Mourne/Derg reports, week ending 31 July 2011
Posted by admin on August 9th, 2011 - Comments Off on Mourne/Derg reports, week ending 31 July 2011
Mourne A poor week on the Mourne this week, with little or no rain and the river is now at summer level and showing its bones. Throughout June and July, only a handful of grilse has entered the river despite excellent water levels. As usual anglers, mostly optimists, are trying to find the positives although excuses are getting thin on the ground. The fish are simply not there at the moment and there seems little or no sign of them!
Poaching in the Foyle and its tributaries has been well highlighted in the press over the past week or two with several Loughs Agency bailiffs needing medical treatment. With so few fish it is up to every angler in every club to stand together and report any illegal activity which threatens our sport.
As expected, angling activity over the past week has been light. A few fish have come off the tides and were seen moving through the pools before resting up. Occasionally even in low water residents have moved upstream presenting opportunities if you happened to be out. One or two have been grassed from the usual pools: T Malloy had a lovely 11lb fish on the bubble and fly in Strabane and T Colgan had a grilse at Newtownstewart. This evening I had a grilse of 1.5lb (returned) which was heavily net marked from above Victoria Bridge.
Derg No water all week, no fish!
Outlook Rain forecast for Thursday! Until then, with the river so low Lifford Bridge, Strabane and Sion Mills present the best chance of fish in the coming week. Early morning and evening should be the best times with small flies 14-16 being the order.
M Gough, NM Tackle, Sion Mills
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