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Ian Powell - Blackwater Lodge

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Posts posted by Ian Powell - Blackwater Lodge

  1. New Best Day of the Season – 18 fish caught!

    Yesterday’s Best Day of the Season record of 15 fish caught lasted only 24 hours!
    Today, 18 fish were landed for 19 rod days. 9 fell to the fly & 7 to spinner.


    Conditions.

    There was no rain in the catchment for the last 24 hours. The forecast is now dry right through until the end of next week.

    The upper river at Millstreet is falling steadily. The clarity is about 3 feet.

    At Killavullen the river is down to 1.28 this evening. Excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

    The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.40 by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

    Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

     

    Catches.

    Today recorded the New Best Day of the Season. Eighteen fish to 8lb. were caught. Seven fell to spinner & nine to the fly as the water is fining off to superb order.


    Prospects.

    Absolutely superb as the river is fining off & there is an excellent run of grilse & a number of double figure fish are being seen as well. Almost all the fish caught (even on the topmost beats) on our waters were extremely fresh.

  2. Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery News - December 10, 2014

    Prices Unchanged for 2015.
    We dropped our prices significantly two years ago to combat the economic climate
    and to encourage more anglers to come to the Blackwater.

    We are keeping the prices the same for 2015.

    Salmon fishing on the renowned Cork Blackwater for between €15 - €80 per day
    depending on the season.

    Please see our website for details:
    Angling for Salmon on Ireland's Cork Blackwater at Blackwater Lodge and Salmon Fishery
    and don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information or would like to make a reservation for the coming season.

    Winter spawning
    There is an excellent stock of spawning fish on the upper Blackwater according to Fisheries officers.
    Interestingly, their behaviour this year is unusual in that they are running to the spawning grounds & spawning immediately
    which is rather early especially as we have had a mild winter so far. Perhaps they know more about the coming weather than we do!

    2015 Fishing Season
    There are no changes in the fishing regulations for the coming season,
    apart from the fact that the season will revert to closing on September 30th.*
    For the last 3 years, the Blackwater benefited from an extension to the salmon season to October 12.
    The Minister has decided not to continue this in 2015.
    The quota for the river is 5,752 which is the second highest in the country next to the Moy.
    For anyone who would like to see the full Draft regulations for the coming season, please go to:*** http://goo.gl/j2JHEL

    Opening of the 2015 Season
    The season will open as usual on February 1st., 2015

    Book Early for 2015!: It's always advisable to book early to ensure your place - especially for the prime weeks.

    Early Payment Discount: Book and pay in full now & benefit from a 1% per month discount.

    2015 Prices: These are now available on our website:* * Angling for Salmon on Ireland's Cork Blackwater at Blackwater Lodge and Salmon Fishery

    Christmas Gift Vouchers
    Stuck for that last minute present? If you'd like to give or receive a special gift, now is the time to get a Gift Voucher from us - for anything from fly-casting tuition to fishing, accommodation or tackle.
    Very prompt service with vouchers created to order & delivered to you by return by email.
    glenda.JPG

    Pre-Season Preparation
    As always, Glenda is available for tuition as the new season approaches,
    so if you'd like to hone your skills before Opening Day then get in touch with her.

    Social Networking:
    Twitter
    Facebook - Ian
    Facebook - Lodge page
    FaceBook - Glenda

    For any further information, please contact:

    Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery
    Upper Ballyduff
    County Waterford
    Ireland

    Skype: bwlodge Ireland: Phone: 058 60235 Mobile: 087 235 21 20 (Ian) 087 235 12 60 (Glenda)

    From UK: Phone: 0844 202 33 33 International: Phone: +353 58 60235

  3. 14-03-27-600.jpg

    We have had higher dirtier water once again for the last week or more, but the later part

    of this week has seen some more dry weather & the river is once again settling down.

    The picture above is below the Lodge this morning with the Ballyduff gauge on 0.97m.

    Clarity has improved again also to 2 - 2½ feet. The conditions are ideal for spinning,

    but still rather too high for fly fishing just yet.

    The forecast has improved for the weekend with probably just some light rain

    Saturday & Tuesday - otherwise mainly dry.

     

    14-03-27gc600.jpg

    The March total so far is seven springers, which is the best total since 2006.

    This is a remarkable achievement considering the poor conditions & low angling effort.

     

    Prospects should be very good in the coming days.

  4. Countdown to the Opening Day this Saturday, February 1st.

    We're just looking for one small weather miracle please.

     

    now.jpg

    This was the river below the Lodge today January 29th. at 10.45am.

    The Ballyduff gauge height was 2.06m. It has fallen a further 25 cm by 20.00

     

    millstreet.JPG

    This was Millstreet gauge above Mallow for the last week showing that

    it is dropping slowly at 19.00 this evening.

     

    gc.JPG

    This was the Ballyduff gauge for the last month showing the abnormally high levels

    we have been seeing (since mid-December). it is dropping quickly at 19.00 this evening,

    and is down to 1.83m by 19.30 this evening.

     

    OK - so this is where we need one small miracle please!

    The season will open this coming Saturday, February 1st., 2014.

    if current conditions continued, the river could be in moderately good order as it is beginning

    to clear & the level is starting to fall more quickly.

    However, the ground has been completely saturated for weeks, so little rain is needed

    to bring the level up again. Unfortunately, it looks as if the weather could be against us

    as yet another depression is heading towards us from across the Atlantic.

     

    msw.JPG

    This is the Magic SeaWeed forecast for 12.00 Friday with the rain sweeping in.

     

    me.JPG

    his is the Met Eireann Forecast for 12.00 Friday which gives a similar picture.

     

    Prospects

    If we do get the amount of rain which looks to be forecast, then we will probably

    be flooded off the river for Saturday's Opening.

    At best, the river will probably only be in heavy spinning order, unless of course

    our request for just one small miracle is granted............................................................

  5. Superb Salmon Fishing in the Last Week....................................

     

    gc13-8.jpg

     

    With the spell of dry weather, the river has fined off to summer level.

    The Ballyduff gauge is now on 0.26m this morning & the clarity is 4-5 feet.

    The forecast for the week is dry except for some light rain perhaps on Wednesday & Thursday.

     

    fc13-8.jpg

     

    We have had superb fishing in the last week. For the 7 days to Saturday 10th.,

    we have taken 108 fish to 12lb. for just 87 rod days. The August total is 118

    which is already the best for the month for the last 4 years - & this is only in the first 10 days!

     

    Fresh fish are continuing to run in good numbers.

    One angler who was fishing our top beat just below Mallow (28 miles/45km upriver)

    caught 4 sea-liced grilse in one hour in the late afternoon & lost 2 more.

     

    Prospects

    Excellent for the coming week. Very small flies are the most successful.

    There's no problem for availability for fishing & accommodation for most of August.

  6. gc13-3_zps9bacfab5.jpg

    We are having a period of dry weather now which is due continue until well into next week.

    Following the big flood on the 22nd., the river is now fining off very well

    and will only improve further in the coming days.

    now27_zps35de7543.jpg

    The Ballyduff gauge is on 0.70m at 5.00pm today.

    Beats on the upper river are now in fly order, and some of the lower beats

    should be fly-fishable by tomorrow & all of them should be in fly order by the weekend.

    Temperatures are cold with the air struggling to get to 5C during the day & is about 0 to +2C at night.

    The water on the lower river is just over 7C & on the upper river it is only about 4.5C

    We have high (3.9m) tides for the next couple of days, so hopefully this

    - combined with the flood fining off - will encourage more fish to move in.

    Prospects are looking very good for the Easter weekend.

  7. 164396_619484918068905_87350679_n.jpg

    The river is in absolutely fantastic order. The gauge is on 0.49m this morning with clarity ~6 feet.

    The water temperature is 7.6°C @ 10.00 today. Air: +7°C


    63245_619462261404504_1962417291_n.jpg

     


    599919_619492138068183_401583305_n.jpg

    It's in perfect order for the fly at the moment.

    This kelt below was caught by 17 year old Dan Hawker on fly at the Lug Pool on Lower Kilmurry.

    it was an absolutely superbly conditioned fish that was duly released (and logged of course!!!!!)

    All the spent fish are very well mended & fight like hell.

    So if you are fishing here, make sure you don't confuse them with a fresh one - it's easily done.

     

    Prospects

    The weather looks as if it'll be broken in the run-up to next weekend but without appreciable amounts of rainfall.

    This means we can probably expect conditions to remain quite stable through the week.

    The run of springers was good the week before last when our first two were hooked.

    Since then we are seeing occasional ones, but none have been hooked.



  8. One Fish – Two Firsts!


    13-02-22garybyrnefirst007crop600_zps8838a285.jpg

    The First Fish of the Season was caught on the Lodge beats yesterday.

    It was taken by Gary Byrne from Dungarvan on spinner, weighed 9.65lb & was sea-liced.

    It was his First Ever Salmon and his first visit to the Lodge.

     

    13-02-22garybyrnefirst001crop600_zpsaa229ac5.jpg

    Like most special events at the Lodge, there’s a story…………………………………………….

    I had sent Gary & his mate Mark to fish on Upper & Lower Kilmurry and they arrived there about 10.00am.

    For those of you that know the Lodge, Glenda was teaching at the Hut Pool on Upper Kilmurry (her Office!).

     

    I called in to see her, then left at 12.00 to head for Fermoy. As I was driving away, I glanced into the top field
    (“The Inches”) of Upper Kilmurry and saw Gary - rod bent – looking as if he was into a fish.
    I stopped, shouted to him to confirm & then parked & hastened down the field to him.
    He was on the high bank at the tail of the Inches with an obviously fresh springer played out.
    Unable to tail it out, we nervously waited for Mark to appear having returned to the Hut Pool some 400 yards away

    to get the net. I landed the fish and the smile on his face really does say it all!

     

    The fish was tagged and entered into Gary’s logbook even although it wasn’t a kelt!

    If you don’t understand this ironic joke go and read all about the logging controversy on our Facebook pages!

     

    gc13-2_zpseadb3e05.jpg

    The river is now fining off nicely, and it is only now that we can really fish with confidence
    as there is already a good head of spring fish through the system even to the upper river.


    The forecast is for continuing dry cool weather, so the river will be coming into excellent condition
    & the chances of catching a springer must be very good in the coming days.

    I just had a phone call from the river to tell me that there are good numbers of springers showing on Kilmurry.

     

    The first fish of the season off the river had been reported on Tuesday on Killavullen club waters 20 miles upstream.
    This is probably the first time in living memory that the first fish of the season has been recorded this far upstream.

    Obviously a consequence of the high water & mild temperatures we have had since the beginning of January.

     

    On Wednesday 20th., one of our rods lost a sea-liced fish of 8-10lb at the bank - he had forgotten his net!
    He also saw half a dozen fresh springers.


    The same day there was also a report of a sea-liced fish caught on another private lower beat.



    • Like 1
  9. Affordable Salmon Fishing for 2013

     

    We’ve now made the cost of salmon fishing so low,

    you hardly need waders!

     

    With the worldwide recession, fishery owners, lodges and guides across the globe are reducing their charges

    so that salmon anglers can keep fishing and new anglers can be attracted to the sport.

     

    In Ireland, the Blackwater Lodge - in conjunction with its beat owners - is leading the way

    by now making salmon fishing more affordable for everyone.

     

     

    Cast your eye on this...............

     

    For the 2013 season, fishing rates on the Lodge beats will range from €15 per day to €80 per day in the prime time.

    Some of these rates reflect a reduction on 2012 prices of over 50%.

    Click here for our 2013 Price List http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Prices/pricelist.htm

     

    We have exclusive use of 11 prime beats on the famous Cork Blackwater, all insured and each one subject

    to an on-going, rigorous maintenance programme to guarantee your safety, comfort and enjoyment.

     

    Stay Where You Like

    Just because you’re fishing Lodge waters doesn’t mean you have to stay with us.

    If you do, you can choose to stay in the Lodge, bed and breakfast, for only €35 per night (single supplement €10).

    Or choose from a variety of self-catering bungalows on the grounds for only €80 per day up to a four-bedroom version for €500 a week.

    Packed lunches and evening meals are available.

    There is also a wide selection of hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs in the area, if that’s your preference.

     

     

    Next Step or First Step?

    Whether you’ve been looking for affordable, quality salmon fishing; or feel it’s something you’d like to try, this is probably the best opportunity you’ll ever have.

    It’s fun, it’s interesting, it’s absorbing and salmon anglers are a great community to belong to. Male and female.

     

    So get in touch today and book casting tuition or a few days fishing – without getting out of your depth on cost.

  10. The Extension to October 12th.

     

    There are very few places in the Republic where you can fish for salmon up to October 12. We are fortunate enough to

    have been granted this on a trial basis for this year, as our runs of fish seem to be coming later and later each year.

    The extension is Fly Only, Single Barbless & Catch & release.

     

    Special Late Offer €60/day.

    To ensure that we have plenty of rods fishing to help collect data, we are now offering

    fishing from now until October 12th. for just €60/rod day.

     

    Promising Prospects.

    We have experienced the same phenomenon as most rivers in September with fish being very reluctant to take.

    We have however a very large head of fish in the system, with lots of fish being seen on most beats each day.

     

    Fly Works Best!

    fc12-10.jpg

    For September, the fly caught more fish that all the other methods put together which bodes well for the Fly Only extension.

    The September total was 138 of which 74 fell to fly. 93 of the fish were released.

     

    The last 12 days of September saw 75 fish caught - of which 41 fell to fly.

     

    Whilst fish were elusive, some anglers managed to do very well.

    Gerard Bonnet's 3 rod party from Britanny, France caught 27 fish to 13lb. for their week including 8 on the fly.

     

    12-09-29terrymcdermott%20003.jpg

    Terry McDermott's party from N. Ireland also had 7 to 10lb. - all on fly. This fish was taken by Terry himself

    on the 29th. on the lower river. It weighed 9.9lb, & was covered in sea-lice.

     

    Gauge height at Killavullen on the upper river.

    killavullen.jpg

    Moderate amounts of rain have given us a small (11cm) fresh on the upper river on October 1st.

    Hopefully this will encourage more fresh fish to run.

     

    Gauge Height & Rainfall at Ballyduff

    gc12-10.jpg

    This translated into a 6cm fresh on the lower river. The water clarity is superb.

     

    now2.jpg

    This was the river yesterday at midday.

    Height 0.39m

    Perfect medium high summer level.

    Clarity ~ 5 feet.

    Absolutely ideal fly conditions.

     

    Just 9 Days of the season remaining!

    We have availability of rods and accommodation to October 12th - which is of course fly only - C&R.

  11. killavullen.jpg

    The river had dropped off & started to fine down on Friday 24th., which was the joint third Best Day of the Season with 10 fish to 13.4lb. caught.

    Heavy localised showers caused the upper river to river yet again on Saturday. It was completely out of order for Saturday 25th.

    This was the picture for the upper river up to this morning.

     

    gc12-8.jpg

    The lower river was also completely unfishable yesterday (Sat. 25th.)

    Today the clarity has improved somewhat to 1 - 1.5 feet on the lower river & about 2 feet on the upper river.

    I already have a report of a very fresh 5 pounder caught on an upper beat just below Mallow today after only 3 casts.

     

    Friday 25th. was our Third Best Day of 2012. A total of 10 fish to 13.4lb. were caught.

    One rod had four fish from our top beat just below Mallow. Another landed 3 at Bridgetown, keeping only a 13.4lb. & releasing 2 grilse.

    The total for August so far is 89 to 13.9lb. for just 129 rod days - a superb result considering the flood conditions & low rod effort!

    The season total to day is 375.

     

    There looks to be yet more rain from tonight to Wednesday!!!!!!!

  12. On Monday 9th., 6 fish were caught (including the 13lb. First Salmon in last blog entry) making it the Fifth Best Day of the season. This included a couple of sea-liced fish from the lower river from Kilmurry & Kents.

     

    On Tuesday 10th., 9 fish were caught which made this the Third Best Day of 2012.

    12-07-10mikewhelan.jpg

    Mike Whelan caught these three fish all between 9-10lb. on Kilmurry on the lower river.

     

    12-07-11stefankadlubowski.jpg

    Stefan Kadlubowski released this 9½ pounder on fly on the Wood Flat on Woodstream.

     

     

    12-07-11joetynan.jpg

    Joe Tynan caught his first fish on the fly yesterday too.

     

    It weighed 4lb. & was caught on the Castle Flat on Ballyhooly.

     

    gcall.jpg

    Both the upper & lower river are dropping today but slowly due to the localised showers.

    Yesterday both rose - the upper by a foot to 1.81m & the lower by 15cm.

    They are down to 1.61m & 0.88m respectively this morning.

    Clarity is fair here @ ~2-2½ feet. It is similar upriver. Some quite heavy localised showers are still keeping the river topped up.

    The heavy rain forecast for today fell south of the catchment.

     

    Superb prospects for the coming weekend.

  13. The Second Biggest Flood of the Season!

     

    58mm rain fell in the 36 hours to yesterday morning.

    Yesterday was pretty much dry throughout the catchment.

    There is some more rain forecast for Monday & Thursday this week.

     

    killavullen.JPG

    This is the graph of the height of the river at Killavullen.

    It was falling Friday night but started to rise again at 06.00am yesterday before falling again a few hours later. It rose 24cm, peaking once more @ 13.30 in the afternoon.

     

     

    gc12-6.jpg

    The river at Ballyduff showed similar behaviour.

    The level was down to 2.14m at 14.00 yesterday, but also rose again to

    2.25m by 18.00 yesterday evening. This morning it is down to 1.65m @ 07.00, though the clarity is very good considering the height.

     

    The river is too high to fish today (Sunday 17th.) & there is more rain forecast for Monday & Thursday this week.

    This said, an Italian party guided by Glenda have caught a grilse by 12.00 – a First Ever Salmon!

    One angler fishing a lower beat on the 13th. reported a run of "VERY" large fish running through during the day.

     

    We have caught 29 so far for June for just 48 rod days which is remarkable.

    The upper river (Ballyhooly to Mallow) is fishing much better than the lower river.

    25 of the 29 caught have come from above. The daily totals are:

     

    June 2: 6 to 9.1lb.

    June 5: 2 to 7lb.

    June 6: 11 to 10.3lb.

    June 10: 1 of 5.7lb.

    June 11: 4 to 11lb.

    June 12: 3 to 6lb.

    June 13: 1 of 5lb.

    June 14: 1 of 9.5lb.

    For all the latest info see the new Lodge Blog: http://ireland-salmon-fishing.blogspot.ie/

  14. Best Day of the 2012 Season so far…………………….!

     

    As expected the river came into excellent order today. The gauge at Ballyduff was on 0.58m this morning & only fell very slowly during the day to 0.55m at dusk. The clarity was a good three feet on the lower river.

    The upper river also dropped only very slowly but has fined off very well & clarity is around 4 feet.

    There were a number of reports of fish moving on the upper river - albeit somewhat sporadically.

     

    Four fish were caught in total for the day by just nine rods fishing and there were 2 fish lost at the net. Three fish fish came from the upper river - 2 on spinner & 2 on the fly - of which 2 were released.

    Two were extremely fresh (sea-lice just fallen off) & one had been in for 1/2 weeks.

    There was one very fresh fish caught on spinner on the lower river, but none seen.

     

    Superb prospects for tomorrow. We'll have to see how much rain falls Monday to ascertain the prospects for the week.

     

    Please be sure to Bookmark this! Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery Blog

    http://ireland-salmon-fishing.blogspot.com http://bit.ly/IpiyQJ

    New website feature - Salmon Fishing Blog. Immediate & historical news.

    This should contain all the info put into postings on river conditions & catches & more...................

  15. Be sure to Bookmark this!

    Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery Blog

    http://ireland-salmon-fishing.blogspot.com/

    New website feature - Salmon Fishing Blog. Immediate & historical news.

    This should contain all the info put into postings on river conditions & catches & more...................

     

     

    The Highest River Level so Far this Season!!

    now18-2.jpg

    This was the Blackwater yesterday afternoon (18th).

    season.jpg

    The river peaked yesterday afternoon with the highest level so far this year - 1.75m.

    The previous highest level was on the Opening Day on February 1 when it was at 1.10m

    This should encourage a good run of fresh fish once it starts to fine off.

     

    Fishing & accommodation are available in the coming weeks.

    Falling Flood

    now19-1.jpg

    The Blackwater today (19th.)at 09.30

     

    gc12-4-5.jpg

    The river fell rapidly overnight to 0.85m from it's peak yesterday afternoon of 1.75m.

    The water is very dirty & is being held up by some of the local tributaries which are still running high & coloured.

    Depending on any further rainfall it might possibly be spinnable (just) on the upper river tomorrow).

     

    Brilliant prospects once the river fines off.

  16. Biggest Fish of the Season so far!!!!!!!

     

    12-04-14shanahan.jpg

    Jim Shanahan from Castletownroche was fishing an upper beat & phoned me to ask if he could switch to another upstream beat.

    I suggested he come down as I heard it was quiet above. He arrived on Ballinaroone with his 11 yr old son James & within 15 minutes

    James hooked & lost a fish on a Toby. Jim caught the Biggest Fish of the Season a few moments later - 12.4lb on Flying C at the Road Pool.

     

    12-04-15terryokeeffe.jpg

    This lovely sea-liced 7.3lb. fish was caught by Terry O’Keeffe (Midleton, Co. Cork) on Lower Kilmurry yesterday.

     

    The river continues to fine off today & was at 0.25m at 16.00.

    Another very fresh fish was caught today on spinner – only our second from the upper river.

     

    fc12-4-1.jpg

    The total for the Lodge fishery is now 8 fish for April to date for only 37 rod days.

     

     

    now16.jpg

    This is the river below Blackwater Lodge at 16.00 today.

     

    gc12-4-4.jpg

    Gauge height 0.25m. Clarity ~4-5 feet

     

    Prospects

    There is more rain coming through the week, with storm conditions for tomorrow (Tuesday).

     

    Availability

    There's no problem for availability of fishing at present.

     

    If you’d like to be kept up to date with what’s happening, email me on

    info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net

    & I’ll add you to our Newsletter circulation.

     

     

    Ireland Salmon Fishing

    Blackwater Lodge

    Daily Salmon Fishing Report

     

    Blackwater Lodge: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net

    Daily Salmon Fishing Report: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Fish...shingreport.htm

  17. April gets off to a Great Start!

    Despite extremely low water in the first week of April, four springers were landed in 3 days for only 7 rod days in total.

     

    12-04-03conlon.jpg

    We have had just one day so far this season when two springers were landed - by two different anglers

    - which was February 5th. Yesterday (April 3) was the first day this year where one angler has landed

    two fish in one day - and they were both on fly on two consecutive casts!

    Kieran Conlon (Cork) managed to get away for only his second day fishing so far this season,

    & I sent him to Lower Kilmurry on a cold blustery day with a NW wind & air temps from 7-10ºC.

    Just before lunchtime he caught and released a lovely sea-liced fish on a Silver Grey tube fly

    right up at the head of the Island Stream in the fast water - no surprise as water temp is now just above 52ºF.

    This was his first springer of the 2012 season.

    More surprising was the fact that he went back into the water & the very next cast caught

    a second sea-liced fish from the very same spot. Both fish were like peas in a pod.

    The second fish (above) was weighed in later at the Lodge at 8.3lb.

    Kieran saw a number of other fish throughout the day.

     

    12-04-04lalorcrop-1.jpg

    John Lalor (Cahir) caught this 6lb sea-liced fish on fly on April 4th. This was his first fish for 2012.

     

    12-04-05tynan.jpg

    Joe Tynan (Kildare) caught this 8.4lb. very fresh fish on spinner on April 5th. It was his First Ever Salmon!

    It didn't have sea-lice but they had only just fallen off it.

    It is one of the earliest ever recorded First Fish on the fishery!

     

     

    The First Grilse of the 2012 Season is Caught!

    12-04-09kenstewartcrop.jpg

     

    APGAI_Ireland casting instructor Ken Stewart came down to visit the Lodge today (9th.)

    & went out to the river about lunchtime for a cast on the Kilmurry beats.

    About 4.00pm Glenda went down to meet him & she arrived at the Hut Pool to see Ken playing a fish.

    She hopped out of the jeep, rolled up her trousers (no time to don the waders) & hopped into the water

    to net a beautiful sea-liced 4 pound grilse that had taken Ken's tube fly.

    This is probably the earliest grilse that has ever been taken on the fishery.

  18. The First on Floating Line!

     

    12-03-25conor600.jpg

    Conor Arnold contacted me yesterday afternoon to ask if he could go trout fishing to Ballyhooly.

    I suggested he go instead to Kilmurry with the salmon rod as it was free.

    He caught this fish at dusk (7.15pm) on a #10 shrimp fly on a floating line. It weighed 7lb. exactly.

    This is more akin to summer fishing than spring with temperature in the afternoon up to 16°C.

     

    fc12-3.jpg

    This is the fourth springer for March which doesn’t sound a lot, but is remarkable when you consider

    that there have been only 41 rod days so far for the whole month.

    Total for the season so far is now nine.

     

    now26full.jpg

    This is the Blackwater in fantastic fly order at 9.00am this morning with clarity #5-6 feet.

     

    gc12-3-3.jpg

    Having held at 0.30 for about 4 days, the river is now dropping very slowly once more & was at 0.27m this morning at 9.00am.

    Water temp. 48°F. Beautiful fly height with summer level.

     

    Prospects

    The forecast is for continuing dry weather for most of the week. The longer-range forecast is for a very wet start to April.

    With few fresh fish running due to the summer level, a flood would be welcome.

     

     

    Ireland Salmon Fishing

    Blackwater Lodge

    Daily Salmon Fishing Report

  19. 12-03-17pjburns600.jpg

    This fish was taken at 3pm yesterday by PJ Burns from Dublin. Weight 8.2lb.

    He took it on spinner on the Lodge's lowest beat - Ballygally - about 2 miles below Ballyduff.

    This is the third springer for March & the eighth for the season so far.

     

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    This is the Blackwater in absolutely fine fettle this morning.

     

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    The recent rain only brought the river up 12 cm by Saturday morning to 0.46m on the gauge.

    It's down to 0.36m @ 18.45 this evening.

     

    No fish taken today, but a couple seen again on Ballygally.

    Conditions are absolutely perfect. Clarity about 4 feet, water temp. 47F.

    Beautiful fly height with summer level.

  20. February: 5 fish caught in total, all between February 3-14 for only 30 rod days.

    Joint Best February total since 2004 & joint Second Best total since 1994.

     

    March 3: First on fly & Biggest of Season. Caught by Shane Kinsella (Wicklow) - ~12lb.

    on a 1 1/2" aluminium Garry Dog tube on sink tip line.

    March 4: First off the upper river. A 7 pounder on spinner for Tom Donovan at Castletownroche.

    Season total to date: 7 fish.

     

    Prospects

    Looking very good for the coming week with a small (12cm) fresh on the river but very good clarity.

    Dry forecast for the week so conditions should stabilise.

     

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    The Blackwater today @ 17.00. Gauge 0.54. Clarity excellent.

     

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  21. The First Spring Salmon of 2012 is Caught!

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    The First Springer was taken on the Lodge beats today by ............................ me!

    There were no rods booked to fish today & the weather had turned mild after only 2 days of a cold snap. Glenda was going to teach on Upper Kilmurry for 2 hours, so I decided to accompany her & go for a cast for an hour or so. I caught this 6.2lb fish on spinner at the Jole on Lower Kilmurry. It would have been released, but was deeply hooked and bleeding.

    Interestingly, the fish didn't have sea-lice, so had obviously been in the river for a few days. This could mean that there is already a reasonable number of spring fish in the river, as we have had prolonged spells of high water & mild temperatures throughout January to encourage them to run.

    It was only the first 2 days of February where temperatures fell to zero at night.

     

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    The river is already in excellent spinning order with clarity of approx. 3-4 feet.

    At 0.78m on the gauge this evening, it would still be high for fly-fishing, but it is dropping steadily

    & should be coming into fly order in the next couple of days.

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