After the generally unsettled weather of the weekend we saw something like summer weather over the last few days and all across the country there are hopes that water levels will continue to drop and rivers to clear. Although it is hard to generalise, as some fisheries report low water levels, high water temperatures and blazing sunshine making for difficult conditions! Sea anglers (probably) had the some of the best of the fishing on offer and despite strong winds on some days we had good reports from charter boats as well as anglers fishing from the shore.

Conor and Liam with their specimen gilthead bream
Conor and Liam both win Catch of the Week for their specimen gilthead bream

All reports from the River Moy  indicate that conditions have been difficult, with water levels fluctuating and just 250 fish were taken by anglers this week. It was a similar story at Lough Beltra but there was some great sea trout action with up to 20 fish to a boat early last week. The Munster Blackwater has had 6 big floods nearly back to back already this August but now that levels are dropping following the most recent deluge salmon fishing is improving. There were a few salmon and sea trout from Lough Currane last week and on the Laune fishing is expected to improve as the levels there continue to fall. On the Nore salmon anglers were champing at the bit and at the first sign of fishable water returned to the river. A few salmon were taken and more are expected as the river continues to improve. Angling guide and casting instructor Eamonn Conway reports that water conditions are now perfect on the Fane and Castletown rivers in the North East.

On Lough Owel the Patti Doolan shield was won by Danny Cole on a difficult day. Some better fishing is possible in the evenings when the sedges hatch. Anglers on Sheelin also found daytime fishing tough but prospects improved in the evenings. Angling guide and fly casting instructor Philip Maher had great fishing on the River Suir right inside the town of Clonmel. Using novel techniques and fishing from a boat some fine trout were landed.

Pat Ruddy won the  41st Annual two day International Boat Angling Competition at Belmullet which was contested by over 40 anglers. At Courtmacsherry a wide range of species were taken by charter boat anglers. Blue sharks made up part of the catch and some stone bass were seen feeding in the rubby dubby trail but could not be hooked. Blue sharks also featured in catches reported from outside Cork Harbour, off the Clare coast and as far north as Downings, Co. Donegal.  At the Grauvell West Coast Shore League  on Keel beach in Achill fishing was quite good, with good numbers of turbot and the odd flounder coming in throughout the competition. Charter boat fishing on Galway Bay is also productive with some great tope on offer. Bass angling continues to improve and this week there are reports from Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Kerry.

There was some great coarse fishing at Lanesborough recently and Paul Waghorne had almost 100 bream to nearly 8lbs following the clearing of the swims there by IFI staff. Despite winter flood levels on Lough Muckno  and surrounding waters the lakes continue to produce quality fishing. Good fishing was also reported from the Longford area where big nets of bream, roach and tench were taken by UK and Belgian anglers. Tench of around 3lb are making up the bulk of catches on Lough Patrick at the moment but coarse fishing in the Mullingar area in general is described as slow.

Over the next couple of days winds are likely to shift to the north and northwest and it will once again become unsettled with more rain to come. It might be a pretty good weekend from an angling point of view so make an effort to get out, schools are back next week…

Tight lines especially in Ireland,
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release


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Salmon fishing on the River Bann
Salmon fishing on the River Bann