Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery

Where will you be fishing in 2013 ?

The Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery is with out doubt the preeminent salmon fishery in the country. Comprising 11 fantastic beats from a few  kilometres above the tidal limit to 45 kilometres upstream.

The Blackwater Lodge is now leading the way as a fishery in this country offering not some but the best value fishing. They have slashed prices for 2013 starting at €15 per rod per day in February. There is no  where else that you can search for a springer at that price.

The possibility to be able to search for fish depending on water height and temperature in the Spring months is a big bonus with Springers holding back in the lower beats in cold lower water conditions or running through to the middle/upper beats if we have a milder Springer with higher water levels.

A full days fishing during peak periods will not cost more than €80 for 2013.

To fish such hallowed beats as Upper & Lower Killmurry, Kents and many more at that time of year at these prices is not just a bargain but an opportunity not to be missed.

Looking upstream towards the Wood Pool on Ballyhooly

I am not someone to blatantly push anything onto others, however I can say with all honesty that The Munster Blackwater is one of the great rivers of Ireland and the Blackwater Lodge one of the Great Fisheries. I know where I'll be fishing in 2013,  where will you be ?

New Guideline LXI Rods

New Guideline LXI Rod

I had a chance today to try one of Guideline’s new LXI rods  at the Clonanav Flyfishing Centre.

These rods are replacing the LeCie range so had a lot to live up to, I can happily say that they do this and much much more.

Being a big fan of the LeCie rods I was really looking forward to trying this rod. The LeCie 13’7”  10/11 F is one of my all time favourite fishing rods especially when fishing fast sinking heads and large flies early in the season. This rod always gave me the performance of a 15’ rod in a compact easy to use package. A 10/11 3D line cut back to 41 grams always flew as afar as I ever needed and is my go to combo in high water and nasty conditions.

It was for this reason that I was delighted that the demo LXI rod was the 13’ 9” 10/11.

Straight away the quality of the cork handle was apparent,  one of the best I have seen a long time with little or no filler and some practical & tasteful composite in the right places. This made for a very comfortable feel in the hand.

The black down locking reel seat was solid, not fussy and practical.

The guides were all correctly aligned and the varnish was perfect with no blemishes or excess around the guides/rings. And while the noise from the rings on the LeCies with a dry line never bothered me many people will be happy to know that the LXI rings are completely silent.

The rod is rated for a 40 – 43 gram shooting head and a 660 grain skagit head. So this is indeed a powerful rod and it’s slightly deeper flex will allow this power to be easlily tapped into.

The Blank has a very solid & smooth feel to it when flexed/loaded.

I used a 10/11 3D F/H/I cut back to 41 grams (this is the line I use on the LeCie) for the test and while for my taste I would prefer 43 grams, the rod performed impeccably. The slightly deeper flex and lighening quick recovery made for some very nice casts with staggering line speed requiring very little effort on behalf of the caster. This rod has certainly got a power boost over it predecessor, but its power that’s easy to use.

I can’t  wait to try this rod with a heavier head, a 43 gram I/2/4  would be my choice for the spring. A 660 skagit will will definitly be  agood combo and you’ll be able to cast half a rabbit with it.

I was mightly impressed with this rod and look forward to trying some of the lighter line models also.

No to Fish Farm

The proposed Salmon farm of the Galway coasts will have devastating effect on Salmon & Seatrout stocks.  

This farm is going to be the largest of its kind and will have a serious effect on both returning adult fish but particularly on smolts heading out to sea.

Our Salmon 7 seatrout stocks have Enough to be dealing with as  it is with mortality at sea and draft netting already causing major problems. We certainly don't need mega fish farms dotted around the coast. And yes if this goes ahead and is deemed a success by those who have their own political agendas and no interest in protecting our wild stocks you can be sure be sure that this farm will  be the first of many.

So sign the petitions and make a submission to 

mailto:aquaculturelicensing@agriculture.gov.ie

simon.coveney@oir.ie

http://www.nosalmonfarmsatsea.com/how-you-can-help/petition/