UPPER SHANNON

LOUGH SHEELIN

There hasn't been much angling activity on Lough Sheelin since St Patrick's Day trout fishing competition, mainly due to the poor weather conditions. A few good fish were returned. On Sunday 24th April JOHN MURPHY, Crover had one trout of 4.75lbs on a Claret and Mallard. Swiss angler Peter Shrink Angling guest of Mary O'Reilly INNYSIDE GUESTHOUSE had a lovely fish of 9lbs. Michael Kelly, Ballbriggan, had 3 fish for 5.75lbs on 14th April best fish 3.5lbs, all on a dry sedge, all fish were released. His next trip was on 21st April. On this occasion he caught two fish of 1.75lbs each, both released. He reported seeing a few olives hatching in the bog area of the lake. Mr Eamon Ross, Secretary, L.S.T.P.A., caught a nice trout of 2.75lbs. at the back of Church Island on Saturday last April 23rd. There were a number of anglers out fishing on Sunday April 24th. Fishing conditions are still cold with an east - south-east wind. If weather gets milder we should have hatches of buzzer and olives which should provide more comfortable angling conditions and hopefully the entice the the trout to rise.

For updates contact Mr Sean Gurhy, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Lough Sheelin Tel: 049 4336144

LOUGH O'FLYNN & UPPER RIVER SUCK

Local youth angler Raymond Burns fished the Island River and had 8 to 12 trout each evening over two sessions (releasing most) fish averaged about 8-9 inches.

For updates contact Mr John Ryan, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Mobile: 087 6560038 Tel: 094 96 40103

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

It was another cold week but the fishing has improved on recent weeks and with more Olives hatching the trout should start to surface to feed as milder conditions are expected. Best flies were Bibio, Black Pennell and Duck fly. Tosh Grimes and Sean Matthews, Mullingar had 3 fish of 3lbs, 2lbs and 2.5lbs on the 23^rd and 24th April respectively. The Oak’s brothers from Mullingar had 2 fish of 3lbs and 2lbs. Sean Weir, Clara also had 2 fish best 4lbs. Martin Cooney, Tullamore had a fish of 1.5lbs. M. Daly, Tullamore had a fish 2.5lbs and lost a very big trout at the net, estimated weight approx 10lbs. A visiting Scottish angler had a fish of 2lbs on a Black Pennell.

For updates contact Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH OWEL

There were not many anglers out fishing Owel due to the harsh weather conditions and this was borne out by the weigh-in for the O’Malley Cup. Some small hatches of Olives were seen on Sunday and this could bring the fish surface feeding in the coming week. Joe Vickers, Tullamore had 2 fish for 3lbs on fly. Pat Fagan, Mullingar had 1 fish of 1.5lbs. The O’Malley Cup competition was fished on Sunday 24^th April. 28 anglers caught 13 fish. 1^st John Plunkett, Mullingar. with a fish of 1.75lbs. 2^nd Michael Kelly, Mullingar 2*1.5lbs. 3^rd Jerry Cleary jnr, Mullingar had one fish of 1.25lbs.

For updates contact Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH REE

The cool weather kept the majority of anglers off the lake and on Sunday. However the weigh-ins for the different club competitions was reasonable. Some anglers reported seeing the first of this seasons Mayfly hatching on Ree and this shows how close the big hatch is. The Coosan Anglers competition attracted 20 anglers with a return of 4 fish. 1^st M. Mc Keirnan, Athlone M. Breen, Athlone had a fish of 3.14lbs which was released. 2^nd James Costello, Athlone with a fish of 3.11. 3^rd Eamon Quinn, Athlone had a trout of 2.5lbs. 24 anglers caught 5 fish in the (Newtown) Cashel Anglers competition. 1^st James Flynn, Newtown with a nice fish of 6.5lbs. 2^nd Peter Farrell, Newtown 1 fish 1.3lbs. 3^rd Stephen Hearty, Newtown 1 fish 1.2lbs. 20 boats caught 2 fish in the Killemore anglers competition.

For updates contact Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH GLORE

No report this period

For updates contact Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office Tel: 044 48769

LOUGH DERRAVARAGH

The Derravaragh anglers held both the Tight Lines and The Abbott Cup competitions on Sunday 24^th April, with 11 anglers fishing. Tight Lines Cup. 1^st Christy Cox, Multyfarnham had a fish of 2.5lbs. In the Abbott Cup competition 1^st Joe Kenna, Dublin with a fish of 4.5lbs.

For updates contact Pat Mc Donnell, Fishery Officer Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Mullingar Office 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.

Photo: Mullingar Angler Johnny Plunkett was top rod last Sunday during the J, O'Malley Cup Trout competition on Lough Owel, presenting the Cup is David O'Malley - photo courtesy of Michael Flanagan, Angling Correspondent, Mullingar

LOUGH GLORE ...

Anglers on Lough Glore are enjoying the best of both worlds at the moment when it comes to fishing. There has being reports of good trout fishing on the lake with the best period being in the evening time, On the competition front on Glore the next event is the Vincent Smith Open which will be fished on Sunday 8th May. More on this next week.

O'MALLEY CUP...

The popular J. O' Malley Cup was fished last Sunday on Lough Owel in very bright conditions, Fly-life was very scarce on the surface and this made it very difficult to move trout. Still it was a very enjoyable day out and the good news is the O'Malley Cup stays in town. Well known local anglers Johnny Plunkett was top rod with a trout 0.720k. In second place was Michael Kelly with a fish 0.600kg,with joint 3rd Gerry Cleary (Junior) 0.560kg, and Peter Mc Carton also 0.560kg. David O'Malley presented the prizes and thanked all competitors for fishing the competition.

LAKELAND ANGLERS...

On Lough Owel next Sunday 1st May Lakeland anglers will hold the E.S.B Cup trout competition. Fishing is from 11am-6pm. Hopefully fishing will improve during the week on Owel and we will see a good result coming off the lake. Lakeland Anglers are also preparing for their annual trip to Lough Conn, this is one of the highlights of the clubs angling activities for the 2005 season. The dates are Friday 20th,Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May. Plans for the trip are at a advanced stage and we are told their is some super prizes up for grabs over the weekend.

LOUGH DERRAVARAGH...

Lough Derravaragh Anglers hosted the Abbott Trophy & Tightlines trout competition last Sunday 24th April, Their was some quality trout caught on the day. The winner of the Abbott Trophy was Joe Keena with a super trout weighing 4lbs 3oz,Christy Cox won the Tightlines prize with another quality trout weighing 2lbs 5oz.Over the coming weeks Derravaragh could be worth a trip. As a rule some good hatches of Olives can be seen on the lake.

LOWER SHANNON AREA

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY

There was great fishing water at the start of the week following Sundays downpour. 7 fish were reported caught on Monday April 18th, all by anglers spinning the Kilty Lure. The best fish of the week and season so far was caught by Joe Divine Newcastlewest on Saturday April 23rd. The fish weighed 17lbs and he had great fun battling such a large fish on a fly. Paul Devine Newcastlewest had another fine double figure fish of 14lbs earlier in the week spinning. Other anglers had fish from 6lbs to 8lbs including a 10 pounder for Dave Kearney, Lisselton which he landed on Saturday 23rd April on a fly. Well done to the other anglers Michael Crowley Tralee, Mick Dee Newcastlewest, Michael Enright Tralee and Listowel anglers Danny Shine, Michael Moroney and Tom Baker.

Photo: Anglers enjoying their salmon fishing on the dropping flood on the River Feale in Co Kerry - photo courtesy of Paddy Halpin Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Assistant Fisheries Inspector, Listowel.

ShRFB reports for Jim Robinson, Angling Guide Lower Shannon and for CASTLECONNELL SALMON FISHERY Tel Mob: 087 2339999. Web Address: http://www.iol.ie/~jimrob

No report received

TJ O'Brien, TJ's ANGLING CENTRE KILLALOE Tel: 061 376009 Mob 087 8108225 for the Lower Shannon and East Clare Lakes

A few May fly are appearing on Lough Derg with the first fish just caught on dry greenfly at time of writing. The hatch should start to peak over the next week or so, so get prepared.

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.

No report received this period

ShRFB Fishery Officer Ken O'Neill reports for River Maigue at Castleroberts

No report this period

Local youth angler Raymond Burns fished the Island River and had 8 to 12 trout each evening over two sessions (releasing most) fish averaged about 8-9 inches.

The Derravaragh anglers held both the Tight Lines and The Abbott Cup competitions on Sunday 24th April, with 11 anglers fishing. Tight Lines Cup. 1st Christy Cox, Multyfarnham had a fish of 2.5lbs. In the Abbott Cup competition 1st Joe Kenna, Dublin with a fish of 4.5lbs.

The Derravaragh anglers held both the Tight Lines and The Abbott Cup competitions on Sunday 24^th April, with 11 anglers fishing. Tight Lines Cup. 1^st Christy Cox, Multyfarnham had a fish of 2.5lbs. In the Abbott Cup competition 1^st Joe Kenna, Dublin with a fish of 4.5lbs.