Blessington?

[zackmorris]

Anyone reckon if it will be frozen?
Margins were bad last time I was down there about 3 weeks ago.

[garymaxima]

i'd say so. it was around -4, -5 this way last night and it looks the same for the next couple of nights. the bays and margins will probably get it anyway....

[wgsten]

I passed by the lake on the N81 earlier today, lake is well down on the last time that i passed and no sign of any ice there.

wgsten



http://www.irishflyfisher.ie/

[zackmorris]

Day really heated up by 9am, no ice in the margains at all!
Lake was ridiculously low, no features anywhere- just gavel / beaches everywhere!
Never seen it like that before!?

[DENIS]

lake fishes best when its low, but tyhe cold temps have put paid to that, some fish have been caught but not many....................

[zackmorris]

Really, yeah?
Think i'll stick to the Barrow

[gizmo]

Was talking to Pedar the bailiff for blessington on Friday and he was saying that the Lake is the lowest its been in 25 years.

[DENIS]

its not the best conditions alright, maybe in a coiple of weeks, i will be out trying anyway..

[mickod]

yeah really low but interesting to see what sort of ground you re fishing over in different areas.

[DENIS]

Up there sunday, blanked aswell as all the other 8 guys with me, its low really low, there are islands popping up everywhere in valleymount, i walked at least 150 yards out into the lake along a stump line, its amazing how low its got

[wgsten]

Low water level in Blessington lake 20th march 2010. Photo below shows where the river Liffey joins the Blessington lake.



Uncovered stumps near Russelstown





wgsten

http://www.irishflyfisher.ie/

[ollie]

So thats where all my swim feeders end up.

[jkchambers]

I represent pike/coarse anglers on the Blessington Lake Users Committee. There is another meeting of this committee wed next week. I have an ongoing thread on this on the pike fed site. Please advise me of any issues you would like raised with the ESB
http://forum.angling-in-ireland.com/viewtopic.php?t=604
(to visit fed general forum click on crest at top of page )

[scullier]

Hi John

really the burning issue is the lack of protection on the lake. The litter is gone beyond belief with trees now being cut down for fire wood in valley mount along with piles of litter etc... nets and long lines have been found. Peadar does a great job but really needs a few helpers. The esb is made of money they can well afford it.

thanks

[jkchambers]

The Newbridge guys did find a net during a competition. Peadar disturbed the poachers the previous night and had the net under observation hoping the poachers would come back.
The litter there and on other waterways is getting completely out of hand. When Inland Fisheries Ireland gets set up the CEO does want to completely review the waterkeeper position. I have told him that the new waterkeepers need a new power - that of litter warden !!

[Enda]

The Newbridge guys did find a net during a competition. Peadar disturbed the poachers the previous night and had the net under observation hoping the poachers would come back.
The litter there and on other waterways is getting completely out of hand. When Inland Fisheries Ireland gets set up the CEO does want to completely review the waterkeeper position. I have told him that the new waterkeepers need a new power - that of litter warden !!

Very good idea that John, Litter Wardens have a lot of power and are taken seriously, that would be a big step up in the role.

When I first fished Blessington in matches it the mid to late 90s, they place was spotless, I fished it alot from 2000 up to 2003 as well, took a break and when I started again, well was I gobsmacked, how the ESB never closed it up I will never know.

[delsalmon]

that second pic is where my missus had her Pb 21lb 5 years ago. havent fished it in 2 years, got sick of the litter around whole lake. the first pic had many memorable fishing days from childhood. aweful shame whats goin on up there now

[jellybait]

I spent alot of time fishing it years ago - what a vast beautiful lake but now its just gone to the dogs -with the water level down it just shows how much rubbish is in the lake - It would be good to organise a quad/tractor and trailer to go around the waterline of the lake shore and would make it easier to collect the rubbish cause once the water levels come back up it will just spread the rubbish back in the water etc. Its a terrible shame - And where have all the pike gone ????
Fair play John.k for the good work - Any point it doing waterkeeper on this lake ? would esb allow it ? as im only 10 mins from it

Also just read the topic on the pike site - just to add had some decent roach fishing last year but seemed to be quite localised and never got anything over the pound mark -would be interested to know how the roach stocks are doing and also - Is there a possibility of stocking other coarse species in it ?it might bring in more revenue and would have more eyes on the bank /lake

[jkchambers]

I spent alot of time fishing it years ago - what a vast beautiful lake but now its just gone to the dogs -with the water level down it just shows how much rubbish is in the lake - It would be good to organise a quad/tractor and trailer to go around the waterline of the lake shore and would make it easier to collect the rubbish cause once the water levels come back up it will just spread the rubbish back in the water etc. Its a terrible shame - And where have all the pike gone ????
Fair play John.k for the good work - Any point it doing waterkeeper on this lake ? would esb allow it ? as im only 10 mins from it

Also just read the topic on the pike site - just to add had some decent roach fishing last year but seemed to be quite localised and never got anything over the pound mark -would be interested to know how the roach stocks are doing and also - Is there a possibility of stocking other coarse species in it ?it might bring in more revenue and would have more eyes on the bank /lake

I doubt that the ESB would like private water keepers on the lake. I will ask about it on Wed. That said, I dont think that you could legally be stopped. The Section 294 leglislation effectively states that anyone can appoint anyone a water keeper over any water.
I wonder would it be useful if there was a stock assessment survey carried out to try to see exactly what stocks and year classes of fish are there. This would mean putting nets down. I dont know whether the ESB would be happy paying for this. I could point out to them that the vast majority of their permit income comes from pike and coarse anglers.

[jkchambers]

That meeting is on tomorrow. Any more issues to be raised ???

[delsalmon]

Hi jk. Opening hours on gates at russelltown boat area. I love fishing blesso afloat, means I dont have to wade through rubbish but 8.30am gate opening is far too late. I like to load up boat in darkness and motor off at first light. And its nightmare throwing all the gear over the gate and lugging it all the way up to the slip, especially if on own. Maybe if boat licence holders could get a copy of key for lock? I see why not considering price of boat license, coarse license, and game license combined.
Best of luck tomorrow

[Enda]

Better car parking at the Blessington end bridge, the rowing club bit.
A good few on here have and do fish matches there and parking can be terrible and dangerous.

[jkchambers]

I posted a report on the meeting with the ESB on the pike fed site
http://forum.angling-in-ireland.com/viewtopic.php?t=856

[Float Tube Addict]

Good stuff there John.
Thanks for putting in the time and committment.

Norm

[GerK]

Hi folks

Haven't been on in a while

Dusting down the pike rods on Saturday and was thinking of going to Blessington
How is it fishing at the moment?
Other option is a boat on derravaragh and the Inny