I was out at my local river today and i cought about 6 brownies. I got about 10-15 other hits that the TROUT missed.... not me... anyway! every single one was no bigger than about 4 to 6 inches. Is this my doing or just time of year? I know there all sex mad right now but this is my first season on the fly, so what im asking is will these little spricks be 6 bigger brownies in Jan'?

If it is me though, what can I do to tempt the bigger trout? I was catching on emeargers, dry, CDC and wets thinking it must just be the fly im using but the we ones just kept taking it. Any advice?

Cheers! Paul.

Hi Paul,

For me Sept is the best month for trout. I make a point of fishing the Irfon then, and can usually depend on a day with at least one good fish (around 2lb) and plenty of smaller fish.

Where are you fishing?
All the trout are feeding like mad at this time of year before they go down for the winter. Maybe the bigger fish in your river have already migrated up the burns to spawn?

Paul, I'm originally from your neck of the woods and you should consider having a crack at the dollaghan which are up the Bann this time of year. Fishing is best for them at night with flies like black pennels, butcher, silver stoats tail etc.

Thanks for the replys guys, im fishing the lurancetown river (Gilford) . What parts of the Bann should i fish? I would love to catch some big trout

Im not great with areas so if you could give me some good detail on location i would greatly appreciate it weexist thanks!

There's good fishing in Lawrencetown alright. I used to fish a bit further up at Lenaderg and got some lovely fish there. Banbridge Angling club have the bann all the way from up round Katesbridge right down to Hazlebank weir (near what used to be Sean Tuckers petrol station). Gilford Angling club own the stretch down from there I think.

You'd get a lot of advice from people in the clubs, I know Banbridge has a waiting list now but it might be worth trying Gilford. They also have Rainbow fishing at Kernan lake. If there's still a shop in Gilford called Moffats they should be able to give you contact details as they sell day tickets (well used to anyway, been a while since i lived down there)

Fished the Bann, last wed, for the first , in a very long while, a lot of small fish, with a few around the 9inch bracket, seemed to be very little about, a few salmon, where taken along the deep section above laurncetown, but a lot of the runs seemed to be a little light on the amount of fish. With so much high water, a while back, any fish will run, as far as possible, up the river.

Why don,t you ask, for a days trout fishing, with some one with experience, of the rivers, in your local area.
Just a thought, maybe it might help, you a little.?.

Thanks Lads,

Good to here from other local anglers! I was fishing round peasily's house. it was like course fishing for roach and perch! not a single fish over 4 inch. Ive to call out and a see a guy Gary Houson (Iveagh Anglers Club Lurgan, my home town). He said he will bring me out for the day some time but as ive been on the fly for 4 DAYS SOLID i need to rest for a week and my right hand and wrist is killing me! we finger and next one are so sore lol. Guess i need to perfect my cast too eh!