October 16th, 2005 - Archived Salmon & Trout Fishing Reports for the Shannon Region

UPPER SHANNON

The Mc Donnell Cup was fished on the lake on Wednesday October 12th on a catch and release basis. 40 anglers caught 30 trout averaging 2lbs in weight. The winner was Gerry Swift Monaghan, 2nd Pat Bannon LSTPA with a fish of 46cms. In third place was Derrick Plunkett LSTPA with one fish of 1.25lbs. 4th and 5th was Michael Kelly LSTPA and Eric Murrow. This was followed by their end of season Annual BBQ and proceeds will go to the Board's hatchery in association with the LSTPA. Micheal Kelly LSTPA from Balbriggan had a good week with 16 trout averaging 1.5lbs all caught and released on dry flies. He fished with Peter O'Reilly CFB and had 5 fish. Nine other anglers fishing together in a local competition caught 15 trout averaging 1.5lbs.

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

LOUGH O'FLYNN & UPPER RIVER SUCK

For updates contact our Mullingar Office 044 48769 Mon to Fri - mornings only

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

Again Ennell held on to its trout despite the best efforts of seasoned anglers trying everything from Minkies to Mayflies. A lot of quality fish were seen pitching and most anglers reported moving fish, a familiar feature on Ennell lately, but failed to connect with them. The trout season has ended on Ennell now and will re-open on 1st March 2006 when it will all start again, hopefully with plenty of quality fish.

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

LOUGH OWEL

The season ended on a fairly quite note on Owel, though the end of season competition did produce 19 fish for 32 anglers, and anglers are already looking forward to the 2006 season.

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

LOUGH REE

Season closed - we will return in 2006

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

LOUGH DERRAVARAGH

Season closed - we will return next year 2006

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

PALLAS LAKE CO OFFALY

For updates contact Dinny Coyne Chairperson of the Pallas Lake Angling Club Tel: 087 2974306.

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

END OF SEASON COMPETITION ....

On Wednesday last 12th October anglers ventured out on Lough Ennell & Owel, and competed in the end of season fly-fishing competition. Fishing was from 10am-6pm with weigh-in Caffreys Bar & lounge Mount St, at 7pm. A total of sixty two anglers competed on the day with some good fish coming off both lakes. Once again it was Ennell that produced the quality trout, and Lough Owel produced the numbers. The top anglers from Owel were 1st Martin Poynton with a trout weighing 1.63lbs, 2nd Chris Mc Keown 1.49lbs, 3rd Ken McCarty 1. 47lbs,4th Martin McQuaid, 5th Andy Boyle, 6th Eugene Fagan, 7th Andy Duncan. The top rod from Lough Ennell was Mick Dunne with a super trout weighing 3.134lbs, followed by Dave McBride from Dublin with another good trout 1.812lbs, and 3rd was John Tyrrell with a fish 1.290. Weigh-Masters on the night were Andy Boyle & John Tyrrell, and they thanked all anglers for supporting the end of season competition, plus Jack Doolin & Chris McKeown for taking entries on Owel. They thanked Niall Caffrey & staff for the use of his premises & much appreciated "Sambos".

SALMON ANGLERS VOICE CONCERN....

Salmon anglers from all over Ireland and further a field voiced their concerns on their chosen sport recently at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Killarney. Naturally there was a large turn out from the Shannon Region. Addressing the large turn out of salmon anglers "Stop drift Nets now" chairman Niall Grenn stressed that at no other time has the salmon stock here in Ireland being at such a critical point, and as far as salmon fishing is concerned some rivers here in Ireland are as good as dead. Angling tourism has being badly hit by the low numbers of recorded rod caught salmon, putting an end to salmon drift netting will allow salmon return to rivers and spawn. Other countries which put an end to drift netting have seen a huge increase in salmon numbers returning to their natural spawning rivers.

LOWER SHANNON AREA

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY

The season is closed for 2005 - We will resume reporting in the opening week of the season March 2006, please join us then. We hope you enjoyed the reports from the fishery over the season.

For up to date fishing reports contact the local Assistant Fisheries Inspector Mr Paddy Halpin Mobile: 087 7729126