Overcast and showery conditions prevailed over Riversdale this week with the temperature dropping and getting cooler as the week progressed. Favourite flies of the week included CDC Dry Flies, Hare's Ear, Olive Tadpoles, Black and Green Tadpoles, Cats Whisker, Nymphs and Buzzers. Anglers used floating and sinking lines, both worked well.
Winner of the recent angling competition at Riversdale, David Gregg from Kells, received �100 for his tagged fish which weighed 11lb 0oz. Other prize winners included Donald McClearn from Dromore, Mervyn Weir from Ahoghill, Colin Cathcart from Kells, Thomas Mitchell from Ballyclare, Gary Crossett from Carrick, Adrian Young from Antrim, Steven Mitchell from Ballyclare, Roger Finlay from Antrim and Trevor Parker from Ahoghill.
Jamie White landed a well-developed trout which weighed in at 5lb 5oz. It was caught on a Cat's Whisker. Other catches included:- Alan Ashcroft with 2 for 5lb 9oz, William Campbell, 2 for 4lb 7oz, Billy Kirk with 2 weighing 4lb 9oz, Joe Watt, 2 for 3lb 11oz, Chris McCormick, 2 for 4lb 7oz, Alvin Knapper 3 for 6lb 14oz, Tommy Dinsmore, Belfast, 2 for 4lb 6oz, William Harvey from Larne, 2 for 3lb 10oz, Jim Simpson, Ballynure, 1 for 2lb 6oz, Eddie Williams, Ballyeaston, 2 for 4lb 11oz, Norman Wilson, Belfast, 3 for 6lb 4oz. Kells angler Mervyn Weir landed 2 for 4lb 8 oz, D Wilkinson caught 3 for 6lb 6oz and Sam Scott netted 4 for 9lb 10z.
Good catch and release totals of the week went to: - Brian Reid who released 7 on a Green Halt, Mark Wilson who released 4 on a Montana, David Gregg returned 5 and Steven Gregg returned 3. Both men were fishing a Cat's Whisker. Jamie White returned 3, Fred Blaney returned 4 and Donald McClearn returned 5 on a dry fly.
Best bag of the week went to Sam Scott with 4 good sized rainbows weighing in at 9lb 1oz.
Toilet facilities have now been added at Riversdale.
The weather at Riversdale this week has been unpredictable. We have had showers and sunny spells to cold, wet and windy. The temperature has stayed moderate but again the keen anglers were not put off as many battled the weather to catch some good-sized trout as Mervyn Weir found out!
Riversdale saw another one of its �Monsters� landed. The double figured fish was caught by Mervyn Weir. Mervyn was fishing for only 4 hours on Tuesday when the fish took his orange Sleech and after a hard battle managed to net the fish.. When the fish was weighed it was an amazing 11lb 8oz. A smashing rainbow and another well impressed angler at Riversdale.
Good catches of the week included - Colin Bailey who weighed in 2 fish for 2lb 2oz and 2lb 8oz, both caught on a sinking lure. Trevor Finlay from Ballymena caught 2 for 4lb 2oz and also returned 7 more. He was fishing with Hares Ears, Montanas, Soldier Palmers and Buzzers. Kells angler Colin Cathcart hooked 2 of which one of these was tagged. Michael Millar, Kells, landed 2 for 3lb 8oz using Gold Head Nymphs, Adrian Young, Antrim, caught 2 fish weighing in at 4lb 9oz. One of these was also tagged putting Adrian like Colin Cathcart in with a chance of winning one of our many prizes.
Phillip Johnston from Antrim landed his limit of 2 fish for 3lb 14oz which he caught using a Black Nymph, Brian Canavan from Bellaghy fished a Muddler to touch for a 2lb 3oz rainbow and his friend Steven Canavan also used a Muddler to catch a trout of 2lb 10oz.
Portadown anglers Richard and Steven Chambers caught and landed 3 fish between them for a total weight of 4lb 13oz using White and Orange Sleeches and Cyril Chambers from Lurgan fished a Nobbler to catch and land 2 rainbows for 3lb 14oz. Alan Ashcroft banked 3 fish for 6lb 0oz which he enticed with an Orange Sleech.
Many anglers took catch and release tickets like John Morgan from Carrickfergus who used various flies to catch and release 8 trout. Charlie McBan used a Black Sleech to return 4 rainbows, Peter Barr used a Buzzer to return 1 fish and Gary Crossett from Monkstown fished a Gladiator to catch and release 2 fish to the lake.
The weather conditions varied this week at Riversdale presenting a challenge for the anglers but the bright spells, followed by the occasional shower, produced hatches of buzzers and Daddy Long Legs. This resulted in some great sport for the anglers who ventured forth in the cooler weather.
One of the biggest fish ever to be caught at Riversdale was weighed in this week. A Rainbow of 11lb 2oz was landed by Arthur Henderson. Arthur was fishing a Hares Ear when the monster struck. After a long, hard battle Arthur managed to land the fish much to his excitement and delight. Well done Arthur!
Catches of the week included Alistair Houston from Newtownabbey who landed 2 fish for a total of 4lb 3oz which he caught on various flies. Also from Newtonabbey Ken Spence fished various lures to land 2 fish for 4lb 4oz. John Morgan from Carrickfergus opted for Catch and Release to release 5 fish using a Damsel nymph.
Ballymena man Charlie McCandless choose to fish a Gold Head lure to catch 3 fish weighing in at 2lb, 2lb 6oz and 3lb 4oz. Ballyclare angler Graham Byron also went for Catch and Release to catch the largest bag on this ticket, a total of 16 fish.
Glen Taylor also from Ballymena fished a Gold Head lure to land 2 fish for 4lb 8oz. Tom Neilly, who regularly fished Tildarg Fishery, visited Riversdale and caught and released 6 rainbows using Suspender buzzers. Keith McCartney returned 4 fish on a Daddy Long Legs.
Kells regular Wayne Agnew visited on Saturday to fish for 5 hours on Catch and Release to catch 3 nicely sized rainbows and David and Steven Gregg, also from Kells, released 8 between them. Wayne visited again on Sunday to beat his Saturday total and catch 11 fish.
John Allowey travelled from Belfast to Riversdale to land himself 2 fish weighing in at 2lb and 2lb 5oz using a Cats Whisker. Also from Belfast Eddie Thompson fished a Cats Whisker to land 2 fish for 4lb 5oz.
The Riversdale Angling Competition begins on the 1st October. For an entry fee of �2 anglers can win �100 and there are 20 further prizes of Fishing Permits. For further information please contact 028 25898204
Fishing this week has remained very good with a lot of anglers catching their limits and having an excellent day�s sport! The weather has remained fairly good although we did see some strong south winds and heavy showers but that did not put the fish off. Daddy Long Legs are very plentiful and are the most successful fly at present.
Best bag of the week at Riversdale was landed by J Dalglish from Antrim with 4 fish weighing in at 8lb 4oz which he caught on nymphs and buzzers. Good catches of the week included Trevor Jones from Lurgan who landed a nice rainbow of 3lb 2oz on a floating Hopper. Another good sized fish was weighed in by Alan Lyness who landed 2 fish for 5lb 11oz with the biggest weighing in at 3lb 5oz. Well Done!
Other catches included William Russell also from Lurgan who fished a Shipman's Buzzer to land 2 fish for 5lb 5oz. Kells anglers James and David Gregg both caught 1 fish each with the 2 fish weighing in at 5lb. William Campbell from Belfast had 2 fish for 4lb 10oz which he tempted with Vivas, William Kirk had 2 for 5lb 6oz,another good bag! and John Carson had 4 fish for 7lb 8oz.
Catch and Release permits still remain very popular with anglers who visit Riversdale. With many catching fish on these permits it is a good way to have a bit of fun if you would rather not take any fish away with you. Anglers this week who opted for Catch and Release included Brian Reid from Cullybackey who returned 10 fish to the lake which he caught on the old Daddy Long Legs, a popular fly this time of year. John Henderson who fished a Gold Head lure returned 3 rainbows, Steven Canavan from Bellaghy caught and released 5 prime rainbows and Charlie McCartney released 6 using various lures and wet flies.
A competition will run at Riversdale from the 1st - 14th October with a trophy, a cash prize of �100 and 20 other prizes available for the lucky winners. Entry fee will be a nominal � 2 on top of the permit price and will be available to everyone fishing at Riversdale.
For information on the competition prices and discounts please contact 028 25898204