ANGLING NOTES:I WAS delighted to accept an invitation to attend the national angling event of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) at the12th Lock on the Grand Canal at Lucan, Co Dublin, last week.
It was wonderful to see a total of 89 anglers – including assistants – from across north Leinster enjoying the glorious sunshine, having great fun and catching 31 rudd, roach and pike.
Waterways Ireland has carried out Trojan work on the canal and towpaths. To actually see the fish in crystal-clear water and with easy riverbank access for anglers was a credit to all concerned.
I met Pat Lyons from Swords and member of Clontarf IWA Day Centre. “I was a keen angler in my younger days and it’s great to get back into it,” he says. He went on to catch two rudd during the two-hour session.
Refreshments throughout the day were sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland, and the nearby Lucan Pitch Putt Club provided use of their wheelchair accessible clubhouse for a hearty dinner for all participants.
Carol Marnell, IWA area manager, was delighted with the turnout. “This is our sixth year to hold the event and each year more and more groups are keen to take part,” she said.
Angling on the day was organised by Godfrey Donohue from Goldfish Angling. Godfrey provided fantastic assistance along with his staff and Des Chew from Dublin Angling Initiative.
Entertainment, music and prizegiving in the IWA centre on Newcastle Road rounded off a most enjoyable day.
Results: 1, Lucan (W Tate and J Tate), 6 fish; 2, Clane (J Hanlon, D Rush, D Phelan and M McGuire), 5f; 3, Athy (D Chanders, M Vaughan, S Aspel and E Maher), 5f.
- I couldn't wait to return to Lough Inagh. The email read: "Come on down for a few days fishing, plenty of sea trout about and maybe a chance of a salmon." The sat-nav was programmed for Recess in rapid succession.
Nestled between the Twelve Bens and Maamturk Mountains, the lodge hotel and lake are set in one of the most stunning locations in Connemara. Originally the fishing lodge of the Berridge family in the 1880s, the 12-bedroomed Lodge prides itself on a traditional menu of Connemara lamb, fish and seafood.
On the first evening I fished from the bank in front of the hotel for an hour with a Green Peter and Bibio. On my second cast I caught a good-sized sea-trout. Strong winds and heavy rain soon had me clambering for the bar stool.
On Monday last, along with Colin Folan, Inagh fisheries manager, we put in a full day on the lake – morning, afternoon and evening sessions. We met quite a lot of fish, both brown and sea-trout, each just under the one pound size. I enjoyed the day immensely.
Next day, before departing, I tried Derryclare Butts for 20 minutes without success. The Butts is situated at the top of the Ballynahinch system and has produced 20 salmon so far this season.
Newsflash: Flood alert on Lough Inagh. Contact Inagh at inagh@iol.ie or 095-34706.
- Mullaghmore in Co Sligo was the chosen venue for this year's Irish Times annual weekend. The small fishing village boasts a 3km golden Blue Flag beach with Classibawn Castle towering the landscape and Ben Bulben in the background.
The Beach Hotel overlooking the harbour provided comfortable accommodation for our group of 18. The evening meal received glowing reports.
Fishing aboard two charter boats, we headed west off Kilkilloge Point in Donegal Bay with Killybegs lighthouse within our sights. Mackerel and pollack were plentiful and as the day progressed we boated 12 different species.
It was great to see some new faces including Mary Sheridan, a gifted sea angler following in her grandfather’s footsteps, and Dave Carroll, on his second outing, to win the prize for heaviest fish, a pollack of about 2.7kg (6lb).
angling@irishtimes.com