UPPER SHANNON

Week Ending Sunday May 30th, 2004

Sean Gurhy Assistant Fisheries Inspector Lough Sheelin Office reports

190 anglers caught and released over 200 trout averaging 1.5lbs. Anglers reported a good fall of spent gnat over the week when conditions allowed. Recently there are good hatches of Murrough sedge and buzzer with fish starting to surface. Some cracking large wild Sheelin trout were caught . The best fish was reported by Fergal Murray Kells at 7.5lbs. Fergal had a total of 4 fish for 16lbs on Murrough. His father Tom Murray Kells had 5 trout for 22lbs, best 7lbs on a Murrough. Eugene Mc Guinness had 4 fish for 17.25lbs, best fish another cracker of 6.75lbs, all on spent gnat. John Murphy LSTPA had 3 fish for 14.75lbs, averaging nearly 5lbs. Mr Frank Kelly LSTPA had 3 fish for 13.75lbs, best 7lbs. Billy Quail, Co Armagh had a 6 pounder and a five pounder. Patsy Smith LSTPA had 3 fish for 13.25lbs, all these fish were caught on spent gnat. Prospects look good for the next couple of weeks, so get at it if you want to lure one of these large wild Sheelin trout!

Photo: Frank Kelly LSTPA coming off Lough Sheelin during the week with this beauty of 7lbs caught on a spent gnat Mayfly, this was just an example of the many similar fish caught on the fishery last week. photo courtesy of the angler Frank Kelly

Further local info contact Mr Sean Gurhy, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Lough Sheelin Tel: 049 4336144

LOUGH O'FLYNN

Week Ending Sunday May 30th, 2004

John Ryan, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Ballinlough Office reports

Weather was warm and calm over a number of days which made it difficult for anglers to get close to their feeding fish. Some anglers were very lucky to hit it right. Anthony Baggot reported four quality trout for nearly 5lbs in two short sessions on Friday evening and Saturday evening last. Anthony caught the fish on Silver Dabbler and Claret Murrough. Mr C Laden from Castlerea had 4 nice fish on Tuesday evening, best 1.75lbs, all on the spent gnat. Four Scottish anglers first time visitors to Ireland staying at Barlow's accommodation enjoyed two days fishing the local rivers and lakes in the Suck Valley area. They had trout on each occasion using small dry flies.

Further local info contact Mr John Ryan, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Mobile: 087 6560038 Tel: 094 96 40103

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

Week Ending Sunday May 30th, 2004

Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office reports

Overall fishing didn't live up to expectations as forecast in last weeks report. That said those who were in the right place at the right time managed a few quality Ennell trout on both dry and wet flies when conditions permitted. There were steady hatches of Button for most of the week, with smaller hatches of both Mayfly and Alder. Buzzer fishing was not as brisk as the previous week, but could pick up again if conditions allow. Spent Gnat fishing was not good despite the fact that plenty of spinners did go out. Some changeable weather is forecast for the coming week and this might improve things. 24 trout were officially returned to weekending Sunday May 30th, being only a sample of the true catch. Again there were a number of fish of 4lbs plus reported. Pat Hannon from Collinstown had a 4 pounder on a buzzer on Monday May 24th. Paul Mc Cormack Kilbeggan had a fish of 4.5lbs. Pat Kelly had two fish for 3lbs on Buttons and Peter. The Garda Angling Club ran a competition on Wednesday May 26th. 20 anglers fished with one fish of 2.10lbs caught by Vinnie Connell. The L.E.T.P.A Nea Cup was fished on Sunday May 30th. 43 anglers caught 43 fish.

The Results were:

1st Place: Ciaran Newman Mullingar with a fish of 3.40lbs
2nd Place: Jim Stenson Mullingar with two fish of 2.28lbs and 1.38lbs using wet flies
3rd Place: Declan Sweeney with a fish of 2.42lbs using wet flies
4th Place: Mick Devaney Mullingar had two fish of 2.28lbs and 1.38lbs on the button

For further info contact Pat Mc Donnell Fishery Officer Mullingar Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH OWEL

Week Ending Sunday May 30th, 2004

Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office reports

Conditions were bright and sunny during the early part of the week but got slightly cooler as the week progressed. Wet fly fishing achieved the best results. Best flies were Golden Olive Bumble and Invicta. Most anglers were reporting some lively action when weather conditions favoured. 36 fish were returned for the week to weekending Sunday May 30th. John Plunkett Dublin had a good bag of six fish on May 24th caught on an Invicta and Mayfly. Mark Dunne Mullingar and Bobby Cordial Dublin had a fish each on Monday 24th, Bobby had several more fish the next day May 25th, returning most, best 2.75lbs. Tuesday and Wednesday May 25th and 26th produced several fish. Andy Boyle Mullingar, P O'Toole Dublin, Joe Vickers Tullamore and James Holt Mullingar were among the anglers who were successful. At time of writing sedge are starting to appear which should bring on a rise of fish if abundant enough. Let's wait and see!

For further info contact Pat Mc Donnell Fishery Officer Mullingar Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH REE

Week Ending Sunday May 30th, 2004

Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office reports

It was bright and warm with cool breezes in the evenings during the first half of the week, followed by more unsettled conditions. Anglers are reporting that the mayfly hatch has almost finished and that most of the spent have ‘gone out’, though anglers should have a few more evenings to try their luck for a ‘big one’ on the spent. Best locations were Hare island, Fathead islands and Rinardo Bay. Best Methods were dapping the mayfly and spent fishing in the evenings. Local Athlone anglers had good sport again returning 24 fish with most trout ranging from 3lbs 5lbs plus. James Naughton & Noel Breen Athlone had 3 fish, two dapping and one on a spent gnat. Michael Hughes had 5 fish to 3lbs on wet flies. Sean Kelly & friend had 5 fish up to 5lbs. Padraig Hanevy, Tommy Kelly, Shea Walsh, Cormac Doyle and Timmy Cunningham all had some action mostly to the spent gnat.

For further info contact Pat Mc Donnell Fishery Officer Mullingar Tel: 044 48769

Mick Flanagan, Angling Correspondent for the Westmeath Topic and Sunday World Newspaper Tel: 087 2797270: mick@midlandangling.com reports on Midland Lakes and Rivers.

ENNELL BEAUTIES....

Mid week seems to be the best time to be fishing on Lough Ennell, last week. I teamed up with Mark Ryan of Ashville Media Group in Dublin, We featured Mark last week with an Ennell cracker of 6lbs 8oz. He is still catching some beauties on Ennell. Last Wednesday he had a super 5lbs 1oz and 3lbs 8oz fish. Also at the moment the Perch are starting to go on the feed. Martin Smith from England had some beauties last weekend. I have no doubt Ennell is capable of producing specimen Perch. The specimen weight is set at 2.646lbs "1.2kg " & the Irish specimen fish record is 5lbs 8oz.

COMPETITIONS .....

The Rex Beaumont Cup will be fished next Sunday 6th June on Lough Ennell. Fishing is from 11am - 7pm, start & finish at Whitebridge Bay.

CAMCOR RIVER CRONEEN PROJECT APPEAL FOR INFO MAY 2004 ....

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board commenced a tagging programme in 2003 on the Camcor River, Birr, Co Offaly to study the 'Croneen' trout ' (a migratory Lough Derg trout). Fish were tagged with yellow Floy tags - See picture. The tags can be identified with a number which is SHRFB followed by a 5 digit number and the reverse side of the tag has the Fisheries Board Tel No which is 061-300238. We require certain data which includes, length, weight, date of capture, location and have designed a simple form accompanied by a map requesting your assistance and feedback should you catch any of these fish during the mayfly season on Lough Derg. If interested you can download the form and a migratory route map of the Croneen. It's available in WORD CLICK HERE or in PDF CLICK HERE or by request from our Limerick office at 061 300238 . SEE BACKGROUND INFO

ShRFB reports for Jim Robinson, Fishing Guide Lower Shannon and for CASTLECONNELL SALMON FISHERY and lower River Shannon Tel Mob: 087 2339999 Landline: +353 61 453808 Web Address: http://www.iol.ie/~jimrob

A few grilse are staring to run in as we write at the Longshore and Plassey. There is no water on the Mulcair and the Shannon at Castleconnell is low with very few fish reported.

Richard Keays, Millbank House, Murroe, Co Limerick, Ireland http://www.millbankhouse.com Email to info@millbankhouse.com Tel 061 386115 reports for the River Mulcair system.

Salmon

The River Mulcair like all other rivers in Ireland suffered greatly from the little rainfall and high water temperature. The majority of visiting angling fished at first light and late evenings when weather conditions were much cooler. The river had a small stock of salmon from previous months and they were confined to the deep pools and proved quiet difficult to catch. The number of salmon caught was back from the same month last year. Some visitors to Millbank Angling had success. Henry Bowen (English) had 2 salmon 11lbs and 7.5 lbs. on the fly at Scart on the main river, Mark Woods (English) had also two grilse 5lbs and 7 lb. on worms and spinning flying “C” . Fredrick Zurfuh from Switzerland had 1 nice salmon of 10 lbs on the fly on the Millbank stretch. Some local anglers Mike Doherty Limerick had 6 salmon mainly on fly. from 6lb. - 11lb. Jack Keays had one 7 lbs on spinner.

Trout fishing

We had excellent Trout fishing in May due to the warm weather and the very good hatch, especially on the smaller Rivers of Newport and Bilbao. Some anglers had exceptional catches of up to 50 trout in one day on the fly. I must also say that the Trout fishing was confined to the early morning and late evening on the Bilbao and Newport Rivers. Mr Viveen (Holland) did very well in six days he caught 56 trout mainly on a variety of sedges. Jean Louis Marichy French had 60 Trout in 5 days with some in the 35-40 cm but mainly 25-30. The biggest trout were caught on the Killeennagarriff River. At Millbank we fish four different rivers for trout in the week and all these wild brownies and we recommend that those brownies are returned to the river.

Juvenile Trout Competition

The Juvenile Trout Competition was held on the 29^th May. 36 keen anglers took part in the annual competition that was organized by the Mulcair and District Anglers Association. The day was dry, overcast and light winds this provided ideal conditions for trout fishing. A record number of 102 trout were caught with nearly all anglers taking trout this resulted in a great day for all. The over all winner Alan Kett who had 12 lbs weight of trout and received the Dan Barry Cup.

ShRFB reports for TJ O'Brien, TJ's ANGLING CENTRE KILLALOE Tel: 061 376009 for the Lower Shannon and Lough Derg

During the past few weeks the Mayfly fishing on Lough Derg has been at it's best for many years. with good hatches of Mayfly, the trout have been feeding well and some large specimens have been landed on all areas of the lake. The green fly has now all but finished but the gnat fishing in the evening is still accounting for a good share of fish. "Andersons Spent" gnat is a popular pattern as is the traditional black winged pattern. Conditions over the next few days may get what gnat are remaining in the trees to take to the lake and encourage a final round of feeding.

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY for weekending Sunday May 16th

No fish reported for the week mostly due to the conditions not favouring salmon anglers. All rivers in the locality are very low.

Coarse and Trout Angling Club Mountshannon reports on the Mayfly fishing at Mountshannon

The Mayfly season is now over on Derg for another year. Anglers can reflect on some great fishing when conditions were favourable over the past weeks.

Contact: Ruairi Costello 086-8868033 or e-mail Peter Turner peter.f.turner@bms.com for further information on local fishing. or See for upcoming competitions MORE

Apr	JUN	Aug
	02
2003	2004	2005