The weather for the early part of January has been incredibly mild but in the last day or so this is predicted by the Met office to change and the first frosts of the new year have occurred in the last two days and look set to continue.  The west and midlands of Ireland have seen a lot of rainfall so far this year and many watercourses are in flood but water levels are generally okay in the east and north east.

Richie Ryan wins Catch of the Week with a lovely early season Mullet taken on fly

Down on the River Barrow, anglers are catching some nice roach, dace and small hybrids coupled with some pike.  Up in Co. Cavan, there was top quality angling continued on Lough Ramor with anglers catching plenty of roach and hybrids in the Virginia town area with many young anglers enjoying the sport.

The River Barrow is fishing well for pike in most areas and some nice fish up to double figures were reported.  Up on Lough Muckno the “Pike Rigs R Us” fished and made a tackle Donation to Charity.  The good pike fishing continues on Lough Ramor with shore fishing in the Virginia area very productive for anglers fishing deadbaits.  Ray McElhinney from Laytown caught a lovely fish of 17 lb. 5 oz during the week.

There was no more salmon caught on the River Drowes in the past week but there is hope for more salmon as the water levels drop.    The Lackagh River is back open for salmon after 7 years and more fisheried open next week on the 17th of January when the season starts on Lough Currane and the Killarney fisheries.

Down in West Cork , there was a lovely early season mullet caught on the fly by angling guide Richie Ryan which wins our Catch of the Week award.  Shore Sea Anglers should not  miss out on the 25th Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival which takes place on east coast venues very soon.  There was a good start with a bass caught on the fly from the shore near Cahersiveen.

Trout anglers Rang in the New Year at Curragh Springs Fishery with some fine rainbow trout.  A 4 g metal wobbler with a barbless single ends the day with some fine Rainbows for Jay.

Finally the annual Irish Specimen Fish Committee are publishing their report and anglers should log into the website at http://www.irish-trophy-fish.com/

Tight lines,

Paul Bourke

Catch, Photo, Release

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A clear winter's day at Ballinahinch
A clear winter's day at Ballinahinch