Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
[28/04/10]
Coarse angling has been slow in the north east over the last week and few reports of good catches were received. Apparently the fishing turned off suddenly with local coarse angling expert Peadar OBrien saying you would think that someone had turned off a switch. A nice bag of skimmers, hybrids and roach was recorded by Dick Caplice at Lough Muckno on Sunday fishing a long pole to 10m.with a short line. The fishing was very difficult though and Dick had to work really hard for his 25lb bag. Fish responded to sweet corn. Water levels were low and the water was clear.
[28/04/10]
Martin Howlin from the Wexford Sea Angling Club reports that many of the East coast venues are fishing poor at the moment. A few flounder, codling, rockling and dabs are being taken but nothing very exciting, except for some small school bass. Martin thinks that the North easterly winds over the last week have been affecting the fishing.
The South Wexford beaches have been producing dogs, coalfish some codling and flounders. On the rougher ground marks pollack and wrasse have been reported. The only good news is that the flounders have started to return to the estuaries. Some good sized flounders have been reported up to 47cm have been taken recently in the Wexford area with peeler crab producing the best results.
Karl and the lads from Southside Angling have reported that sea angling in the Dublin area has been quite slow as well with nothing major to report. Good catches of smoothhound pups around 2.5lbs are being caught regularly in the Arklow and Courtown areas. Sea trout are again being reported on the coast and estuaries with catch and release being practiced by many anglers.
[28/04/10]
Water levels in the River Boyne are slightly higher than normal for the time of year. The water is still tinged with colour but some good trout fishing has been reported around Trim recently by angling guide Marc ORegan. Visiting angler, Brendan Whelan fished the Boyne recently and recorded 10 brown trout over the duration his visit. The best of Brendans fish measured 11 inches. Although present, hatches of olives are surprisingly sparse at the moment despite the recent rise in water temperatures.
Karl from Southside Angling and angling guide John Higgins report that the River Liffey has continued fishing well for brown trout in its middle and upper reaches. The river has remained low and clear over the last week and water temperatures have risen slightly. The olive hatch is in full swing at the moment and the hatches of large dark olive (Baetis rhodani) have produced some exceptional dry fly fishing on the Liffey. The best of the olive hatch and the accompanying rise are reported to be occurring in the early afternoon and lasting until evening time.
Spanish visitor Manuel J. Caneda, has just spent two terrific days fly-fishing on the River Liffey with angling guide John Higgins. On Tuesday 27th April Manuel caught and released 27 wild brown trout to 9 inches. Hard to beat you might think! However, the following day Wednesday 28th proved even better with a total of 34 small but beautiful marked wild brownies being landed.
If you are interested in spending a day on the Liffey with angling guide John Higgins, he can be contacted by email at jjhiggins@o2.ie or mobile 086 8135497.
Water conditions in the Fane are bordering on moderate to low. As with most trout waters, good hatches of olives are being reported at the moment. The Fane has produced a number of nice wild brown trout during the last week with the best fish reported, being taken by Eamon Conway. This fine wild brown trout was caught recently, on a dry olive pattern in the upper reaches of the Fane and measured 15 inches.
Some good fishing for small brown trout has been reported on its upper reaches.
Creevy has continued to fish very well over the last week with many trout to 2lbs being taken on fly and bait. Twenty to forty anglers are fishing the lake on a daily basis. The water level has dropped since last week but this has not affected the fishing.
Creevy is a stocked fishery located just outside Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. It is run by Carrickmacross Trout Anglers Association. The lake is open for fishing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday of each week. Creevy Lake is closed to fishing on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Permits are available from club Secretary Gordon Sweetnam in Carrickmacross and from John at the Crock of Gold in Carrickmacross. Tel: 0876490499 or 042 9661702. A season permit costs just 30.
A total of 12 well conditioned rainbow trout were taken on fly by two anglers at the Ballyhitt Fishery on Tuesday last 27 April. Despite the cool breeze, trout were feeding close to the shore and a good number of the larger rainbow trout were showing. Stephen Byrne recorded the best fish of the afternoon, a nice rainbow trout weighing in at just over 2lbs. Stephens fish was taken on a nymph fished slowly on a sinking line. Fishery owner and manager James Pettit has been catching some nice fish with friends and family over the last number of weeks and is looking forward to welcoming local and visiting anglers over the coming weeks.
This fishery is located in Co Wexford near the village of Broadway (off the N25 Wexford to Rosslare Road). When travelling from Wexford to Rosslare, turn right at Tagoat. This small fishery covers approximately 2.5 acres and is well stocked with hard fighting rainbow trout up to 20lbs. Tuition, tackle and fishing gear are all available at the fishery. Car parking and picnic facilities are also available.
Further details on fishing at Ballyhitt Fishery, can be obtained from James or Marguerite at 087 6796900 or 087 7614501. jamespettit@eircom.net
As part of the National Fisheries Awareness Week (22nd -30th May) the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, in association with Ballyhitt Fishery, have organised a fly casting day at the fishery on Saturday 29th May with well known fly angler Jim Hendrick. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in participating in this event please and would like further information please contact the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, Angling Marketing Coordinator at 087 9918608 or by email at david.byrneerfb@gmail.com
Some good trout fishing has been reported from the River Slaney in Co. Wexford. Olives are hatching in the afternoons but trout were observed rising at 8.30 one morning last week as he was heading into work. Many of the trout are small measuring 8 to 10 inches. Some larger trout have been reportedly caught in the Tullow area.
There are no specific individual catches to report on this week but anglers are reporting good catches of sea trout along the coastline from Cullenstown in County Wexford to North County Dublin. Spinning is producing the best results but good catches have been recorded on the fly.
No salmon or sea trout have yet been reported from the Fane however a number of anglers have reported that they have stopped fishing some areas because of shoals of smolts congregating in a number of pools. Please exercise caution when fishing these pools and where possible avoid them altogether.
Fishing has been difficult on the Castletown River to date due to the low clear water conditions. This river needs water and the current low water conditions are due to the lack of rain recently.
[28/04/10]
Pike angling has been slow recently but things look like they just might be picking up in the Cavan area, post spawning. A report was received from angling guide Marc ORegan who had three French anglers fly-fishing for pike in the Cavan area today 28th April. Martin Collet, Vincent Valentine, Mr. M Foulqueir all from Paris, France have boated 22 pike to date with the best pike weighing in at 12lbs.
A number of pike have been reported from Lough Muckno but fishing has been described as slow at this venue.
Small pike are still been taken at Rahans and Ballyho but fishing has slowed considerably on last week despite the rise in water temperatures.