Almost €82,000 in funding will be provided for a variety of works at a number of local angling destinations in Cavan and Monaghan – almost a fifth of the total national pot available.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys, confirmation the funding today, which also welcomed by her party colleague, Cavan Senator Joe O’Reilly (FG)….
It’s been a bit wetter and maybe a bit cooler in the last few days, though still not really wintry. Depending on who you talk to winter only really got underway with yesterday’s solstice. Though other smart wags will be telling you that they are enjoying the fine stretch in the evenings from later this afternoon. Anyway, even with the pressures of Christmas shopping and gift buying there’s still time to get out and wet a line – and what’s better is the fish are willing to make it worth your while…
We had a couple of good pike reports in from the midland’s and Lough Derg. Rafal Plec had a beauty on Derg on a bright winter’s day last week. His pike measured 109cm and fell for a noisy rattling lure. JJ Flanagan, little brother of angling guide Michael Flanagan, had a smashing day on Ennell at the weekend. The pike were hitting jerk baits and soft plastics. JJ’s best fish on the day wins Catch of the Week. There were also a few pike from Lough Glore, but these were all smaller jacks.
J. J. Flanagan’s Ennell pike wins Catch of the Week
Perch were also on the move on Ennell, as well as Derravaragh and Glore, in recent days.Black lures fished vertically accounted for some very handsome stripeys.
For coarse anglers it was roach that kept things interesting last week. Canal fishing at Daingean saw a big number of micro roach make a 1.38kg bag to win Pat Bartley the first round of the winter league there. On the River Suck there was a better stamp of fish and they were there in bigger numbers – Rory Dunne and Mark Leonard both had over 10kg in the Connacht Sensas match fished at Ballinasloe.
Mark Gannon in Courtmacsherry had his last day on the water of the year earlier in the week. His crew had good fun with pollack and had they had some lovely cod too. Leinster’s Youths and Juniors fished the last leg of their interprovincial qualifiers on Sunday. The venue was Kilgorman and all anglers managed double figure bags. Gold medal winners were Sean Cushen for the juniors and Sean Carley for the youths.
At the third leg of the AWOL Winter Fish-offs 19 anglers cast their flies at Courtlough and 162 hard fighting rainbows were landed. Marius Lincevicius caught 18 fish to take first place.
Salmon anglers will be looking forward to January as a number of river’s will reopen. There will be a good crowd at the Drowes and it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get the first fish of the year and where it will come from. A quick to salmon anglers – the salmon regulations for 2017 will be available from this site before the end of the year.
“Oh the weather outside be frightful…” As we go to press there is an Orange Wind Warning for Coastal regions and high ground of Donegal, Galway and Mayo – Very windy on Friday: Southerly winds, later west to southwest of 65 to 75 km/h with severe gusts between 100 and 120 km/h. The rest of the country is advised of a Yellow Wind Warning. The weather will continue quite changeable up to and including Christmas Day but a more settled pattern is likely to develop thereafter. St Stephens Day will be colder, but brighter with scattered showers in the west and north. Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in moderate westerly breezes. The following few days look like remaining cold and mainly dry with frost at night. Some blustery stuff ahead but it’s not going to be enough to knock the lad in the red suit off his sleigh on Christmas Eve or keep eager anglers from getting out to test their new gear on Stephen’s Day!
That’s all from us for 2016. We’ll be taking a break until the new year so have a safe and happy Christmas.
Until next year Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Kevin Lyons from Melview Lodge reports on the pike fishing in the area…
Dimitrios with his 3rd of the day
Dimitrios and friend Yuri from Russia took time out during their visit to Ireland for a spot of Pike fishing, Kevin of Melview Fishing Lodge said the guys have stayed a few times now and always catch some good fish during their stay. The first day see them catch 10 Pike of which 6 were into double figures, the 2nd day was out on the boat to see if we could temp some bigger ones.
Yuri with a nice pike.
The fish we did manage to get to the boat were around the same size but we will never know about the 4 the guys lost between them shortly after the fish had been hooked, great couple of days with good company and we look forward to seeing you both again in 2017.
As always, all the fish were returned unharmed.
Myself and Jane would like to thank all our Anglers for their custom during 2016 and hope to see you all again next year. We also look forward to welcoming all those booked for 2017 and we hope all of you and your families have a great Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
Last week Ken O’Neill, IFI, met Rafal Pelc during a routine patrol of Lough Derg. Rafal was enjoying a crisp winter day on the lake made better by an interlude of great angling action. The best of the fish Rafal met was this lovely pike measured at 109cm. Although stealth plays an important part in fishing the lure that did the business had a substantial rattle which might well have been the trigger to make this lovely fish strike.
A beautiful day on the water
Despite this pike Rafal reckoned it was day for sightseeing, as the beautiful conditions were not proving all that successful from an angling point of view.
50 angling development projects to receive support across Ireland as engaged rural communities show huge demand for angling development
Wednesday, 21st December 2016: Four angling development projects in Donegal have been awarded funding to improve angling access in the area. The projects are some of 50 angling development projects across the country which will receive support from Inland Fisheries Ireland to the value of €500,000 in total as part of its Capital Works Fund. The projects, which focus on improving angling access and infrastructure, will now be delivered in 2017. Applications for over 100 projects were received bringing the total value of projects looking for funding to above €2million….
2016 was a very successful year for Lanesboro and Ballyleague.
Aside from hosting one of the most successful international fishing competitions, the area also launched its inaugural Taste of the Lakelands food festival which together with a local angling competition attracted over 6,000 visitors
Last Thursday night along the banks of the River Shannon, the committee ran a Taste of the Lakelands Christmas Extravangza and they came from all over the region to sample the goods !… Longford Leader 20/12/2016 Read the full article ‘Hugely successful ‘Taste of the Lakelands’ food fest in Longford’
€150,000 in funding is to be given to support the development of an Angling centre at Innsicarra lake. Commenting on the allocation Minister Creed said;
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed TD (Fine Gael) said:“This funding is provided through the 2016 REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) initiative part of the Government’s programme for Rural Development. Investment in projects such as the Inniscarra Angling centre is aimed at enhancing the recreational and touristic amenities in rural areas. I am confident that the €150,000 being provided for this facility will further enhance the ever evolving offering of the Lee Valley area”…
The Loughs Agency has announced a new development in 2017 for the Foyle and Carlingford areas – which could increase tourism numbers.
Angling licences will be issued electronically for the first time, meaning overseas anglers can obtain a licence before they travel.
Loughs Agency Chief Executive John Pollock said: “Licences can now be purchased on-line at home, which is great for overseas anglers who can buy before they travel.”
The new system will keep the Loughs Agency in line with two other rod licensing bodies, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Inland Fisheries Group who have recently moved to an electronic system…..
Eddie O'Donnell, Mick Flanagan and Pat O'Brien pictured on Glore
Midlands Guide Michael Flanagan from Midland Angling reports:
Last Sunday Glore Anglers hosted their Christmas pike competition in beautiful conditions. There is quite a small number of members on Glore, but they really put a lot of work into their competitions, and the facilities at Lough Glore.
Glorious sunset on Lough Glore
The car park has being extended and you can launch your boat quite easily. Naturally with all our lakes and rivers very low for this time of year, it was be a bit tricky getting down the Glore River into the main lake. Its fine at the moment and if planning a trip just take it easy heading down river. The competition day we only managed 5 small pike, and I was lucky enough to get the heavies pike at just 3lbs 13oz. James Ledwith of Multyfarnham finished 2nd with Castlepollard angler Pat Finglus 3rd on the day.
Eddie O’Donnell, Mick Flanagan and Pat O’Brien pictured on Glore
The presentation took place at the lakeshore, and Chairman Eddie O’Donnell had some piping hot food ready for all anglers. Eddie also presented Pat O’Brien of Rathrone Co. Meath with Angler Of the Year prize and James Ledwith picked up heaviest pike of the season prize. James latched onto a 17lbs Glore pike some weeks back, and this is one of the best pike from Glore in recent times.
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.
J. J. Flanagan's Ennell pike wins 'Catch of the Week'
A Christmas break on Lough Ennell is the suggestion from Midlands Guide Mick Flanagan……
The weather has being very changeable and in the cold frosty weather the pike were reluctant to hit our lures. Last week we featured some nice pike from Derravaragh that came on the feed as we had a few mild days.
J. J. Flanagan and Ennell pike wins ‘Catch of the Week’
Ennell pike strangely seem to move last weekend, as we had a few pleasant days, with no early morning frost. J.J. Flanagan my younger brother just got it right on Ennell last weekend, and had a few early Christmas crackers jerk bait fishing with hard and soft bait lures. The pike were in mint condition, and Ennell is certainly worth a trip over the Christmas and New Year period.
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.
