Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
21/01/09
Blessington Lake is fishing well at the May’s Bay end of the lake. Last week one angler who was boat fishing recorded three doubles at least up to 15lbs weight and had a further 3 fish between 4-8lbs. Most came to trolled deadbaits as the lake is shallow at present. Another Dublin angler had a 26lbs pike at Baltyboys during the week on a static deadbait fished hard on the bottom. Subsequently an angler caught a 16lbs fish from Valleymount Bridge on a popped up smelt.
The Dublin Angling Initiative had a group of young people from Mulhuddart fishing club shore fishing on the lake on 21st January. Karl Doyle, aged 15 caught his first ever fish which was a 3lbs jack pike on a joey mackerel deadbait. In the same session he later caught a perch on a copper spoon. Both fish were safely returned.
There is a lack of anglers out at the moment due mainly to the poor weather conditions.
A few local anglers who did brave the weather elements reported a 6.5lbs pike from the shore using a mackerel deadbait.
A local angler had two pike both weighing around the 6lbs mark. One fish was taken on a copper spoon, the other on a deadbait.
In recent times, Dublin man Vinny McConnell caught a pike of 10.3lbs fishing a roach popped up.
Two Dublin anglers fishing the lake had a good day’s fishing, their best one being a 14lbs pike. They also caught two single figured fish one of 4lbs and one of 7lbs. In spite of poor conditions the 4lbs fish was taken on a pike imitation plug and the other fish were on static pollen deadbaits.
While not many pike anglers have been reported to be fishing this lake, one Dublin angler caught a 12lbs pike in great condition. He was using a deadbait fished under a float from the shore stand beside the inflow.
06/01/09
It is not official but Chris Grzegortz from Poland who was fishing with angling guide Peadar O’Brien of Carrickmacross Co. Monaghan could have caught the first Pike of 2009. Fishing on new years’ day, Chris who works and lives in Carrick took his fish of 16 pound plus on a trolled Perch lure on a Monaghan lake at 10.10 am. Peadar was guiding Chris at the time and while trolling hit a patch of ice. Peadar stopped the engine and asked Chris to reel in his bait. The Pike took the lure under the ice but was brought to the net very quickly after a spirited fight. In the icy conditions this proved to be the only Pike caught. The day looks balmy, but the winter woollies say it all.
This week's CFB Catch of the Week comes from Co. Cavan. Paul McLoone, Mulhuddart, was fishing a popular pike venue in the Kingscourt area when he caught a fine pike - his personal best. Paul had started at dawn and was rewarded with a small pike on his first cast. Although the day was cold the pike were on the feed and after a number of runs and misses Paul finally hooked into something substantial.
The pike put up a mighty struggle and made several long runs from the net. Eventually the fish was landed and after a quick photograph she was given a chance to catch her breath before returning to the depths of the lake. The fish is conservatively estimated to be in excess of 25 lbs.
no report
21/01/09
4 Eastern region anglers on the Irish Shore team for 2009.
The fish-offs for the 2009 Irish Shore team where held on January 10th and 11th in Portrush, Co. Antrim. The top four anglers after the weekend would join the winner of the Master Angler 2008, Kieran Begadon and comprise the Irish Shore team for 2009. The venues chosen were Ballycastle Strand, East Strand, Portrush and Benone Strand.
The organisers decided that due to the absence of large fish on the venues in the weeks prior to the competitions, there should be points awarded to undersized fish and this was adopted by those competing with a score of 5 points to be given to each undersized fish landed. A minimum hook size of size 6 was also agreed. Contrary to expectations, this did not lead to a glut of small fish being landed as the counter fish (over 20cm) was still the one to aim for given that every counter would be worth a minimum of 5 undersized fish.
Ballycastle was fished in a south westerly gale,
the anglers happy to shelter at the base of the sand cliffs with the gale force
southerlies whistling overhead. Catches were of small flounder and turbot
though some individual flounder over 40 cm did show up. One unlucky angler
landed a sea-trout of over two pounds. The species does not currently count in
Federation events though with catch and release, there is no reason why the
fish could not be measured and returned quickly.
The night event was held on the East Strand in Portrush and expectations were
high that there would be loads of small coalies and whiting about. This was
true to some extent. The first few pegs close to the town saw large numbers of
fish with many doubles and trebles landed and speed fishing being the order of
the day. However, beyond these few good draws, the story was different with
only 1 or two fish per angler and several blanks.
The final event was run from the firing range area in Benone, an area that is normally off limits to anglers. Again expectations were high but again, results were disappointing. The strong winds whipped up a big sea and the anglers would be fishing down the tide. Competition was intense to the final whistle with some anglers trying for the team place and others fighting to remain in the top twenty and out of the relegation zone. Flounder and turbot were again the mainstay with a lot of undersize fish. As forecast, there was a high number of blanks including the leader from the previous day.
Anglers fished in three zones of ten with the winner getting 10 points. A top three finish in each competition is the usual target for anglers competing in the fish-offs and this proved to be the case again. After a close finish the Irish Shore team to compete in the World Championship in Montenegro next October are:
| Name | Club | Fish off Points |
| Kieran Begadon | Waterford Crystal SAC | (Captain - Winner Master Angler 2008) |
| Barry Roche | Wexford SAC | 27 |
| James Gordan | Menapia SAC | 26 |
| Mark Beatty | Sea Angling Ireland SAC | 25 |
| Brian Cooke | Raheny & District SAC | 24 |
| Joe Hennessey | Tramore/Waterford SAC (reserve) | 22 |
IFSA would like to thank the Ulster Provincial Council and their stewards for
an extremely well run event.
Brian Cooke
Press Officer, Irish Federation of Sea Anglers
Brian Cooke and Des Chew were fishing the North Wicklow beaches last week and had a number of reasonable sized dabs. Whiting were also present, with Brian Cooke taking a full house in one haul. Fish came to small sections of sandeel with medium length snoods and size 1/0 hooks and were caught at distance.
Week beginning 5th January - reports were received of undersized bass being caught. Bait unknown, all were released.
06/01/09
Members of the Sea Angling Ireland SAC turned out in force last Sunday the 4th January to fish a fund raising competition for the RNLI. Sponsored by Mick and Joe Redmond of the Courtown Sea Angling Centre Tackle Shop, the SAI members raised € 1100.00 for what is a very worthy cause.
Fishing the North Beach Courtown, Co. Wexford, competition catches were light, consisting of Whiting, Flounder, Dabs, and Rockling, but they were secondary to the spirit of the event. Pictured above is John Diamond of Sea Angling Ireland presenting the RNLI’s local representative with the €1100.00 collected on the day. Well done to all involved.
Regarding things fishy, Dennis Brock a Sea Angling Ireland SAC member fished a secret shore venue in the south east the morning of the fundraising competition, then drove up to Courtown to fish the RNLI event. His dedication was repaid with a fine nine pound Codling. Caught on a crab/lugworm cocktail fished on a pulley rig, the Codling, pictured above really is a fine catch. Given the scarcity of Codling this winter, Denis has to be commended on his dedication, well done.
21/01/09
The fly lake has been fishing reasonably well in spite of the poor weather. Surprisingly enough anglers have been doing well using floating lines. However a long leader is recommended. Intermediate lines have also been working and weighted nymphs and lines seem to be the order of the day.
On Saturday 17th January the Barrow anglers hosted the TAFI Leinster qualifiers in the flytying Championships. 15 juniors participated and a team of 8 qualified for the All Ireland Fly Tying finals in Athlone on 7th February. One of those who qualified is from the Whitechurch Fly Tying Club, whom the Dublin Angling Initiative have been assisting over the last number of years. The tuition is provided to these young people by well known anglers Des McDonnell and Mel McKenna. Darren Donegan was the successful qualifier, congratulations to him and to all the competitors and best of luck to them on 7th February. At the recent Dublin Angling Initiative youth fishing competition in Aughrim, Darren caught the biggest fish of the day! Well done to him. For further information see www.browntroutanglers.com