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

UPPER SHANNON

Weather hampered angling on Lough Sheelin with strong north to north east winds, heavy rain and hail thunderstorms. There was an estimate of 60 trout returned over the last couple of weeks, averaging 1.5lb Over the weekend some nice trout were caught on the Mourrough with a small number on the spent gnat and buzzer. There were hatches of Mayfly, Buzzer and Mourrough observed all over the lake. A fall of spent gnat were also evident on suitable evenings but few trout taking. Mr Gene Brady from Cavan had 2 trout for 7lbs, best fish 4lbs on Mourrough. Eamon Connors from Kells had a 4 pounder on the Mourrough. Mr Miller, Dublin had a fish of 3.5lbs on Buzzer. Jim Mc Govern Kells had a fish of 3lbs on buzzer. Jim Mc Govern and Mr Mc Fadden Kells had a 3lb trout each.

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

LOUGH O'FLYNN & UPPER RIVER SUCK

Buzzer is the order of the day on Lough O'Flynn with good fishing reported. The Mayfly appeared last Monday week which is exceptionally early for O'Flynn. A few cold blustery days didn't aid fishing though. There are still thundery downpours. Gerry Larkin and two friends from Carrick Fergus Eric Shannon and John Mc Guckian had 19 fish between over two days, mostly to buzzer, claret and silver Dabbler. They returned a good share of their catch, best fish 2lbs 7ozs. Anthony Baggot, Castlerea and his nephew Ronan had plenty of small fish to 0.75lbs in the main River Suck in the Castlerea/Ballymoe area. They also had two short evenings in Lough O'Flynn and had 3 fish each evening.

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

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

Some great bags of fish were reported caught on the buzzer for anglers who are prepared to stay late but generally the Mayfly hatch has been very disappointing with no major hatch observed. Some fish are coming to both the Button and Alder during the day and this might improve if weather conditions remain favourable. Some super fish were caught, several fish between 5lbs and 6lbs. John O’Malley, Mullingar had three fish for 12lbs 8ozs, best 5lbs 4ozs. Mick Clarke, Castletown, Mullingar had three fish of 5lbs 8ozs, 4lbs 8ozs and 3lbs. Pat McDonnell, Athlone had 4 fish to 1.5lbs, all released, caught on a golden olive dabbler and Welshman's button. Brendan Considine had two fish on buzzer best 5lbs 4ozs. Mick Devaney, Mullingar and Kenny Algar, Mullingar also had some good fish on buzzer.

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

LOUGH OWEL

There are very few anglers are fishing the lake at the moment and Owel will remain quiet until the Mayfly is finished on the bigger lakes. There are small hatches of Mayfly presently. Sean Matthews, Mullingar had 13 in total, all released, average weight 1lb8ozs. Jimmy Cahill and friend, Mullingar totalled 25 trout for the week (all released) average weight 1lb 6ozs. Visiting angler Will Horn & friend, Scotland caught and released 5 fish averaging 1.5lbs.

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

LOUGH REE

There were some excellent reports from Lough Ree this week with most anglers reporting fish. Over 200 trout were returned officially with most fish averaging 2lbs to 4lbs with other larger fish to over 7lbs recorded. Dapping is the most successful method but anglers wet flyfishing are having plenty of sport also. Most areas of the lake are fishing and there has been some very good hatches of Mayfly over the last few days, particularly towards the end of the week and over the weekend, also plenty of Welshman's Button on the water. A number of anglers had some great sport. Wally Cassidy, Castlepollard had the best fish of the week, a fine trout of 7lbs 9ozs caught on dry fly. J Mc Geehan, Athlone had a few good fish on the dapp, best 2 fish for 9lbs and one of 4lbs. Ollie O'Neill, Castlepollard had a fish of 5lbs 11ozs on a Grey Wulff. K. Byrnes had two fish one day, best 5lbs 8ozs. H. Reid, Athlone had a number of fish to 4.5lbs. B. Moran Athlone had a fish of 5lbs 4ozs. Other Athlone anglers recorded quality fish to over 4lbs and included in this was Athlone angler J Blacoe. Peter. Foy, Newtowncashel had a number of trout over the week to 3lbs. Pat Mc Donnell Athlone had three fish ranging from 2lbs to 3lbs 6ozs. Other anglers who had fish included, D. Costello, Longford with a fish of 2lbs3ozs. P. Hanniffy, Jimmy Nally, Multyfarnham, John Gaffney Dublin, Eddie Purcell and David and Andy Duncan Mullingar, Joe Crane, Roundstone, Joe Mc Cormac, Newtowncashel, Paddy Whitelaw, Mullingar, just to mention some. The Midland Trout Anglers competition was fished on Ree on Sunday 22^nd May 1^st Place: Hughie Reid, Athlone with a fish of 3lbs 4.5ozs, 2^nd John McGeehan, Athlone with a fish of 2lbs 6ozs, 3^rd Padraig Hanniffy (jnr 10 yrs) with a fish of 1lb 8ozs, all caught on the dapp. All in all a superb week on Lough Ree.

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

No report this period.

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

PALLAS LAKE CO OFFALY

No report this period

For updates contact Brendan Mundy, Assistant Fisheries Inspector Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Birr Office Tel: 087 9974521

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

ZEBRA MUSSEL ....

Our little Zebra Mussels are back in the news of late. Over the past few seasons we featured this little chap from time to time, now there is big concerns that they will make their way to Ennell, Owel, Lene, and some other midland waters. Having established itself on Lough Derravaragh in recent years its quite possible it will reach other Waterways here around Mullingar. If by chance you come across Zebra Mussels on your local waters please contact. Dr Dan Minchin, Marine Institute, Fishery Research Centre, Abbotstown, Dublin 15.01-8210111.or Dr.T.K. Mc Carthy, Zoology Department, University of Galway.091-7500379.

FISHERY AWARENESS WEEK .....

A fishery awareness week is pencilled in all across the Shannon Region from June 4th - up until June 12th, this awareness week is designed to increase public awareness of the excitement of recreational fishing and conservation of our fisheries resource. There are a number of Counties involved in the fisheries awareness week including Cavan, Offaly and Westmeath. Here is a brief run down of what is happening here in the Mullingar area. On Sunday 5th there will be a fisheries Open day on Lough Owel with Angling Demonstrations, Fly Casting, Electro Fishing demonstration by Shannon Fisheries Board Staff and there will be a aquarium in place to show you what sort of fish are in our local waters. You are also invited to take a friend fishing from 2pm-6pm from Mullally's. On Tuesday 7th June their will be a Angling Demonstration on Lough Derravaragh at Donoor Shore, also included will be Electro Fishing and take a friend fishing from 5pm-8-30pm. On Thursday 9th June you are invited to take a kid fishing on the Royal Canal (Harbour) from 6pm-8pm.Finally on Sunday June 12th you are invited to take a friend fishing on Lough Ennell from 2pm-6pm. There will also be Angling Demonstrations, Fly-Casting and a Aquarium in place at Whitebridge Bay Lough Ennell. There is free fishing on the Shannon Regional Fisheries Boards controlled waters from June 4th-12th during the Fisheries Awareness Week here in the Mullingar area and if you need any more info please contact ShRFB 061-300238 or locally Dermott Broughan 087-2595286.

MAYFLY MADNESS....

We have received reports of some small hatches of Mayfly on Ennell and Lough Owel. Lough Owel was stocked last week and this has improved fishing on the lake with reports of plenty of rod bending action. Lough Ennell trout are still playing hard to get but we are told some good trout are being caught late in the evening on Buzzers. Also local anglers trolling on Ennell are catching some cracking trout. Tosh Grimes and fishing pal Kevin Molloy hooked up with a few Ennell beauties pushing on the 4lbs mark. Lough Lene near Collinstown is still fishing quite well, and last Sunday there was a good hatch of May-Fly on the lake, and sure enough the fish took full advantage of the Mayfly bonanza with some cracking rainbow trout being caught. Evening Buzzer fishing is also producing some good fishing on Lene, and it's looking very promising for the Peter & Murrough season.

JIMMY NEA CUP....

On Sunday next 29th May Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association will host the Jimmy Nea Cup (Fly-Fishing). Fishing is from 11am-7pm with weigh-in at Whitebridge Bay. This is a club competition and new members are welcome on the day. If we get good fishing conditions and a few Mayfly hatching on the lake I am sure some good Ennell trout will be caught on the day.

LOWER SHANNON AREA

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY

Water conditions remain very low with very little fishing activity evident. There was only one Salmon reported for the week which was caught by Tom Baker of Listowel fishing in a very small fresh during the week. He caught the fish on a Kilty lure which weighed 5lbs. Heavy thundery rain brought a rise of about 8 inches on Sunday morning but not enough to encourage angling. Heavy showers forecast for the remaining part of the week should rise water levels, whether this is sufficient to move fish and get anglers interested remains to be seen. Hopefully we will have positive news for next weeks update.

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 Lough Derg

Mayfly fishing was hampered by strong winds. We had news of one good trout caught Jimmy Hanly at 8lbs on the gnat down river from Killaloe.

ShRFB reports on the Mayfly Fishing on Lough Derg off Mountshannon

David Bourke from Mountshann had a fish of 4lbs 5os on Monday on the gnat. He had 2lbs toi 3lbs. Ruiri Costello had 4 fish all 2lbs plus.

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.

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

Two 10lb salmon were reported caught on the River Maigue, one fish at Castleroberts by Pat Keane.

For angling updates on Castleroberts Mob: 087 9810817

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