Blackwater Lodge Newsletter - April 24th., 2008

Hot News - Glenda organises the very first Kids Summer Fishcamp in Ireland - See Below!

The first Grilse of the Season is Caught
On Sunday, April 20, Cathal Ferris from Lisburn, Co. Antrim caught the first on Kents - Beat 4. This is very early to be grassing the first one. In the heyday of the grilse run up to about the year 2000, we would normally always see the first grilse running the river hard around mid-April, and catch the first around mid-May. It has been a good few years since we caught the first one this early, so perhaps it bodes well for a grilse run similar to what we used to see in the late '90s.

Good Head of Fish in the River
Over the last weekend, there was a good number of fish seen, especially on the upper river
right up to our topmost beat - Ballygarrett - which is 28 miles drive upstream of the Lodge.
Even there, the fish were to be seen running through on their way upriver. This was encouraging as the river had been rather quiet for over a week prior to this, in fact since the last good weekend over April 5-8. With not many rods fishing, there were two springers caught last Friday, and one and a grilse on Sunday.

Prospects
The river is currently at summer level, beautiful for fly-fishing, yet fish are still running throught to the upper reaches of the river. There is more rain forecast for tomorrow which may see the river rise and get freshened up which should get more spring fish into the system & encourage the larger May fish to run.

Availability
There is no problem for availability of fishing and accommodation at the Lodge at the moment.

Education continues apace
On Saturday, April 19th., Glenda started a Blackwater Fishstart educational programme for 10-12 year old girls in the local National school. This is the first ever fishing programme sponsored by the Waterford Sports Partnership. Glenda also ran her educational drama on the river & environment in the local playschool last week.

Flyfishing Summer Camps
As part of her ever-growing programme of piscatorial education, Glenda will be hosting a number of week-long Summer Fishcamps here at the Lodge for teenagers. These will be strictly limited to 8 participants per camp and are sure to be extremely popular.
Entry will be on a first come-first served basis. For more information, please refer to our Fishcamp webpage on     http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/Tuition/fishcamp.htm

Where to meet us!
Glenda will be casting demonstrator at the following fairs, where we will also have a stand where you can come & meet us both.
Tweed Fair:     Kelso, Scottish Borders.             May    3/4
Irish Country Lifestyle Festival:  Shanes Castle, Co. Antrim            June  21/22
Irish Game & Country Fair:  Birr Castle, Co. Offaly               August 30/31

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
                 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