FishTalk.tv is up and running from its studios in Crookedwood here in Westmeath and Clontarf in Co Dublin. The weekly on line sport fishing show is catching on big time with anglers, and I met some of the FishTalk .tv team last week in their Crookedwood studios. It was certainly a busy week pushing out the boat for the Midlands, and I ventured to Courtlough Fishery near Balbriggan for our yearly media get togther. Once again it was a magical day and I had a great chat with my old friend Derek Davis who has quite a few relations here in Mullingar, plus Keith Barry was on hand to through his magic wand on Courtlough Fishery. I have all the contact details if some of my fellow fly anglers fancy a day on Courtlough. Speaking of rainbows the Derrymore Springs rainbows out at Killucan are feeding up as the water temperature is dropping fast. News just in of the dates for the 2015 Ireland Angling Show, and the Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards day. Plus news of the Hot-Water stretch near Lanesborough re-opening after the Asian Clam invasion.
FISH ARE TALKING BACK. Its full steam ahead out in Gartlestown near Crookedwood and I had the pleasure of being a guest on FishTalk.tv last week. It was a lovely evening chatting to Alan Broderick of Reel Passion Media who is one of the directors of FishTalk.tv.Gary Finnegan was behind the camera and has some experience. Gary worked with R.T.E. for over 20 years and actually filed the wildlife series Wild Tracks. Another member of the FishTalk.tv team is Richie Johnson, and Richie worked for many years in the fishing tackle industry, plus done some fantastic promotional films for Inland Fisheries Ireland, and was co-producer of the popular films on Trout & Salmon fishing in Ireland. Its great to see FishTalk.tv broadcasting from Westmeath, and it’s a huge opportunity for the County to highlight our wonderful lakes and rivers. The one hour show goes out weekly every Thursday night, and can be viewed on Youtube, Smart TV and we are told a podcast of each programme is available for offline viewing. As mentioned I had a wonderful evening Reeling In the Years with Alan Broderick, and got some stick from some of my fellow anglers who tuned into the show. Alan would be delighted to here from local Angling clubs and association, or individual anglers who would like to have their say on FishTalk.tv.Alan can be contacted on 087-2411003 or alan@reelpassionmedia.com. Check it out FishTalk.tv.
MEDIA NET WORKING. Over the years I have mentioned my angling adventures across Ireland, and gave readers some on line information on some of Irelands top Angling venues. It’s always nice to venture to new waters, and check out what’s happening across Ireland on the Angling scene plus it’s a fantastic chance to brag about our wonderful angling here in Westmeath. Last week I teamed up with some of my pals from the angling media world. We fished on Courtlough Fishery near Balbriggan Co Dublin, and some fantastic rainbows came on line. The Fishery is only up and running the past 2years and is proving very popular with fly anglers who love a bit of fly fishing during the closed brown trout season. On the day I teamed up with my good pal Derek Davis who has quite a few relations here in Mullingar.Plus Keith Barry joined us, and I have invited Keith to come and fish in and around Mullingar when he gets a chance. Courtlough is well stocked and on the day we banked 75 lovely fish with some pushing 8-9lbs in weight. The longest fish caught on the day measured 60cm.I photographed another Derek Aka Derek Evans angling correspondent with The Irish Times on the day with Stuart Marry who has featured in Angling Focus over the years. Stuart is a member of Lough Lene Angling Association and also Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association. Stuart was helping out on the day and really done his stuff landing and measuring our catch. Also at the Helm was Courtlough Fly Fishing Fishery manager Garrett Ruigrok, and Garrett is as sound as a trout. Garrett can be contacted on 087-2712704 or fishing@courtlough.ie.
DERRYMORE RAINBOWS. With the recent heavy rain fall the rivers well bursting their banks with fresh water, not the best for the pike fishing. I had hoped to venture to Lough Iron but this is put on hold till the river Inny settles. We are certainly spoiled for choice here in Westmeath, and Saturday Morning after another few hours heavy rain I ventured out to Derrymore Springs Rainbow Fishery near Killucan.The Lake was in great shape and crystal clear, with some fish surface feeding unfortunally out of my casting range. I fished right into darkness with Uncle Pat, and we banked a few lovely Derrymore Springs Rainbows.
DEAD LINE. Ops what every angler hates a dead line beckons. The dates for Ireland Angling Show 2015 is Febuary 21st & 22nd, and I.P.F.W. will take place on Saturday 21st. More on this in the coming weeks. Lanesborough hot-water stretch has reopened to anglers after the Asian Clam invasive species was found in the system. It’s reopened under strict bio-security conditions. Tight Lines till next week.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Angling correspondent and photographer.
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling