LOUGH AISHLING: It’s a while back since we featured this cracking fishery situated just outside Edenderry on the Tullamore road. It was a prime rainbow trout fishery in those days, but owner Joe Conlon tells us now he has moved into the coarse angling game and that visiting anglers are catching lovely hybrids and beautiful coloured carp. Joe also does some beautiful ancient wood creations from bog oak and his studio is crammed with beautiful pieces of carved bog oak that are thousands of years old. At Lough Aishling, on the day I dropped in, was none other than Mullingar angler “Nodger”, Andy Boyle, who was getting ready for a days coarse angling on Lough Aishling. Also, local lads Kieran Dillon and Gary Cronin of Edenderry were chilling out on Aishling and we photographed Liam Dillon with some lovely hybrid fish. Liam sent us a lovely photo of one of his carp caught in recent days on Lough Aishling, and they are certainly a lovely fish. Check out Lough Aishling and send us in a few fishery pics, Joe Conlon can be contacted on 086-8714020.
DERRYMORE SPRINGS: Here a bit closer to Mullingar, Derrymore Springs is making waves in the angling and water adventure world. I fish Derrymore Springs regularly and have had some lovely rainbow trout from this Killucan venue. The brilliant summer weather has seen many anglers out fishing at Derrymore Springs, and a fleet of small boats will get you across this lake. Pat Whelehan tells us local sporting clubs are also taking full advantage of the water activities with Turin camogie team members having a brilliant day out. Hats off to Pat, and great to see local clubs and anglers taking full advantage of activities on their own doorstep. I hope to be back out on Derrymore soon and have a few eye-catching pics of hard fighting rainbows.
PIKE ON THE MOVE: Some nice pike are coming from our lakes and rivers with Finea angler, Michael Lynch, reeling in some lovely fish from his beloved River Inny. Naturally the river is quite low and the weed growth is a problem, but if you fish deep drop offs, or surface lures in shallow areas you will bank a few nice fish from the Inny during the summer months. Our local lakes are also producing some cracking summer pike, so get out there and enjoy it.
PADDY DOLAN TROPHY: Last Sunday Lough Lene Anglers hosted the Paddy Dolan Trophy for pike. On the day, Mick Corrigan produced a pike of 4.52kg to take top rod, 2nd was Alan Keena with 3.68kg and 3rd was Danny Leavy with 3.62kg. Pat Brown, Competition Captain of Lene, presented the winners with their prizes. Pat tells us the next competition on Lene is the Larry Mulligan Cup. This evening fly-fishing competition will be fished on Friday evening July 15th. More on this in the coming weeks.
KILLUCAN HOT SHOTS: We finish this week’s angling report with a bang as Niall Kirwin of Lakeland Shooting Center in Dalystown tells us Killucan Gun Club members were crowned Westmeath Club Champions recently. Like many an angler I love my shooting and we have one of Ireland top shooting grounds here in Westmeath. Niall also carries a huge range of outdoor clothing, footwear etc. in his showrooms situated on the grounds of Lakeland Shooting Center which can all be checked out on www.lakelandshootingcenter.ie. If you fancy having a go at clay pigeon shooting Niall can also be contacted on 087-2746226.
Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling