Carrick Lough

Today was wet and windy so I decided to skip the river tout and pursue some pike on the fly. I chose Carrick Lough as the venue as it is close by and reputed to hold some pike, at least. I arrived before noon and was quickly casting a fly between the platforms to entice a pike. DCAL class this lake as 'free fishing', that is, you only need a DCAL license in order to fish it: no permit required. For a 'free' lake, it is well setup by DCAL with good platforms around 2 sides of the lake.

Reading anglers spoor, I noticed that the lake had been fished recently by a lot of anglers, probably just last weekend. It seems that a lot of anglers fish the lake judging by the amount of rubbish left behind. DCAL actively clean the bins around these lake, but it seems that it is too much to ask that anglers should put their rubbish in them.

I was fishing for about 20 minutes before I nipped my first pike. Albeit small, it kept me interested. I turned another 4 at various platforms before one finally stuck. A nice jack pike.

I turned another fish before landing a smaller jack.

I would not expect to catch many large fish in these lakes as they have been quite heavily fished by anglers who like to kill and cook their catch. Although this is not something that the locals like to do, I do not condemn anglers who wish to do so, as long as it is within the fishery rules. The rubbish and damage to the platforms is another matter.

Remains of where a barbecue burnt into the fishing stands. Quite common at Carrick Lough.

I finished the day with two small pike. It was a cold affair but well worth it.