Saturday, 14 July 2012
Fly in July. Inniscarra Salmon Fishery
Again using my old Switch rod i was able to catch and release three fine salmon, the best fish was a slightly coloured 15 pounder and the other two were fresh fish weighing 12lbs and 6lbs. The fish were taken on a Ahilles shrimp fly size 15 double ( salar hook ) and a floating line teamed up with a 6' Rio brown ( 3.9ins per second ) sinking tip. I was using an 11lb Seaguar flurocarbon tippet to give the fly more action in the clear water. I had lost a few fish due to short takes so i decided to strike into the next fish on feeling a slight weight on the line and it worked, the fish was well hooked on the bottom of the mouth proving that they were holding the fly and spitting it out when feeling any pressure. Normally we see this with grilse playing with the flies or with bigger fish having been burned ( hit and missed ) by anglers earlier in the day just pulling and dropping the fly. I find that by dropping tippet diameter and fly size that you will meet and hold more fish and even the odd fast pull on the line when fishing out a pool can get a reaction.
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Excellent tips Paul, keep them coming. Having great success using your tips for spinning, had 3 fish in 4 nights with only one blank. I was out last night and tried the fly but i'm surely a cast closer.... I hooked one about 3 lb on the spinner but lost him. I admire your honesty re:Castlconnell, hopefully they will get the message and clean it up. Having taken up Salmon fishing July 2011 i have already doubled my total catch this season so i am delighted... Keep those tips coming...
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul
Hi Davey,
ReplyDeleteThe problem with a lot of fisheries is that they will gladly take your money but simple things like bank maintenance, access points, weed control and even tables / seats / rod stands are non existent or broken. I know that times are tough and money is tight but we the anglers are still paying top price, most fisheries haven't dropped their prices and the angler is getting less for his / her money. Even simple upto date fishing information can be hard to come by, we've all heard the one " you should have been here yesterday ", that is why i set up this blog to help anglers get as much information about fisheries to increase their chances of catching fish and after all that's what we pay our money for. I would gladly fish, video and blog about every fishery in Ireland to help all anglers be they local or tourists to get the most out of their fishing and if anyone wants to sponsor me to do that i am available. About your fly fishing, will try to meet up in the next week or two to do some fishing on the Blackwater or even the Lee.
Regards Paul.
How's Paul,
ReplyDeleteI could'nt agree more, it's a shame when things get to that stage. In fairness you are doing a brilliant job from what i have seen on your blog and youtube etc. I have been to Ballyhooly, Woodstream, Upper and Lolwer Kilmurray recently and each time i have been getting tips from your videos. It has been my first time to these places and i found the videos very helpful, i am sure that any tourist would find them extremely beneficial.
With regard to the fly, i would be delighted to go to the Lee if that suits. It would be nice to fish a different river for a change, choice is all yours. Just a day or two notice and i'll be there (david1888walsh@gamil.com).
Ok, time for the river :-), is'nt life great !!!!!
Cheers a while..
Hi Davey,
DeleteJust a quick note to let you know that i haven't forgotten, the weather is crap with too much flood water for fly fishing but the sooner it dries up we'll cast a line somewhere.
Regards Paul.
Thats no problem Paul, i am looking forward to it. I was just looking through your videos and a thought as they say "suddenly struck me". I only got out for an hour last night and used the spinner as the water was coloured. I was wondering if there was any point in trying to fish for salmon at night? I am guessing here but if it was possible i imagine it would only work in clear water... Sounds desperate but with a young family time can be constrained and i am addicted :-)
DeleteThanks again
Davey
Hi Davey,
ReplyDeleteDuring September of every year i fish at night for large trout and i have caught a lot of salmon in the darkness on streamers so that answers your question, yes they can be caught at night but under certain conditions. I have caught them in coloured water in the dark but i knew the lies and was fishing a sinking fly line close to the bottom, trout anglers also meet a lot of salmon by accident at night on small black pennell flies. I would fish with spinners after the light has gone especially black flying C's as they silhouette against the sky in darkness and i have caught salmon on them in the dark, but remember safety is paramount as you can't see rising water and bad banks in the dark so be careful and wear a lifejacket and fish with someone especially at night you owe it to your family to stay safe.
Regards Paul.
Hi Paul,
DeleteDelighted to hear that to be honest, i would generally fish until it's almost dark and then head on home. Now though i think i will give it an extra hour or 2, especially as the nights close in. I got some wee doubles from Glasgow Angling recently in a sale which were about 50 cent per fly and there's 2 black and silver pennells in their so i will also be giving them a swim. I need to spend more time figuring out where the fish lie, i think that this is paramount but i assume i will develop this knowledge through experience.
As usual Paul, excellent tips and each one is deeply appreciated.
Final question, do you think Rapala lures would work after dark? I have tried them for trout up to the point of darkness, albeit with very little success but now i am thinking that they might just work after dark. I had to look up Youtube to find out what you mean't by the term "Streamer" (pardon my ignorance) and noticed that the lure was similar to a Rapala and it got me thinking....
Anyway, i think the next week will be good as the flood clears, fingers crossed we will have some sport.
Thanks again
Davey
Hi Davey,
ReplyDeleteThe streamers can be fished slower through the pools than the rapala's and this gives the fish time to hook-up, also a streamer fished properly can be lethal for all species. I have caught a 3lb perch, 11lb pike, 4 large trout and a 12lb salmon all on the same streamer fly on the same night. To increase your chances on the salmon fly you can add a dropper about 3' above the tail fly with one of your black pennell's, i have caught lot's of salmon using this method especially in September, i will show you the moving dropper system that works for me as i intend to put it up on video soon.
Regards Paul.
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteThat must have been an incredible night for you... Definitely will be giving this a shot. Looking forward to seeing that video. If the weather ever improves.... God it's been shocking..
Until then, thanks for the reply,
Davey
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI just said i would let you know that i have no problem going to any river, i'm not tied to the Blackwater or the Lee or even within Cork really. I'd be delighted to fish somewhere different and i'm looking forward to it. I was fishing down in Kilmurry on Saturday using fly and spinner but no take. Fished solid using everything i could think of but it was one of those days.
Weather is playing havoc and the outlook is not too good either but if you are free then just let me know.
Sincere thanks
Davey
Hi Davey,
ReplyDeleteNo worries, we will have to let the water drop off after the heavy rains tomorrow, the dam was releasing full load plus two feet just to get ready for the big floods tomorrow so i expect some really bad weather is coming. Not to worry all should be ok for next week fingers crossed.
Regards Paul.
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteHaving alot of trouble with my internet connection and i'm afraid i'll miss your reply. I'm wondering if your free to go for a fish tommorrow? If so then just email me on www.david1888walsh@gmail.com and i'll definitely be there. This will get me on my phone if the internet is down. Hope the trout are playing their part...
Till then,
Davey
Hi Davey,
DeleteSent you an email but there seems to be issues with delivery so just to let you know that i have a few hours free thursday evening from six at the Inniscarra Dam if your free. You can get an evening ticket at Barrys Garage near Inniscarra Bridge for 10 euros and start fishing at 6, i will be in the dam carpark at 6.
Regards Paul.