March 8th, 2006 - Archived Salmon & Trout Fishing Reports for the Shannon Region

UPPER SHANNON

John O'Driscoll, an angler from Ballyjamesduff Co Cavan opened his account on Lough Sheelin with a nice well conditioned trout of 4lbs 12ozs on Sunday last March 5th. He caught the fish at Crover House boat pier on a single Silver Invicta on the point. The fish were attacking roach fry shoals and when hooked at 17:45hrs the fish fought for 25 minutes before being landed.

Photo: photo courtesy of John O'Driscoll Sin E, Derrylurgan, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan

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

LOUGH O'FLYNN & UPPER RIVER SUCK

No reports this week.

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

MID SHANNON AREA

LOUGH ENNELL

Two boats braved the elements on opening day and one local man was rewarded for his efforts. Tosh Grimes, Mullingar had one fish of 2.5lbs. The weather was extremely cold and there no major angling activity is expected until the weather warms up.

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

LOUGH OWEL

Very few anglers braved the cold for the opening week on Lough Owel, hence little to report.

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

LOUGH REE

Despite the weather a good number of anglers made it out for the first day and some nice fish were recorded.

ATHLONE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION REPORTS

Eamon Cunningham P.R.O. Email: eamo@iol.ie Ph: 087 - 2340815

SEAMUS MC CORMACK MEMORIAL CUP

Photo: Angela Sloane who was elected as the new Secretary of the Athlone Anglers Association at their recent AGM

March 1^st is every anglers favourite date as it is the first day of the new fishing season and even though that day was bitterly cold from the northerly winds there was still queues at the slipways all around the lake as the hardiest among us took to the water. Now that the season has started it’s time to get the competitions under way and the first competition will take place on Sunday 12^th March. It will be for the Seamus McCormack Memorial Cup and will start from Coosan Point at 10.30am and will finish with lines up at 5pm. This is an open competition for members of any clubs who are affiliated to the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (TAFI). The Captain of the Day will be Tony Doolan and the weigh in and presentation of prizes will take place that evening in Potters Bar with the scales down at 8.30pm sharp. The proceeds from this competition will be donated to SOLR and the Lough Ree Preservation Society

We would also like to remind anglers that membership fees are now due and can be paid to any member of the committee. These fees along with the entrance fees have been left the same as last year but the prize money has bee increased substantially with the winner of each competition not only taking home a beautiful cup or trophy but also €120, second place will receive €60, third place €50 and fourth place €40. As usual fifth place will receive free entry for the next competition and the raffle based on the boat numbers will receive €20. We look forward to seeing all our members out on the lake and hope everyone has a successful a season as they did last year.

LOUGH DERRAVARAGH

Very few anglers braved the cold for the opening week on Lough Derravaragh.

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

PALLAS LAKE CO OFFALY

Season opens May 1st. Tight Lines in 2006!

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.

LOUGH OWEL A,G.M....

On Thursday March 16th Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association will hold their A.G.M. the venue is the Greville Arms Hotel with an 8pm start. All club members are asked to attend this Annual General meeting. The lake has been recently stocked with very well conditioned trout, and hopefully with the arrival of the Duck-Fly these fish will provide anglers with super sport. A Shannon Regional Fisheries Board permit is needed for Angling on Lough Owel and these can be obtained locally at Tudenham Lodge,044-48769 or BUY ONLINE. Boat & Engine hire Lough Owel Jack Doolan 044-42085.

LOWER SHANNON AREA

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FEALE CO KERRY

There was a hard cold frosty start to the salmon fishing season o the River Feale with water levels extremely low following an extended dry spell in February. Nonetheless about 60 anglers ventured out on on the opening day March 1st. 7 fresh Salmon were reported and a few spent fish were returned back to the water to continue their journey back to the sea. Tony Stack had a fine fish very early in the morning on the fly and after a great battle for over 20 minutes he finally landed a red fish which he sportingly released to continue the journey, well done Tony! Jerry Devine Newcastlewest Co Limerick had a 9lb salmon on a spinner. Patrick Devine, Newcastlewest had a 6lb fish. Robert Downey and Mike Mc Elligot both from Listowel had a 7 pounder each on fly and spinner respectively. At time of writing air temperatures have recovered into double figures and a lot of rain is forecast over the coming days which should provide ideal angling water coming up to the weekend. Tight Lines!

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

ShRFB reports for the RIVER FERGUS Co Clare

No reports this week.