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Sixmilewater - The past work done by club on this water is paying dividends as the wild river trout fishing is presently the best for some years. As rods wait for the traditional Dollaghan run - later in the first of the summer floods and into the autumn - those who have been out report excellent fishing.

Alan Kirkpatrick, guide and bailiff, suggests that it may be a case that a number of the young Dollaghan that would have moved down to Lough Neagh are now taking permanent residence in the river, now conditions have improved. Whatever the reason regular anglers Stevie Munn, who has taken trout to 2lb, David Telford, Gerry McLoughlin, Bobby Bryans, Bill Armstrong and Paul Newman have all enjoyed better than usual bags even with the river showing its bones. Successful patterns include the Claret Witch (a spent olive) and Kite's Imperial (fly-tyer Stevie Munn uses the Sixmile Imperial - tied with a front hackle of blue dun rather than the ginger). Catherine Cunningham, on her first visit to the river and first ever session fly-fishing, banked a wild trout of 1lb12oz.

Day-tickets are available on this river and anyone wishing to fish can contact Stevie Munn or Alan Kirkpatrick. They offer guided fishing throughout the season and they can supply all tackle. Alan's contact number is tel:07703534970 and Stevie can be contacted on tel: 02890931293 or at anglingclassics@aol.com
MICHAEL SHORTT

Sixmilewater - August was another month of low effort and even lower water. while as elsewhere, the bulk of fish where lying at the bottom of the river in the deeper water around Antrim, a number of Dollaghan ran through to the higher reaches. This is probably one result of the excellent work that has been carried out on the fish passes by the Antrim and District club. the salmon numbers are low and the only one reported to me was by Junior member Andrew McClenagahan's 4lb Grilse. However good number of Dollaghan were recorded, with regular rods who know the water reporting trout to 4lb and 5lb. One club member Gerry from Belfast caught 40 Dollaghan to 4lb during August practically all where returned. Stevie Munn fishing the bottom end of the river had good bags to 4lb as did Brian Elliot who took fish to 5lb, David Thompson reported 11 Dollaghan to 3lb and James Kirkpatrick had 3 on a visit 2lb, 3lb and 4lb and anyone seeking to fish this water can contact Stevie Munn at anglingclassics@aol.com
MICHAEL SHORTT

Sixmilewater - It was a reasonable month on the Sixmilewater, according to Alan Kirkpatrick. The run of Salmon & Dollaghan was good and a lot of Dollaghan and a few salmon were taken. The Dollaghan were mainly in the 1lb to 3lb range - though as I write, at the beginning of August, the river is in flood and more and larger Dollaghan are expected. Rods reporting Dollaghan include regulars Stevie Munn, Ernie Kirkpatrick and Brian Elliott. John Kane lost two salmon while on a visit, though he managed to bank three Dollaghan. August and September should bring better results. Visitors can fish this river on a day ticket, available from The Twelfth Milestone garage at Templepatrick, the Council Offices in Antrim or the Island Bawn Stores at Muckamore. - MICHAEL SHORTT

Sixmilewater - Although there was little water during September, and fewer Dollaghan than usual, the results for those who made the effort, were quite good. The average size of Dollaghan has been excellent, with the best at 9lb, taken by a Belfast angler fishing at Templepatrick. Some Grilse were also recorded among them Stevie Munn's brace both returned and Derek Bell's brace. The Dollaghan regulars all feature in the reports. Bobby Bryans and Robert Kirk had good Dollaghan fishing, as did Brian Elliott with Trout of 4lb and 5lb. Ernie Kirpatrick had Salmon and Dollaghan to 6lb and Bobby Quinn had a brace of trout at 6lbs each. Kenny Kirk banked three for 18lb, while William McBarnett took his on dry fly as did Newell McCreight, fishing at dusk, when he had a Trout to 3lb. This river which closes at the end of October needs a good flood to finish the season with flourish.
MICHAEL SHORTT

Sixmilewater - There was lots of water - and sometimes to much! However, the last 2 weeks of October found nearly all rods with a Dollaghan or more, together with some Salmon. My reports from the river suggest that the actual fishing was patchy, with days when only Salmon were taken and others when it was only the Dollaghan that featured. However patchy the fishing, a list of those successful is long. Among the names are regulars Stevie Munn, Bobby Bryans, Ernie Kirkpatrick, Jackie Mitchell and Tommy Whiteside, who all reported Salmon or Dollaghan, Paul Oliver had 3 Salmon to 8lbs and Derek Bell had 4 to 7lbs. The Biggest fish reported was a 19lb Salmon for Jackie McVeigh. The fish was well coloured and no doubt, might have made the 20lb plus mark if caught earlier. The happiest rod for the month was Derek Kane, along time angler, who took his 1st ever Salmon fly fishing the Cherry Tree Hole. The run of Dollaghan was excellent and the average size was 3lb to 5lb. One Belfast angler took a lovely trout of 9lb and there were stories of bigger trout lost. Bobby Quinn took 4 in a day, 2 at 6lb the others 7lb and 8lb. Stevie McMillan finished his season on the river with a brace, both returned, at 4lb each.
MICHAEL SHORTT.