It was a tough day on the western lakes last Sunday for the opening of the wild brown trout season. A few of us headed to the Corrib from Mullingar, and I was lucky enough to hook up with a few lovely Corrib trout, and a kelt salmon. On Saturday it was a different kettle of fish, and we basked in calm sunny conditions on Ennell.Water temperature is quite cold on Ennell, and at only 2 degree Celsius, the fish are not really feeding. All going well it will warm up for our opening day on March 1st.I was chatting to David o, Malley last week, and he has some super opening day specials, on rods and reels, if you fancy taking up the angling game. Derravaragh have their A.G.M. this coming Friday and the club is open to membership, so here is your chance to leap on board with Derravaragh Anglers.Daingan anglers had a cracking day out recently on the River Barrow, and huge bags of roach and dace were banked. Its show time and specimen award time this weekend, all going well we will be up in the big smoke Saturday and Sunday.
CORRIB BROWNIES. The Angling Focus team traveled to Corrib last Sunday Febuary 15th for opening day of the wild brown trout season. It was an early start and leaving Mullingar it was a lovely morning, but as soon as we got neat Galway the wind, and rain greeted us with open arms. Conditions were certainly not for the fainted hearted, and it was hard to entice the Corrib trout. I teamed up with pal Marty Smith, and my younger brother J.J. was with John Daly of Ballinafid.The lads were very unlucky not to have a few fish, and John hooked and lost 5 fish on the troll. Marty and I had the same Salmo trout colored lures on, and I had 9 hits, with Marty not getting a bite. Unbelievable, and our lures were only rod distance apart. We boated 4 lovely brown trout, and as evening fell a Kelt salmon hammered my little Salmo lure. Marty was on camera duty, and I was a little red in the face, and I can tell you its was not from the sun. A well no pain no gain, even in the Angling World.
ENNEL IN GREAT SHAPE. To the naked eye Lough Ennell is in great shape, and water clarity is very good. Last Saturday in flat calm conditions, there was quite a bit of fly life on the surface, with plenty of small midge but no surface feeding fish. The perch were on the move and hard to keep up with, but I will have some lovely perch pics up later in the week on my angling site. Ennell is quite cold at the moment and water temperature is just 2degrees Celsius at times. Derravaragh and Glore in recient days are just over 4 degrees, and Corrib on Sunday was just over 4 degrees. Temperature really seems to have an effect on the feeding patters of our fish, and on Ennell the Perch were stuck to the bottom in 45-50ft of water.
BROSNA CLEANING. Last week we mentioned the Brosna River was getting its annual cleaning. Some people were concerned about the amount of silt going down the Brosna and eventually settling in Ennell.Its not possible to clean the river without some bottom disturbance, and silt traps were in place, which worked well. I actually would be a little more concerned about the amount of rubbish dumped into the Brosna, and building up at the mouth of the river at Butlers Bridge. Next time I will photograph some of the items that make their way to Ennell, it will be certainly be an eye opener to some readers.
DAINGEAN MATCH ANGLERS. Daingan match anglers had a super day on the River Barrow near Athy reciently. On the day some super bags of roach and dace were banked. Fintan Brennan was certainly in the hot Spot, and bagged over 50lbs weight of dace, to take top rod. Section one winner was Sean Brerton with 34lbs of roach and dace, with Mariusz from the Polish pole anglers taking 2nd place with 29lbs11oz of fish.
OPENING DAY SPECIALS. Here in the Midlands our trout season will start on March 1st and local tackle dealer David o, Malley is gearing up for the 2015 season. David has some fantastic opening day specials on rod & reels, and also has a huge selection of lures just waiting to catch fish. Ok we anglers also get caught from time to time, and when we go into a Fishing Tackle shop we are like kids in a candy store. Soon we will have another Angling center here in Mullingar, watch this space for more details.
THAT’S IT.Derravaragh Anglers have their A.G.M. this coming Friday February 20th .The venue is Multyfarnham Community Center, and it’s a 8pm start. Also next weekend we have the Angling Show in The National Show Center near Swords, and the Specimen awards in Bewleys Airport Hotel. It will be a fantastic weekend, and certainly worth checking out the Angling show for what new in the Angling World. Tight Lines till next week.
CONTACT. Mick Flanagan
Mobile: 087-2797270
E mail mick@midlandangling.com
www.facebook.com/midlandangling