January . February . March . April . May . June . July . August . September . October . December
November 04
(these reports are displayed as most recent first)
24th to 30th November.
Cold, reasonably dry, with winds on the light side, River conditions are good and running higher.
Peter is still camped out in 32 swim with varying luck, with good bags of Hybrids on one day then not a bite another.
Frank and I decided to venture to pastures new and had a trip to Shannon Harbour where we found conditions great, little breeze and 10ft of water at the lower end of the canal where it enters into the River Shannon. Small Roach were plentiful falling to a single maggot, quite a difference for us after The River Inny but very rewarding.
Another day we ventured to Ferbane on the Grand Canal, here to the conditions were calm which allowed us to fish very light. 3ft was the max and with light gear small Roach and skimmers were had for several hours, what a change to see a float disappear after the rod tip and leads.
Here we met an angler from Ballinasloe, Mike May, who was quiet happy fishing the pole and producing small fish. In a nice sunny position along the roadway made himself comfortable, and was soon into fish and finally was put out by the antics of a Pike.
Yet another month has passed us by but overall it’s not been a bad month.
17th to 23rd November.
It’s not been fishing weather here for most of the last 6 days, what with Heavy Rain, Sleet & Snow, High winds from the North - But there were a few days where “Mad dogs and Englishmen“ do go out with the river rising again and Peter’s theory of more water = more Fish.
Yes, back to the same swims, 2 days with little to report. Sunday 21st sees a change with the rain abated and the river very dirty Peter found 7 good Hybrids and Frank had 4 with a few Roach all in a couple of hours, I myself caught the biggest “Bug” going and have been laid up ever since.
The doctor said it is “Gill Fever” and gave me a handful of Halibut Pellets and to rest in a Backwater.
Report on the Chairs…Peter - “the best thing since Red Maggots“, Myself… “It’s still in the Bag!“
Still at least Christmas is on the way......
"Its good here at Tommy's, free
rent and food and apparently off to somewhere very hot on christmas
day."
10th to 16th November.
The river is still fining down and cleaning up now, with the temperatures dropping it is making it hard to get the fish interested.
Anyhow Peter and Frank are still trying with little success in the early stages of last week, now the winds have backed round to the South West things jumped into action over the last 2 days. Frank and I had a couple of hours on the “Short Stretch” (6, 7, 8) swims Sunday to find fish rising and a great bit of sport with small Roach and a couple of Hybrids but the wind beat us back to the car, it was very cold!
Peter was in his old haunt, swim 32, to find it was devoid of fish for several days and had him in a ponder (where have they gone?) He stuck to it ,16th November found things were on the change with a great display of angling after the lull. Finishing at near dark I found him banging on my door armed with Polaroid pictures of fine Hybrids and Roach and a detailed account of his session.
Fishing the quiver tip with a light lead to the far bank allowing the bait, 4 Red Maggots to roll around to settle about 1 third out in the river, found that the Roach were out in force and the Hybrids made their mark when the bait settled. I think Peter made the effort today, as the weather was not great, overcast and a good breeze up the river just to try out his New Chair which turned up Monday from “Bennetts of Sheffield” complete with armrests, he’s thinking of his age and comforts at this stage of the game, so I purchased one too!
He has also asked Tommy if he would erect a Shed at swim 32 for the winter!!!
What do you think was Tommy’s reply, answers on Brown Paper Bags only.
November 1st - 9th
Calm conditions throughout the best part of the last 9days leading into Cold and windy towards the weekend from the North.
Calm condition sent Peter and I to Ballykeeran to make the most of the light Easterly breeze, on landing on the swims we found the water levels were very high and we were having to either use Sliders or fixed float tactics.
Peter went for the Slider and I plumped for the fixed float having a 20ft rod and after setting up we plumbed the depth, 22ft by 2 rod lengths. Plenty of ground bait was applied to the two swims and we sat back and waited and waited and waited only to find the fish elsewhere but managed 6 nice Hybrids on the latter end of the session.
On several days after Peter and Frank visited the river, back to swims 31/32, with the river fining down and becoming much cleaner found the fish getting harder to contact. Peter had the best catches with 6/7 good Hybrids, the odd Roach and Perch each time. Frank went on walk-about to try and find fish but never did.
One of the days they decided to open another swim 20yards up from 32 after hours of Hard Labour and Tons of weed they produced a great swim, Peter had a theory that when the fish moved out from 32 they headed upstream (Hence all the work). Tuesday the 9th I had the pleasure of new swim 33, with a Head On wind from the North I found it hard enough to keep the Brolly in the ground not alone seeing bites, results: - Myself 1bite Peter no bites!. A quick retreat to the car, and back home for a bowl of Stew and a good Fire. There were 4 lads in two Boats out for the Pike but due to the conditions on the Lake they tried their luck on the river but I think the cold got to them before the Pike.
Yep,
Scully was very impressed with the fishing ..... not
Home . . . . . . Gallery . . . . . . Accommodations . . . . . . Links