Pike anglers make the most of conditions

THE cold, calm weather has given pike anglers a chance to tackle a number of lakes, and there were some great fish taken.

Angling guide Alberto Rizzini, from Mullingar, was exploring the fishing around Portumna when he caught a 108cm pike on a lure. Kenny Sloan, an angling guide in the Mayo area, also enjoyed good fishing with clients. Together they caught 22 pike, the best a 104cm pike caught by French angler Bruno Larche.

Trout anglers also made the most of the weather and the reports from Rathcon and Cashel rainbow trout fisheries are that the trout were taking well in afternoon sunshine. Mark Corps did particularly well at Rathcon and his 10lb. plus trout.

Match 3 of the Float Only League on Lough Erne was fished. The match was fished on the Ballyconnell Canal. Fishing the pole. Jack Tisdall won the event with 7.32 kgs. of perch and roach.

Elsewhere, a pike angling competition was held on Gulladoo Lake. The competition was organised by Carrigallen Trout Anglers Club, and 36 boats participated. Results: 1, Eamonn Craven, Athlone with a pike 9lbs. 15ozs, 2, Barry Darby, Mullingar, 9lbs. 3ozs. 3, Noel Lyons with a pike weighing 7lbs. 10ozs.

The heaviest bag was awarded to Eamonn Craven with a bag weighing 27lbs. 6ozs.

Bilberry and Lannagh Angling Club held a pike angling competition. Angling was difficult with poor weather conditions. Despite this, 23 anglers took part and accounted for a total of fifty four pike. In first place with the heaviest bag were Peter Byrne and Liam Walsh, who caught eleven pike. Second were Billy McDonnell and Martin O’Connor, who caught the greatest number of pike, 13. Gary and Ryan Binley, who accounted for six, pike, were third. However, the heaviest fish of the day was landed by 14 year-old Michael Hewer, Islandeady, who caught a pike of 13.2 lbs.

Angling guide Kenny Sloan had success recently with a group of French pike anglers based at Maloney’s Lodge, Foxford. Over three days fishing they accounted for 22 fine pike, the largest of which measured 104cm caught by Bruno Larche and was taken on a large spoon. The majority of fish were caught trolling and on wobbling roach.

For pike angling guidance and boat rental on local pike hot-spots, please contact Kenny Sloan on 087- 9679310.

Crisp weather and good catches was reported at Cashel Trout Fishery. Liam Mullan, Mickey McKee and Mickey Forrest, from Limavady, used assorted buzzers, bloodworms and minkies to make their brilliant catches. A total of 28 trout were released between them with Mickey McKee catching the majority. Bernard Mellon, Maghera, released 24 trout at least with many being lost. He was using buzzers too.

Ernie McCallion and Robbie Lyttle, Limavady, released five and seven trout respectively using green damsel, red fritz and black spiders. Derry’s Aidy Askin accompanied by his son Oisin used nymphs and buzzers to make their connection.

Aidy released around a dozen trout while young Oisin had around six. Maghera’s Joe Early and Gerard Quinn released three trout between them which took grey buzzers while Derry’s Paul Ford used similar flies to bank two beauties.

The following is a list of Munster Put and Take fisheries, which are open all year round:

Ballyhass Lakes, Co. Cork. Ballyhass Lakes consist of two superb spring water lakes with plentiful rainbow and brown trout, ideal for fly fishing. Once introduced to the lakes, the fish feed only from the fly and insect life and there is evidence that they are breeding successfully in these clear waters. Tel: [phone].

North Tipperary Angling Centre. This is a 17 acre lake with 600m of man made river for bank fishing. The waters have been stocked with rainbow trout and pike and perch are also present. Fishing is fly only. Tel: 087 — 2756775.

Waterford City and County Trout Fishing Association: An active trout fishing club on the three reservoirs serving Waterford. The club has open membership. Day tickets are available from Centra in Kilmeaden. Tuition provided to junior members.

Carrigavantry Reservoir, Tramore, Knockderry, Kilmeaden; Ballyscanlan Lake, Carrigavantry Tel: [phone]; Lough Aderra, Co. Cork, 16 miles east from Cork city, adjoining the Cork to Youghal road. Approx. 30 acres and most of the lake averages 4ft. to 5ft. deep.

Adult rainbow trout are stocked regularly to maintain a high stock density and give worthwhile angling returns.

Permits and boats from: TH Sports, Connolly Street, Midleton. Tel: [phone]