Monday 31 August 2015

Fifth Best Total for August since 2004 as five are caught on the last day.

A nice clean fish released by Glen Harmon on Woodstream yesterday

Conditions.
Intermittent showers in the last 24 hours. The forecast is still for high pressure to build off the west coast throughout next week giving stable calm conditions & no rain for the week.

The upper river at Millstreet is holding steady. This evening.

Killavullen is fallng steadily & was at 1.20m by nightfall.
The Ballyduff gauge is falling slowly & was at 0.31m by nightfall.

Excellent clarity throughout up & downriver.

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.7ºC / 54.8ºF.

Catches.

There were few fish moving today on most of the river though 40-50 were seen on one upper beat where 3 were caught. Total for the day was five.
We have caught 123 for August & 368 for the season to date.
Fifth Best Total for August since 2004.
The fish/rod day for August is 0.4 which is nevertheless rather good.
The average height of the river for August was 0.38m.

Prospects.
Fishing remains rather challenging. The weather forecast is still for dry & stable conditions for the coming week making for very good & very pleasant fishing conditions.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
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Sunday 30 August 2015

Seven Fish today as river fines off……………

Conditions.
No rain in the last 24 hours. The forecast is still for high pressure to build off the west coast throughout next week giving stable calm conditions & no rain for the week.

The upper river at Millstreet is now falling steadily.

Killavullen was holding steady at 1.27m but is falling this evening to 1.24m by nightfall.

The Ballyduff gauge nudged up from 0.36m to 0.37m during the day but was back to 0.36m by nightfall. 

Excellent clarity throughout up & downriver.

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.7ºC / 54.8ºF.

Catches.

There were few fish moving today & no influx of fresh fish seen. Seven fish for the day including six from our very top beat 28 miles upriver.
We have caught 118 so far for August & 363 for the season to date.
The fish/rod day for August is 0.4 which is nevertheless rather good.

Prospects.
Fishing was rather challenging today. There are very high (4.1m) tides for the next 2 days, which should help to bring some fresh fish in. The weather will be dry & stable for the coming week making for very good & very pleasant fishing conditions.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
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Sixth Best Day & Seventh Best Fish today & river keeps topped up!

Conditions.
Sporadic showers (some quite heavy) continued today until early afternoon. High pressure builds of the west coast throughout next week giving stable calm conditions & no rain for the week.

The upper river at Millstreet is being kept topped up by the showers.

Killavullen is holding steady for the second part of the day at between 1.26 – 1.28m. Clarity is about 2½ - 3 feet & slightly peaty. Well fly-fishable today.

The Ballyduff gauge is also holding steady today at 0.38m. Clarity is about 2½ - 3 feet.

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55ºF.

Catches.

Continuing to pick up now. Ten fish to 11lb. were caught today. The 11lb. was taken by Michael Foran (Kinsale) & Glen Harmon had an 8½lb fish. Both fell to fly.
We have caught 111 so far for August & 356 for the season to date.

Prospects.
Absolutely excellent for the coming week. There are very high (4.1m) tides for the 3 days from this evening, which will help to bring fish in. Fish are moving especially on the upper river & are coming on the take as the latest flood fines off. The weather will be dry & stable for the coming week making for very good & very pleasant fishing conditions.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Saturday 29 August 2015

Fishing picks up as the flood fines off today ………

Conditions.
Sporadic showers (some quite heavy) yesterday and continuing today until early evening. High pressure builds of the west coast throughout next week giving stable calm conditions & no rain for the week.

The upper river at Millstreet & Killavullen are keeping the river topped up.
Gauge height at Killavullen this morning is 1.28m.  Clarity is about 2 - 2½ feet & slightly peaty. Well fly-fishable today.

The Ballyduff gauge is also holding steady this morning at 0.38m. Clarity is about 2½ - 3 feet.

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55ºF.

Catches.
Picking up now. Six fish to 12lb. were caught yesterday mainly on spinner with one on fly. The 12lb. was taken by Dave McDowell (N. Ireland) – his Pesonal Best - & there was a First Ever Salmon for Jerome Guiry (Dungarvan).
Already today I have reports of 3 landed including an ~11lb. on fly for Mike Foran (Kinsale) on the lower river, & two First Ever Salmon for a 3 rod Spanish party on our topmost beat.
We have caught 94 so far for August & 344 for the season to date.

Prospects.
Absolutely excellent for the coming week. There are very high (4.1m) tides for the 3 days from this evening, which will help to bring fish in. Fish are moving especially on the upper river & are coming on the take as the latest flood fines off. The weather will be dry & stable for the coming week making for very good & very pleasant fishing conditions.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Thursday 27 August 2015

Yesterday’s dirty flood is fining off today ………

Conditions.
Yesterday’s rain (10mm here) was heaviest in the middle & lower catchment. There is some more forecast for tomorrow (Wednesday).

The upper river at Millstreet went up 20cm yesterday & is back down 12cm this morning.
 

At Killavullen the river rose 30cm yesterday & is back down 15cm this morning to 1.34m.  Clarity is about 1½ feet & very peaty. Borderline fly-fishable today.

The Ballyduff gauge peaked at 0.87m yesterday morning & is down to 0.56m this morning. Clarity is about 1½ feet with a fair amount of sediment colour. 

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55ºF.

Catches.

Just one fish yesterday on the middle river in very dirty water with clarity barely a foot.
We have caught 92 so far for August & 337 for the season to date.

Prospects.
Very promising for the coming days as the latest flood should bring in more fresh fish.
Fish were moving on the upper river yesterday & a very fresh fish was lost on Bridgetown. Fish were also seen moving through later in the day on the lower river.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Tuesday 25 August 2015

Heavy rain coming into the catchment tonight!

Some heavy rain coming in from the south at 23.00 & heading straight for the upper catchment.

See:    http://www.met.ie/latest/rainfall_radar.asp?ani=y

A nice fresh on the river & more rain to come tomorrow.............

Conditions.
Yesterday’s rain (10mm here) was heaviest in the middle & lower catchment. There is some more forecast for tomorrow (Wednesday).

The upper river at Millstreet has risen 9cm since yesterday – a total of 14cm since the rain started. It was rising slowly by nightfall but is rising faster at 23.00. The clarity is excellent.

At Killavullen the river has risen 5cm to 1.24m since yesterday – a total of 8cm since the rain started. It is also still rising slowly by nightfall.  Excellent fly height & clarity.

The Ballyduff gauge has risen 13cm to 0.42m since yesterday – a total of 16cm since the rain started. It is still rising quite fast by nightfall. Clarity was deteriorating on the lower river due to a dirty spate coming from the Araglen later in the afternoon. This will probably clear reasonably well overnight.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55ºF.

Catches.

Fishing remains challenging with just 8 fish in the last 7 days.
We have caught 91 so far for August & 336 for the season to date.

Prospects.
This evening there was a good number of fish showing on Kilmurry on the lower river – far more than we have seen in the last week. With the lower river still rising & more rain forecast for tomorrow, we should have even more water in the river in the next couple of days. This should help to bring fresh fish in.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Monday 17 August 2015

A small fresh on the river & a 12 pounder caught………

Conditions.

Some rain overnight (1mm here). The forecast is now for some rain due on Wednesday.


The upper river at Millstreet rose 5cm & is holding at that. The clarity is excellent.

At Killavullen the river rose just 1cm to 1.17m.  Excellent fly height & clarity.


The Ballyduff gauge is holding at 0.27m for the last 2 days. Again excellent fly height & clarity.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.

Only a couple of rods out. Three fish to 11¾lb. caught. This wa the Fifth Best Fish so far.

Prospects.
Seem to be improving and expecting it to come good with all the fish that ran in on the last flood. Tides were peaking at 3.8m for the last couple of days which may have helped to bring fish in.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Saturday 15 August 2015

The river is fining off to superb clarity ………

Conditions.
Dry today. The forecast is now dry right through the weekend with some rain due on Wednesday.

The upper river continues to fall. The clarity is excellent.

At Killavullen the river is holding all day at 1.16m.  Excellent fly height & clarity.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.27m by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.

Ticking along steadily. Only 2 fish today but including a 10½ pounder for John Tucker (UK).

Prospects.
Rather challenging currently, but expecting it to come good with all the fish that ran in on the last flood. Tides are peaking at 3.8m for the next couple of days which may help to bring fish in.
Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R

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Friday 14 August 2015

The river is fining off nicely but fishing is challenging………

Conditions.
Dry with rather strong wind. The forecast is now dry right through the weekend with some rain due on Wednesday.

The upper river continues to fall. The clarity is at least 4 feet.

At Killavullen the river is holding at 1.17m today.
Excellent fly height & clarity which is ~4 feet & slightly peaty.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.28m by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity which is ~4 feet & just slightly peaty.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.


The last few days have been rather quieter. Fish are not showing & are difficult to tempt. Four fish caught today which brings the total to 74 fish caught for August & 319 for the season to date. Paolo ratti (Italy) caught his First Ever Salmon – a 7 pounder on spinner from the Green Bank on Upper Kilmurry.

Prospects.
Rather challenging currently, but expecting it to come good with all the fish that ran in on the last flood. Tides are peaking at 3.8m for the next couple of days which may help to bring fish in.

 Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
Follow Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery  on FaceBook:  http://goo.gl/vqh7RH

Thursday 13 August 2015

Over 300 now for the Season & the Best Fish on Fly…………………..





Dan Hawker about to release the Biggest Fly-caught Salmon 
at the Lodge for 2015. 
He caught it on a small Cascade at the Hut on Kents
— with Dan Hawker at Blackwater Lodge.

Conditions.

No rain in the catchment for the last few days. The forecast is now dry right through until the end of next week with some rain on Sunday & Tuesday.
Today was a very bright hot sunny day.

The upper river at Millstreet is falling steadily. The clarity is at least 3 feet.

At Killavullen the river is also falling slowly & is at 1.20 this evening.
Excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.31m by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.
The last 3 days have been much quieter than the previous 3 when 47 fish were caught for 42 rod days. On the 9th., we passed the 300 fish mark for the season. Two grilse were caught on the tenth & then yesterday four fish were caught including the Second Best Fish this year which is also the largest fly-caught fish of the season. It was an extremely fresh 13 pounder which was landed by 19 year old Dan Hawker on Kents on the lower river. He released the fish. Today was very hot & bright with just a few rods out. The river was quiet & no fish were caught.
We already have 67 fish caught for August & 312 for the season to date.

Prospects.
Should be good in the coming days if the weather is not so sunny.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Sunday 9 August 2015

Third Best Day of the Season – 14 fish to 11lb. caught!


A lovely 8 pounder released by Dave Walsh on the upper river.

The last 3 days have been the three Best Days of the Season
with 15, 18 & 14 fish caught respectively.


Conditions.
No rain in the catchment for the last 24 hours. The forecast is now dry right through until the end of next week.

The upper river at Millstreet is falling steadily. The clarity is at least 3 feet.

At Killavullen the river is more or less holding at 1.25 this evening. Excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.37m by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.
Today was the Third Best Day of the Season. Fourteen fish to 11lb. were caught. Seven fell to fly, four to spinner & three to shrimp. The water is fining off to superb fly order.
Best at 11lb. was taken by Frank Ryan on the lower river & there were more better fish than in previous days with fish of 9, 8 & four 6 pounders caught. One rod landed four on the fly.
We now have 47 fish caught for 42 rod days in the last 3 days.

Prospects.
Absolutely superb as the river is fining off & there is an excellent run of grilse & larger salmon. Almost all the fish caught (even on the topmost beats) on our waters were extremely fresh.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
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Saturday 8 August 2015

New Best Day of the Season – 18 fish caught!

Yesterday’s Best Day of the Season record of 15 fish caught lasted only 24 hours!
Today, 18 fish were landed for 19 rod days. 9 fell to the fly & 7 to spinner.


Conditions.
There was no rain in the catchment for the last 24 hours. The forecast is now dry right through until the end of next week.

The upper river at Millstreet is falling steadily. The clarity is about 3 feet.

At Killavullen the river is down to 1.28 this evening. Excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.40 by nightfall. Again excellent fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

 Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.6ºC / 54.6ºF.

Catches.


Today recorded the New Best Day of the Season. Eighteen fish to 8lb. were caught. Seven fell to spinner & nine to the fly as the water is fining off to superb order.

Prospects.
Absolutely superb as the river is fining off & there is an excellent run of grilse & a number of double figure fish are being seen as well. Almost all the fish caught (even on the topmost beats) on our waters were extremely fresh.

Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.

For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter:  http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Yesterday (August 7) was the New Best Day of the Season – 15 fish caught!

Conditions.
It was dry throughout the catchment for the last 24 hours.
The forecast is now dry right through until Wednesday apart from some light rain Saturday night.

The upper river at Millstreet is falling steadily. The clarity is about 3-4 feet this morning.

At Killavullen the river is down to 1.29 at 14.00 today.
Perfect fly height & clarity which is ~3 feet & slightly peaty.

The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.43 at 14.00. Clarity is about 2½-3 feet & slightly peaty.

Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55.0ºF.
Catches.

Yesterday (August 7) was the New Best Day of the Season. Fifteen fish to 6lb. were caught despite quite coloured water. All came from the upper river & all but one were on spinner.

Prospects.
Absolutely superb as the river is fining off & there is an excellent run of grilse & a number of double figure fish are being seen to. All the fish caught on the top beats on our waters are extremely fresh.
Availability.
No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.
For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow me on Twitter: http://goo.gl/QxB92R
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Friday 7 August 2015

The upper river is fining off & fish are running & being caught.……

Conditions.
It was dry throughout the catchment for the last 24 hours. The forecast is now dry right through until Wednesday apart from some light rain Saturday night.
The upper river at Millstreet is back down to the same level as it was before the last flood. Clarity 1½ feet & well spinnable.

At Killavullen the river is down to 1.40m at 10.00 today.
Perfect spinning height & clarity & should be in fly order this afternoon.


The Ballyduff gauge is down to 0.57 at 10.00.
Clarity is about 1-1½ feet & very peaty with a slight sediment colour.


Water temperature at Ballyduff: 12.8ºC / 55.0ºF.

Catches.By 11.00 I am hearing of plenty of fish running & a couple caught in the Killavullen area. We already have one released on our top-but-one beat below Mallow.
Prospects.Superb for the coming days as this latest flood drops and the river fines off.. It is very well spinnable from Lombardstown down to Killavullen already by lunchtime, It should be fly-fishable this afternoon and fish are being caught today. The water is peat stained throughout but with clarity on the upper river about 1½ feet.
Availability.No problem for rods & accommodation at the moment.
For complete fishing/visitor information visit: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Follow Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery  on FaceBook:  http://goo.gl/vqh7RHFollow me on Twitter: http://goo.gl/QxB92R