Yep its another first for Angling focus with a cracking photograph of Mullingar Angler Anthony Hoey in Australia with a super Spanish Mackeral.Plus we had a cracking few days at the trout fishing which started on March 1st.Andy Boyle rattled the scales with huge brownies as did Paul Moran. Brendan Allard of Loughnavalley had a beauty from Owel.On the pike scene I spent a few hours boating along the Royal canal with local piper Barry Darby. We just had one small pike, but it’s a great trip along the Canal along the N4.Also this week a bit of news from the West, with Lough Conn producing super trout for local anglers. It’s a popular venue for Midland Anglers, and Lakeland Anglers host their big competition on Conn yearly during the May Fly.
A HOEY THERE. Mullingar Angler Anthony Hoey sends greeting from his adopted hometown of Riverstone in Sydney. We featured Anthony some years back in Angling Focus when he was back home in town, and he is returning back to Mullingar in May for a family gathering. Recently he had a fishing trip of a lifetime in South West Rocks and boated huge Spanish, and spotted mackerel to 20kg.Anthony also landed some unusual fish species to Mullingar anglers. This included Snapper, Dolphin fish “Mahi Mahi”, Yellow Fin Tuna, Mack Tuna, King Fish, and Cobi.We include Anthony with one of his Mackerel catches, and it’s a super looking fish. If any of our readers has family members of friends working abroad send on their contact details and we might just hook up with them and see what they’re catching.
BIG LENE BROWNIES. The Midland lakes opened for trout fishing on March 1st, and it was certainly screaming “Reels “ on Lough Lene in North Westmeath. There were a huge number of anglers out on the lake and some cracking trout were caught. I had some might sport with super rainbows on the troll land fly with Marty Smith. Andy Boyle had some super brown trout fishing with angling pal Mick McCormack. The fish were up on 5lbs, and in mind condition as you can see from the photographs this week. Paul Moran also had some beautiful brownies up on the 5lbs mark, and small Trout imitation lures worked best for Paul.
CRACKING OWEL TROUT FOR ALLARD.Seasoned Angler Brendan Allard was out on Lough Owel opening day with Brendan Junior, and they boated a few lovely fish. The lads had fish over 3lbs on Rapala lures trolling across Lough Owel. I hope to get a day on Owel quite soon, and hopefully catch a few Trout.Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association have a busy 2014 ahead of them as they host this years International, where teams from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland will compete. It’s going to be a fantastic chance to showcase Mullingar and our splendid Lakes here in Westmeath.
2 MEN IN A BOAT. Yes the joke Text messages are still coming in about the 2 men in a boat on the Royal Canal. I launched the boat in at the Harbour in Town last week, and drifted out along the N4 fishing some lovely stretches of the Canal. Its certainly virgin water as the banks out towards Baltrasna are two steep for bank fishing, and very overgrown .I teamed up with Barry Darby and even dough we boated just one small pike, it was a lovely way of fishing the Royal Canal.Itsa great banker when we have strong winds and cant get out on the bigger lakes, and there is always a chance of a few nice pike.
LOUGH CONN CRACKERS. We are getting a few reports from Lough Conn Anglers, and the lake is naturally very high but producing some fine Trout early in the season. Foxford Angler John Burke landed fish to 2.5lbs on the fly, and Ballina Angler Joe Quinn had a super wild brown trout of 3.2lbs.I have fished Conn quite a few times and it’s a fantastic Lake and worth fishing in the coming weeks. Gerry Murphy has boats for hire on Conn and can be contacted on 087-2390409.
THAT’S IT. Yep we are back out fishing this week, and have celeb Chef Kevin Dundon on board. Hopefully a few fishy photos next week of our day out on the Lake. Now that we are settling into March our first trout competition will be coming on line. I hope to have a few competition dates for your diary next week. Tight Lines.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling
http://www.midlandangling.com
