CONNEMARA PONIES

As mentioned in last year's newsletter we have disposed of the cattle at Portarra Lodge and turned our attention instead to pure bred Connemara ponies. Our three mares had foals this year thus bringing our total to eight in all. The foals were a big attraction - especially for the young children who spoiled them with apples. For insurance purposes we do not charge our guests to ride the ponies, however we insist that a form, indemnifying the owners of the Lodge, their agents and employees in the event of any type of accident, is signed.

THE MAY FLY AT PORTARRA

 PIKE ANGLERS TAKE TO TROUT FISHING

As already stated Lough Corrib gave us the best May Fly Dap for 25 years and created a new record here at Portarra Lodge. The Paetzke brothers from Germany, Manfred & Claus, Len & Steve Sherlock from England and a group of

5 German anglers, who incidentally came for Pike fishing, created a "one-day" trout record on 18th May with 38 trout that weighted over 84 lbs. If all fish over the 12"(30 cm.) were taken the result at the end of the day would have been a staggering 82 trout. As with any year it is very difficult to predict when the May Fly will be "up"(for those who are new to this type of fishing the term "up" is used as the May Fly comes up from the bottom of the lake having spent a year, and sometimes two years, down there). This past year many people, including myself, were of the opinion that it would be late in May when the fly would be up on account on the cold Springtime. However at the start of May we had some very warm days which brought out the blossom on the White Thorn Tree - and once that happens the fly is up. We had a "full house" of anglers, twelve in all, for the Dap (last two weeks in May) and bookings are already coming in for 2002. Rates for 2002 in Euros are available on request.

 

An international group of well known pike anglers visited Portarra Lodge at Easter time and turned their attention to the wild brown trout and with a good measure of success.

The group was led by Jan Eggers and his wife Tineke from Holland, Sirpa Glad-Staf of Rapala Lures of Finland, Martine Leysen an officer of the Pike Association of Netherlands & Belgium, and Pedro Weigland from Spain. They stayed for the week-end and spent three days on the lake. Each and every member of the group had the experience of catching a Wild Corrib Trout and really enjoyed the stay so much that they are coming again next year.

 

As angling journalists they have spread the news of the excellent trout fishing on Corrib

 
ANGLER'S TROUT HATCHERY
Compared to this time last year I have good news as the weather allowed us to carry out our work at our trout hatchery in Oughterard. The netting to capture the brood stock took just one week. This however meant that the team had to set the net twice daily at 4 o'clock in the evening and again at 7 o'clock in the morning. Once the fish were in the holding ponds we waited for 10 days before the 1st stripping took place which resulted in some 120.000 ova in the incubation trays and the end result, when the last fish were stripped on 24th November, saw us not only reaching, but surpassing the magical 400,000 mark. Great credit to the local lads for this important work carried out on a totally voluntary basis. This dedication is truly reflected by the fact that Lough Corrib is the best Wild Brown Trout Fishery in Europe - if not the World.

 

This year also saw great improvements which made our work at the hatchery that much easier and safer. A new net and two new boats - one for laying the net and the other to transport the workers back and over the river. A trailer for transporting the fish from the river to the holding ponds, new fencing and covers for the holding ponds together with sheltered area where the stripping can be carried out. We also got a new rotary water filter fitted inside the hatchery building, but working on the precautionary principle we also passed the incoming water through our old gravel system in case of a power cut etc.

 

You the anglers who enjoy the fishing on Lough Corrib can assist us in our work by buying a Share Certificate for £12.00, which are on sale at the Lodge

 

  Having Handed the Rod to her granny our Grand-Daughter, Leila Connolly Holds up her 1st Corrib Trout.

Page 1  Page 2  Page 3  Page 4