ANGLING NOTES:CIARAN Reilly (aged 12) from Loughrea, Co Galway, was adjudged best all-round fly-dresser for 2012 at the Connacht Youth Fly-tying Championships in Loughrea and will captain the team in the national championships later this year.
The event was run by the Western Lakes’ Angling School on behalf of Connacht Angling Council. “It was delightful to see so much enthusiasm among the youngsters, all eager to secure a place on the Connacht team,” said former fisheries inspector and one of the judges, Danny Goldrick.
* The Gold-ribbed Hare’s Ear (pictured) is a pattern used by most fly anglers and while there are many variations, the above pattern is Jimmy Tyrrell’s interpretation of the wet hare’s ear.
It was invented to imitate the olive, which seems odd because the olive has a very fine body. This pattern, in contrast, is rough bodied and does not remotely resemble the natural fly.
“The trout obviously see things differently because it is a superb fly to use when there is a hatch of olives on the river or lake and can be used throughout the season,” he said. Available at irishflycraft@gmail.com and 086-8451257.
* Three days into the salmon angling season in Kerry and I took full advantage of an outing on the Upper Lake in Killarney. Local angler Liam Buckley obliged for a morning session trolling on this deep and narrow lough with magnificent scenery in the Black Valley close to the Gap of Dunloe.
Trolling with three rods and Toby lures along the rocky shoreline and criss-crossing the lake at Colman’s Eye and the Long Range River, we failed to make contact with any fish. The previous day, Liam caught two kelts and Corry and Patsy O’Flaherty, fishing in close proximity to our boat, also caught some kelts.
I took time to visit Lord Brandan’s Cottage at the top of the lake. Originally a hunting lodge, now a refreshment stop-over for tourist boats, before guests return by horse-drawn carts through Moll’s Gap to Killarney.
* As water levels continued to fall on the Drowes River, a limited number of rods fished throughout the week with most fishing at the weekend. Bill Canney recorded a 4.5kg (10lb) salmon from the Trout Pool on a Devon Minnow and next day, regular rod Brian McEvoy caught a 3.8kg (8.5lb) fish on a spinner from the Lennox Bridge beat. For bookings, tel: 071-9841055 (8am to noon).
* Delphi Lodge and Fishery in Leenane, Co Galway, has published its rod days' availability list for 2012. To view dates and avail of special offer breaks, tel: 095-42222 or delphilodge.ie
* Environment Agency Wales (EAW) officers caught two men fishing out of season on the River Rhymney, near Cardiff, last Thursday week. The two men were apprehended after being reported.
One salmon, along with a rod, net and other fishing equipment believed to be connected with the alleged offence, was seized, Rhys Hughes, EAW, said: “Poaching at any time of year threatens the future stocks of salmon in the River Rhymney.”
* Details of a media fly-fishing outing were announced last week. The event will take place at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co Wicklow, on March 23rd.
* The Loughs Agency has published its second edition of Catchment for winter 2011. For a copy or to include a topic, email gillian.simpson@loughs-agency.org
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