ANGLING:A WELL-presented angling guide features Lough O'Flynn, a 300-acre limestone lake 2km from Ballinlough in Co Roscommon. The lake is one of Inland Fisheries Ireland's (IFI) managed wild brown trout lakes and is also stocked each year with brown trout.
The centrefold showcases the Upper Suck Valley from O’Flynn through Roscommon and Galway until the Shiven tributary joins. Good quality coarse, pike and trout angling can be expected along this catchment and, with breathtaking scenery, it is the perfect place for anglers to fish almost undisturbed from dawn until dusk.
There are many angling sections in this area with a number dedicated to anglers with disabilities, such as the Donamon stretch which has 30 stands with car parking bays and toilet facilities.
Ms Amanda Mooney, IFI Director, Limerick, said: “The guide offers a great source of information on angling hotspots for various types of species, access points and facilities, legislation and safety – all in all, everything you need for planning a fishing trip. The guide and angling promotion in general supports local businesses and communities in sustaining jobs.” The Lough O’Flynn and Upper Suck angling guide is available from Breege Comer 086-0851371, Robert Flynn 094-9620028 and IFI outlets.
* Despite fluctuatingweather conditions, mayfly were observed hatching on Loughs Conn and Cullin. Some anglers experienced good sport though many trout were undersize. Fishing out of Gerry Murphy's, Massbrook, John and Malcolm Bell of North Tipperary had six fish over two evenings, best 0.9kg (2lb), all taken on a Bibio, off Potteen and Glass Island. Ian Wise and John Warren once again enjoyed four days on the lake, averaging four trout per day, caught on Fiery Brown, Connemara Black and Green Peter. Gary Binley and nephew boated 10 for one day, with five over the size limit, on a Watsons Bumble Variant and Brunswick Olive.
* Last weeksaw cooler conditions on Melvin with a distinct wintery feel on some days which, no doubt, curtailed angling somewhat. Noel Johnston recorded a fine salmon of just under 7.3kg (16lb), trolling on the Garrison side of the sunken island and on Sunday, Stephen Kennedy accounted for an eight pounder trolling the Garrison shore.
At present there are huge hatches of buzzers, larger than seen in many years, and the trout should respond in the coming week. “We had a few reports of good trout fishing for Sonaghan over the deeps,” fisheries officer Lindsey Clarke said.
* Fishing outfrom Courtmacsherry in Co Cork over Easter proved particularly good for cod, and several pollock near specimen size. In the estuary, the sudden drop in temperature put a virtual halt to bass fishing but a group with the self-drives landed some nice pollock. There are plenty of good-sized mullet shoaling near the pier! For bookings, email: csal@iol.ie.
* The FieryBrown Bumble (pictured) is a popular fly among lough anglers. When employed for sea trout, try adding a couple of jungle cock feathers to the cheeks. "It gives the fly a bit extra," according to fly-tyer Jimmy Tyrrell.
Grouse feathers are soft and present that lifelike pulse when swinging across the current of a river or pulled back through the water on a lough, either way it gives a nice movement to the fly, he said. Available at irishflycraft@gmail.com and 086-8451257.
* Scariff, Mountshannonand Whitegate Angling Club is holding a competition this Sunday (April 22nd) on Lough Derg for the Tommie Giblin Perpetual Trophy. The event will be held from Doocey's Pier on the Mountshannon Road, 11am until 6pm. A minimum size of 14in (35cm) will apply on a heaviest fish basis. Weigh-in at Moloney's Bar, Scariff, by 8pm.
Tel Padraic Giblin 061-921851 or 086-2520663 for more details.
angling@irishtimes.com
Apology:Due to an administration error, last week's column slipped through the net and appeared without having been edited