ANGLING NOTES:AFTER A POOR summer's fishing caused by an absence of calm seas off the south-west coast, The Atlantic Explorerfinally got a chance to steam offshore last Saturday week in search of albacore tuna.
In squally seas and winds of force six, the vessel left Cahersiveen, in Co Kerry, at 2.15am, to arrive at the fishing grounds for first light. The crew included skipper Barry Macaulay, Darina Healy, Ivan O'Kelly and Henry Macaulay.
Fishing 72 miles west of Cahersiveen, Ivan O'Kelly successfully landed a fine albacore of 10.75kg, his first tuna and the first recorded to be caught on rod in Ireland this year. During the day, the group also encountered seven fin whales.
"The trip was all the more interesting because it gave us the opportunity to test our new Penn VS16 reels and Penn Millennium 12lb rods, which were truly spectacular," said skipper Macaulay.
Last year, Henry Macaulay on a similar outing, caught an albacore of 29.96kg, which set a new Irish and European record. Indeed, the fish fell short of a world record by just 5.5kg. Over three outings, the group accounted for 35 tuna.
More trips are planned (weather permitting). For information, contact 086-1562828 or info@kerrymarinetours.com
• In Connemara, fishery manager Colin Folan reports from Lough Inagh, "The highest water levels in years ensured we got our full run of fish safely into Inagh. So far this season, we are way ahead on last year's figures. The catch book for August contains 28 salmon and 187 sea trout."
Notable catches for last month included nine salmon for Vincent Foley (Dublin), including a fantastic day at Corloo Boat where he caught five, the heaviest to 4.6kg. Michael Heery and Dennis Murphy boated 17 sea-trout and a grilse for a day on Inagh, mostly to the Claret Dabbler fly.
Folan is delighted to announce a special deal with www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie for anglers wishing to stay in September. For €260 you can avail of two nights BB, plus one five-course gourmet meal and a day's fishing. That's a saving of €140. For more information and bookings, contact inagh@iol.ie or tel: 095-37406.
• During a recent boat outing to Loughrea Lake, in Co Galway, James Murphy was surprised by a rare catch to the fly. After a 20-minute battle in dimming daylight, he landed and safely returned a pike of 6.4kg on a 6lb leader.
The fly was to the famed "Alexander", with a special tying from his uncle, Jimmy Slattery. It is more than 30 years since local anglers experienced such a catch on this otherwise trout lake.
• On the sea-angling front, good species fishing is reported in the north western region, particularly gurnard in the waters around Achill Island. Mary Gavin-Hughes, skipper of Shamrock 1, reports that one of her clients caught and released a skate in excess of 95kg. This huge fish was taken from a mark on the northern side of Clew Bay.
• There are still a few places left to participate in the annual Westport Skate Festival, which takes place on October 4th and 5th. Two days of fishing are guaranteed with the top rod in line for a huge cash prize.
To book a place, contact Vinny Keogh at the Helm. Tel: 098-26194 or e-mail: thehelm@eircom.net
• The Eleventh International Pike Fly-Fishing Competition will take place on the River Shannon at Killaloe, Co Clare, on September 20th. Check-in gets under way at 11am at the Tourist Office, The Bridge, Killaloe, with fishing from noon to 6pm. Weigh-in cards to Crotty's Bar, Killaloe, by 7 pm. Entry fee is €30 (with own boat) or €50 without. Lots of super prizes on offer. Details from TJ's Angling Centre, Ballina, Co Tipperary. Tel: 061-376009. Entries close on September 17th.
• The winner of The Irish Times/Jimmy Tyrrell's Flycraft lough and river flies is Don Reynolds, Dodder Terrace, Irishtown, Dublin, who cited Dabblers/Peters as listedflies.