Angling News

Week ending July 03, 2009

Shore Angling:

Recent warm and calm weather has improved catches inshore, with all the Summer species now in evidence. Float fishing from rock marks is producing wrasse and the occasional Garfish, another of our Summer visitors which is often found tagging along with Mackerel shoals, as are Scad. Although seldom deliberately targetted by most anglers they can provide some novel value. Garfish in particular can produce a great fight on light tackle, often jumping spectacularly when hooked. Bass and mullet have also been reported this week. Bright conditions have limited some daytime catches, but fishing the beaches at dawn and dusk is providing a good range of species. Pollock are turning up in good numbers and to good weights around inshore reefs and rocks and again can provide hectic sport on light spinning or float tackle.

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Salmon Angling:

Drowes Fishery Manager, Shane Gallagher reports more catches for last week. Water levels remain low at .4 metres on the gauge at the Four Masters’ Bridge. Fishing has been quiet with just the odd pod of grilse running. There are large numbers of fish being spotted just off the estuary waiting on some fresh water to enter the system but at present they are staying in tidal waters. Despite difficult conditions fish are still being recorded, although in small numbers.

T. Anyon had a 3lbs grilse from the Sea Pool on shrimp, J. Jones had a 3lbs grilse on a #12 Silver Rat from the Eel Weir and Friedl Heyer had a 3.5lbs grilse on worm from the Blackwater, all on Friday last.

On Saturday Colin Gardiner caught and released a 3.5lbs grilse on fly from the estuary and Columba Fitzpatrick had a 6lbs grilse on a # 8 Cascade also from the estuary.

M. Mc Elroy had 3 fish of 3,4 and 5lbs from the Eel Weir and Blackwater on shrimp last Sunday, Doug Mc Cleland had a 4lbs grilse on shrimp from the Sea Pool, C. Kenny had a 3lbs grilse on fly from Lennox’s. B. Caulkett had a 2.5lbs grilse on Cascade from Briney’s on Wednesday and J. English had 3 fish, of 4,4, and 5lbs on shrimp from the Sea Pool, 2 of which were returned. G. Mc Mahon had a 6lbs grilse on shrimp from the estuary and B.Rudin had a 3lbs grilse on a Cascade variant on fly, also from the estuary last Saturday.

Heavy rain is forecast for the weekend, hopefully enough to raise the river and encourage the fish to run the river.

Boat Angling:

The Lough Swilly Sea Angling club held their 4th league trip of the season on Sunday last out of Rathmullan. In excellent weather conditions 15 club members enjoyed good catches with 11 different varieties recorded on the day. Fishing over the wreck produced Pollack, coalfish, ling, pouting, 2 conger Eels for Pat McGinty and a nice sized Cod for Pascal Keeve. Fishing on the sandy areas off Fanad also produced plenty of fish, including dogfish, codling and lots of red gurnard, thornback ray and dab.

Winner on the day was Pat Mc Ginty with the highest score so far this year of 170 points followed by Charlie Devlin on 149. Top 5 positions are now 1st Pat McGinty 553 pts, 2nd. Corney Devlin 490 pts, 3rd Charlie Devlin 486 pts, 4th Angela Crerand 441 pts and 5th Hugo McLaughlin 434 pts. The next league trip is on Sunday 19th July.

Rathmullan Charters are now offering weekday evening fishing trips for Mackerel, Ray etc. from 6pm until 9pm. These trips are suitable for adults and children - rods and tackle are available. Booking is essential - phone Angela on 087 2480132 or Neil on 087 0507464 for details.

The Magheroarty & Islands SAC continue their midweek evening trips for the summer. Trips are aboard the Carmel Olivia, a modern, fast 42ft interceptor.

These trips offer some fine Mackerel and mixed ground fishing for Pollock, Glassan and Wrasse. The trips leave Magheroarty Pier every Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm. Visiting anglers are most welcome but prior booking with the club's Boat Officer, Lee on 083574983 (after 6 pm) is essential. The Magheroarty and Islands Club have another outing this coming Sunday the 5th of July on board the Loinnir out of Magheragallon. For more information please contact Timmy on 087 2345179.

Upcoming Events:

The Loughanure Anglers will host the Mc Bride Memorial Open Competition this Sunday the 5th of July on Loughanure Lake. This event is very kindly sponsored by the Ostan Na Rosan Hotel in Dungloe and top prizes will be on offer. For bookings or further competition details please contact 0862531794 or 0876626237 The Milford & District Fly Angling Club has set their competition dates for the 2009 season. The dates are as follows:-

Friday August 21st Evening rise Competition,
Saturday September 19th Donegal open pairs competition,
Sunday September 27th Club members competition.

For further information please contact the competition secretary on 0861789936.

Dates to remember for 2009:-
5th Sept: UPC Closed gold Medal
6th September: Donegal Championships
Shark fishing Trips in September and October

Trout Angling:

Gerry Friel from the Lough Na Tooey Rainbow Trout Fishery in Creeslough would like to inform all anglers that the Fishery is currently closed for maintenance works. The Fishery will reopen again on Monday next, the 6th of July at 9 am.

Anglers are kindly asked to please note that Summer angling sessions are running from 9 am to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, 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 bookings or any further fishery information please contact the Fishery on 0851751222. Please note that permits and keys are available from the Petrol Station in Creeslough, 7 days a week.

David Boreland reports more catches for the week ending June 28th. Fishery regular, Alan Newbon landed 6 nice trout up to 4 lbs on buzzer and dry patterns. Paddy Mc Fadden also did well with 3 nice fish. John Callaghan had a great evening with 7 fine trout on sedge and buzzer patterns. Sinead Mc Ateer landed her first ever Trout of 2 lbs on her visit. With the recent spell of good weather, the evening hatches of Sedges and fall of buzzer are bringing a lot of fish to feed on the surface and small traditional wet fly patterns along with small Black Gnat dries, Adams and Griffith Gnat patterns are taking the fish consistently. For bookings or further Fishery details, please contact David on 086 8047516.

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