Mean air temperatures for the season were between 1.2°C and 2.0°C above normal, with all three months of Winter recording above average air temperatures for the time of year. Mean air temperatures recorded in the west and southwest were the highest relative to normal, with Shannon Airport and Belmullet reporting their warmest winter since 1989 (23 years). Knock Airport reported a seasonal mean temperature of 5.5°C, its highest winter mean temperature since the station
opened in 1996 (16 years). Most other stations across the country reported that it was not as warm as the winters of 2007/2008. Mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures were all above average, with the majority of minimum air and grass temperatures for Winter were recorded during the cold spell at the start of February. Most lowest minimum air and grass temperatures especially in the south and southwest were the highest in the number of years, with Valentia Observatory
reporting an Winter air temperature of 1.7°C and a Winter grass minimum of -3.1°C, the highest recorded at the site since 1939 (73 years) and 1989 (23 years), respectively.
Other stations in the area reported their highest minimums in five to 17 years. Majority of rainfall totals were below normal for Winter across the southern half of the country and in some parts of the east. Rainfall totals were below average in the majority of these parts during December and January, while all stations reported dry conditions in February. Most stations the east and south reported a below average number of wet days (days with 1 mm or more) and the driest Winter since 2006 (6 years). Highest daily falls were recorded at various times, mainly on December 12th and January 29th, with the daily falls recorded at stations in the south and southwest being the lowest in six to 15 years.
Percentage of normal sunshine values for Winter were nearly all below normal. Below average totals were recorded during all three months of the season except at Dublin Airport, where above normal sunshine was recorded during December, January and February leading to a slightly above normal value for the season.
Stations in the southwest reported the lowest amount of sunshine hours and sunshine relative to normal, with Valentia Observatory and Shannon Airport both reporting their lowest winter sunshine since sunshine records began at the stations in 1939 (73 years) and 1945 (67 years), respectively. Other stations reported it
was the dullest winter in 16 to 20 years, with Dublin Airport, who had above average sunshine this season, reporting it was the dullest winter since 2006.
Source Met Eireann
Sand smelt by Brian Healy today.
I had a brilliant time this morning fishing with Ger. Trying for some trout we were committed to taking them on the fly in the sea – using a steelhead type swing with a mini flatwing pattern resulted in the fish above. Thanks to Ger for the photos too.
Landing Gear
Rod: G-Loomis #7 GLX crosscurrent
Reel: Danielsson LW6/9
Line: Guideline pounch #7 Rio Gold #7 F
Leader: Airflo polyleader 5’-0” and 10 inches of Rio Fluoroflex +
Fly: Mini flatwing Olive over white see post below
Steve and I have shared a few e-mails over the past few years
I opened this one from Steve this morning.
___________________________________________________________________
Hi Jim,
Hope all is well in Ireland.
Do you remember last year I asked you about catching Gilthead Bream on the RA Pop.
As you was so helpful I thought I’d give you a little update on how my season panned out!.
Firstly I never managed a Gilthead although I had a couple of hits that didn’t connect. I also found that when I did find some Gilts they spooked very easily.
I’ll still be trying to get a bream this year so fingers crossed.
On one of my trips in July last season, I figured I had spooked the bream out of a shallow bay so I moved into an area of rocky ridges and worked a yozuri Arms Pencil. I had stayed back from the waters edge almost hidden behind some rocks, flicked the small yozuri over a submerged rock and then started to slowly work it back towards me. As the the lure came over the rock a large bass came up from the depths and took the plug heading straight back down. I tightened into the bass and it pulled like a beast…… I eased the drag slightly and after getting her up on the surface thought heck this is a real good one. After a bit more give and take I got the bass out and weighed it, 8lb12oz a new personal best for me. Took a few pictures and put her back, she took ages to swim away but did after a while. I was on cloud nine and it was almost unbelievable, a really bright day and calm. Lesson learned…… stealth really paid off.
As the summer progressed I had some good bass fishing at other marks in the dark, plenty in the 4lb size. Night plugging is still fairly new to me and I’m still learning. I had a trip in November at night and using a black sluggo had a solid take that resulted in another bass of 8lb6oz, a couple of pictures and back she went. I was hardly moving the sluggo in fact it was drifting slowly along in the current. I still cant believe it…… what a season I waited years to get a 8lber and then catch two. This one was much fatter and shorter than the other 8lber.
A couple of weeks later I was night fishing and could see movement on the surface, tried allsorts, put on a RA pop and had a light take that resulted in a violent surface slash with strong pulls. I thought it was another big bass and it really didn’t want to come in. When I did eventually get it on the shore it turned out to be a thick lipped mullet of 5lb8oz, a fantastic sight and welcome surprise. I’ve not had many mullet but that was a personal best.
That was 2011 and I am looking forward to this year. I will let you know if I manage a gilthead.
Good luck to you for this season and I hope you had a good 2011.
Thanks again for your advice on the RA Pop.
Many thanks, Steve.
Soft and Fluffy – Why do bass choose to eat strange things?
I will be making a short presentation at the Hooked Live show on Saturday morning March the 10th. Thanks to Mark I can squeeze in some time and discuss with you some of the experiences I have had over the years with both soft baits and saltwater flies whilst bass fishing.
This is not a ‘how to’ presentation but rather a reflection on the techniques, both the similarities and differences, the circumstances and the opportunities that present themselves in bass fishing for the angler in Ireland today.
Maybe I will see you there.
Whilst on the way to fishing yesterday with Ken, high in the sky I heard and then saw a skylark, what a sound and what a day to be out in good company.
The workshop season has gotten of to a flying start in the last few days and it never ceases to amaze me as to the people who are interested in bass fishing. I have been visited by the guys above in the last few days and I guess its what makes this job so interesting – the sheer variety of people who have a desire to understand the fish.
Today for the first time in months there will twelve hours of light – a key factor in the systems that will encourage the fish closer to our shores over the next few months – spawning is not far away and then……roll on 2012 and I look forward to meeting the candlestick maker, the baker and the traindriver too!
http://flixtime.com/static/flowplayer/flowplayer.commercial.swf
Individually Hand tied in Ireland for Jim Hendrick
Government invites public input to form a marine policy for Ireland
The launch this month of Our Ocean Wealth – Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland, has been welcomed across maritime circles. In a tightly choreographed move, this is the first time an Irish government has sought public opinion to feed into a long overdue integrated marine policy for Ireland, set to launch in mid summer.
Commenting in the foreword, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny throws his weight behind the new initiative declaring that ‘for too long our maritime resources have been a blind spot in our national focus. Whether we are from urban, rural or coastal communities we all have a real interest in the social, cultural and economic impact of our coasts and seas’.
He added he wants to see Ireland ‘reconnect to the sea in a way that harnesses the ideas, innovation and knowledge of all our people, at home and abroad. I want to see us setting out to secure for ourselves and our children the social, cultural and economic benefits that our marine assets can deliver’.
Exclusive interview with Gery Flynn at Inshore Ireland
The marine and freshwater environment publication
See the official site HERE
THIRTYARDS 
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