Written By: Myles Kelly
On Date: 27/5/2016
Most anglers, whether at sea or fishing in freshwater had to fish in extremely bright conditions last week. There were occasional showers, and even the odd thundery downpour but for the most part it was a week of sunny, hot weather in which many fish took to the depths and other shadowy places…
Low water received anglers at most salmon fisheries last week and the Drowes was no exception. Coupled with the hot bright weather, it is no surprise that only a handful of fish were landed. At Ballisodare the conditions were so unsuitable that by Thursday no fish could be caught, although some success was enjoyed to that point with 17 salmon landed. On the Moy the unsuitable conditions took their toll on catches but nonetheless a few really good springers to 19.07lb were caught. The lake fisheries are not so dependent on water levels as the rivers and Carromore’s anglers enjoyed better fishing with 20 salmon for the week. At Lough Beltra this rule of thumb held true and a good number of salmon between 6 and 9lb were taken. Anglers at Delphi had a tough time with low, dead clear water, bright sunshine and hot days, but amazingly a couple of very good fish were had from the river. One river which suffered from a high water was the Corrib at the Galway Fishery where 4 gates were open but there still 11 salmon caught including a a few grilse. There seven fish reported on the Feale last week, but low water has seen the catches dry up. The Laune was not stuck for water last week and as of Monday the levels were described as “beautiful”! Not many salmon are being caught but there are a few sea trout to be had. Unlike the lakes in the west, Currane was not much of a refuge for anglers in the sunny weather and it was only the change in weather early this week that saw a couple of salmon caught. The nearby Owenmore Fishery has also benefitted from the rain and there are now sea trout well distributed through out the system with conditions very favourable to anglers. There were a couple of salmon reports from the Mealagh and Ilen and West Cork and the Bandon also saw a few salmon met by anglers particularly after the small flood they had. The Lee has been quite low and not many salmon are being caught, though there is always the chance that the run of water from the dam might stir a fish if you can present a suitable lure to him.
Salmon fishing highlights
Three fine days fishing at Ballisodare
Magnificent 19 lbs. salmon from River Moy!
Grilse appearing in Galway to boost catches for anglers
Seven salmon from Feale in last week, but levels low now
Mayfly is up now on Loughs Conn and Cullin and some great catches were had over the weekend on dry fly. A few trout were also reported from Lough Arrow where fishing was described as difficult but rewarding and Mayfly are starting to hatch in bigger numbers. There good hatches of Mayfly and Olives across Lough Mask and fishing was excellent despite the challenging conditions. Around the shores of Corrib and on its islands the sight of whitethorn blossom was welcomed by anglers who know that it heralds the Mayfly hatches in earnest. There were some good fish 6lb boated on the dapp, and there are still fish to be had on buzzers and wetfly. It is only in the last 24 hours that Sheelin joined the ranks of those lakes where the Mayfly is up. Fishing to now has mostly been to the buzzers. Buzzer fishing has also seen some great rainbow trout caught on Lough Lene, particularly on dry fly. Hawthorn fly at Carrigavantry produced a great rise of fish at that Waterford rainbow fishery.
Trout fishing highlights
Exciting fishing as Sheelin comes alive !
Some incredible fishing on Mask as mayfly and olives hatches provide great sport
Mayfly up on Corrib as conditions change for the better
After a tough three day event on the beaches of Co Wexford the winners of the EFSA European Shore Angling Championship 2016 were announced last night at the awards ceremony in the Upton Court Hotel in Kilmuckridge. The final placing’s saw German anglers make a clean sweep across the boards with their A Team taking gold in the team event, they also had gold and silver in the individual event and gold and silver in the ladies event. A sterling Irish performance saw the Irish A team improve from bronze to silver on the final day just pipping the Italian B team who took the bronze. Small boat anglers in Cork Harbour are getting some great pollack on fly and lure. At times the fishing can be patchy but there are also some good cod to 8lb to be had. Staying in the Harbour, Catch of the Week goes to Stephen O’Brien for his fabulous 66cm mullet caught on bread fly. A mullet of this size is likely to weigh well in excess of 8lb. Charterboats off the west coast made the most of the settled weather and some great fishing was had off Kerry and Clare with a range of species that included bluemouth and skate
Sea angling highlights
Good reef fishing and skate for Clare charter boats
Superb lively 26 inch mullet from Cork Harbour
The EFSA European Shore Angling Championship 2016 Day 3
Good pike fishing was reported from Lough Gowna where anglers had up to pike to 14lb in a local competition. French and Swiss anglers reported that Lough Oughter is fishing well with pike to 100cm landed. Four Dutch anglers staying in the Longford area had 155 pike with many in double figures. The best was a smashing pike of 29lb. Lough Lene is not just home to Rainbow and brown trout, there are plenty of pike there too and despite blazing sun some good fish have been had recently.
Pike angling highlights
Lough Lene pike angling report
Big Pike for Dutch anglers staying at Melview Lodge
Fine pike for anglers on Lough Oughter
John Boyle wins the Harry Kinkade memorial on Lough Gowna
Congratulations to 2015 Team Ireland Youth International, Jordan Hall who wins the 41st Classic Fishing Festival. Jordan’s incredible catch of 28.180kg,made up of 100 perch, hybrids and roach to 2lbs at Boa Island on Friday secured him the title with a total weight of 59.400kg over the three days of the competition. Fishing on Garadice Lake has improved greatly with some anglers fishing newly cleared swims opposite Paddy Macs and they report 40/50lb mixed bags. Belgian anglers in the Longford area had decent bags of bream and hybrids and also enjoyed good roach and tench fishing. There were also good reports from Ballybay and the Grand Canal at Daingean.
Coarse fishing highlights
Good Bream and Hybrid catches for Belgian guests in Longford
Blazing sunshine for Ballybay Anglers
Jordan wins Classic with 59.400kg over 3 days
Grand Canal at Daingean fishing well ahead of festivals
Inland Fisheries Ireland is seeking submissions from interested parties in respect of a number of proposed Bye-laws pertaining to the Eastern / Neagh Bann International River Basin Districts. Inland Fisheries Ireland intends requesting the Minister to introduce Bye-laws for Lough Lene, Lough Muckno and the River Vartry with a view to enabling improved management of these waters in a sustainable manner. For further information please see: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Public-Consultation/eastern-and-neagh-bann-international-river-basin-districts-revision-update-of-certain-regulations.html
Its going to be a wet weekend with widespread rain over the weekend. Winds will be from the South and Southwest but will swing to the North on Sunday, with more sunny spells, and continue from there through Monday. There may be a return to settled conditions on Tuesday.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.
Salmon fishing reports
Low water levels on the Drowes but a few salmon caught
Anglers on Pegasus doing well in Moy Estuary
Three fine days fishing at Ballisodare
Good salmon fishing on Lough Beltra
Carrowmore Lake continues to fish well
Magnificent 19 lbs. salmon from River Moy!
Low water, bright sunshine, but persistence pays at Delphi
Salmon anglers on the Lee find it slow going
Salmon reports from Ilen and Mealagh rivers
Flood improves fishing on Bandon
Good water on the Laune and a few fish about
Sun stops play on Currane, change brings catches
Grilse appearing in Galway to boost catches for anglers
Bottom pools of Owenmore full of sea trout waiting to run
Seven salmon from Feale in last week, but levels low now
Trout fishing reports
Bright sunny and cloudless days with little fishing on Lough Melvin
Hawthorn flies make dry fly fishing spectacular in Waterford
Difficult but rewarding fishing on Lough Arrow
Mayfly started on Loughs Conn & Cullin
Super rainbow trout fishing on Lough Lene
Exciting fishing as Sheelin comes alive !
Some incredible fishing on Mask as mayfly and olives hatches provide great sport
Mayfly up on Corrib as conditions change for the better
Sea angling reports
Good reef fishing and skate for Clare charter boats
Superb lively 26 inch mullet from Cork Harbour
Bluemouth and more for Kerry charterboat anglers
‘Follow me up to Carlow’ as anglers enjoy the Annual Shad competition
Germany Takes Top Honours at EFSA European Shore Angling Championship 2016
The EFSA European Shore Angling Championship 2016 Day 3
Results from Day 2 of the EFSA European Shore Angling Championship 2016
Pollack on the fly in Connemara
Day 1 Results from the (EFSA) European Shore Angling Championships 2016
Pike fishing reports
Lough Lene pike angling report
Big Pike for Dutch anglers staying at Melview Lodge
Fine pike for anglers on Lough Oughter
John Boyle wins the Harry Kinkade memorial on Lough Gowna
Coarse angling reports
Good Bream and Hybrid catches for Belgian guests in Longford
Blazing sunshine for Ballybay Anglers
Good bags around Garadice Lake, Killykeen, Trinity and Dereskit
Jordan wins Classic with 59.400kg over 3 days
Slow start to the Fermoy Festival Week
Grand Canal at Daingean fishing well ahead of festivals
News clippings
Lisnaske angler scoops Waterways Ireland Classic Fishing festival title, News Letter
Summer is here, make the most of it now, Leitrim Observer
Mighty craic at Wicklow anglers’ annual outing on Lough Mask, Irish Times
Bridge at Thomond Weir set to open up Limerick City, Limerick Post
Top angling talent bound for May fair, Londonderry Sentinel
Other news
There’s brilliant fishing on the Shannon
Eastern and Neagh Bann International River Basin Districts – Revision / Update of Certain Regulations
Mayo Man Jailed for Serious Assault and Fisheries Offences
Recruitment notice: Seasonal Fishery Officers 2016
Save the Date: River Trusts in Ireland Workshop – 01 July Inland Fisheries Ireland
3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, IRELAND.
Tel: +353 1 8842600
Email: info@fisheriesireland.ie
Web: www.fisheriesireland.ie
Irish Angling Update Ezine