I met up with the newly liberated Royvs and his mate Tony for Elinor's opening day. We arrived at 9 am but unfortunately more than 100 others arrived before us
When I drove down the newly improved track and over the hill I was frankly shocked to see the number of cars - far more than for the Airflo finals. Apparently there were as many as 120 there eventually
This meant that all the usual hotspots were gone although I was fortunate enough to hear Ed on the phone to Paul Haskey and when he came off he told me that the area around the far pylon was doing well so we set off up there.
The first spots we found available were not great but odd fish were coming out and the furthest bay from the lodge was clearly full of fish as rods were bending all around it. Roy used his noted charm to squeeze in there and eventually a couple of the incumbents moved out and Tony and I got in as well. On my third cast I had a fish of around 7lbs and we caught on and off through the afternoon, although it consistently got harder. Best method, in the somewhat murky water (from recent flooding) was slow intermediate or floater with a blob pulled at a medium to slow pace.
There were a number of big fish caught on the lake today - at least two doubles weighed and several put back, as well as lots of 5-7lbs fish.
All in all a very nice day, plenty of fish once you found them and some good craic all round. Heaven knows what it will be like when the water clears and warms up !
Charlie
Elinor opening day
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