Archive for November, 2014

Pike on a Foggy Morning

Friday, November 21st, 2014

An evening phone call from David needed no second thoughts in the response, “Are you interested in going pike fishing tomorrow on a new water that I have become aware of? “Yes of course, thanks for asking”. “Be outside the gaff for 08.00 am then and we will go in my car”. Up and about at six bells, why is it so easy to get up when the motivation is fishing? Breakfasted, gear stowed and I was on the road by seven. Dark, damp and seriously foggy, visibility down to about twenty meters on occasions, conditions which persisted all day, the one saving grace was a constant temperature of about 9 – 10 degrees and no wind, in terms of piking it does not get any better.

A cracking double figure Irish pike for David Murphy.

Opting to float ledger into a very reedy swim we set up three rods baited respectively with frozen smelt, mackerel and roach, fanning out the offerings across three separate locations within thirty meters of our fishing station. Setting our bait runners and bite alarms David poured both of us a welcome cup of coffee and the vigil commenced. An hour in line started peeling off one of David’s reels, without further ado rod in hand David leaned into the fast disappearing pike as it bolted further into the reeds. Having turned the fish a degree of bullying ensued to get old esox into open water, from that point after a couple of short runs the well conditioned pike slipped easily into the net.

Nearly there, a double figure Irish pike is ready for the net.

Beautifully conditioned and running 11 or 12 pound, laid carefully on the de-hooking mat, forceps a couple of photos and back in the water to kick strongly away. David’s second double figure pike within a week from that swim and the only fish of yesterdays session, three more dropped runs confirming a healthy population of bottle green predators. Evidence for a revisit? Most definitely……..

Further posts on pike fishing: Pike Hatrick in Co. Cavan.

Save Ireland’s Wild Brown Trout

Saturday, November 8th, 2014

Having taken up fly fishing for wild brown trout and sea trout at the age of 33 on Ireland’s east coast rivers in 1994, but worm fished occasionally on the same waters for both species since my early teenage years, I can categorically say that wild brown trout stocks have deteriorated within river systems such as the Slaney, Avoca, Liffey, Vartry and Dargle. Now some would say that a couple of the rivers mentioned are not great trout streams anyway, but take my word for it the trout were there in good numbers, today their populations are noticeably reduced.

Save Ireland's Wild Brown TroutA combination of factors has led to this situation and ultimately science will establish exactly why many riverine trout populations are declining, one factor is clear though which can be immediately addressed, angler attrition has played its part. Having fly fished well managed bountiful trout streams in Montana USA where catch and release was the norm, Ireland with a change in mindset has the opportunity and the natural resources to recreate similar angling waters. Each mature trout returned potentially can restock our home waters, let all us Irish fly anglers do the right thing not only for the species that we love but for that toddler fly fisher to be who is presently running round your feet, if you catch please release………

For more information please click on: Save the Brown Trout.com

Codling Making an Appearance

Thursday, November 6th, 2014

The Waterford estuary, a recognised marine nursery area, is presently witnessing a run of codling similar to that which graced it in 2011, anglers hitting marks from Duncannon and Passage upstream are catching fish ranging from a pound up to three pounds with an odd report of codling to seven pound being registered. Crab is the top bait with lug and mussel scoring as well, dusk into dark is the most productive time and ideally choose a neap tide as a big spring makes fishing very difficult as this soldier found out.

Pier fishing the Waterford estuary, Ireland.

Arriving at my chosen location an hour before high water the upstream tidal flow was slowing down. A big four meter full in around 16.00 pm, a light southerly breeze, clear skies and latterly a big full moon hinted at a possible cool evening which is how it transpired, not toe numbing but the constant shelling and wrapping of crab baits made for cold fingers as night closed in. Initially casting at an angle across and uptide my twin paternoster anchored by a six ounce long tail gripper held bottom easily. Within minutes repeated nodding indicated hungry life which manifested as a dab/whiting double, followed next cast by a pound codling, subsequent to that its older larger pound and a half brother.

Waterford estuary codling.

All caught over the top of the tide as night closed in, then as if somebody had opened a sluice gate all the water which had travelled up the three sister rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir decided it was time to vacate this expansive narrow estuary. Not a slow build to full flow but an immediate about turn, whoosh, in the time it took to reel in and cast out again fishing conditions had changed, holding bottom now became an impossibility exacerbated by floating weed. Persevering for half an hour yours truly decided to call it a night, however two successful codling trips in seven days indicates the potential for some quality fishing between now and Christmas. Next time I’ll pick a neap……….