Blackwater Lodge Newsletter - February 29, 2008

As the first month of the season draws to a close, we can report that there seems to be quite a good run of spring salmon in the river.It was very difficult to assess the situation in the first half of the month due to the water height, but it would seem that a good number of fish ran through to the upper river at this time. With the lower water levels at the moment,  we are seeing fish moving through the lower beats & they are also beginning to hold below the first weir on the river at Clondulane.Glenda was on the river on Wednesday and saw a number of fresh springers moving though Ballinaroone (Beat 3) just a mile above the Lodge.

The day before, there were only 2 rods out on the upper river. Connie Corcoran took a fish ~7lb on spinner from Ballincurrig - Beat 12,and Jason O'Riordan took one on fly from Woodstream - Beat 11. Photos of both these 2 fish are on the Lodge Gallery.
Both were returned alive, as were the two fish taken last Friday & Saturday by David Shanks from Meath,who had one on fly from Ballyhooly Bridge - Beat 8 on the 22nd, and another on spinner from Ballygally - Beat 1  the next day.

The total of 5 fish for the month (4 released alive) so far is quite good given the conditions early in the month and the lack of angling effort at the moment.

Today the river is at 0.45m on the gauge, which is medium/high summer level and the clarity is ~6 feet. Perfect fly conditions.
The water is so clear that if there was some rain and the clarity was reduced somewhat, it would be a good thing rather than a problem.There is some rain forecast during the next week, but it doesn't look as if there will be enough to disrupt fishing with very high water.Prospects for the coming week are excellent, and availability of fishing and accommodation is OK.

Best Regards & Tight Lines!
Ian Powell
Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery
Upper Ballyduff
Co. Waterford
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 58 60235     Fax: 00 353 58 60162
Web: http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net

                 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