[B]February: 5 fish caught in total,[/B] all between February 3-14 for only 30 rod days.

[B]Joint Best February total[/B] since 2004 & joint [B]Second Best total[/B] since 1994.

We took four fish for March for a total of just 43 rod days, which was a remarkable achievement as for most of the month the river was at summer level & we were basking in unseasonally bright sunshine.

[B][U]April gets off to a Great Start![/U][/B]

Despite extremely low water in the first week of April, four springers were landed in 3 days for only 7 rod days in total.

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We have had just one day so far this season when two springers were landed - by two different anglers

- which was February 5th. Yesterday (April 3) was the first day this year where one angler has landed

two fish in one day - and they were both on fly on two consecutive casts!

Kieran Conlon (Cork) managed to get away for only his second day fishing so far this season,

& I sent him to Lower Kilmurry on a cold blustery day with a NW wind & air temps from 7-10ºC.

Just before lunchtime he caught and released a lovely sea-liced fish on a Silver Grey tube fly

right up at the head of the Island Stream in the fast water - no surprise as water temp is now just above 52ºF.

This was his first springer of the 2012 season.

More surprising was the fact that he went back into the water & the very next cast caught

a second sea-liced fish from the very same spot. Both fish were like peas in a pod.

The second fish (above) was weighed in later at the Lodge at 8.3lb.

Kieran saw a number of other fish throughout the day.

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John Lalor (Cahir) caught this 6lb sea-liced fish on fly on April 4th. This was his first fish for 2012.

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Joe Tynan (Kildare) caught this 8.4lb. very fresh fish on spinner on April 5th. It was his First Ever Salmon!

It didn't have sea-lice but they had only just fallen off it.

It is one of the earliest ever recorded First Fish on the fishery!

[B]The First Grilse of the 2012 Season is Caught! [/B]

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APGAI_Ireland casting instructor Ken Stewart came down to visit the Lodge today (9th.)

& went out to the river about lunchtime for a cast on the Kilmurry beats.

About 4.00pm Glenda went down to meet him & she arrived at the Hut Pool to see Ken playing a fish.

She hopped out of the jeep, rolled up her trousers (no time to don the waders) & hopped into the water

to net a beautiful sea-liced 4 pound grilse that had taken Ken's tube fly.

This is probably the earliest grilse that has ever been taken on the fishery.

Biggest Fish of the Season so far!!!!!!!

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[B][I]Jim Shanahan from Castletownroche was fishing an upper beat & phoned me to ask if he could switch to another upstream beat.

I suggested he come down as I heard it was quiet above. He arrived on Ballinaroone with his 11 yr old son James & within 15 minutes

James hooked & lost a fish on a Toby. Jim caught the Biggest Fish of the Season a few moments later - 12.4lb on Flying C at the Road Pool.[/I][/B]

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This lovely sea-liced 7.3lb. fish was caught by Terry O'Keeffe (Midleton, Co. Cork) on Lower Kilmurry yesterday.

The river continues to fine off today & was at 0.25m at 16.00.

Another very fresh fish was caught today on spinner – only our second from the upper river.

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The total for the Lodge fishery is now 8 fish for April to date for only 37 rod days.

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This is the river below Blackwater Lodge at 16.00 today.

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Gauge height 0.25m. Clarity ~4-5 feet

[B][U]Prospects[/U][/B]

There is more rain coming through the week, with storm conditions for tomorrow (Tuesday).

[B][U]Availability[/U][/B]

There's no problem for availability of fishing at present.

If you'd like to be kept up to date with what's happening, email me on

info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net

& I'll add you to our Newsletter circulation.

[URL="http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net"]Ireland Salmon Fishing[/URL]

[URL="http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net"]Blackwater Lodge[/URL]

[URL="http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm"]Daily Salmon Fishing Report[/URL]

Blackwater Lodge: [url]http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net[/url]

Daily Salmon Fishing Report: [url]http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net/FishingReport/fishingreport.htm[/url]

Fish Species: Atlantic Salmon
Bait Used:
Tackle Used:
Method Used:
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About The Author: Ian Powell

Company: Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery

Area Reporting: Cork Blackwater river in Southern Ireland

Bio: Ian is proprietor of Ireland's premier salmon fishing lodge with his wife Glenda (APGAI-IRL Salmon & Trout) – Europe's highest qualified female fly-casting instructor & Emerald World Masters Ladies Salmon Distance champion.

00 353 58 60235
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Fishing Guide Ian Powell