March, in like a lion out like a lamb. Not likely! Though last year we were basking in 20C at the moment it feels like the longest winter ever. Snow is still swirling about in many areas and the temperatures seem colder than ever. The prevailing easterlies all the way from Siberia are to thank for this, and most anglers have had very tough time of it. But as ever there were some who prevailed and succeeded.

This fine haddock did make specimen weight at over 7lb
This fine haddock did made specimen weight at over 7lb and wins Martyn Rayner Catch of the Week

The River Slaney had a huge 7 foot flood at the end of last week but the waters dropped and big salmon to 17lb were soon being accounted for. The Drowes also enjoyed some decent sport and on Lough Currane, which had been pretty much unfishable for many days due to the winds, suddenly came good on Monday and one angler had four salmon  to a whopping 19lb. Delphi also reports some good fishing, particularly on the river. Sea trout are running the Laune and salmon are being taken further up the system. There seems to be a lot of fresh fish at a number of venues so the Easter break might yield some sport despite the cold clutches this weather system has on us.

Trout anglers managed to squeeze in some fine fishing between floods and squalls. And again, though the cold easterlies made fishing impossible much of the time, perseverance made for unlikely catches on Lough Corrib where trout were taking a variety of wets and buzzers. Trout anglers had some exceptional fishing on the Cong Canal last week. This unique piece of water opened on St Patricks Day and many anglers fish all through the night and into the next morning to maximise their chances of hitting into a big fish. A number of specimens were reported recently and the photos testify to some fine fish taken.

Unfortunately Dodder Day had be postponed due to heavy flooding in Dublin. The Dodder Action Group have set a new date of Saturday the 6th of April.

Pike angling reports are thinner on the ground than in previous weeks but a few good fish were reported from Portumna, around Lanesborough and on the River Barrow.

Coarse reports, too, are in short supply but Alan Alphidne landed  26lb 10oz of carp to win the match at Oaklands on Sunday.  Good roach are a possibility despite the cold at Portumna, but few anglers are on the banks. Paul Waghorn is back in Lanesborough and reports that the water is a summer levels and fishing is tough. Paul has just launched his new online radio show and it worth a listen. It broadcasts live on Wednesdays and Saturdays but you can listen online at any time.

One small boat from Waterford had a red letter day last Wednesday before the weather was turned on its head. The crew of Screaming Reels enjoyed fine sunshine, and light winds(!). Using frozen mackerel and razorfish with a variety of rigs the trio had some exciting angling and landed 30 ling to 24lbs, 2 cod to 12lbs, specimen sized haddock, plaice, whiting and poor cod. Martyn Rayner wins Catch of the Week for his 7.05lb haddock. Unbelievably an intrepid kayak angler enjoyed good fishing off the west coast over the weekend. Gary Robinson fishing the Galway seas had so many ray he ran out of bait, succeeding with aplomb where nearby shore anglers had failed.

There will be more flurries of sleet and snow over the weekend, and though it will be mostly dry the cold and wind form the east is set to stay with us a while longer.

The organisers of the FINS Conference are delighted to offer a special day rate for Tuesday 9th April. At €60 per person you get a full day of lectures, book of abstracts, poster session, lunch and refreshments and a chance to hear and meet global Invasive Alien Species experts. Session commences at 8.30am and continues until 18.00pm.

Tight lines,
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.

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A wild morning on Lough Corrib last week
A wild morning on Lough Corrib last week