"The Trouts"
Ferox | Gillaroo | Croneen

Sonaghen:
Stephen Neylon

The sonaghen trout (Salmo nigripinnis) is a species of salmonid unique to Lough Melvin. It can have a light brown or silvery hue with large, distinctive black spots. There are sometimes small, inconspicuous red spots located along its posterior region. Its fins are dark brown or black with elongated pectorals. Sonaghen spawn between mid-November and mid-December, with 400 degree-days required between egg fertilisation and hatching. Although the sonaghen can share spawning location with gillaroo, the degree of inter-breeding has been shown by Dr. A. Ferguson to be minimal.

Sonaghen are found in areas of open, deep water, where they feed on mid-water planktonic organisms such as water fleas (Clandocera), midge (Chironomid) pupae and phantom (Chaoborus) larvae. It is interesting to note the food segregation between sonaghen and gillaroo. 84% of the sonaghen diet is comprised of mid-water organisms, with only 8% comprising of bottom-dwelling organisms. Conversely, bottom-dwelling organisms account for 92% of the gillaroo diet, with mid-water organisms making up only 6% (Ferguson, 1985).

The average size of sonaghen taken by rod and line on Lough Melvin is less than 1lb (0.45kg), a fish of 1.5lbs being a rare specimen. This is due to the high Cladocera content in their diet. Sonaghen rarely live beyond four to five years of age.

Sonaghen will be most readily located close to the surface over deep water. Fly-fishing with a team of wet flies fished in classic lough style (i.e. short, snappy casts from a boat drifting beam-on to the breeze) gives best chance of success. Sonaghen give a powerful and energetic fight out of all proportion to their size. A characteristic of their fight is plunging, powerful dives into the depths.

Recommended fly patterns:

Also: Invicta, Grey Wulff, Claret Bumble, Kingsmill.

The sonaghen season on Lough Melvin runs from the 15^th of February to the 30^th of September. All trout under 11 inches must be returned. While the sonaghen is a more common species on Melvin than the gillaroo, the population cannot and will not sustain the activities of certain ‘anglers’. These fish are unique, with distinctive genetic characteristics originating from the last Ice Age, some 13,000 years ago. If anglers show these fish the respect they deserve, by limiting their kill rather than killing their limit, then future generations can enjoy these living relics of our past.

Gillaroo, top. Sonaghan, base.