A well-timed flood to start the Spring Run
Yesterday saw the highest flood for a couple of years.
The gauge on the bridge at Ballyduff peaked at 4.00 metres compared to summer level of 0.30 metres.
This very well-timed flood will give a huge push of fresh water out to sea from the mouth of the river.
This should help to bring in the early run of spring fish.
The river has had a great flush-out and should be in peak condition for the Opening Day.
It needs to be down to 0.80-1.00 metre on the gauge to be in spinning order & ~0.60m for the fly.
There is plenty of time yet for it to come down to good fishable order by then.
To see some pictures of the flood, click on the News link on the Navigation Bar on the website.
Fishing Report page
This is now being updated daily with rainfall & river height.
If you plan on visiting us this year, email me for a password to access this section of the site (it's free!)
Opening Day - February 1st.
This year it falls on a Friday. As usual, we’ll be gathering at the Lodge for complimentary breakfast rolls & coffee
before heading out in eager anticipation to the river for the first time in four months.
Please note that the Lodge ensuite rooms are fully booked on February 1 & 2,
as is the Underhand casting course with Thomas Berggren (Loop) from Sweden.
Accommodation is still available in bungalow rooms.
Underhand Casting Course
The 2nd. February we hold our seminar here with Swedish expert & Glenda's fellow Loop No.1 Pro Team instructor Thomas Berggren.
We are eagerly awaiting this as it will give us a great insight into shooting heads which will open up a lot more fly-fishing for us
- particularly off the bank where wading is impracticable, and also in high water conditions with sinking heads.
Loop Double Handed Tackle Trial Day - Saturday, March 8
Glenda will be holding a Loop double-handed rod, reel & line trial day on the banks of the Blackwater.
During this day, she will be demonstrating each of the double-hand rods and lines from the Loop range.
Rods and lines will be available to try out yourself on the day.
There is no charge for this day, but booking is essential for either the morning or afternoon session as numbers will be limited.
Regulations for the 2008 Season.
The Irish Department of the Marine have just issued the regulations for next year.
The Blackwater Total Allowable Catch (TAC) has been increased to 7,787 for 2008 from the 2007 TAC of 4,463.
We will also have to use the brown tags in conjunction with the blue tags. This is to help ensure that the TAC is not exceeded.
The increase in the number of fish which can be taken in spring up to May 11 is confirmed.
The draft regulations can be summarised as:
Season: 10 fish in total per licence
Spring Fishing: January 1 to May 11 - 3 fish per licence in total.
Summer Fishing: May 12 to August 31 - a daily bag limit of 3 fish.
Autumn Fishing: September - a daily bag limit of 1 fish.
Bookings for 2008
With the superb results from this year, and the prices being maintained at the 2007 level,
bookings are coming in at an unprecedented level for the 2008 season. Why not avail of our excellent offer of a 1% discount per month for bookings paid in full in advance. Many of our regular visitors already booked their places before they left this year, so don't delay to ensure your place.
Best Regards & Tight Lines!
Ian Powell
Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery
(Voted Best Fly Fishing Guesthouse/Hotel 2006 by the readers of the UK magazine Today's Flyfisher!)
Upper Ballyduff
Co. Waterford
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 58 60235 Fax: 00 353 58 60162
Web: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net
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Contact Ian Contact Glenda
Email: info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net glenda@ireland-salmon-fishing.net
Skype: bwlodge bwlodgeglenda
Mobile: 00 353 87 235 21 20 00 353 87 235 12 60