Bridge over fish in water…
The Sixmilewater River
The Sixmilewater River enters Lough Neagh at Antrim Town.
The water on this side of the bridge was like glass, but it held a surprise as I looked down from on top of the bridge.
A shoal of Dollaghan
Dollaghan, a Trout which behaves in a similar way to a Sea Trout but instead of going to sea it runs to Lough Neagh which is the largest freshwater lake in the UK, covering 153 sq miles (400 sq km). Because of damage to the fishery due to pollution in June 2008, fishing is ‘catch and release’ only until September 2009.
I was unable to photograph the bridge from the other side due to the trees, so I went back to a previous visit for this view. I think it was March 2005.
UPDATE: You will see from the comments below that I have been misinformed about the fish in the second photograph. Rollcaster is a long time angler with over 35 years experience angling on the sixmile water. He has sent me a photo of a dollaghan weighing about three and half pounds which he caught on 17th July 2010, this fish was returned alive to the river to carry on upstream and hopefully spawn.
A dollaghan caught in the Six Mile River
Nick said,
June 6, 2009 at 8:14 am
What a wonderful spot. I always think it’s a shame you can’t drive or walk round the whole of Lough Neagh, it would be great fun. Presumably too many of the adjacent landowners refuse to have the unwashed masses traipsing round their land.
Grannymar said,
June 6, 2009 at 9:25 am
Nick,
I often thought about a walk around Lough Neagh. Since it is situated in the centre of Northern Ireland with five of the Province’s six counties touching its shores, surely it would prove a wonderful tourist attraction.
rummuser said,
June 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I would love to see it! I have done a spot of trout fishing up in the tea gardens in Kerala. Originally settled by Scottish Planters, they stocked the streams with trout which survive till today and though fishing is highly restricted, you still can have a grand time in the season. Since I became a vegetarian, I gave away all my tackle and gear as even before that I just could not get the nerve to go fishing with my bust hips!
Grannymar said,
June 6, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Ramana,
It was a beautiful day of glorious sunshine last Sunday. now we are back to cold wet days.
Darlene said,
June 6, 2009 at 3:48 pm
It is unusual to see such calm waters in a river. There are so many Dollaghan in that river it looks like a fish hatchery.
“Tis a beautiful photo of a lovely place.
Grannymar said,
June 6, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Darlene,
The water on one side of the bridge was like glass, while on the other the water rolled over stony ground.
chrisb said,
June 6, 2009 at 10:19 pm
That looks a very tranquil spot.
Baino said,
June 7, 2009 at 12:08 am
Envying your sunshine frankly. It would be a fabulous spot for a sunny picnic!
Grannymar said,
June 7, 2009 at 9:15 am
@Chris - It was indeed tranquil on Sunday last.
@Baino - Our heatwave was short. Yesterday we were even steven with you temperature wise. Dublin had monsoon rain and across the water two people were stranded but accounted for last night after they were caught up in treacherous weather during 1000m Peaks Race in the Snowdonia range in North Wales. About 245 people started the race and a number had to be airlifted to safety by helicopter.
Conrad said,
June 13, 2009 at 7:56 pm
These are the ways I imagine your beautiful country! It brings me peace just to look at these pictures and envision myself being there…
By the way, I am one lousy non-dedicated fisherman. As we used to say in Kansas, “No brag, just fact ma’am.”
Grannymar said,
June 13, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Conrad,
I have never fished in my life, I doubt I would have the patience.
rollcaster said,
July 22, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Loved the photograph but the fish in question are not the mighty Lough Neagh dollaghan but a shoal of roach.Roach make an appearance in the river about May and move slowly upstream in vast shoals.Dollaghan start their spawning run when the water levels rise, the first run of fish average about 1lb to 4lb in weight with much larger fish coming later in the season.
Grannymar said,
July 22, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Rollcaster - Welcome to my blog. You sound like a fisherman that knows the river. It was a man leaning on the bridge who told me they were dollaghan. Since I would not know one end of a rod from the other, I accepted his explanation.