Portarra Lodge
Fishing Report for 2010
Hello Friends,
The Winter is almost over and the very
cold weather – down to -15 Celcius here in the West of Ireland has at last
cleared up.. At the Lodge we had several burst pipes after the frost – but very
little damage to report. We are getting the Lodge ready again for the coming
season and will be ready to open around March 1st 2011. As the
Recession is not over in Ireland – we are maintaining the reduced rates we
charged in 2010. (2005 prices)
Last year was a very good year for
angling although the start of the season was slow on account of the late cold
Spring. I predicted that the May Fly would be best around the last week in May –
and glad to say my forecast was 100% correct. The Sherlocks, Steve & Len, from
England heeded my advise and came on May 23rd for the “Dap”. They
have been coming to Portarra Lodge for a good many years and last year was by
far their best ever – catching a great number of trout in the 2.5 lb to 3.5 lb
category. One particular day they returned up to 12 such fish to the water after
lunch – having killed 2 or 3 such fish in the morning. No doubt Steve & Len
will be back this coming season hoping for a repeat performance.
On the May-time report I have some very
sad news. My very good friend and angler, who has been coming to Portarra Lodge
ever since we opened in 1996, Hans Peter Haller from Germany, passed away in May
2010 – some 10 days before he was due here to fish with his friends Peter Mussle
and Jens Hopf. As Hans Peter always fished with Peter Mussle – I took the place
of Hans and went out on the lake in search of the Ferox with Peter. We had mixed
luck but managed to land 3 Specimen Ferox – one of 13.5 lbs by Peter on 19th
May and two of 10.25 and 13.75 by myself on 20th May. We boated
several smaller ones over the course of 5 days. Yens concentrated on Dapping and
Pike fishing and had a good time also. Hans Peter Haller has been coming fishing
to Ireland since 1976 and he will always be remembered here at Portarra Lodge
especially around May 20th when we celebrate Peter Mussle’s birthday.
We all hope that “In the good Lord’s net – Hans Peter Haller will be big enough
to keep”.
The Pike fishing was really good in 2010
and fish of over 20 lbs were a common feature. I had the pleasure of welcoming
back Bertus Rozemeijer – the very famous Pike Angler from Holland. Bertus is no
stranger to Portarra Lodge and his visit this time was with a team from Salmo
Lures & Salmo Adventures. They were trying out Salmo Baits& Lures and caught
some nice pike.
Around the same time I was visited by
the famous Pike Fly Fisherman and author David Wolsoncroft-Dodds from England.
David has written a very good book on Fly Fishing for Pike and also gives lesson
on casting and on fly tying. David was accompanied by Andy Bowman (Scotland)
for his 1st week and they both accounted for many fish in the double
figures and a good scattering of ones over the 20 lb mark. His 2nd
week saw Jonathan Simmons as his fishing partner and they also did very well.
During this very same week Reuben Hewitt & Jonathan Bartley ( Armagh City,
Northern Ireland) joined in the Fly Fishing for the Pike and the top honours, of
the entire fishing year, must go to Reuben who on one day boated 9 pike to the
fly – from 9.5 lbs up to a Specimen fish of 31.75 lbs and including another very
large fish of 25.5 .lbs.
Belated good wishes and health to you
all and your families for 2011 when we hope to see you back in Portarra Lodge.
We will be away , for a much needed holiday before the fishing starts, from 3rd
to 19th February. I will answer all your emails as soon as possible
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