Angling News

Week ending March 12, 2010

Shore Angling:

While the weather is fine but still bitterly cold, it's not surprising that catches have been a bit limited this week.  Water temperatures remain stubbornly low and the expected return of our flatfish species appears to have been a little delayed in consequence. However, Portsalon has been turning up some Flounder and Coalfish and there have been further reports of the sea trout taken in angling matches across the North Coast, which is quite interesting. Portsalon pier has also thrown up a few early Thornback Ray that while small might indicate better things to come shortly.  Given the low inshore temperatures, more seaward, deeper marks may offer the best chance of a bit of sport for the next week or so until this cold spell passes.

Don't be caught short for your supply of Sea angling baits this winter. We have the largest stock of the finest Ammo blast frozen baits anywhere in Ireland along with our famous freshly dug Rag Worm. Contact us here at the Angling Centre for more details on 074 9168496 or email webmaster@donegalanglingcentre.com

Boat Angling:

Rathmullan Charters are now taking bookings for the new season starting at Easter. Wreck, reef, tope and shark fishing are all catered for on board the Enterprise 1 and the Swilly Explorer. Rods, reels and tackle are supplied if required. Call Angela on 087 2480132 or Neil on 087 0507464 for some great early season deals.

The Annual Tope and Whitefish Festival will take place on the 5th and 6th of June, The Donegal Championships will be held on the 27th of June and the Ulster Closed Gold Medal competition on Saturday the 4th of September. Membership for seniors is €50 for the year and it was decided that in order to attract more juniors their membership would be reduced to €10 euro. It was also decided that juniors would only pay €10 euro for each league trip with the club paying the balance. Anyone interested in joining the club can contact any club member or call Angela on 087 2480132 for details.

Salmon Angling:

Shane Gallagher, fishery manager from the Drowes reports that the water level has now dropped to just above 0.4 metres on the gauge at the Four Masters Bridge. The weather has been dry but very cold during the week and fishing effort was limited as a result. Two fish were reported on the last Tuesday of February. Alan Walls had a 7 lbs fish on a Cascade from the corner of the Blackwater and Ryan Dunlop had a fish of over 8 lbs on a self tied Willie Gunn from the Meadow. The river is at summer level following an almost entirely dry new year and continuing cold and frosty condition that look set to persist for much of the coming week.

Fishing has remained very slow in the past week with one 10 lbs fish reported by Slovakian angler Ino Valustu from the Trout Pool on flying C on Saturday the 27th of February. Nothing further was reported until last Sunday when 2 fish were taken from below Lennox’s Bridge, both of around 10 lbs. Trevor Hassan had his fish from Rooney’s Turn on a Flying 'C' and B. Razzian had his fish on worm from the Money Hole.

For info/bookings etc on the Drowes Fishery & Lough Melvin contact Shane Gallagher on 071 9841055 or see the website for all the latest news from the fishery.

Prolonged Cold weather conditions and a fast dropping river led to the inevitable result of no fresh Salmon landed. I have had plenty of reports of kelts being landed from Cloghan right down to Killpaddies but still no fresh fish being confirmed. Patrick Mc Guigan from Strabane landed the first fish from the Foyle, Just above Lifford Bridge on Sunday last. The Fish weighed 8 lbs and fell to the fly.

We may have to wait until the next moon cycle for a change in the winds and a good spill of rain over the Croaghs to encourage a run of Fish up the Finn. Season and Day permits for the Cloghan Estate Salmon Fishery are now available here at the Lough Swilly Angling Centre.

Trout Angling:

Gerry Friel from the Lough Na Tooey Rainbow Fishery in Creeslough reports that things are now slowly starting to pick up with a wee bit of heat from the midday sun encouraging sporadic fly hatches and Trout becoming more active. Some of last week’s successful anglers included Paddy Mc Fadden who had a strong fighting trout of over 2 lbs on an olive nymph. Damien O’ Donnell had 4 trout for his 2 short visits, including 2 fine over-wintered Rainbows estimated at 3 lbs.Things are looking promising for early Spring angling on the Lough with fish on the move.

Angling times are from 9am until 5pm, 7 days a week. Anglers are asked to bring their own life jackets. Boat keys and permits can be obtained from the village petrol station. For more Fishery details please contact Gerry on 0870550806.

Contribute:

If you or your club have any competition results, photos of catches or information on forthcoming events please contact me here at the Angling Centre on 074 9168496 or email to webmaster@donegalanglingcentre.com