Mourne/Derg Report week ending 14 August 2011
Posted by admin on August 15th, 2011 - Comments Off on Mourne/Derg Report week ending 14 August 2011
Mourne A week of contrasting fortunes is perhaps the best way of describing the Mourne this past week. Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 August saw the muggy weather of last week continue, the river low but enough fish about to encourage anglers with light tackle to fish early morning and evening. A steady trickle of 3–4 lb fish coming off the tides and reports that there were fish in the Foyle encouraged even the most dispirited to keep casting a line. On Tuesday one angler bragged to me that the Gravenue in Sion Mills was stuffed! But they were poor takers. There was certainly evidence of fresh fish above Victoria Bridge and as far as the Snaa; I managed to land a few and lose several others on the trout rod in the Feddens. Anglers around Strabane were also reporting an increase in sport.
By Wednesday the high pressure gave way and heavy showers falling out in parts brought a small dirty flood to the river. I witnessed about 25 fish take the weir in half an hour on Wednesday evening, others witnessing no more than 10–15 an hour throughout the day. The flood put most of the river out except for the Snaa where the Derg influence kept one half of the river clean enough to fish, and Robert Freeborn duly obliged with a nice 11lb fresh fish.
The river continued to rise on Wednesday night and into a proper flood on Thursday, putting the river out completely. Again, small numbers of grilse were counted throughout the day on the weir at Sion. A good head of fish were showing in the dam above the weir and will need watching when the water drops.
By Friday, with the river still high but fishable in the high water, throws began to produce fish. Dessie Patton had two from the Gravenue, Rev J Morrow 7lb and Peter Conolly 5lb in Sion. Above Victoria Bridge 10–12 fish were landed, mostly spinning. On Saturday, the river was up a little, perfect for spinning and just about low enough to try a fly. Fish were on the move through the whole river but most were not in the mood to provide sport. Gavin Hamilton did land a nice fish of 5lb below Sion, but most anglers were hoping the river would drop enough by Sunday.
Sunday morning saw the marker at Victoria at 13 inches and falling, still a tad high but fishable for fly and spinning. Anglers at Victoria and Sion reported seeing plenty of fish but poor takers with only one landed.
Derg The Derg followed the same pattern as the Mourne this week. A low start then a flood on Tuesday to Thursday and holding up well through until Sunday. Although I have reports of quite a few fish landed above Castlederg all week a large percentage were residents. A small run of fresh fish ran hard through Ardstraw on Thursday which provided welcome sport from Castlederg to Killeter and further. Andrew Loughlin reported to me he had two this morning (Sunday), both returned and tightened in another two and had seen several others.
Outlook Rain forecast for Tuesday could rise all rivers in the system which will help the Derg. There are now enough fish throughout the Mourne to provide good sport.