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Post by bwlodge on May 12, 2010 19:23:22 GMT
The First Grilse of the Season on the Lodge beatsThere was nothing to report in the last 2 days as there were no rods out so - needless to say there was no fish caught. Three of us went out to Lower Kilmurry for an hour or so at lunchtime today and saw half a dozen fish running through - mostly fish of 7-8lb but including one which was well into double figures. We all persisted with the fly but no takes so had a few casts with spun shrimp & caught & released this one almost immediately on the Island Stream. Met two more, but only half-hearted takes & didn't connect, then had to get home to pick the kids up from school! Would've loved to stay longer as I'm sure we would have met more fish. This, together with reports of good runs of grilse & salmon running from other beats on the lower river means the prospects in the coming days are looking good. Very little rain forecast for the coming week, certainly not enough to have any significant effect on the river. For the latest info: Fishing report page www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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Post by bwlodge on Jun 13, 2010 22:11:55 GMT
Flood moves fish from tidal water!This is the water level situation at Ballyduff in the last few days. The small flood on Tuesday put the river out of order for a couple of days as it became very coloured. By Friday it was improving and 3 fish were lost on the Lodge beats. Yesterday (Saturday), four fish were caught - 3 on spinner & one on fly. The best (~12lb) was caught & released by Ray Burns on Upper Kilmurry on spinner. Today, there were 3 grilse taken on the fly. Clarity is now a good 3 feet. Seven fish in total for 14 rod days in the last two days. There has been a significant increase in the number of fish moving through the lower beats since the flood. I'm also hearing about some grilse & salmon being caught up in the Mallow area. For the latest info: Fishing report page www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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Post by bwlodge on Jun 16, 2010 12:04:20 GMT
Best Day of the Season So Farincluding Best Catch by One Angler in One Day The Best Day of the Season mark set on Sunday lasted only two days. Yesterday, June 15th., it was beaten not withstanding the fact that there were only 3 rods fishing for the day. Six grilse were caught in total - all on the fly. In the late morning, Ray Burns caught one on Island Stream on Lower Kilmurry. Portugese trapeze artist Pedro Granadiero from Dublin had a red letter day on Kents when he landed five grilse of which he released four. All the fish were caught from 2pm onwards on a fly he tied himself. Having caught three, he had a siesta on the bank for an hour & then went back and caught another two, only returning to the Lodge to report in at 10.00pm. . Four of the five fish were released. ProspectsThe river is down to 0.19 on the gauge & the clarity has improved to 4-5 feet since the last fresh we had last Tuesday. This has brought more fish into the lower beats, so the prospects for the week are looking better. For the latest info: Fishing report page www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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Post by bwlodge on Jul 6, 2010 7:47:01 GMT
River Report for June[/u] The river level for June has probably been the lowest for about 50 years, which means that most fish are holding in the tidal reaches rather than running into the main river. The table below shows the average height for the month for the last four years – since the start of the drift net ban. This year it was 0.18m compared to the average for 2007-9 of 0.41m. In fact it was only above 0.30m (which we would normally regard as summer low level) for 2 days during the whole month. There have also been few rods out fishing for the month. Statistics for the Month of June for 2007 - 2010---------------------- Year------2007------2008------2009------2010Number of Fish Caught----------44------------21-----------51-----------24 ----------Catch/Rod Day--------0.25---------0.09---------0.30---------0.30 --Average River Height--------0.35---------0.39---------0.48---------0.18 We can see from the Table that – whilst the catch number for the month was not high at 24 – in fact the catch/rod day was 0.30, exactly the same as that for 2009 when there was far more water in the river. In fact, 22 of the fish were caught for only 24 rod days in the week from June 12 – an average of 0.9 fish per rod day, which was extremely good. One angler caught 5 in one afternoon – all on fly & 4 were released. Best fish of the month was a 12 pounder released on Upper Kilmurry. July has started off well after a small fresh in the river on the 2nd. Seven grilse have been caught for 6 rod days in the three days from July 2-4. For all the very latest information please see the Blackwater Lodge Fishing Report page on : Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery - Daily Updated Salmon Fishing Report page ProspectsEven although the river is very low, the clarity is good and runs of larger grilse (4-5lb.) are coming in. There is more rain forecast during the week, so the prospects of sport for the coming week are quite good. Very small flies, light worming & spun shrimp are working best, though fish are also being met on spinner. Where to meet usGlenda is fly-casting demonstrator at the Irish Game & Country Fair at Birr Castle in Co. Offaly on August 28 & 29th. We will also have a stand at the Fair. AvailabilityWe have availability of rods & accommodation in the next couple of weeks. Late summer and backend weeks are now filling up fast, so contact us quickly if you are thinking of fishing later in the season.
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Post by bwlodge on Jul 7, 2010 9:58:43 GMT
The rain that came across Ireland on the weekend seems to have missed the Blackwater catchment altogether. The river is still at 0.08m at Ballyduff and there has been no rise at all on the upper river. On a brighter note, the Metcheck forecast for Cork is giving 13mm rain on Thursday & 17mm on Friday night. This seems to be borne out by the Bbc.co.uk forecast as well. There were three grilse caught for 1½ rod days yesterday, which makes a total of 10 fish for 8½ rod days in the last 4 days which is superb in the current conditions. For all the very latest information please see the Blackwater Lodge Fishing Report page on : Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery - Daily Updated Salmon Fishing Report page
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Post by bwlodge on Jul 18, 2010 11:11:55 GMT
Best Day of the Season so far - plus Best Catch from One Beat in One DayThe river dropped to a lovely height on July 13. In the morning it was 0.23 & fell to 0.20m by nightfall. Clarity 2-2½ feet. There was an excellent run of fish coming through the entire system right though to the top beats. A total of 20 fish were caught for 11 rod days for the day. Beat 3 (1 mile up from the Lodge): 4 caught. 1 on fly. Best 9.7 & 11lb. Beat 7 (5 miles up from the Lodge): 4 caught. All on fly. Best 6.5lb. Beat 8 (15 miles up from the Lodge): 1 caught. 4lb. Beat 9 (20 miles up from the Lodge): 8 caught. 6 on fly & all released. Best 6lb. Beat 16 (26 miles up from the Lodge): 3 caught. 1 on fly. Best 6lb. Two rods caught eight fish today at Bridgetown Abbey. - mostly grilse around the 3lb. mark. Six were caught on fly & two on spinner. All eight fish were released alive. Mick Kennedy caught 5 (best ~6lb.) & Billy Jewitt caught three. Seven of the fish were caught in a 2 hour "moment of madness". Prospects looking very good with fresh fish being taken right through to the top of the fishery. Still more rain coming in the next 2 days which should top up the height. For all the very latest information please see the Blackwater Lodge Fishing Report page on : Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery - Daily Updated Salmon Fishing Report page
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Post by bwlodge on Jul 18, 2010 11:12:26 GMT
Here's the latest picture on river levels at 18.30 this evening (Sunday 17th.). The river is dropping quite quickly. On the lower river the clarity is extremely poor - virtually unfishable. It is clearing down quite well from the top of the river & fish were caught today on a couple of our beats on the upper river between Castletownroche and Mallow. Connie gillied two guests on our very top beat and the party had 5 fish for the day including fish of 11, 5, 5, 4 & 3lb. Only a couple the grilse were kept - the other 3, including the 11 pounder were released. All were taken on spinner, but Connie reckoned it would be have been fly-fishable at the end of the day. Two were sea-liced and the beat is 28 miles upstream of the Lodge! One other grilse reported so far from the middle of the upper river as well. For all the very latest information please see the Blackwater Lodge Fishing Report page on : www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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Post by bwlodge on Aug 3, 2010 19:21:29 GMT
The Best Ever July Catch in terms of Fish Caught per Rod Day On Sunday, July 25th., Mossy McElligott (Tralee) caught the Best Fish of the Season with a 12.4lb on fly on Ballinaroone & his fishing partner Tim Quinlivan also had two on fly of 11.9 & 9.1lb. Tim's largest was also the second heaviest weighed fish this year.The month of July produced 169 salmon for a total of only 183 rod days. This is the sixth best total for the month since I took over the Lodge at the beginning of 1986. It is the best catch for the month since the year 2000, when 263 were caught for 750 rod days. It also includes the two Best Fish of the Season which were both caught on fly on the same day on Beat 3 - Ballinaroone by Mossy McElligott (12.4lb) & Tim Quinlivan (11.9lb). There have also been at least four very large fish lost in the second half of the month. The table below shows the figures for the six best months of July.Only the all-time record year of 1992 (when 1511 fish were taken) has a comparable catch per rod day! Total catch for the season to date is 212. Take me home, Mum! Our seven year old son Ian heads away after an afternoon on the river with his famous mum Glenda on July 18!Current SituationThe river is still fining off slowly from the small floods on July 19 & 23. It is now @ 0.18m on the gauge with ~5 feet clarity. Once again there is a huge buildup of fresh fish in the tidal reaches & a good number are running into the main river. Some of the lower beat - in particular Kents & Lower Kilmurry - are hold a good head of fish. ProspectsWith predominantly dry weather for the coming week, the river remain at summer level. There are plenty of fish running - both hefty grilse & larger summer salmon. For all the very latest information please see the Blackwater Lodge Fishing Report page on : www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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Post by bwlodge on Aug 8, 2010 21:36:00 GMT
Biggest Fish of 2010 caught on Saturday, August 7th. - on fly!
Gavin Wishart (Newcastle, Co. Down) caught a slightly coloured May fish on a small gold shrimp pattern on the Lug Pool on Lower Kilmurry gillied by Connie Corcoran. Connie estimated the fish @ 14-15lb. and it was quickly released. Gavin & Connie caught five fish for the day, releasing four.
There were eleven fish caught for 10 rod days yesterday - the best day so far for August. Martin Heffer (UK) caught his first ever salmon and it was on fly on a guided day with Glenda.
Total for the month is 31 fish for 41 rod days. Gauge height is 0.15m & clarity around 5 feet. Plenty of fish showing in the pools on the lower river and some fish running every day.
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Post by bwlodge on Nov 22, 2010 19:01:50 GMT
2010 Salmon Season Report from Blackwater LodgeFinally, I have completed a report on the 2010 Season on Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery. This can be found on: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/Old/2010/2010season.htmFor more detailed reports by Month please go to: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/Old/2010/2010monthly.htm2010 Season Highlights............................... Season Total: 652 for 1,342 rod days (0.49 fish/rod day). .................................... July Total: 168 for 183 rod days. ........................................................(The Best July since 2000 when 263 were caught for 750 rod days) ............... Best Day of the Season: September 26 - 26 fish to 16lb. ............... Best Catch for One Rod: Eleven fish on September 21st. ...... Number of First Ever Salmon: Thirty-five in total for the season. Proportion of Fish Caught on Fly: Second Highest Ever for the Total 2011 Season. ........................................................Highest Ever for the months of May & June. ........................................................Second Highest for the month of September. ........................................................Fifth Highest for August. ........................................................Eighth Highest for July. The Draft Proposals for the Wild Salmon & Seatrout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2011 Season were issued on Friday, November 19. The quota for the Blackwater has been raised to 5,859 from the 2010 quota which was 5,054. The number of tags for the spring (February 1 to May 11) has not been confirmed yet. Last year, it was one tag for the Blackwater but this was only announced in a Byelaw issued on December 17, 2009 so we are still waiting to hear if it will be one or three tags. The Huge Run of Fish continuesI was talking to Fishery Board staff at the excellent Irish Fly Fair in Galway last weekend & got the latest on the runs of fish into the Blackwater. There were reports of 7,500 fish that had run into the river in the 8 days from October 27. Just before the Fair on the weekend of November 13/14, this figure had jumped to over 15,000....................! This bodes well for our future stocks of salmon.
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Post by bwlodge on Dec 7, 2010 12:51:32 GMT
Recession Busting Syndicate OfferFor 2011, Blackwater Lodge is proposing a great opportunity to get fishing at a reduced rate for 2011 on Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery. There are two options on offer: Full Season: €1,500 Spring Season: € 500 (February to May incl.) There are a limited number of places available which will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. More details on this can be found on this Syndication link: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Fishing/syndicate2011.htmThis was the Blackwater below the Lodge at 4pm yesterday – December 6. The temperature never rose above -2°C all day. Hopefully the weather will be kinder in the run-up to the Opening Day of the 2011 Season on February 1st.
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Post by bwlodge on Dec 28, 2010 21:12:06 GMT
It was the coldest December on record in Ireland, and for the first time since 1601 the Blackwater froze over completely at both Fermoy & Cappoquin.
This was the front page of the local newspaper on December 23rd.
Here's some pictures taken over the last week or so.
Looking upstream from the bridge at Ballyduff on December 16.
Looking downstream from the bridge at Ballyduff on December 16.
The river below the Lodge on December 16.
Looking upstream on the tidal reaches towards the railway bridge at Cappoquin on Christmas Day.
Looking downstream on the tidal reaches from the bridge to the town of Cappoquin on Christmas Day.
Looking upstream on the tidal reaches from the bridge at Cappoquin on Christmas Day.
Looking upstream on the tidal reaches at the Kitchen Hole at Cappoquin on Christmas Day.
Looking downstream on the tidal reaches at the Kitchen Hole at Cappoquin on Christmas Day.
Thank goodness, the Big Freeze is finally over now. This was the river below the Lodge on December 28.
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Post by Dusty Miller on Dec 30, 2010 19:18:35 GMT
Portugese trapeze artist Pedro Granadiero from Dublin had a red letter day on Kents when he landed five grilse of which he released four. I assume he took all his fish on the dangle? ;D
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Post by bwlodge on Jan 13, 2011 23:48:32 GMT
Portugese trapeze artist Pedro Granadiero from Dublin had a red letter day on Kents when he landed five grilse of which he released four. I assume he took all his fish on the dangle? ;D No - twas on the swing!
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Post by bwlodge on Jan 13, 2011 23:49:03 GMT
14, 13, 12, 11, 10 ...................................................................... The Countdown to the Opening Day on the Blackwater continues!Following the very cold spell in December, conditions are now much milder with air temperatures of +8-10C. The river was quite low for the time of year at the beginning of January, but we have just had a well-timed flood which has brought the water temperature and level up. There's some more rain towards the weekend, then the run-up to the 1st. looks comparatively dry. This bodes well for the Opening Day on February 1st as it will help to encourage early springers to run. The graph below shows the rainfall and river level so far for January. To keep up to date with all the latest info, look at our Fishing Report Page which is updated daily at www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm
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