Snow and ice gripped the country earlier this week but the the conditions are a bit milder now, though that’s not to say things don’t feel cold in the fresh winds that are gusting about in some places. Sea angling reports are still in short supply as few boat anglers have ventured out in recent times. For freshwater anglers it was also a quiet week with harsh conditions to contend with and high water at many venues.
The Polish Pole Anglers fished the second competition of their Spring League at Albert’s Marina, Co. Roscommon. Neither the anglers nor the fish were put off by the changeable weather and there were some good bags made up. The biggest fish was caught by Mariusz, a beautiful rudd measuring 33 cm.

Pike anglers in Fermanagh had to work hard to find a venue as the Erne system is very high just now. However there is still some good sport to be had with pike and perch chasing soft plastics last weekend. Belgian anglers Jean Pierre and Nick endured bitter weather in Co. Longford but it was all worth it in the end as Nick caught a lovely 24lb 2oz pike. This is a personal best for Nick, on his 19th trip to Melview Lodge. Kayak anglers out on venues in Cavan and Monaghan had some enjoyable fishing. Both report that the fishing was quiet in the morning and it was over shallow water where pike were eventually met, despite the cold.
There was a small bit of small boat fishing in Cork Harbour last week, but the opportunities to get out have been very limited by the weather. There are still a good few cod about and though they are not as big as in previous years they provide plenty of sport on light tackle. Staying in Cork the West Cork and District SAC report on their first competition of the year fish at Broadstrand. Scratching tactics were needed and in the end there were 71 fish landed, 8 species in all.
On Lough Mask there were a couple of good bags for early season anglers fishing sinking lines over shallow ground, but the conditions have been difficult. Rainbow warriors at Ardaire Springs had some serious big fish action with one angler landing 2 big fish estimated at 14lb and 20lb.
Just before the weekend another springer was reported at Delphi. The fishery has done unusually well so far this year and with the recent run of salmon on the Drowes there is a feeling that it might be shaping up to be a good year for salmon anglers. That said it was a quiet week on the Donegal river where rising water levels made for unproductive fishing. Weather and wind dominated the reports from Lough Currane where few boats have been out given the conditions. The Bandon has reported it first fish of the year, caught by Jason Nash who was well up for the task coming fresh from a successful trip to the Drowes the previous week. Ian Powell tells us the Blackwater Lodge got March off to a good start with two salmon recorded. Ian reports that there are fresh fish being seen and met as far as 15 miles upstream of Mallow, so it looks as if there is a good head of spring fish in the system.
The weather is likely to be pretty unpleasant in the next couple of days. At the time of writing there is a Status Orange Wind Warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick and a Status Yellow Wind Warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary and Waterford. South to southwest gales developing overnight on coasts from Valentia to Erris Head to Malin Head will extend to all coasts and the Irish Sea during tomorrow, increasing to strong gale force on western and northern coasts. Needless to say, take all sensible precautions if you are going fishing over the weekend.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Pike fishing reports
- Kayak anglers finds pike among the reeds at Monaghan Venue
- Kayaks in Cavan for pike fishing
- Belgian anglers catch pike to 24lb on 19th trip to Longford
- Rough weather piking for a hardy soul
Salmon fishing reports
- Few boats venture out on Melvin
- Drowes is quiet with little to report but rising waters!
- March starts well with Two Springers on the 1st for Blackwater Lodge
- “We’re not amused” echo both the salmon and the anglers when they see the Currane weather
- A Delphi round-up from David McEvoy
- Savage fishing by Jason as he catches the first springer from the Bandon
- The fish keep coming at Delphi…
- Water levels rise on the Drowes
Trout fishing reports
- Baltic conditions on Mask but some good catches last week
- Super size rainbows for Adriano at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre
Coarse angling reports
Sea angling reports
- Scratchy fishing at Broadstrand for West Cork and District SAC
- Cork Small Boat anglers are looking forward to a break in the windy weather!
News clippings
- River Runner: The River Lee and the Wild Atlantic Salmon – RTE.ie
- Three Convicted Of Illegal Fishing In Connemara – Afloat.ie
- New traps to aid eels migration – Breaking News .ie
- Ballina Circuit Court Affirms Convictions For Fisheries-Related Offences – Afloat.ie
- Angling Notes: Anglers have every angle covered at annual fishing expo in Swords – Irish Times
- Anglers bring in more revenue in Ireland than golfers – Irish Examiner
- Waterways Ireland Proposes Changes To Lough Erne Bye-laws – Afloat.ie
- Fish Farming Company Fined for Damage to Salmonid River – Afloat.ie
- Minister won’t give fish farm timescale – Connacht Tribune
- Award winning film addresses saving salmon – The Cordova Times
- Pike Fishing Qualifier next Sunday in Ballinamore – Leitrim Observer
- Three Convicted for Obstruction and Assault on Fishery Officers in Mayo – Afloat.ie
- Dingle fisheries officer honoured for identifying rare fish – Irish Times
- Two Galway rivers show less than good compliance in new water standard survey – Galway Advertiser
- Craigavon Lakes To Host Angling Worlds This May – Afloat.ie
- Man Convicted for Illegal Fishing in Galway – Afloat.ie
- Ulster Canal Restoration To Commence From Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson – Afloat.ie
Other news
