Mourne/Derg report week ending 30.9.2010
Posted by admin on September 30th, 2010 - Comments Off on Mourne/Derg report week ending 30.9.2010
Mourne Since my last report the Mourne has had two floods of note and several small rises to complicate matters; the river has remained largely clean which has enabled angling even in very high water. The forecast for the rest of the season predicts a similar pattern with slightly above average temperatures and frontal systems bringing rain from the west. There is heavy rain forecast for tomorrow, Friday, 1 October.
High water has brought strong runs of fish into the river over the past three weeks, most pools are now stuffed with fish from small coloured grilse, larger coloured salmon with some very large fish more reminiscent of a king salmon – I witnessed a couple of these myself! There are also good numbers of very clean salmon mostly in the lower river down to Strabane. Reports suggest there is still plenty of fish in the Foyle. Fingers crossed these and more will move upstream on a small rise at the moment. It’s looking like this period will be described as a proper Mourne back end.
Although the river is full of fish it has been frustrating that when covering so many salmon there is a total lack of interest shown to all manner of flies or spinners. Several anglers fished hard all day recently in near perfect conditions without a touch, each commenting how he changed flies many times, poly leaders of different lengths and densities were changed to no avail. Prayers were said by one, another stuck pins in the corks of his rod handle and another considered suicide! After tea they went back to fish and within 40 minutes they hooked seven fish, landing four then, like throwing a switch, nothing more, no interest, total indifference.
This scenario has been repeated many times over the past few weeks by anglers. The only sure way of catching fish while they are in this mood is to keep your fly in the water. It is good to see many anglers are showing restraint and good sense by returning coloured fish safely especially when there are clean fish around. I checked my diary lately for 2006 and noted that four years ago we had a lot of high water throughout August, September and October limiting fishing to only a few days. Good numbers of fish ran the system.
Derg The Derg has enjoyed a number of spates over the past few weeks with good fishing levels. Unfortunately the good news ends there, few fish have been seen, any landed being in poor condition. Anyone landing fish from the Derg is asked to seriously consider returning them safely to spawn. What a pity this beautiful river is just a shadow of its former self.