Irish Angling Update – 21/02/2014

The weather has calmed down somewhat in the past week and water levels have started to recede slightly and a few first salmon of the year have been registered on some fisheries in the past week.  Nonetheless anglers should be cautious and watch weather forecasts before venturing out especially in boats at sea or on inland waters.

Charles Quesda from France working with Ian Powell from Blackwater Lodge caught a lovely fresh salmon of 6 lb. on the Cork Blackwater on a spinner and released the fish.  The Drowes continues to fish steadily and there was some nice fish recorded.  Well known angler John Parkinson from Enniskillen caught a nice 8 lb. fish but Joe Broderick caught and released a fine 10 lb. fish and this wins our Catch of the Week.  At long last a 10 lb. salmon has been recorded from Lough Currane and well known angling ghillie, Bob Priestly was the lucky angler. The honour of landing Delphi’s first salmon of 2014 fell to David Duffy of Knockrooskey, Westport who caught a lovely fish of 11 lb. 14 oz. on a Willie Gunn fly.  Conditions were poor on Lough Melvin this week and there were no fish reported from the River Laune as high water prevails all week.

There was some fine pike recorded by anglers fishing with angling guide, Kevin Lyons from Longford.  Ben Habekotte from Kampen city in Holland caught a best fish of 21 lb. 9 oz. and Jean Pierre from Belgium also enjoyed some good pike fishing there.  Up in Monaghan, Angling guide Brendan O’Reilly reports that the Newgrange Active Angling Spring League got under way and with nice pike up to 9 lb. 12 oz. recorded.

There was a great report of shore fishing from the beach at Mullaghmore in Co. Sligo where four anglers recorded 40 fish landed between them including Rockling, Flounder and Coalies.

Angling guide Eamonn Conway reported that he enjoyed good trout fishing on nymphs on the River Glyde which is now open for angling.

In this week’s update, there are plenty of news clippings and other news items including reports on the recent Irish Angling Show at Cloghran last weekend and the Dublin Angling Initiative Family area during the great spectacle.  Other news include forthcoming competitions, offers on fisheries, new fishery byelaws and the sponsorship programme from Inland Fisheries Ireland for 2014.

Take care out fishing and always wear a life jacket when afloat,

Tight lines especially in Ireland,

Paul Bourke
Angling Information Officer

Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].

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Headlines

Salmon fishing reports

• First Salmon of the season on the Munster Blackwater caught and released by Charles Quesda
• Experience tells as John catches another salmon on the River Drowes
• First at Lough Currane as Gillie Bob Priestley celebrates !
• Duff lands Delphi’s first salmon of 2014
• Boats did not venture out on a wintery Lough Melvin
• 3 Salmon caught on the Drowes despite very high water
• Laune still out of action as water levels remain high

Pike fishing reports

• A tough battle but visitors rewarded with a good pike at Melview
• Barrow Piker father and son catch pike from their backwater hideouts in Carlow
• Newgrange Active Angling Update

Sea angling reports

• 40 fish landed in Mullaghmore including Rockling , Flounder and Coalies

Trout fishing reports

• Nymphs Bring Early Season Success for Eamonn