The ShRFB Angling Section reports for Mr Dermot Killeen Angling Contact for Shannonbridge Co Offaly Tel 0905 74112 Email:   jimmyjkilleen@yahoo.com

Angling numbers were well down on previous weeks and consequently returns are not representative of angling potential in the area.

Ron & Geoff, two anglers from Nottingham fished for three days at the mouth of the Backwater and claimed it was stuffed with fish. They reckoned that if using a stick float one could catch a fish a chuck. They had moderate catches of 30lbs to 48lbs of mixed fish, hybrids, tench to 4lbs, skimmers and occasional bream to 4.5lbs. The Tipperary trio whom we reported on last week are night fishing Mickies Backwater and were pleased with their catches, best 120lbs of bream on Saturday night. On Sunday they had good fun with eels and 4 pike deadbaiting. English angler Steve Nell from Sheffield had a great early morning start  on the Canal at Ferbane on Friday with 12 bream plus other mixed fish, rudd and roach.

Fishing Story

THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY: Back in 1981 Bert Cooper who unfortunately died in 2000, brought a young Nigel Box from Derbyshire to fish in Shannonbridge who has been a regular since. Last evening I met him with a girl called Ann and asked if they had been fishing. Nigel told me that they had both shared an umbrella and Ann had caught three times as many fish as he did. Further conversation revealed that they had got married last Saturday and were spending a fishing honeymoon holiday, combined with sightseeing while staying with Nigel's hosts Seamus and Celine Grennan at Riverside View bungalow.

Ann may have won the catch of the day but Nigel won the ultimate prize. We at the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board wish them both every future happiness in their marriage and pity that Bert Cooper is not around to share the joy of  the occasion. Nigel promised to take a camera on their next outing.

The ShRFB Reports for Mark Egan Athlone  Bait Stockist, Angler and Accommodation Provider Email:  info@shannonsidehouse.com Website www.shannonsidehouse.com  Tel: 0902 94773 Mob 087 8517299 reports for the River Shannon and Inny Athlone area.

This is the first time in a number of months that water levels have gone back to normal for the time of year with the meadows stretch downstream of Athlone now totally clear of flood water. While catches were patchy generally, bream were reported moving and topping at the canal end of the meadows. Colin Cooper from Harrogate Yorkshire was in the right place at the right time, bagging 20 bream for about 70lbs on the stretch. Conditions are good at the time of writing and water temperatures have warmed up significantly following the mild temperatures of last week.

The ShRFB reports for John Dyson, Angling Advisor and Accommodation Provider, Ballyshrule Fishing Lodge,  Portumna Angling Centre Tel: 0509 41528

Fishing is a bit patchy in the area and angling numbers are down on other weeks. Kevin Grant from Fulford York had up to 92lbs on the northern shores of Lough Derg, averaging 50lbs to 70lbs. Clive Westlake from Barnsley had a best day of 106lbs and averaged 60lbs on the river venues in Portumna.           

Mick Flanagan Angling Guide Mullingar Tel: 087 2797270: Email mick@midlandangling.com reports for the Mullingar Area 

THE SEAN WEIR MEMORIAL TROPHY was fished on Lough Derravaragh on Sunday week last.

RESULTS

SENIORS 1st Place: Mick Hayden 2nd Place: Martin Fagan, 3rd Place: Jonny Geraghty, 4th Place Tom Newman, 5th Place: Barry Newman 6th Place: David Garaghan

JUNIORS 1st Place: David Fagan, 2nd Place: Simon McGovern, 3rd Place: Shane Boggs, 4th Place: Emer Ledwith, 5th Place: Nichole Garaghan,

Presentation of prizes was held in Pat Weirs of Multyfarnham.  Results and fixtures phone Mick at 087-2797270 or e-mail mick@midlandangling.com"

Castlepollard Tackle Shop...
With angling growing more popular than ever ,the demand for angling outlets in smaller towns and villages is growing. Pat Smith of 6 Castlegrove, Castlepollard has recently opened a tackle shop. Pat is involved in Lough Glore angling club and is a member of the defence forces ,based in column barracks Mullingar. Pat is wished all the best from all the midland anglers and can be contacted at the above address or phone 044-61852.

The ShRFB Angling Section reports for Raymond Duthie, The Old Forge B&B  Banagher Angling Advisor and Bait Stockist Tel: 0509 51504.  Email: kmduthie2@eircom.net 

Coarse fishing has been switching on and off both on the Shannon and the Grand Canal. Meelick was fishing quite well earlier last week but a weekend of rain resulted in hit and miss results for a number of  anglers. On the up side if you are interested in Pike fishing, anglers are reporting good pike doubles to specimen weight, especially on the Meelick match stretch.  

Lower Shannon Area

Stephen Ryan Email stephen.ryan@veritas.com reports on a recent trip to Lough Bridget East Clare Lakes

" Poor evening Tench fishing . Fished during dusk a number of evenings , red maggots, worm, sweetcorn, breadflake etc. Very low returns "