In my opinion it was really a frustrating fishing season. It started in March as normal the usual weather conditions that can be expected at this time of year, good and bad. When April and May came in things had improved for the better. The May Fly season had come and was good depending on where you fished. Different lakes around the country had better hatches than others. But May marked the start of a really dry period which lasted all the way through the month of June. Water temperatures had got really high and the water levels very low. Things got that bad, the Galway weir and the Ballina Fishery, the Ridge pool, ect. closed to fishing. Temperatures had gone over 20 degrees. I myself cannot recall this happening before.
From July on, things got a lot better for the fish, but not for the fisherman. It started to rain which cooled the waterways and brought the water levels back up. This improved the conditions for the trout and the salmon and all the other inhabitants of the lakes and rivers. Unfortunately for all of us anglers it forgot to stop raining. The rain continued for July, August, September, and October with only a few minor breaks during this period. These breaks gave us all a glimmer of hope but were dampened again by another deluge of rain.
For me personally, 2023 is a season I would like to forget. With all the doom and gloom I have just ranted about above there are silver linings. Trim Athboy anglers were successful in the competitions that were fished on the lakes on the days where you could get out. On Sunday the 2nd of October 4 Club members defended their title from 2022 in the Inter Club Competition on Lough Lene and retained it. A massive congratulations to Tommy Keogan, John Maguire, Dermot Leonard, Jnr and Marc O’ Reagan. This is some achievement. All super Anglers. Also on the 8th of October, Dermot Leonard Jnr. and well known fishing guide and international angler Tom Doc. Sullivan won the pairs competition on Lough Lene. The club had 2 other anglers in the prizes this day, Pat O’ Toole and Martin Fagan took 5th place. Congratulations to all of you, the club is very proud to have such skilled anglers amoung us. Lets hope next season things go back to normal conditions.
Trim Athboy annual guest speaker, Irish International and fishing guide, PETER DRIVER
The club has organised the well known international fly angler Peter Driver to give club members and guests a clinic in the Castle Arch Hotel on Friday November 24th. Please avail of this opportunity to improve your skills and learn from the proven best there is. Hope to see you all there.
