7 lbs. salmon on worm, while James Francis, Athlone, landed a 6+ lbs. fish on the Foxford Salmon Anglers’ water.
James Francis Athlone with his 6+lbs. River Moy Salmon
On East Mayo, Ian Guegan caught & released an 8 lbs. salmon on a Flying C. This was the first fish of the season for this section of the river.
With water levels dropping further, prospects for the coming weeks look good and it is hoped that more spring fish will be reported in the coming days.
The season kicked off on Carrowmore Lake with two spring salmon last Saturday. Local angler, Mervyn Corway, caught the first salmon of the season weighing in at 14.5 lbs. Later that day, Stephen Corr, Northern Ireland landed a fine 12.5 lbs. fish. Both fish were taken on a Green Peter.
Please note that Carrowmore Lake is a Brown Tag Fishery this year! For fishing on Carrowmore Lake contact Seamus Henry on +353 (0)97 83487 or visit www.bangorerrisangling.com.
Frank Dooley landed the first salmon of the season on opening day 20th March; a fine fresh 8 lbs. fish caught near the Quarry. Later in the week, Edwin Oxlade caught a ten pounder off Clarke’s Point on a Beltra Badger, while Jim Wilson had an 8 lbs. fish in flat calm conditions and bright sunshine.
David McEvoy reports from Delphi where their recent run of luck continued last week…
28 March: To say our weather has been changeable since my last update would be a slight understatement. As usual Paddy’s Day was pretty normal, with almost 60mms of rain and a good wind off the Atlantic to go with it. Many of the parades locally were cancelled due to the inclement weather. The river rose to 100 and this made fishing difficult. When the persistent rain abated we experienced much colder temperatures with the mountain tops once again being covered in snow. Then from last Thursday on we experienced some beautiful spring sunshine with highs of 18.5 degrees C.
Fin Lough
As our anglers last week were from Sweden, who were well used to the inclement weather that we experienced at the beginning of last week.
Arne Forsgren was the first to land a fish
It must be said that their perseverance and skill were duly rewarded with a couple of fish on the bank. There were also a few lost. Hasse Dehlin a very experienced angler managed to hook a fish in the Whin Pool with the gauge at 95 (which was a feat in itself) but the fish came off. The wily old Arne Forsgren was the first to land a fish. He had one of 7lbs 9ozs in the Meadow Pool on the 21st on a Sunrae Shadow. Then the following day Lars Markgren who had lost a fish two days previously due to the lack of a landing net caught a fish of 7lbs 6ozs on a Delphi Collie, again in the Meadow Pool.
Lars caught his salmon in the Meadow Pool
Since then there were fish seen and risen, despite some truly magnificent weather. From Saturday we were then joined by quite a multinational grouping of experienced anglers from Sweden, Germany, the USA and Austria. However, it was the most inexperienced, young Michael Fehringer from Austria who showed the experts how to do it. On his first day’s salmon fishing Michael landed a beautiful fish of 10lbs 12ozs in the Waterfall Pool yesterday evening on a Casacde. Michael was delighted and proudly displayed his first ever salmon to all our guests.
Well done Michael and I’m sure he got some excellent advice from Walter.
At this point in time our water is running at 30 and it looks like the short spell of Mediterranean weather is coming to an end, with some rain due tomorrow, which should top the system up again. We have some cloud cover this afternoon so I’d be hoping for some activity. It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly in April already.
At Delphi Lodge, with many years of experience with the timing of the best runs of fish, we have in place a price system that offers both great value fishing and lets our anglers know when they have the best chance to catch a fresh run spring salmon or a summer grilse or Delphi sea trout.
David Ryan from Cong, Co.Mayo
Fishing Location: Upper Corrib
Collaboration between fishermen and scientists focuses on conservation
Local eel fishermen were celebrated recently at an Information Day hosted by Inland Fisheries Ireland in Athlone. The fishermen, who are involved in Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Scientific Eel Fisheries in different parts of the country, attended the event which aimed to provide an update on the progress made through the Scientific Eel Fisheries and to recognise the contribution of the fishermen to date.
In total, there are eleven fishermen involved in the initiative with many experienced in fishing for eels over several years. Since last year, they have provided support to Inland Fisheries Ireland by helping to fish for eel in a conservation focused manner with a view to gathering necessary data which will help protect the species into the future. Their local expertise and historical knowledge around eels in their local area has given invaluable support to Inland Fisheries Ireland during the set up and delivery of the Scientific Eel Fishery.
Inland Fisheries Ireland commenced the process of setting up a network of scientific fisheries for eel around Ireland in 2016. These scientific fisheries cover the different life stages (glass eel, elver, yellow and silver eel) and are distributed in key catchments around Ireland. The purpose of the fisheries is to increase the knowledge around eels in Ireland ahead of the next EU review of this endangered species and to inform the management of eel populations which are currently in decline.
Attending the Information Day were some of the fishermen involved in the Scientific Eel Fishery.They were pictured with Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO, Dr Cathal Gallagher, Head of Research and Development and Dr Ciara O’Leary, Research Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland:
Oran Roche from Clashmore, Co. Waterford Fishing Location: Munster Blackwater
Jessie Dalton from Delvin, Co. Westmeath Fishing Location: Lough Muckno
Sean Doherty from Cheekpoint, Co. Waterford Fishing Location: Waterford Harbour
Herbie Power from Ballysimon, Co. Limerick Fishing Location: Shannon Estuary
David Ryan from Cong, Co.Mayo Fishing Location: Upper Corrib
Joe Ruddy from Foxford, Co. Mayo Fishing Location: Lough Conn
Kieran Murray from Kilmessan, Co. Meath Fishing Location: Lough Ramor
James Kiernan from Riverstown, Co. Meath Fishing Location: Lough Ramor
Dr Cathal Gallagher, Head of Research and Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The commercial fishermen involved in this project have historical and local knowledge around eel habits in the area. In many cases, this has been passed down through the generations. This important partnership between eel fishermen and research has one shared objective, to improve our knowledge of the state of the eel populations and to ensure their conservation for future generations. Inland Fisheries Ireland appreciates the benefit of Citizen Science programmes such as this one which will preserve the heritage of eel fishing and at the same time deliver on the research requirements needed to report to the EU. I would like to recognise and thank all the fishermen involved for their support.”
Citizen science is growing in popularity and encompasses many different ways in which citizens who are non-scientists, are involved in scientific research projects. The involvement of fishermen in the Scientific Eel Fisheries plays an important role in respecting the tradition and heritage of eel fishing in Ireland. Many of the fishermen come from families where eel fishing has been practised across several generations with local expertise and knowledge passed down through the years.
Munster Coarse Anglers were back at O’Briens Bridge on Sunday to fish the final of their Winter League. the club had a new shield commissioned for the event, the Barry Smith Memorial Shield, in memory of popular club member Barry Smith who sadly passed away last year.
On the day of the competition the conditions were not as kind as last week when some decent weights were caught. It would be fair to say that clear water and bright sunshine made it hard going at this year’s Muster Coarse Anglers final Winter league match at O’Brien’s Bridge Every fish counted give the tough conditions
Results
The results were as follows:
1st Ian Kelsey 5lb 9oz
2nd Kevin Leahy 3lb 5oz
3rd Martin Bobka 2lb 2oz
After the points were calculated this meant that the winner of the Winter League and first name on the Barry Smith Memorial Shield is Martin Bobka Martin Bobka, Ian Kelsey and Richard Bedford
1st Martin Bobka
2nd Ian Kelsey
3rd Richard Bedford
Winter League table Munster Coarse Angling Club 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
David Tantrum reports that the trout in Knockaderry are not now taking lures so readily and can be found in the shallow shore lines amongst the weeds feeding on corixidae (Water Boatmen) and water louse.
Bugs from the shallows – trout love these!
The lake has been lightly fished and is now responding to slowly fished nymphs with hatches of lake olives and and the duck fly to come. There is plenty of room in 90 acres and boats for hire.
Waterford Flyfishing club
Carrigavantry – This 30 acre reservoir is hidden in the hills behind Tramore. The lake can be fished from the dam and road and the rest of the lake shore needs waders. The deepest part is the island at 10 feet. Prolific hatches of lake olives and damsels occur. Stocking is with both browns and rainbows. You could loose your catch here to a 20lb Pike!
Knockaderry – The deepest part of the lake is 24 feet at the dam tower, the average depth is 6ft and this results in good weed growth. Trout fatten fast in this fertile water on caddis, snails and stickle backs, while lake olives, buzzers, sedges and damsels bring on prolific rises. This 80 acre reservoir is a traditional top of the water drift fishery.
New members are welcome and an active programme of fly tuition is pursued to encourage beginners and get our youth out into the countryside.
Ireland’s International Feeder Friendly Challenge took place on Loughs Sillan and Namachree yesterday. The conditions were not ideal with a cold & frosty start followed by flat calm waters but the fishing followed.
All the teams
Team Ireland retained their title winning with 13.5 points. In second place was Lithuania with 20 points and 3rd and 4th place was very close between Poland and Romania.
It was a bright sunny day
How the teams fared
Ireland 13.5 pts
Lithuania 20 pts
Poland 33 pts
Romania 33.5 pts
Philip Jackson
Well done to the individual winners with Philip Jackson 1st with a weight of 9.02kg for Ireland, Second Donatas Nekrasius with 4.94kg for Lithuania and Rory Dunne in third place again for Ireland with 4.700kg.
Besides the scores this was a great event with friendly banter all round and an ideal opportunity for clubs and nations to get together. Roll on next year! Well done to everyone who took part. See you on the bank again soon…..
National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland
Report courtesy ofthe National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, members of the Angling Council of Ireland, Ireland’s National Governing Body for coarse and predator angling. www.ncffi.ie
Christopher Defillon holding a beautiful wild trout from Lough Sheelin, March 20th
That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.
— Abraham Lincoln
Christopher Defillon holding a beautiful wild trout from Lough Sheelin, March 20th
North winds, veering from westerly to easterly, sliced across Lough Sheelin for the bulk of this week accompanied by plummeting temperatures of minus 4C mixed with snow, sleet, hail and rain making fishing conditions a little uncomfortable on this lake. Our comrades from overseas don’t apparently feel the cold like we Irish do because despite near baltic conditions a day never passed this week without an angler or two, usually of foreign descent fishing this lake.
Finea, Lough Sheelin, March 21st 2017
We thought that spring/summer had finally come in the previous week when temperatures rose and a warmth took us all pleasantly unawares. But as it turned out it was like being given something lovely only to have it snatched back. In Cavan when we get a good warm spell of weather, weather that comes out of the blue in a place in a season that is normally cold, I can put a fairly safe bet on that someone here will eventually say in the midst of that most welcome warmth – ‘we’ll pay for this later on’ and these predictable gloomy words were what I thought of as we battled with the arctic elements out on Lough Sheelin for most of this week.
‘Spotted Lovely Creature’ Happiness is a trout from Lough Sheelin – Andrius from Lithuanian fishing club Go&Catch with his fish
The Hatches
It is safe to say that there was no surface fly on the lake for most of this week and with the ensuing cold the trout sunk even further into the deeper recesses of the lake, this was backed up by the fact that 99% of the trout catches recorded were caught on large lures, short leaders and fast sink lines and most were out in the deepest parts of this lake. Any of the historical literature on early season fishing on Lough Sheelin will inform anglers that the best fishing in March and early April is mainly along rocky shores, exposed points and the shallows. Trout in a ‘normal’ early season would feed close to the shore over shallow water on asellus, shrimp, snail, caddis and other benthic organisms, these fish are cold blooded and with the high water and cold temperatures the trout will be lethargic so instead of moving to the shallows (and because there is no incentive inducing surface food) our Sheelin trout are conserving energy by staying put, in the very lower water columns and feeding on the bottom of this great lake. As one Dublin angler aptly put it the Sheelin trout are antipodean trout – down under like Australia and as far away as possible from the angler.
Stephan Preiss, Dublin with his 3.98lb winning trout
As the weekend hit in the weather changed and for the weekend we were treated to wall to wall sunshine with temperatures rising up to 18 degrees, effectively the unpredictability of the Irish weather has treated us to four seasons in one week. From bitter colds of minus four to tropical highs of 18, it’s a wonder we don’t coagulate. Despite the lunging swing in weather conditions little changed with the fishing on Lough Sheelin. Night temperatures were low ensuring that water temperatures remained low and any increase on this will be very slow. With the mid-day heat there were some buzzer hatches in the bays and sheltered areas but little surfacing of trout to these. It will take at least another 2 -3 weeks before Sheelin’s trout start moving to the surface to feed on fly.
The Catches
Gina Tanczos, Hungary with one of her trout on Sheelin, March 19th 2017
Hungary native Gina Tanczos has fallen in love with Lough Sheelin and has caught an impressive number of those elusive early season trout despite this only being her second outing on this lake. She was accompanied and guided by Christopher Defillon who has had a number of successes himself on Sheelin. Gina celebrated her 26th birthday in style last Sunday by catching the weight of the week, a beautiful 6 pounder. This is one newcomer who is worth watching out for on Ireland’s trout angling scene.
Dominic Murphy, Dublin fishing with Lough Sheelin Guiding
With strong and gusty North Westerly and Easterly winds, areas of lake fished were governed by wind direction. The most successful areas were out in the deep, in the middle of the lake, at the back of Church Island, into Chambers Bay & Kilnahard and around Stony Island, Curry Pt, Long Rock and Merry Pt.
Christopher Defillon (085 964369) March fishing on Sheelin
The heaviest fish for this week was a trout of 6lbs caught by Gina Tanczos, Hungary. this was one of 39 trout reported by anglers in the last week.
Cal Healy, Cork fishing with Lough Sheelin Guiding with his 47 cm trout
Cal Healy, Cork – 1 trout at 47cm on a Fiery Dabbler.
Dominic Murphy, Dublin – 1 trout at 50cm fishing around Church Island.
Christopher Defillon, Navan ([email protected]) – 14 trout heaviest at 6 lbs, averaged weights at 3 – 4lbs.
Matis Andrulis, Dublin – 2 trout, heaviest at 4lbs.
Azuolas Mikenas, Wexford – 3 trout using Minkies, heaviest at 4½ lbs, Curry Island.
Aleksander Kowalski, Navan – 4 trout on Humungus, Minkies and Snakes, heaviest 5lbs.
Alojzy Zielinski, Dublin – 2 trout heaviest at 3lbs, March 26th fishing mid lake.
Dariusz Mazur and Iwan Zajac, Dublin – 5 trout heaviest at 5lbs using lures fishing the western side of the lake, March 25th.
From Artic to Mediterranean – Lough Sheelin Friday March 24th – a beautiful catch from Christopher Defillon
The Flies
Sweeney Todd – Kevin Sheridan
The Sweeney Todd fished on the point of a sink tip can bring results early season on Lough Sheelin. This streamer was invented by two gentlemen – Richard Walker and Peter Thomas. The origin of this black lure’s name stems from the front end of the body i.e. the throat is red. The blood thirsty history behind the name of this fly was that in the first half of the 1800s in Britain there was a murderer called Sweeney Todd. He was a barber, and once when he shaved the face of a customer he followed on by cutting the man’s throat with the razor. This fly is supposed to resemble the throat of the customer and the throat hackle which is crimson expresses the blood flowing out. All a bit gruesome but it still works.
Cat Muddler
The most successful flies & lures for this week were the Humungus (in gold and silver), Minkies, Snakes, Zonkers, Muddlers, Golden Olive Bumble, the Hare’s Ear, the Silver Dabbler, the Fiery Brown Dabbler, the Claret Dabbler, the Claret Bumble, Bibios, the Silver Invicta, the Connemara Black, Black Pennell and the Sooty Olive.
Minkie – Kievin Sheridan
The Butcher is a traditional wet fishing fly which can be fished as a mini lure, with its extra flash of red hackle at the head making it a great attractor which can work well when the trout are interested in small fish (and they are at the moment). This fly is best on the point and fished deep and slow.
The Black ButcherCats Whisker – Kevin SheridanDawson Zonker (Arshan Khan)For early season it is all lures – Two Tone Zonker (Arshan Khan)Bibio Muddler Variants – the muddler head creates an attracting vibration in the water which can result in a take
For anyone interested in joining Lough Sheelin’s Angling Club – The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033.
Gary McKiernan of Lough Sheelin guiding with one of the biggest trout that he caught this week on Sheelin (62cm)
All anglers are required to have a Fishery Permit to fish Lough Sheelin which must be purchased before going out on the lake.
A Catch and Release policy is strongly encouraged at all times.
Please remember anglers to abide by BYE-LAW 790 which strictly prohibits
All trolling on the lake from March 1st to April 30th (inclusive).
From May 1st to June 15th – no trolling between 7pm –6am and no trolling under engine between 6am – 7pm and
June 16th – October 12th – no trolling under engine between 7pm – 6am.
No trout less than 14 inches should be taken from the lake
‘When you let your birthday present swim away’ Gina Tanczos releasing her personal best on Sheelin (a trout of 6 lbs)
Lifejackets
5 year old Noah Breen Johnson isn’t taking any chances on the water this season and neither should you
Water rarely gives second chances and a life jacket is just that – it saves your life.Life jackets are required by law – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005.
We would implore anglers and all other users to wear life jackets for their own safety as well as it being the law.
Please put on and keep on that life jacket until you are back on dry land.
Grey Duster Guiding
