Angling Reports and News
- Coarse fishing
- Trout fishing [23/11/09]
- Sea fishing [30/11/09]
- Pike fishing [09/11/09]
Coarse Angling
Sea Angling
30/11/09
Wexford Beach Angling Championships
28th – 29th November 2009
Photo: Anglers casting into a rising storm, Kilgorman Strand, Co. Wexford
The inaugural Wexford Beach Championships took place on Saturday and Sunday the 28th and 29th of November 2009. Organised by Courtown Sea Angling Centre with sponsorship from Ian Golds Fishing Products, Greys Tackle, and Anyfish Anywhere, the event proved to be an outstanding success despite the storm force conditions prevailing on competition day two.
Photo: The calm before the storm, Wexford Beach Championships in full swing.
Six zones of 33 pegs each were fished over two days, three zones on each day. The Saturday match was fished from 7pm – 11pm on Morriscastle, Tinnabearna, and Ballinamona, with Sunday’s competition fished off Kilgorman Strand, Dodd’s Rocks Courtown, and Roney Point; from 12 noon until 4pm. Fishing was good over the two days with some great catches on Saturday night, however a northerly weather system developed into a fully fledged gale on Sunday afternoon, testing the resolve of even the most seasoned match anglers present.
Photo: Ian Knight, Ballybrack S.A.C. with the largest flatfish caught on day two.
With over thirty cash payments and prizes daily on offer including Individual honours, Longest Flat and Round fish, Team events, and Zone wins, competition was friendly but firm amongst all the participants that took part. Lugworm and Razor fish appeared to be the key baits, with Flounder, Codling, Coalfish, Rockling, and Schoolie Bass, the main species landed.
Photo: L/R, Mark Chambers (Courtown SAC), Joe Byrne (Courtown Angling Centre), with the Wexford Beach Championships overall winner, Ian Knight of Ballybrack S.A.C.
At close of play the overall winner of the inaugural Wexford Beach Championships was Ian Knight of Ballybrack S.A.C. Ian fished well gaining a zone win on Sunday, a zone place on Saturday, and the heaviest flatfish for day two. The four man team event was won by Eamonn Birmingham, T.C. Keogh, Paul Mason, and Stephen Mason, with the father and son pairing of Paul and Stephen Mason doing the double by collecting the two man team prize also. Dave Roe (South Shore S.A.C.) and Ritchie Dalton (Tramore S.A.C.) were individual winners for Day one and Day two of the event respectively.
Photo: L/R, Mark Chambers, Joe Byrne, Wexford Beach Championships Four Man Team Event Winners, Stephen Mason, Paul Mason, Eamonn Birmingham, and T.C. Keogh
Joe Byrne, Penn Sea League winner Dave Roe, and the hard working committee need to be congratulated for organising a well run event, and giving a boost to north Wexford tourism at what is generally a quite time of year, with close on forty anglers staying in the Kilmuckridge area over the weekend. Joe and Dave would like to thank all those that participated, Ian Golds Fishing Products, Greys Tackle, Anyfish Anywhere, for the prizes, and Sean OG’s Hotel, Kilmuckridge for providing a fine base for the event. Over € 4000.00 was handed out in cash payments. With a three to one chance of winning cash and prizes this is a competition which will go from strength to strength, another plus for Ireland’s east coast sea match angling circuit.
27/11/09
East Coast Codling make an Appearance
Photo: An East Coast Codling caught at Greystones, 21/11/2009 (Image courtesy S.A.I. website)
Last season they were like hen’s teeth, however there have been signs lately that a few fish might be running. Sporadic catches of Codling have been occurring, usually in one’s and two’s, along the east coast beaches. It really is a case of being in the right place at the right time. The fish above was beached in the Greystones area last weekend, while Co. Wicklow angler Gerry Mitchell landed two Codling over 40cms off a south Wicklow mark on Wednesday evening 25/11/2009. Dabs, Flounder, and Schoolies were also caught by Gerry during the evening session.
Target venues comprising mixed to roughish ground, and on the north Wicklow beaches a falling tide is usually better. Lugworm and Mussel are the ideal baits, and vary the distance, as some of these fish are surprisingly close in.
23/11/09
Wexford Delivers Again
Photo: Dublin angler Darragh Touhy with a certified 4.lb specimen Wexford Flounder
Good reports on shore angling in the south east just keep coming in. If you want top class sport, target fish, do the homework on bait, tides, weather conditions, rigs, etc, and head to the right venue. Within the last week, Des Frazer of “Southside Angling” and his mate Darragh Touhy did just that, and achieved a bonus result.
Photo:Des Frazer, “Southside Angling” with his 7.5.lb bonus Wexford Bass
With Flounder in mind Des and Darragh headed to south Wexford. Using Crab for bait the Flounder proved obliging with Darragh landing a specimen 4.lb lunker, one half of a hefty Flounder double header. Des duly followed suit with an end of season 7.5.lb Bass. Both fish were weighed on certified Reuben Heaton scales, and are proof positive again of the quality shore angling available in Ireland’s south east corner.
19/11/09
Storm Force Wexford Flounder
Photo: Wicklow angler John Ring with a brace of Ballyteigue Flounder
Wexford flounder are a hardy species, even gale force winds will not put them off the feed. With the barometer falling and storm force nine winds forecast for the south coast, conditions did not look promising for a Ballyteigue Bay flounder hunt. However the bait was ordered and the day set, so there was no turning back for Wicklow anglers Gerry Mitchell, John Ring, and Ashley Hayden of the ERFB.
Photo: Gerry Mitchell and John Ring display a treble shot of Wexford Flounder
The intrepid trio were not to be disappointed as the flounder signalled their presence very early in the session. Seeming to travel in waves, flurries of activity were followed by short quiet spells. John Ring had a particularly good afternoon catching two brace and a full house treble, all on lugworm. The best fish of the trip went 45cms with many in the high thirties. Good fishing by any standards, and testament to the quality of winter shore angling in south Wexford.
11/11/09
Floundering Around
Photo: Joe Byrne, Courtown Angling Centre, Flounder Fishing in South Wexford
November is a great month to target estuary Flounder. The fish have put on weight throughout the summer and are now in their prime. Also, the onset of frosty weather curtails the activities of green shore crabs, populations of which can plague these venues in the warmer months. Top bait is peeler crab, with fresh lugworm a very close second.
Photo: Ashley Hayden (ERFB) with a fine estuary caught Flounder tempted with lugworm
Joe Byrne of the Courtown Angling Centre and Ashley Hayden (ERFB) fished a local venue with excellent results. Word had filtered out that Flounder were on the move so the pair went to investigate. They were not disappointed catching numerous Flounder to 47cms along. Some quite large eels were caught during the session and were carefully returned as the eel fishery is closed for conservation reasons until 2012.
Trout Angling
23/11/09
Tinnehinch Angling Centre, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Photo: Tinnehinch Angling Centre, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Developed and run by proprietor Mr. Hugh Duff, Tinnehinch, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow has been a Sea Trout fishery of renown for well over twenty years. Last Friday the 20th November a lifelong dream of Hugh’s was realized when he opened the “Tinnehinch Angling Centre”, combining a quality Rainbow Trout Fishery with the superb wild Sea Trout fishing enjoyed on the River Dargle. To cap it all Hugh has built a state of the art luxury angling lodge reminiscent of Canada or Alaska. This is Game fishing on a grand scale and Hugh has to be congratulated for his vision.
Photo: The Lodge at Tinnehinch, Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow
Located in the Dargle valley below Powerscourt House and Gardens, invited guests which included representatives from the national angling media, the tackle trade, and friends of Hugh, were treated to a fabulous day out in beautiful surroundings. Opened with a lighthearted speech from Derek Davis, guests were then treated to a master class in fly casting from Mr. Game Angling himself, Peter O’Reilly. Everything from double handed spey casting to fly casting basics was delivered in an informative easy going manner by the master.
Photo: Peter O’Reilly addressing fly casting theory in the Lodge at Tinnehinch
Photo: Putting theory into practice, Peter O’Reilly outdoors at Tinnehinch
Having whetted the appetite to cast a line all those present had to quell the urge until the formality of lunch was taken care of. It was worth putting on hold, for the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt Hotel had laid on a fabulous buffet lunch fit for a king. Roast beef and all the trimmings, Monkfish, locally grown vegetables, wonderful desserts, fine wines, a veritable gourmets delight.
Photo: Karl O’Toole, South Side Angling, with a hard fighting Tinnehinch Rainbow
On the water by two PM the guests fished hard until sun down. Karl O’Toole and Denis Goulding seemed to be having a head to head as to who would catch the most fish. Working buzzers below a bite indicator the dynamic duo on occasions made it look easy landing some beauties throughout the afternoon.
Photo: Mary Harkin of Rory’s Fishing Tackle with a Rainbow running 8.lbs
Not to be outdone the Ladies got in on the act with Mary Harkin of Rory’s netting a superb fish running 8.lbs plus. Lines up was called as the sun was setting on what had been a great day for all those that had participated. Everyone retired to the lodge where a number of presentations were made before Josie Mahon of the ERFB wrapped up proceedings.
Photo: Derek Davis being presented with a large ball of malt by Tinnehinch proprietor Hugh Duff
Hugh Duff thanked all those for attending, the Ritz Carlton for the lovely fare, and presented both Derek Davis and Peter O’Reilly with a fine bottle of Whiskey and an engraved Cross pen respectively.
Photo: Peter O’Reilly with Kelly Kettle, Josie Mahon (ERFB), and Hugh Duff
Josie Mahon presented Peter O’Reilly with a Kelly Kettle and in a nice touch mentioned how in her early days in Fisheries she had visited Hugh at Tinnehinch. On that day Hugh described his vision of Tinnehinch incorporating both a wild Sea Trout and managed Rainbow Trout fishery. Today in 2009 his vision had became a reality with a world class trout fishery now adorning the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Well done Hugh.
02/11/09
D.A.I. Trout Angling Competition
Photo: Adam McSherry playing a Rainbow Trout during the DAI competition at Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
The Dublin Angling Initiative held their annual Trout Angling Competition at the “Angling for All Trout Fishery”, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, last Thursday 29th October 2009. Close on forty teenagers and their mentors from Whitechurch Youth Project, Mulhuddart Community Youth Project, Sphere 17 Youth Project Darndale, and Blanchardstown Youth Services took part in the event which was co-sponsored by “Shimano” and the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.
Photo: Aaron Tansey, team Corduff, with the first of his five Rainbow Trout
After an initial briefing from Des Chew of the D.A.I. the young anglers got down to business, and it wasn’t long before the first Rainbow was on the bank. Within seconds of casting out Aaron Tansey from team Corduff was playing a 41cm Rainbow Trout, the first of five fish that he landed.
Photo: David Fagan, team Corduff, is happy with his catch.
David Fagan quickly followed suit tempting a Rainbow with float fished garden worms. It quickly became apparent that tipping the worms with sweet corn increased the bite rate. From then on the fishing was frantic with stewards unhooking and measuring amid shouts of another fish on. Within jig time the competition was over and it was clear that the result was going to be tight.
Photo: 2nd place team Corduff. L-R: Des Chew (D.A.I.), Michaela Keegan, Aaron Tansey, Adam McSherry, David Fagan, and Darragh Long from Shimano Tackle.
Over 100 fish were caught, measured, and released during the competition which was a fantastic achievement. With the two top teams both landing 15 fish, who took top spot was decided by a measure off. In the end just 4cms separated first and second place with Mulhuddart team (2) pipping team Corduff by a whisker.
Photo: 1st place Mulhuddart team (2). L-R: Des Chew (D.A.I.), Dano Campbell, Carl Fitzgerald, Karl Doyle, Chase Nouri, and Darragh Long from Shimano Tackle.
Prizes of rods, reels, and ancillary tackle were presented by Des Chew of the D.A.I. and Darragh Long, representative for Shimano Tackle. Des thanked everyone for their input, the contestants, the Aughrim facility who sponsored the fishing and the bait, Shimano Tackle for the prizes, the ERFB staff for stewarding, and Derek Evans angling columnist with the Irish Times. A fun day out was had with many more to come before the season is out.
Pike Angling
09/11/09
North East Pike Hunt
Photo: Gary Robinson with a hard won Pike caught on a popped up dead bait.
Wicklow anglers Scott Ring and Gary Robinson recently fished a secret north east lake for Pike. Strong winds and driving rain made fishing conditions very difficult, however the pair persevered. Their patience was rewarded with two runs late in the day.
Photo: Wicklow specimen hunter Scott Ring settles for a Jack
Popped up dead baits tempted the Pike, which although not big were just reward for the day that was in it. Pike are on the move in the north east, whether dead baiting, float drifting, lure or fly fishing, get out there and the rewards will come. That next hit could be a twenty.
02/11/09
Quality Pike Angling in North Monaghan
Stories of twenty pound Pike catch the attention of anglers, while news of a thirty pounder makes the headlines. Strangely anything below twenty does not appear to figure. Yet the average Pike caught tends to weigh in between eight and twelve pounds. These are the bread and butter catch for anglers and should not be maligned. Monaghan angling guide Peadar O’Brien, Wexford based Bass angling guide Jim Hendrick, Eric Le Guyader of Orion Lures, http://orionlure.free.fr/boule.html, and friends fished Glaslough, Castle Leslie, Co. Monaghan, over two days and landed thirty quality Pike and numerous jacks to dead baits, lures, and flies.
Photo: A quality Castle Leslie Pike for Ashley Hayden (ERFB) which was tempted by a float drifted dead bait
Glaslough is a small private water within the Castle Leslie estate covering 37 hectares, which is renowned for producing large Pike to 30.lb+. Permission to fish is open to residents of Castle Leslie and by appointment, contact Marketing Manager Derval White for details. On this occasion the lunker Pike avoided capture, however great sport was had using a variety of methods with slashing rises to surface lures and a number of fly caught Pike to 15.lbs being the highlights.
Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan is the ultimate Irish rural escape boasting a variety of accommodation and activities to suit all tastes, from equine pursuits, angling, and cookery classes, to just chilling out with a book.
Castle Leslie Estate
Glaslough, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
Phone: +353 (0)47 88100
Email: info@castleleslie.com Web: www.castleleslie.com
27/10/09
Birthday Boy Dean gets 10 out of 10
Birthday boy Dean Singleton had a day to remember when he was treated to a guided Pike angling trip with Mal McLeod of Gate Lodge Angling. On a lake close to Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, ten year old Dean caught his first ever Pike, a jack of about 2.lbs. Having crossed that milestone young Dean then proceeded to better his dad by landing a 10.lb+ Pike later in the day. Ten out of ten for that young man.
Photo: Dean, pictured with Mal McLeod, holding up his 10.lb birthday Pike
Should you fancy a day of guided Pike or Coarse angling contact Mal McLeod, Gate Lodge Angling, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.
Gate Lodge Angling
Carrickmacross
Co. Monaghan
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)42 966 1833 Mobile: +353 (0)86 605 0425
Email: info@gatelodgeangling.com
Web: www.gatelodgeangling.com/