2005 Salmon Fishing Season on Ireland’s Cork Blackwater

The run of spring salmon was probably not as good  on the middle & lower reaches of the river as it was in the last 3 years. However, I did hear that it was good on the upper part of the river, which gives us some hope of continuing improvement of the spring run.
Water levels were quite high in April, which resulted in a reasonable catch total for the month. However, the level was already down to summer level for the whole of the month of May, which meant that we didn’t see a repeat of the spectacular run which we had in May 2003. Very low water levels throughout the summer meant that there were not many fish in the upper part of the river & those that were there had been so for a good while.  Most of these fish were very coloured & we would have expected any self-respecting angler who caught them to return them alive.
In order to conserve these fish, for the first time in the 20 years that I am at the Lodge, we took the bold step to close the beats on the upper part of the fishery completely in August & September.
With the agreement of our conservation-minded clientele, we then concentrated the fishing effort on the lower river, where anglers had a better chance of catching fresh fish.
This certainly reduced our catch totals for August & September, but was of obvious benefit to the stale fish in the upper reaches, which would have been more prone to being caught – particularly on shrimp – in these last 2 months.

Even with this policy, the total catch in August was 108 of which 41 were returned alive. In September, 309 were caught of which 146 (47%) were released safely.
Interestingly, 2005 was joint best year in terms of the percentage of the total catch taken on fly. This was 21% of the total season’s catch – equalled on once previously in 1999.
The percentage caught on fly was the highest ever for the month of July at 43%, & also for August with 29%. June was the second best ever with 40% - only ever beaten once by 43% , again in 1999.

Once again, we saw a very large number of anglers catch their first ever wild Atlantic salmon with us. No less than 42 anglers caught their first ever, of which 19 were taken in the last 2 weeks of September.
Now we are waiting in eager anticipation for the start of the new season on February 1st., 2006.

Best Regards & Tight Lines

Above Photo: The 4 rod Allison party from the UK all caught their very first salmon on the same day on Beat 4 – Ballinaroone on September 24, 2005 From Left: Stuart Allison - 2 fish (3.4 & 4.1lb), Elaine Allison (~9lb. returned),  Victoria Brown 6.5lb. & David Brown (4.4lb.)

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<-- The first fish of 2005 taken on tube fly on sunk line
by Connie Corcoran (R) - weighing 9.4 lb with sealice!
Connie lost another on spinner estimated at 12-14 lb as well!
The second of the season taken on spinner
by Jason O'Riordan - weighing 8.2 lb.
Also in picture - Glenda Powell (Lodge proprietress)

Free Spring Salmon Fishing on the Cork Blackwater in 2006
The number of spring salmon that have been running the Munster Blackwater river right from the beginning of the season has been extremely encouraging in previous years. This has not been reflected in the catches on the Blackwater Lodge Fishery because there has been few anglers fishing at the start of the season. The Lodge has an enviable selection of fishing – 16 beats comprising some 14 miles of private fishing extending over approximately 40 river miles. The lowest beat is only 3 miles above the tidal limit close to Lismore, and the topmost beat is some 40 miles upstream – just below Mallow. The lower beats fish best when the water is low & cold in spring, but the extent of the fishery means that the run of spring fish can be followed to the middle and upper beats if the water is higher and warmer at the start of the season.
 
Although we sometimes have high water at the start, conditions can often be suitable - even for fly-fishing - from the Opening Day on February 1st. Notably - in 2005 -  for the first time in at least 20 years, the first fish of the season was taken on fly!
Normally the weather is not that cold, & we never have grue (ice) floating down the river. In order to have the quality of the spring fishing reflected in our catches, we have decided to offer FREE FISHING to everybody once again for February.
Booking in advance is essential, as this is sure to be in great demand. Accommodation is, of course available as well at low season rates if required. 

Opening Day
This year we will once again celebrate the start of the New Season in style. For those anglers who fish on the Opening Day on February 1st., there will be complimentary breakfast roll & coffee provided at the Lodge from 8.00am.  The Lodge tackle shop will be open to get your licence, tags and any last minute bits and bobs of tackle you may need. Then you are allocated your beat for the day & can head out for a free day's fishing.
Back to the Lodge in the evening for a bit of "craic" & complimentary glass of mulled wine & buffet food to discuss the day's fishing.

Brush up your technique or just improve your chances for a springer
As another incentive to get people out on the river in spring, we are offering a FREE hour’s salmon fly-casting tuition to everybody (subject to availability) who makes a confirmed booking for March or April before January 31st.
(Please note that bookings must be for a minimum 2 nights hotel accommodation, 1 dinner & 2 days fishing & deposit received by Jan. 31).
Lodge proprietress Glenda Powell is the highest qualified female salmon fly-casting instructor outside the USA having achieved the APGAI-Ireland (Salmon) certification. Glenda is also avail pre-season for tuition on the river to help you prepare for the Opening.
Glenda’s Tuition Web Page: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Tuition/Tuition.htm