Another interesting week on the angling scene and last weekend’s weather really put a damper on heading out on the lakes. Still, before the high winds and heavy rain some cracking fish were caught. Also this week, news on boat and engine security features, which impressed our Crime Prevention officer here in Westmeath. It should be plain sailing now as travel restrictions are lifted and already some of our regular anglers from the greater Dublin area are dropping back into Westmeath. The proposed out door gatherings may just open a door for our local competitions to get up and running.
BOAT & ENGINE THEFT: Last week I met Sargent Roger Nickelson and they have recovered some engines and boats robbed over the years on anglers. They have some engines and other equipment that cannot be traced back to their rightful owner. I told Rodger I had changed the outboard motor and was getting it fitted with a microchip and some other security features. Pauric Martin of Mullingar is a co-founder of www.registermy.ie 5 Tier Security and Pauric installed the latest security devices for my engine. That evening Sargent John McWalter who is a full time Crime Prevention Officer in Westmeath was on hand to check out the 5 Tier Security for all makes of machinery and sporting equipment. Pauric Martin can be contacted on 087-7700400 or check out the web address above. Unfortunately we hear reports of engine, boats, bicycles and farm machinery being stolen weekly. At least if its recovered it can be traced back to its rightful owner with 5 Tier Security features and most importantly, it’s not expensive to install.
NICE TROUT: A few nice trout caught have been caught in recent days and Billy Shanley had a super Ferox from the Corrib fishing with Kevin Coyne. The Whitelake is still producing super rainbows and Pat Finnegan of Duleek was in the thick of the action on the Whitelake. On Owel, Clara Angler Rob Connor had some lovely trout on the fly during a few early morning sessions. Luke Condron was back out on Ennel yesterday and had some lovely pike, perch, and a beautiful 2lbs trout on spinners. July and August will see the arrival of Murroughs and Peters, and some huge trout will come from Midland lakes as we fish late into the evenings.
NICE PIKE DONIE: Donie Meehan, well known barperson in Cons’ and formally Clarke’s had a day out on Ennell with his pal David Windsor, who works in Kilmurrays Hardware store. The Mullingar lads spent a few hours trolling and spinning and it was tough going at times. The weather was very changeable and there was thunder in the air, which seems to put fish off the feed at times. The lads stuck it out and caught 4 pike, with Donie having a beautiful pike pushing double figures.
I.F.I. NEWS ON ANGLING: Last week I mentioned Shane O’Reilly was in contact with Angling Focus regarding people involved in the angling trade in Ireland who are getting back to business after Covid -19. Shane is asking anglers and those involved in Angling Tourism to report– good catches, business reopening, big fish, kids enjoying an intro to fishing, etc – please don’t hesitate to send it on (with photos) to myself or anglingqueries@fisheriesireland.ie and we’ll be delighted to feature it on our website, social media and weekly e-zine. Shane also stated that I.F.I. we’ll be running a series on our social media featuring angling-related businesses reopening after Covid-19 with a call to action for customers to book angling trips and holidays in Ireland this summer. Just reply with your details, when you are open again and any special offers and again we’ll be delighted to feature these on our social media. Shane O’Reilly is the Angling Advisor with Inland Fisheries Ireland and can be contacted on 01-8842621 or e- mail shane.oreilly@fisheriesireland.ie.
THAT’S IT: Yes, July 2020 is here and we have dug deep during the Covid- 19 restrictions to keep you up to date on all angling related matters and reports. It has been a very strange few months on the angling scene and this week I will chat to some local competition officers on our lakes and see what the situation is with regards to getting back out on the trout and pike competition scene. The 5 Tier Security microchip is a great idea for angling equipment, but I am getting a bit worried. Sylvia the wife has showed a great interest in the microchip and I am afraid one might be stuck in the back of my neck when the pubs reopen soon and I will be traced to my local watering hole. Tight Lines until next week.
Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
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