Angling Notes/Derek Evans:THE weather is improving and the sea trout are running in numbers into the Waterville system in Co Kerry, according to angling manager John Murphy. Spring salmon are in evidence, catches are improving and the brown trout are up on the duckfly.
April through to September should give anglers the best chance to catch a specimen sea trout. On April 4th, PJ Keating from Co Meath caught the first specimen of the season at the north side of Church Island. The fish weighed 3.48kg and came to the fly.
Waterville is offering membership through the Community Fishery Group (Waterville Fisheries Development) at a cost of €100, which entitles anglers to free fishing on the Cummeragh River along with two guests and reduced boat hire on the Upper Lakes.
Lough Currane sits a few feet above sea level with a beautiful backdrop of mountains and spruce forests and is the largest "pool" on the Cummeragh River. Spring salmon, grilse and vast numbers of sea trout run only a short 450m length of river to reach the lough. Sea trout can be found throughout the huge expanse of water and often the most successful anglers are those who experiment with new drifts. While all legitimate methods may be used, fly-fishing is preferred. Ghillie, boat and engine hire is €140 per day.
Lough Derriana is west Kerry's brown trout "jewel", containing fish of a higher-than-average size for a non-limestone lake. Two boats available for hire.
Lough Namona produces many of the very large sea trout for which the area is famous. Brown trout are also in abundance. Lough Cloonaghlin is best known as a sea trout and brown trout fishery and the occasional salmon. One boat is available on both loughs.
The Cummeragh River drains a catchment of 120sq km, including 10 loughs into Lough Currane. Water levels on the five-mile stretch hold well for several days after a spate and the river is better known for summer grilse fishing. Non-members require a permit.
On the Inny, fishing is confined to 24 hours following a spate. Regarded mainly as a grilse river, it is a managed fishery and limited to nine rods. Catch and release will apply for 2008 season. For further information visit www.loughcurrane.comor contact John Murphy at 086-3991074.
• "It's been years since so many fish were seen in the river so early in the season," says Western Regional Fisheries Board inspector Kevin Crowley at the Galway Weir. Fish have been caught on fly, spinner and shrimp and with four gates open, fish are moving through all the time, he says. Thirteen salmon were landed for the week, with eight lost. Davey Hoy from Northern Ireland caught the first fish of the season on fly. Water conditions are ideal and prospects are excellent for a good spring season.
• The Moy system accounted for 26 salmon including six from the East Mayo Anglers' Association Water. Among the lucky anglers were Seamus Commons, Bohola, with a 2.7kg fish (released) on fly, and Ian Guegan, who caught and released a fine 4.5kg salmon.
Free fishing is available on the Ridge Pool up until the first salmon is caught there and, with water levels dropping fast, the first may be caught very soon!
• There are confirmed reports of mackerel caught off Dún Laoghaire Pier recently and at the Kish Bank by boat anglers.
• Lombard On-The-Water Boat Show will take place from next Thursday to Sunday at Malahide Marina, Co Dublin. The show is billed as one of the most visual showcases in Ireland with more than 150 boats on display. In addition, 50 exhibitors will display chandlery, holidays afloat and smaller craft.
• The recent Waterways Ireland Pike Challenge had the biggest prize fund of any fishing competition held in Ireland. In all, €24,000 was distributed in prizes among 180 anglers on two of Leitrim's best known lakes - Lough Garadice and Lough Boderg (near Dromod).
Weather conditions were uncompromising but the pike people were not perturbed and by the end of the two-day event more than 200 were landed, weighed and returned to the water. Overall winner was Dr Ken Whelan from Dublin with a magnificent pike of 10.5kg.