Angling Reports and News
- Pike fishing
- Coarse fishing [08/06/09]
- Trout fishing [05/06/09]
- Sea fishing [24/06/09]
Pike Angling
No report for May [last report 27/05/09]
Coarse Angling
08/06/09
A Festival of Coarse Angling in the East Midlands
John Whittingham from Crewe in England shows the quality of fish available in the Grand Canal in Edenderry, Co. Offaly. A regular visitor to Ireland over the last 15 years, John was a contestant in the Edenderry Coarse Angling Festival, held over three days between Monday 1st and Friday 5th June. Running side by side with the Prosperous, Co. Kildare, and Enfield, Co. Meath festivals, the three events attracted 60 anglers from various parts of the United Kingdom. Many, including Graham Johnson from Preston and Martin Lenihan from Warrington, have been fishing in Ireland for many years and will continue to do so.
Derek Hurst, a first time visitor to Ireland, was very happy with the Tench that he caught on the Killeens stretch of the Grand Canal, during the last day of the Edenderry event, while Mullingar based Pascal Weymes fished gamely through the oppressive heat at Toberdaly during Wednesdays match.
Mediterranean style weather created tough fishing conditions throughout the week, but this did not deter the competitors, and a worthy winner eventually emerged with Jason Ward (an Englishman resident in Ireland) topping the event with a combined weight of 32 lbs 13 oz. Jason also featured in the three man team event with his team coming first with a combined weight of 53 lbs 11 oz.
Great credit must go to the Edenderry Coarse Angling Club, in particular Chairman Pauric Kelly for his tireless work and enthusiasm in making the festival the professional but fun event that it is today. For information on future events and general fishing updates along the canal check out the Edenderry Coarse Angling Club website, www.freewebs.com/edenderrycoarseanglingclub/.
Sea Angling
24th June 2009
Smooth Hounds and Sushi
Monday the 22nd June 2009 proved to be a scorcher. What a day for Mick Redmond, skipper of “Puffin”, a recent addition to the South East Ireland charter fleet, to invite David Gray of the Daily Star, Norman Dunlop and Shane O’Reilly of the CFB, and Ashley Hayden of the ERFB out for a days fishing with a view to promoting the service. The sun shone from a clear blue sky with not a breath of wind. Leaving Courtown Harbour at nine AM, the plan was to catch a range of species to showcase what the local fishing grounds have to offer.
First port of call was a mark off Pollshone Head south of Courtown. Crab and squid baits were the order of the day with Smoothies and Ray in mind. Within minutes Shane O’Reilly was into the first of a succession of Smooth Hounds, Ray, and a solitary Bull Huss. In between the action David Gray of the Daily Star treated the crew to some first class sushi. Within three minutes thinly sliced fresh Mackerel was transformed with the addition of fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and salt into a gourmet delight, full of omega three oils and so tasty that David was implored to make some more.
A change of mark was in order with Tope the target. Anchoring in sixty feet of water with a strong ebb tide flowing anticipation was high. Unfortunately the Tope did not show, however an odd Ray came aboard along with the ubiquitous Dogfish.
A final move to find Tope brought more Ray to the net, Smooth Hound, and Gurnard. Mick Redmond and his crewman John worked hard throughout the day positioning the boat, unhooking fish, supplying freshly jigged Mackerel for bait, and providing a steady flow of tea, coffee, and chocolate bars. At days end the species tally was Smooth Hound, Thornback Ray, Bull Huss, Red and Tub Gurnard, Dab, Dogfish, and Mackerel. For the record a 45 lb Tope was landed that evening on a separate charter, SODS LAW.
Mick Redmond and Joe Byrne run the Courtown Angling Centre, a must stop for any serious sea angler on the east coast. All your bait and tackle requirements will be catered for in this excellent establishment. C.A.C truly fits the expression run by anglers for anglers. “Puffin” is licenced to carry up to nine passengers. The rate is €400.00 per trip, leaving the quay at 09.00 AM and returning at 16.00 PM. To book a day out contact Mick Redmond at +353 (0)86 101 7466, or Joe Byrne at +353 (0)87 661 3145.
16th June 2009
Bass Season Reopens 16th June 2009
The 16th June 2009 dawned bright and still. A warm southerly breeze blew and with the season reopened from midnight Bass anglers were out and about from Louth to Wexford trying their luck. With the Irish Sea calm as a mill pond dawn sessions were best served by using flies and lures. By evening a strong southerly wind had picked up and the east coast beaches of County Wexford were the place to be.
Wexford town angler Danny Murphy and friends landed Bass and Smooth Hounds on Crab and Worm baits during an evening session which was cut short by increasing amounts of floating weed.
Presently the east facing Wexford beaches are fishing well for Bass, Flounder, Smooth Hound, and Tope. Dedicated anglers who put the time in are getting the rewards. Crab and Mackerel are the top baits. Take your pick from any of the main venues between Morriscastle and Rosslare and fish into the night.
02/065/09
Sea Angling hits form in County Wexford
June Bank Holiday 2009
The anti cyclonic weather over the June Bank Holiday weekend created ideal conditions for shore Tope fishing along the Wexford coastline. A secret location, pulley rigs, large baits, and local knowledge all came together for the angler above and three of his friends. Five Tope to thirty three pounds were landed over a three hour session.
Wicklow based anglers Gerry Mitchell and his brother Dermot had a fine days fishing from their own boat off Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford. Neap tides and slack winds made the fishing very comfortable off the Saltee Islands. A range of species were caught which included Codling to 7.lb, multi coloured Cuckoo Wrasse, Ballan Wrasse, Pollack, Pouting, Ling, Launce, and Mackerel.
Trout Angling
05/06/09
Evening Rise on the Kells Blackwater
The Kells Blackwater is a gem of a river which at present is fishing its socks off. Trout to over a pound are common place, and that next sip at the end of your line could be a fish of a lifetime. Day tickets, priced at € 20.00, may be obtained by contacting local angling guide Pat McLaughlin. Email: patandtrina@eircom.net, Phone: +353 (0)46 9241807, Mobile: +353 (0)86 101 7415.
The Kells Blackwater in the Carnaross area, about 8km south of Virginia, Co. Cavan has the capability of producing fish to 5.lbs plus. In 2004 Pat McLaughlin landed a 9.lb 14 oz fish that he had stalked for three years. Presently the stretch is producing fat, butter yellow, beautifully spotted trout of the stamp pictured above. Klink hammers and evening sedges are the top flies with optimum fishing being from nine PM until dark.