Brian McEvoy’s salmon caught on Melvin last week. This is the 2nd Salmon caught on Melvin for 2017 and the 1st for the Rossinver Fishery
Lough Melvin was fairly quiet with only a few boats venturing forth each day but the first two Melvin salmon of the season were caught this week.
Brian McEvoy’s salmon caught on Melvin last week. This is the 2nd Salmon caught on Melvin for 2017 and the 1st for the Rossinver Fishery
On Thursday, Stephen Kennedy recorded the 1st salmon of the season. This was a 9½lb salmon caught trolling at the sunken island near the County River. On Saturday, Brian McEvoy recorded the 2nd salmon of the season. There was also a 9½lb salmon caught trolling at Wards Point.
The forecast for the 1st 4 days of the week is for fine settled weather and I would expect a few boats to venture out in such weather.
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/
Julian Ciconte with his fish from the Wash Stones on Tuesday. Pic courtesy J. Ciconte
Water levels on the Drowes were a little high this week with the river slowly dropping from around 0.85m on the gauge. The weather was fairly mild and pleasant over the week for the main part. There were 3 salmon caught over the week.
Julian Ciconte with his fish from the Wash Stones on Tuesday. Pic courtesy J. Ciconte
On Tuesday, Julian Ciconte recorded a 12lb salmon caught on a Flying ‘C’ lure from the Wash Stones.
There was a salmon caught on Thursday of which we are awaiting details and on Saturday, Robert Logan accounted for a 9lb salmon caught on a Cascade Fly from the Blackwater.
There was also a fresh salmon hooked and lost on Sunday.
The forecast for the first 4 days of the week is for fine dry weather and this should ensure the river drops to more desirable levels.
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
David McEvoy reports from Delphi where after a quiet February a few more salmon were caught at the end of last week…
11 March: Well after what can only be described as a slow February from a fishing viewpoint, we finally have a few fish running and this week we have had three in two days.
Rudi Groener bagged our second fish of the season, a lovely sea liced fish of 7lbs5ozs taken from the Whin Pool on Thursday. Water levels were 55 at the time and the fish took a Cascade Tube. Rudi has been fishing since Saturday and it was indeed just reward for all the effort he put in during the week.
Rudi’s 7lb 5oz salmon from the Whin Pool
Werner then hit the jackpot with two fish in 20 minutes. The first was landed in the Horseshoe Pool on a Cascade Tube and was approx. 8lbs. The second twenty minutes later was taken in the Waterfall, again on a Cascade Tube and weighed in at 8lbs5ozs. Water levels at the time were 58.
As I said earlier February was slow, with Bob Hadden landing the first of the season. There was another lost about a week later and one or two more seen but none landed despite some hardened and expert anglers.
After a closed season that could only be described as extremely dry and calm by Delphi standards, with rainfall amounting to 524.15mms (20.6”), compared to 1192.6mms (46.95”) for the same period the previous year. It was indeed rather unusual but it did make the winter that much shorter for all those living on the west coast. February was also relatively dry with only 187mms (7.36”) and most of this came in the last 10 days of the month. This put the river well up with the gauge being over 65 most days. March to date seems to be back to normality with 158mms (6.22”) to date so water levels have continued to stay high with the gauge still at 55 today. It looks like we have a nice week weather wise coming up so conditions should be ideal as the water will stay at an excellent fishing height all week.
There are rods available so if anyone is interested just give us a shout as we are full for the last two weeks in March. For anyone thinking ahead there is also availability in the last week of July and into August which I believe should be good this year. I can’t guarantee this but I would be hopeful of a good grilse run.
Hopefully I’ll be blogging again in a couple of days to give glowing reports of more fish.
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.
Angling tourists visiting Waterville, Co. Kerry spend €644 per trip
Angler tourists to Waterville, Co. Kerry spend on average €644 during their stay, according to research published today by Inland Fisheries Ireland with assistance from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The research, which was carried out with the Waterville Lakes and River Trust, highlights the significant recreational and economic value of the fisheries resource to the area.
The Waterville Angler Survey, which surveyed 207 anglers during the 2015 angling season found that, on average, angling visitors to Waterville spend €644 per fishing trip or €114 per day. The impact of this expenditure is far reaching across the local community with €451 spent on non-angling items such as accommodation, restaurants/cafes and groceries and €193 of angling expenditure on items such as angling guides, boat hire and equipment.
The daily spend of anglers in Waterville (€114) far exceeds the spending of non-angling visitors to Ireland. Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Facts Report 2015 cites expenditure of non-angling visitors and holiday makers at €68 and €89 per person per day in 2015.
Angling visitors also show huge loyalty to Waterville which is a renowned fishing destination for domestic and overseas anglers. Of those surveyed, 40 per cent have visited the area more than 20 times with 60 per cent visiting 10 times or more, an extremely high return rate in tourism terms. Anglers tend to spend a few days in the area with almost a quarter (24 per cent) staying longer than a week, 25 per cent staying two nights and a further 24 per cent staying two or three nights. An incredible 99.5 per cent of those surveyed said they would like to return to Waterville again.
Angling was often the sole attraction of the area to these visitors with 40 per cent taking part in no alternative activities during their stay. The majority of anglers travelled to Waterville with friends or family with two thirds (68 per cent) reporting that their party contained between two to four anglers who fished during their stay. They came from Great Britain (17.5 per cent), mainland Europe (5 per cent), other overseas areas (2 per cent) and Ireland (75.5%).
Angling in Waterville, Co Kerry
Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Waterville is one of Ireland’s many precious fishing locations. Ireland is known for its indigenous wild fish populations and beautiful scenery which make it a top angling destination. This research in the Waterville area confirms that angling is bringing huge economic value to this rural community. We know that anglers to Waterville often visit outside of the Summer Months (May 40 per cent, April 28 per cent and October 19 per cent), thereby extending the season for tourism season providers. Anglers also tend to develop a relationship with an area which can lead to them taking multiple trips per year.
We cannot underestimate the importance of protecting this resource both in terms of our responsibility to the aquatic habitat and the fish that live there, but also to the community and local businesses which benefit hugely from the resource throughout the year.”
For more information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .
Jason O’Riordan is running two small stillwater angling courses for flyfishers later this a month; a Match the Hatch course and a Stillwater Tactics course. Details below.
Well it was a mild and relatively dry winter, but the Atlantic certainly made up for that over the last week with torrential rain and high winds at times, and water levels have risen in most areas. Some rivers are in flood, while some are benefiting from the extra water, particularly the Drowes, where 7 spring salmon were taken for the week. The conditions made for tough fishing on Lough Currane, where fresh fish were in short supply. On the Bandon and the Laune, floods need to recede a bit more for anglers to have a chance.
Anglers on Corrib were thin on the ground (or water!) last week, with heavy rain and cold temperatures putting many off, although an improvement this week should see more activity. Despite the conditions, anglers who did venture out encountered some great trout, both on the troll and flyfishing. Despite the inclement weather, Waterford City Anglers had fantastic sport on Saturday, where it took 18 trout on Carrigavantry to win a competition. Further north, Lough Sheelin opened on the 1st, and Gina Tanczos from Hungary opened the lake’s account with a beautiful trout, which is our Catch of the Week.
Gina Tanczos, Hungary with her beautiful first day of the season Sheelin trout which wins our Catch of the Week
Rising water levels have impacted on pike angling, and much smaller bags than usual were reported from the final qualifier of the National Pike Championships, which was won by Paul McCarthy with 7 fish for just under 15lbs.
Sea anglers are a hardy bunch, and the weather didnt deter anglers aboard Kit Dunne’s boat out of Wicklow on Saturday, with 10 specimen spurdog already caught by 11am! Shore anglers in Cork also enjoyed some sport, with the West Cork anglers venturing east to Ballinwilling for a competition and recording some nice fish, including a good painted ray for Danny O’Riordan.
Danny O Riordan with a nice 72cm Painted Ray
The forecast for the coming week is much more spring-like, with temperatures getting milder, even into the mid-teens Celsius, and while some rain is forecast, not as much as last week and water levels should continue to moderate.
Declan Gibbons reports on a quieter week on Corrib, due to a rise in water levels and temperatures staying low – angling activity was down on the previous fortnight.
Fish caught were taken on brickeen, roach and fry patterns for those that were fly fishing. Those anglers that did venture out were rewarded with some good fishing for the time of year. Castlebar angler Ken Greally with a lovely early season trout off Corrib. Ken was fishing with angling guide Peter Corcoran.
Ken Greally from Castlebar had a wonderful day fishing on Lough Corrib in the Kilbeg area on Sunday last with his old friend and fishing guide Peter Corcoran. Peter is available to guide for fishing and pleasure outings on the Great Western Lakes. You do not have to be an experienced angler to enjoy a day on the lake. Peter has many years of experience as both a fisherman and guide. He can be contacted at 086 0483583 or by email [email protected].
In the Cornamona area on Saturday last Paul Geraghty from Ashbourne had his first trip of the season with friend Derek Maguire also from Ashbourne fished out of Richard Molloy’s at Ballard Boat Hire (087-2879339) were trolling roach for a few hours and had good success and Derek had 3 Trout between 4lb and 7lb all sportingly released. Paul Geraghty, from Ashbourne, Co. Meath, with a fine Corrib trout of approx. 5lbs. The fish was sportingly returned after the photo
Also in the Cornamona area Mike Shanks and Paddy Kinneavy were out on Saturday last for a few hours and had a fish each for their endeavours on wet flies.
On Saturday and Sunday last Barry Molloy and Mark Gibbons enjoyed good fishing on the brickeen, having 4 fish each day with the fish between 1.25lbs and 2.75lbs. Ashbourne angler Derck McGuire with a lovely Corrib trout caught recently
Finally, a late report that I omitted from the opening week’s report – Mike Moore from the Commercial Boat Club kindly sent in a photo from opening day, where Dan Clabby hooked, landed and very quickly released this large well wintered hen brown trout. The trout, which was taken on a trolled bait, was not weighed but is estimated to be well into double figures. A 4lbs trout and a very large pike completed the opening day fishing for Dan. Dan Clabby unhooking his fine trout, estimated well into double figures, and taken on opening day on Lower Lough Corrib, 15 Feb 2017
Kit Dunne’s report on his east coast fishing adventure was short but sweet. Reporting on how his crew of anglers got on on Saturday, Kit said “10 specimen spurdog and it’s only 11 am- great day and company!”
Gordon with a good looking spurdogPaddy Swan had a specimen spurdog too
We can only assume that the arms were hanging off him after continuing to catch at that phenomenal rate and he couldn’t manage to write anymore when he got back to shore…
Go fishing…
Angling Charters are offered on a full-day, half-day and evening trip basis and can be tailored to suit your needs. Two boats available – Lisin and Castle Maiden. All levels of anglers are catered for. Anglers will benefit from your skipper’s angling experience and local knowledge with advice and guidance on-hand at all times.
SPECIALIST ANGLING CHARTERS
Specialist Angling Charters are offered for those who wish to target specific species, specimen fish or try new methods of angling.
ANGLING COACHING
Whether you’re a Club, Individual, School or Junior yo
Another good spurdog for Wicklow Boat Charters
u can have an angling coaching session or programme tailored to suit your needs.
Big easterlies caused a venue change for the Menapia Sea Angling Club’s latest leg of their masters, fished at the end of February. Furlongs Road, Kilgore was the back up venue and fishing proved hard on the night.
Triple shot of whiting
Taking his second win in a row was Joe Carley with 18 fish which included Whiting, Dabs and flounder. Second place went to Paul Roche with 17 fish and in third place was new member Norbet Laktos with 15 fish. Norbet also won the longest fish with a bass of 49cm, one of several caught and released on the night.
Norbet Laktos won the longest fish with this 49cm bass
Upcoming events
Next competition Sunday the 12th Ballyhack area
Join the Club…
The Menapia Sea Angling Club was founded in 2000, by a small handful of Wexford anglers. It was felt that to retain and grow interest & membership of a successful club, it would have to engage a wide variety shore-angling, that would cater for all. For more information see
It's not surprising the anglers didn't manage to land any fish hooked
Round One of the World Shore Qualifiers were fished on Saturday on the River Cusher in Co. Armagh. The river was in a raging flood which caused some delays but the organisers took their time with the registrations, briefings and the section draws. After this they waited for the levels to start falling and eventually started the competition at 12 noon. The 14 anglers had an enjoyable day with 5 fish hooked but none landed.
It’s not surprising the anglers didn’t manage to land any fish hooked
Saturday night was not as wet and the river was in better order for Round 2, fished on Sunday. The river level had fallen by over 1m and looked far more promising.
Thankful that conditions had improved
Four fish were caught in Leg 1, 1 each for David Bowles and Stephen Powell and 2 for Jacek Rafał Gorny.
Leg 2 saw another for Jacek and 1 each for David Dennis, Ion Iulian Tinca, Lindsay Mcfadden and Robert Brown.
