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Irish Angling Update 🎣 15 March 2024

S

pring is here, with milder temperatures this week. Daffodils and tulips are up, the birds are busy building nests, and this weekend the hordes will be attending St. Patrick’s Day parades up and down the country, and further afield. The patron saints day also marks the start of the season on many rivers, and for those already open, the bank holiday weekend is also the first chance for many anglers to get out. Although angling reports are sparse this week, every week now will bring better weather and more anglers out, and we hope to hear more of your angling stories and catches soon.

Trout

St. Patrick’s Day is often the start of the duckfly fishing on the western loughs, and hatches have been picking up a lot this week on Corrib, where trolling is still producing some nice fish.

Brenda Montgomery reports that the start of the season on Lough Sheelin was marked by a snowstorm, which brought a halt to the opening day gallop for many. Despite the cold, many still made it out. The best catches to date have been taken on lures like minkies and snakes, but the duckfly fishing should come into its own this week.

River fishing is also picking up. Mark Driver enjoyed a day out with a friend on the Little Brosna and Camcor Rivers in Co. Offaly, two delightful rivers that rarely feature in angling reports.

Salmon fishing was fairly quiet this past week, but there was one more springer to report on Lough Currane, where wet and windy weather kept most anglers off the lake.

High water levels made for difficult river conditions, but there were two salmon reported from the River Flesk. The second draw for brown tags for River Lee anglers is now open too.

This week’s Ireland on the Fly podcast features the famous River Slaney. This river, that was once the doyen of spring salmon rivers in Ireland, has suffered more than most in recent times but there are still anglers and custodians of the Slaney that are fighting to keep it going and recover. Daire and Tom chat to Richard Burgess, former chairman of the Slaney River Trust.

slaney salmon

Finally, some good news for fans of the River Moy webcam – after many technical difficulties over the last year, the webcam is now operational again and can be viewed or bookmarked here.

First time pike anglers Andy and Shelby from the USA fished with Chris Scally of Fish Tales guiding and had a great time, landing 5 fish including this fine pike of 101cm for Andy.

Big pike and big smiles for Andy

Seamus Bracken and his friends had a great day of piking on a Co. Antrim venue, with some fantastic fish landed, including a brace of twenties for AnnMarie, whose 25lbs fish is our Catch of the Week.

And the other one…

Coarse

A high, fast-flowing River Erne proved no deterrent for the Erne Anglers, whose ninth leg of their winter league provided good fishing, with all section winners landing over 5kgs. Arthur Dudek won the overall first prize with 15.825Kgs.

Elsewhere, Clive Sleter took another win to clinch the Munster Coarse Anglers winter league at O’Briensbridge, putting together a 6lbs 9oz bag in difficult conditions where many struggled.

Young Anthony and dad Dan were out and about in the southeast, where Anthony showed his angling skills by landing some nice carp on a local pond. Both are looking forward to the Easter break from school and better weather too.

carp

On the sea angling front, the weather lately hasn’t been conducive to getting afloat, but Killybegs Fishing Trips took advantage of breaks in the wind and rain to get out on Donegal Bay. Some good pollack and cod were the reward for the hardy anglers who went out.

Nice Cod and pollack for anglers on the Fiona Tee

Long casting to find doggies proved the difference on the east coast, as Alby Allan managed just that win the South Shore competition at Roney Point with 44 fish! Many anglers had multiple hookups on every cast, with doggies, whiting, dabs and flounder. That’s some fishing!

A well prepared bait tray

 

And now the weather…

Today is a lovely spring day, with plenty of sunshine and just the odd shower, but Saturday looks pretty wet everywhere, with rain persisting for most of the day. Sunday looks showery, with good sunny spells too, and mild temps of 9-13C in light winds. Hopefully most parade-goers will stay dry!

The outlook for next week is for more sunshine and showers, very mild with temps of 12-15C but winds strengthening by Tuesday.

Make sure to check the forecast before going afloat and if you’re going to sea, don’t forget to check the tides.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected] and don’t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicated Angling Ireland Facebook page.

All the angling news

Salmon Fishing Reports

Trout Fishing Reports

Coarse Angling Reports

Pike Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

Other News

Ireland on the Fly: The River Slaney, queen of Irish Rivers

slaney salmon

This week on Ireland on the Fly, Daire & Tom turn their attention to the famous River Slaney…

The river that was once the doyen of spring salmon rivers in Ireland has suffered more than most in recent times but there are still anglers and custodians of the Slaney that are fighting to keep it going and recover.

slaney salmon

And to hear more about their work as well as those halcyon days, they’re joined by Richard Burgess, former chairman of the Slaney River Trust.

Plus, Tom was a recent guest speaker at the illustrious Fly Fishers’ Club in London and he has some insights into its hallowed halls and collection.

Listen & follow on Apple or Spotify:
https://pod.fo/e/227590

slaney salmon

Duckfly up on Corrib as trolling still producing good fish

Word on the pier is that duckfly hatches are increasing this week all over the lake, with spooned trout from the lower lake reportedly feeding well on buzzers. Milder weather over the next few days, although wet, should see another improvement, with the next week possibly seeing the peak of the duckfly hatch.

Angling guide Jasper Mathews of Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences has been out with a couple of clients recently and put them on to some nice fish. Arnulf kicked pff his trip with this lovely ferox, which he was clearly delighted with!

Keith booked a day with Jasper last weekend, and despite the cold, managed some nice fish on plugs, including his personal best.

Last week was bitterly cold, but Ed and Padraig enjoyed their day out with Jasper, the cold meaning they had the lake to themselves. This beautifully coloured fish caught on the troll was the pick of the bunch for the lads.

Go Fishing

Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences
Jasper runs Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences, providing bespoke guided fishing for salmon, trout or saltwater species. To book a guiding trip with Jasper you can give him a call on 087 6031975, or check out the new website: wildatlanticangling.com

Rough week on Currane but another springer reported

Lough Currane
A wild day on Lough Currane

Vincent Appleby reports from the shore of Lough Currane…

8/3/2024 Local Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com reports that there was just two boats out this morning and came off the lake early because it got wild out there with a strong East wind blowing, followed by strong gusts and overcast all day. Now to yesterday’s comments on yesterday’s notes, quote of the notes goes to Mr. Denis Kealy and I quote ‘No spins no flys just facts’ at it again. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall was 3.6 mm, amount of sunshine was 1.4, just for the record the sun is measured hourly.

9/3/2024 Straight to the action, A local Currane angler caught a fine 11 lbs. 9 0z Salmon on the troll and just for the record that’s the first Salmon to be registered for the Ernest MH Appleby memorial cup sponsored by Fogarty’s Centra, Waterville. Wind NNE light to fresh followed by good cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rain fall 0, amount of sunshine 0.1

10/3/2024 On the Lough Currane Wild Atlantic salmon it was all quiet in all departments, just the odd Kelt caught and released. Wind NNE light and variable followed by bright sunshine. Yesterday’s weather, Trace of rain, the amount of sunshine was 0.7

11/3/2024 Just one boat out and all quiet on the western front. Wind WSW veered SW veered again into SSW come late into the afternoon veered again into the South, followed by good cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather. Maximum air temperature 9.1 c. amount sunshine 0.5. Staying with the weather, Kerry is on a yellow warning as from today until Wednesday click  www.met.ie/warnings-today.html

12/3/2024 I start with a correction on yesterday’s notes, yes I failed miserably in my duties for not checking my notes, I reported that there was just one boat out. This was incorrect and just for the record there were 6 boats out, so my apologies for that. Now back to the present. Www.fishingwithdom.com reports that the Currane waters were too rough this day.  Wind SW fresh to strong and overcast all day. Staying with the weather, Kerry is still in a yellow rain warning for tomorrow. Yesterday’s weather, the amount of rainfall yesterday was 19.3 mm. Max air temp 11.9c. Max sunshine 0.4.

13/3/2024 The Currane anglers were all quiet this day in all departments. Wind light to calm NNE followed by good cloud cover. Staying with the weather, Kerry is on a orange rain warning   www.met.ie/weather-forecast/lough-currane-kerry#forecasts they are forecasting 50 mm of rainfall. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 5.4 mm. Amount of sunshine 00.

14/3/2024 The Lough Currane wild Atlantic Salmon were all quiet in the Cheltenham stream this day. The same couldn’t be said for the Currane anglers, or you could say this is classified information if you get my drift. Wind SW light to fresh and overcast. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 20.4 mm. Amount of sunshine was 0.1.

Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry.
Telephone: +353 (0) 87 207 4882
E-mail:[email protected]
Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com

Sea Trout – Catch and release only

Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.

The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-

  • the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
  • the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
  • the waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

FLEKSI

A new online survey has been developed by IFI for the Currane catchment to gather anglers’ knowledge – the survey method called FLEKSI was developed by IFI to help give an insight into the status of the fishery. Currane Anglers are needed for Citizen Science survey to examine fish stocks

Go fishing…

Find out more about Lough Currane…

The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see:

Waterville lakes and river system

Guides and boat hire

Cloghvoola Fishing Lodge

Address Cloghvoola Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 66 9478009 Website: cloghvoola.com

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/

Fly Fishing on Lough Currane

Address Termons Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353(0) 87 922 8659 Phone: +353(0) 66 9474146 Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com

Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Website: lakelandshouse.com

Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Website: oshealoughcurrane.com

Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie

Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Website: salmonandseatrout.com

Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800

Piscari-Fly Newsletter 14 March

Peter is back with a weekly round up from Piscari-Fly…

How’s the Fishing?

Over the weekend Mark headed across to Co.Offaly to the Little Brosna River. A river he knows well from living in the area for a few years. Always reporting a great river to hit early season and during the year. Mark started off fishing the upper stretches near Roscrea getting some early fish in during the morning, before making his way further down stream back towards Birr. However further downstream the river was much higher. So Mark headed across to the Camcor River (A tributery of the Little Brosna). Heading to a few spots he knew, into fish straight away with his fishing partner for the day. Nymphing was the main method for the day due to cold conditions. Some large olives coming off the water, but little to no surface activity seen. Mark reported fish holding tight to bottom and in the slack eddys and tail ends of runs, which is exspected this time of year. Some fish were feeding hard & others taking soft and slack so contact with nymphs and leader was important. Marks setup was the new Piscari Fly Venator 10’6 2wt with Semi Automatic reel, along with aggressive tapered nymphing leader and tippet down to a 3mm glo-brite rib hare caddis on dropper and his favourite version of a black frenchie on the point for a 3.5mm. Catching several fish for his day out on the two rivers, with some good conditions, along with finally getting to catch some Irish Trout on the Venator “it is just something else” Looking forward to the finished version arriving the end of March in store.

 

Well done to all anglers who fished the Munster Masters river competition at the weekend. Well done to Dave O’Donovan who came first place with 3 placing points followed by Tom Beecher and Michael Twohig who came 2nd and third respectively. Conna angling club ran a great event.

Wishing everyone well for the season ahead, with the season under way for all from St Patricks Day. Tight lines and Stay safe.

Buzzer Mania

Some recent infomation from fellow anglers there is duckfly starting to show on Lough Sheelin, Corrib and other lakes. We have been very busy tying duckfly buzzers, wets and Campo buzzers for anglers looking forward to some fantastic action using this method. If you get it right it can be a thrilling take & fight aswell as great day out. Over the coming weeks we will be getting out ourselves on the duckfly and buzzer hatches on various lakes after those exciting takes that can be got from buzzer fishing. Make sure to contact us if you wish to learn more on buzzer fishing or looking for the right setup or flies to get you going.

 

Don’t forget to get in touch if you need anything for the season [email protected].


 

​Tackle Bag

 

Large Waterproof Fly box

Fantastic large waterproof fly box can carry 956b flies. Ideal to carry all types of flies. Perfect deep section on one leaf of the box for your Klinkhammers, offering protection for your posts.

https://piscari-fly.com/collections/piscari-large-waterproof-fly-box/

or to check out our full stock of fly boxes click here https://piscari-fly.com/product-category/fly-fishing/fly-boxes/

We have loads of accessories here to satisfy your needs for the season so be sure to pop in some day you are passing by.

 


What’s Coming?

Don’t forget the Irish Spring Angling Fair is on the bank holiday weekend in May, a great family event. It promises to be bigger and better at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre on the 4th and 5th May 2024.

It will be a weekend packed with demonstrations and seminars on salmon, trout, sea trout, bass, pike, and sea fishing. The Kids Zone was a phenomenal hit with children (and parents) last year so will continue to promote angling to the youth.

The large Fair Marquee will also be back full of angling stands and traders keen to offer a bargain. The marquee will again house the many Fly-Tying demonstrations that were so popular last year.

https://irishspringanglingfair.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/irishspringanglingfair for more information.


About us

Based on the River Nore just outside Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland. Piscari-Fly is a growing Fly Tying and Fly-Fishing business with a vast amount of experience and knowledge. If there is ever anything I can do to make my service better for you please feel free to suggest it to me and I’ll gladly try my best to accommodate your requests. Thanks again. Peter Driver.

As a small business we depend on the satisfaction of our customers and there word of mouth reference, google reviews are important to our online presence and we sure would appreciate your review. Just head over to this link and give us a quick review.

Thanks for the support its greatly appreciated

Peter Driver.

Piscari-Fly, Woolengrange, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 Y860, Ireland, 0879787040

Lure craft – the GlideDiator parts 2 & 3

Norbert Renaud of L’ile Verte Pike Fishing Lodge continued his lure creation series on his YouTube channel last week with parts 2 and 3 of the ‘GlideDiator’ crafting process. Full of tips, tricks and great insight into the how and the why, Norbert leaves no stone unturned in his quest for lure design perfection.

Norbert uses easily obtainable tools and materials to create the templates, molds and finished products – doing all the finding out so that you don’t have to. The best thing about it though, is that Norbert does all of the hard work, and if you want to get your hands on one of his fishy creations, you can do so through his online shop! Details in the videos below – don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel.

 

 

High water levels make for difficult salmon fishing in the southwest

Going fishing

Salmon reports from the southwest have been scarce so far this year. High water levels impacted on salmon angling on the Laune and Killarney Lakes as well as on the Munster Balckwater and the River Bride. Two salmon, however, were reported from the Flesk when levels dropped somewhat during the week. Another salmon was reported from Lough Currane.

Erne Anglers Winter League – Round 9

Thirty two anglers fished match 9 of the Erne Anglers Winter League, on a fast flowing, high River Erne, with a very cold easterly wind. The match fished really well with every section winning weight over 5kgs.

Winner of match 9 was Arthur Dudek (Ring 3) winning the £168 first prize with 15.825Kgs.

Runner Up was Dave Slater with 14.275Kgs on Ring 5 with Dave Williams 11.250Kgs – also on the Ring – on peg 8.

Other Section winners were Gary Drew 5.075Kgs on Cornagrade High, Ewan Weed 9.850Kgs on Bellenaleck Marina, John Potters 5.525Kgs on QE Road & Police Jetty, Tony Evans 5.500Kgs on the Round O and Colin Martin on Derrychara with 6.025kgs.

John Potters now leads the league on 42 points, the next match (the final one in the league) will be in two weeks’ time on the 24 March.

Northern Ireland

 

Doggies swing the balance in South Shore SAC competition

Well sheltered...

Fourty four anglers from South Shore SAC were back on the beaches at the weekend for the latest round of the Leinster League. As has become the norm this winter, their original plan to fish Morriscastle had to be scrapped due to high water, so they headed off to fish split zones on Roney Point and Ballinoulart.

Well sheltered…

Fishing was good from the first cast, with whiting, dabs, flounder and doggies all coming in in quick succession. Roney Point was the place to be as anglers stationed there were getting multiple hook ups on most casts. Over on Ballinoulart fishing was slower, but those that opted to chuck it long were rewarded with some better fishing, including the odd doggie.

A well-prepared bait tray

But the winner on the day came from Roney Point, as Alby Allan landed a nice dogfish on his final cast to take the zone and overall win with 44 fish, with Thomas Keogh running him very close with 42 fish to give him second place. Over in Ballinoulart, the dogs made the difference, and Ciaran Fogarty won the zone with 15 fish.

Doggies made the difference…

See the full report of the day’s action on the South Shore SAC Facebook page.

 

USA guests have super first pike trip with Fish Tales

Chris Scally of Fish Tales guiding was in touch to let us know how his recent guests, Andy and Shelby from the USA, fared on their first pike fishing outing. They got a lucky break with the weather and were able to cast their floats out in relative calm, meaning they were nice and visible to see the takes.

A well-kitted-out boat, ready for action on a rare calm day

And there were plenty of those takes, resulting in 5 fish landed and numerous dropped runs, making for an eventful day.

A small one for Shelby

But, as the session wore on, one float shot off like a torpedo, and the guys knew it must be a better stamp of fish. And after a good struggle a fine 101cm pike just over the 20lb mark was brought to the boat.

Big pike and big smiles for Andy

All fish were returned unharmed, and if you fancy a day out with Chris, with all gear supplied and a packed lunch, all you have to do is just turn up and fish…

Whattsapp or phone on 0871823805
Please fish in a sustainable manner