Game Angling & Fisheries News, Announcements, Upcoming Events/Notices & Reports: (Salmon & Trout Fishing)

UPPER SHANNON

LOUGH SHEELIN

Little angling to report for the opening week. Weather cold and dry.

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

LOUGH O'FLYNN

No reports this period

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

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

The opening day on Lough Ennell was extremely cold with northerly winds and this proved too much for most anglers. A few hardy anglers did brave the elements but unfortunately were not rewarded for their efforts. Weather conditions will have to improve before we see our first returns of 05. There were a few early Duckfly on the water.

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

LOUGH OWEL

The opening day saw plenty of anglers on the lake with some good fish reported. Since opening day 32 fish have been officially returned by anglers on Lough Owel with many more returned. Best Flies were Peter Ross, Bibio and Claret Bumble and fish were caught on most parts of the lake. Angling should improve with milder weather.

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

LOUGH REE

The opening day on Lough Ree was extremely cold with light northerly winds and this proved uncomfortable for most anglers. Two of the Athlone based clubs held competitions on Sunday 6^th March with very few fish weighed in. 18 boats fished the Killinure Angling Club Competition. Only 3 fish were weighed in, heaviest 3.6lb. A few hardy anglers braved the cold and managed a few hard earned fish. Athlone angler Shea Walsh had a fish of 2.25lbs trolling. Eamon Ouinn, Athlone had a nice fish over 2lbs on fly. Steve Turner, Athlone had three fish, best 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: L/R Michael Flanagan and Con Hope Mullingar, well known midland anglers with their specimen fish awards from the Irish Specimen Fish Committee on Sunday last March 6th at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. In photo Dr Waldron Mullingar. For more info on the Irish Trophy Fish visit the Irish Specimen Fish Committee website http://www.irish-trophy-fish.com/

TROUT SEASON KICKS OFF WELL ON THE MIDLAND TROUT FISHERIES....

The trout season opened last Tuesday 1st March, with reports of super fish coming from Lough Owel and lough Lene, John Lennon from Gleniden Collinstown hit the high notes on lough Lene with a super trout of 3lbs on the opening day. Also his brother-in law Seamus Hennessy from Dysart had a cracker of 2lbs 8oz. On Wednesday while fishing with Paul Moran I landed a super fish of 5lbs 10 oz on the troll, and Ardee angler Peter Mc Keever caught a super trout of 3lbs 8oz on a Bibio fly. Lough Lene was still producing big trout into the weekend with Tommie Kelly and J.J Flanagan catching four trout, the heaviest 5lbs. I hope to give Lough Owel and Ennell a run this week and will keep you posted.

Photo: L-R Trevor Champ (chairman I.S.F.C.) Paddy Byrne (retired), Brian Geraghty (retired) and Dr. Willie Roach (Secretary I.S.F.C.). Paddy Byrne and Brian Geraghty were presented with Genesis Lamps by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee.

LOUGH DERRAVARAGH

No fishing reports yet.

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

LOWER SHANNON AREA

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY

It was a very cold dry week with high pressure sitting over Ireland. This time of year this often means night frosts and cool temperatures. Water levels on the Feale are now very low with no prospects of any appreciable rain forecast for the next few days. This is likely to kill off salmon fishing for now. Since our report last week less than a handful of salmon were reported caught. We need a flood to move fish!

Photo: Liam Ryan of Tralee and fishing partner David Murphy of Newcastlewest on the opening day on the River Feale, Co Kerry.

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

A few salmon were caught on the lower Shannon at Plassey. The first fish of the season were reported from the River Maigue in Limerick. No fresh run fish reported yet from Castleconnell Salmon Fishery.

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