19th September Murmers
The last days of the Indian summer are fading away and it looks like next week we will be hit by autumnal wind and rain. In previous years the autumn rain would start (too late) on the 1st of October, but we might be lucky this year and have enough rain for a few more fine fishing days before the end of the season.
It was a strange season, fish coming in later than usual, fish just running through and only a small number of anglers on the river. The same issues have been reported from other rivers, and even on the nearby lakes there was a decrease in number of anglers.
In the past week, however, fish was observed running into Poolnabinna every day, sometimes even chased and pushed by a seal. In the dropping and clearing water dozens of fish were seen in the bigger pools during this beautiful Indian summer. I can only suggest to every member to get out there now to watch the early autumn colours, the kingfishers racing up and down over the water, and the otters playing. And don’t forget to bring your fishing gear to target the magnificent Ilen salmon. There are still fresh fish running!
In a week and a half the season will come to an end, and then it’s time to send logbooks back to IFI, to think up what fishy Christmas present we want this year, tying flies and traces, replacing lines and so on. After all, from Christmas to spring is just a few weeks.
But for now I wish you all tight lines for the final week of the season.
11th August Murmers
In the past few weeks big numbers of fish came into the lower river and a lot of them ran up after a small 6 inch rise of the water. Some of those fish encountered one of the lucky anglers. Unfortunately, we saw mainly very soft rain, keeping the water crystal clear. So not favourable circumstances for angling. Still, a 4 inch rise after the bank holiday weekend resulted in more fish being caught. One of those catches was for a member, who brought his two sons. At the end of the day they went home with a fish each. It’s great to see the passion for angling being passed on to a next generation.
Many times I heard and read about angling being a thing for older people. However, I always, refused to believe that. Simply because nearly every angler I know got hooked as a child. As we all know fishing offers many benefits to children and youngsters. It’s good for getting fresh air, it is teaching knowledge and respect for nature and it is an physically active hobby. At the same time it’s important to a club to have young members; after all they are the future of the club.
In the River Ilen Anglers Club we have had an active approach to get juvenile and young members. We have special rates to keep membership affordable for young members up to 21 years of age. Juvenile membership, up to 16 is only €10. For visiting juveniles day tickets are only half price at €15. Considering that we have a good number of juvenile and young members, this approach is paying off. At the same time we are lucky to have quite a few members with young families. I’m sure our average age of club members will be far lower than in most other angling clubs.
Although not every stretch of the river is suitable to bring children, we do have a few spots that are quite safe to bring even smaller children, for instance the disabled stand, the small pump house and Poolnabinna.
It’s always a delight to see how children enjoy a few hours at the river. There is a lot to see for them and the proud smile after catching a fish is priceless and it shows obviously that they are hooked for life.
We do have at least a dozen members, who first fished the river as a child. Some of them never left the club and the area; others came back after years in a busy job at home or abroad. They just never forgot their first fishing adventures on the river Ilen.
When giving your children this invaluable experience, just put their safety first. Go to a safe spot and, I would recommend, to get them a floatable device and/or to teach them how to swim, and of course keep an eye on them at all times.
I wish you and your children tight lines.
Jerome
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20th July
We are halfway the season and what a strange year it is. I’ve heard people complaining about lack of fish, but I have observed quite a number of springers running up in May. Unfortunately for us, they wouldn’t stop for us.
At the end of June we were awaiting the run of peal, and they didn’t show up until we were well into July. This reminded me of last year, where the peal came late but fresh peal kept running up till the end of the season.
This year, of course the dry weather didn’t help, and neither did the Northerly wind that blew most of the days in June.
In the last few weeks however a good number of fish have been building up in the lower pools of the river. In the earlier days of the week several anglers were thrilled by catching one fish.
I was even thrilled to hook a very lively silvery peal of about 5lbs and to lose it after a few minutes. From midweek we finally got a South westerly breeze and some good rain, with a 10 inch rise in the river.
Straight away fresh peal ran up and half a dozen of those were caught by the few anglers that went out. One of them was young Conor Nyhan catching his first ever salmon.
I’ve heard from several sources that there is a lot of fish in the estuary, waiting for wetter days. Unfortunately there is also a massive number of seals around Turk Head, all trying to get a few salmon too.
Let’s hope that we will see more rain, more normal wind patterns and more fresh run fish in the weeks ahead.
I wish you all tight lines!
Jerome
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On Saturday 20th July there was some Pics from the maintenance day last Saturday. Brave boys.
12th June.
We are now well into June and, like every year, some people complaint that there is no fish around. However, the springers usually stay down until there are more flies on the water and thus don’t show themselves that much.
After the long wet spell from last July till April, the river was holding good water for at least a week after every flood we had recently. Several times springers have been observed running up in this encouraging conditions. There weren’t very many salmon caught, but there weren’t too many anglers out either. Still, a visitor managed to catch two fish according to IFI staff, and a syndicate member and a club member managed to land a fresh salmon.
The catches of sea trout, however, made up for the small number of salmon. Dozens of sea trout were caught, many weighing around the 2lbs mark, and some even 3 or 4 lbs. They were caught at night time, as well as day time.
Salmon catches finally seem to pick up around the country and I’m sure the same will happen in the Ilen as soon as we get rain.
Last weekend was the second work day of the season, and sadly only six members showed up, and one member strimmed the path below Ballyhilty in his own time. Despite the low numbers, a lot of work was done and good spots were opened up.
With rain on its way, there’s no doubt, that many will find their way to the river in the coming days. I wish you all tight lines!
I wish you all tight lines!
Jerome
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As requested, I try to write a report on the activity in and along the river on a regular base. Till so far it looks rather quiet along the river. There was good water during the month of April and a small number of anglers were spotted along the river, looking for that early springer. I was lucky enough to get a massive bang on the spinner and play a beautiful silvery fish for about 10 minutes. When the fish was nearly ready for the net, the spinner came out and this approx. 10lbs fish went off. Before that Jean Michel had landed a kelt, that had regained some of its power after spawning.
There were no reports about salmon been caught during April. However, the number and size of sea trout made up for this. Fresh run sea trout of around 2lbs and more was quite common.
At the end of April some salmon came into the river. Fish had been spotted at various locations, between Ballyhilty and Angram falls. But we are still waiting for the first salmon to be landed.
On the 4th of May we had a maintenance day. A tree was removed from Poolnabinna and the path below Bohanes has been widened. Thanks to the eight members who attended and many thanks to Shaun Coppinger, who couldn’t attend, but who cleared and cleaned the disabled angler stand and parking place on his own accord during the week. The next maintenance days will be on the 8th of June. We hope to see more of the 50 members then and to get more work done.
With rain in the forecast for coming week, I’m sure fish will run and take.
Jerome