Pike Anglers are producing some cracking fish on the fly, and recently Mark Ryan, Robery Conneely, along with pal David o, Hagan had some cracking fun across the Midlands. Fishing small lakes, and the Canal they landed pike up on 10lbs.In recent years pike fishing on the fly has really taken off in Ireland, and some huge fish were caught in 2013 on the fly. Its A.G.M. time and on Friday February 7th Lough Lene Angling Association will hold their Annual General Meeting. Once again Collinstowen Hall is the venue. I was on Lene last Saturday and had one small pike in the Morning, but abandoned ship at lunchtime as it was brutal cold, and the rain would not let up. I also bumped into Castlepollard Angler Fergus Dunne as he cycled into Castlepollard.Fergus had boats on Lough Glore for years and has a lifetime of angling experience under his belt. Glore Anglers will hold their A.G.M. on Wednesday 29th January in Tullaghan Angling Center. News in of some changes coming on board for Canal users, and proposed boating fees are causing concern for Inland Waterways Associations.
PIKE ON THE FLY. Yep it’s a fantastic way of fishing, and pike Anglers have really caught the bug as they lash colorful flies out across Lakes and Rivers for pike. Mark Ryan Business Development Manager at Mediateam here in Ireland was drifting around the Midlands recently with pals Robert Conneely and David o, Hagan. The lads banked some lovely pike on lures and flies from small Lakes and the Royal Canal. Over the few days fishing pike to 10lbs were caught with most fish taking the fly. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will hook –up with the lads and get a few good action shots of pike on the fly.
LENE A.G.M. Lough Lene Angling Association will hold their Annual General Meeting on Friday night Febuary 7th.Its an 8-30 start and with over 500 members a large turn out is expected. Lene is one of Ireland top Fisheries and the club was founded way back in 1958.I was on the lake last Saturday and its is super condition, and crystal clear. Fishing with pal Marty Smith we had one small pike in the morning, but had to abandon ship at lunchtime, as it was brutal cold and the rain never let up. We took shelter in Kerrigan’s where Marty was staying, and a few “Fishy” stories were told. All I need for the coming season is longer arms, as the fish are getting bigger.
GLORE A.G.M Lough .Glore Anglers will hold their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday night January 29th.Its a 7-30 start and the venue is Tullaghan Angling Center. I was Out & About Castlepollard last weekend and met with Fergus Dunne of Castlepollard. Fergus had boats on Glore for years and has a lifetime of angling experience under his belt. Lough Glore is open for membership and if interested in coming on board drop out to Tullaghan Angling Center on Wednesday night January 29th.
BOATING CHARGES FOR CANAL. Recently Waterways Ireland, the Government body tasked to maintain our navigable Canals and rivers have decided to introduce charges for boating on the Canals. Inland Waterways Associations of Ireland have major censers regarding proposed charges for the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and River Barrow. Full details on proposed amendments to the canal Bye –laws are available on www.waterwaysireland.org/public-consultation
INTO THE WEST. Soon we will be tacking up for February 15th, which is opening day for trout on the big Western Lakes. Last year we Midlanders struggled on Lough Corrib, and all going well we will be out on February 15th. This year we plan a trip to Lough Mask for opening day and will have contact details for fellow midland Anglers wishing to have a day on Mask.
THAT’S IT. Soon the shooting season will close and it will be screaming reels from February on. We have some fantastic gear to field test including the Berkley Whiplash Crystal clear braid. It’s the new Translucent formula, and I have loaded a beautiful Abu Garcia bait runner with the braid. All going well we will feature the line and reel in the coming weeks. Tight Lines.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling