THE ANNUAL report from Waterville, Co Kerry, always provides good reading. Fisheries manager John Murphy chronicles events of the past year in his own inimitable way and, having visited Waterville on several occasions, I can vouch for his team’s management of this world class sea trout and salmon fishery. Indeed, the Currane system produced all 26 specimen sea-trout caught in Ireland last year.
In common with all Irish fisheries, the year started quietly and salmon were not in the system until March. Spring salmon fishing can be categorised as above average, with fish taken regularly from mid-March. “We had no blank days in May. The weather was generally good with low to medium water heights that suited Lough Currane,” Murphy said.
Sea trout arrived in early April and a good number of specimens to 4.5kg (10lb) were taken on fly. The most wonderful aspect of spring was the run of sea-trout and salmon smolts, and spending long evenings in April and May watching countless numbers descending to the Atlantic. Sea trout made a welcome appearance and many fish in the 1.4kg (4lb) class ran from mid-April.
The weather began to deteriorate in June, with a brief respite in October, but it was short-lived. Sea trout fishing was excellent from June to September and many anglers had excellent fishing, with catches of well-fed trout in the 1kg range. There were many days, however, when boats could not launch. In August, lakes were well above winter levels.
“Summer salmon and grilse were virtually non-existent in Ireland last year and Waterville was no exception. The grilse problem appears to be widespread and a solution is probably outside the control of us all. We can only hope for improved conditions at sea to bolster stocks, as juveniles in Waterville are very healthy,” Murphy says.
The close season has seen record rainfall and it is difficult to gauge the sea-trout spawning, but indications are good, with lots of reds. “We hope for improved grilse runs in 2010 and look forward to welcoming everyone to Waterville,” he concluded.
Brian McEvoy from Enniskillen, captor of the first salmon of the season, continued his winning ways last Sunday with a second fish of 4.5kg from the Meadow Beat on the River Drowes in Co Leitrim. The fish was caught on a Flying ‘C’ and sportingly returned.
Raymond McGerr also found success at Briney’s Pool with a fresh fish of about 5kg on a Black and Red Cone Head tube fly. It too was released. Two additional salmon were lost at the Upper Mill Pool and corner of the Blackwater. Contact drowessalmonfishery.com or 071-9841055.
The rescheduled agm of Salmon Watch Ireland will be held at the Strand Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick, on Saturday at 12am. Members have received statutory notice of the meeting.
A seminar will follow at 2.30pm on the future of spring salmon, which will be addressed by Dr Philip McGinnity (UCC), Dr Niall O Maoiléidigh (Marine Institute) and Dr Paddy Gargan (Central Fisheries Board). Attendance is free and open to all.
Misty Dhillon will reveal the secrets of fly fishing for mahseer on Wednesday at 6.30pm in the Millennium Hotel, London Mayfair, 44 Grosvenor Square.
Dhillon, the guru of mahseer fishing, will be joined by Tarquin Millington-Drake of Frontiers International. To book contact tmd@frontierstrvl. co.uk
Sean McManmon, estate manager at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath, invites ladies to a day of fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout on March 6th. Fishing times: 10.30am–4.30pm. Good fun and good fishing is guaranteed and all skill levels are welcome. Closing date for entry is February 24th. For bookings, contact jackiewade@killeencastle.com or 01-6893000