Murphy’s law applied during the August Bank Holiday weekend. While the rest of Europe basked in the sunshine and heat, Ireland contended with gales and downpours. Our army of brave anglers fought the weather on the river banks, on the lakes and on the seas. On the optimistic side though the floods did bring some fresh fish into the system and now that the rivers are beginning to fine off anglers are feeling the benefits…..

The first day of August saw four fish landed in Delphi and many more expected during the week as conditions are conducive to salmon fishing at the moment and there is a steady number of fish still running. Costello & Fermoyle in Galway saw sea trout fishing improve, 101 were caught since July 25th which were small but fresh and plump. Erriff fishery had 35 salmon mostly grilse averaging 3lbs to 5lbs but anglers Gerard Garnier and Joe Burke had salmon each estimated at 12lbs which they later released. Well done lads.

Tidal sections of the Moy were hard to fish but mid-river was easier with Rinanny recording the highest numbers. Worm and spinner worked best, German couple Rita and Ullrich Mohaupt had three fish at Cloongee Fishery. Rising water levels affected angling on Ballisodare, yet 100 salmon were reported. Sea trout are still running Glencar Lake in good numbers much to the delight of Sligo Anglers Association club member, Ken Kinsella who caught two 2lbers there.

A super 164lb skate
A specimen 164lb skate for Dirk Crauwell is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner

The green and gold shirts of Kerry may have defeated the Lilly whites during the weekend in football but the Kerry anglers had to admit defeat on the Currane when weather conditions made it impossible to fish. Storm force winds on Monday kept anglers very quiet. Earlier in the week Dutch Angler Wim Woermeijer did however catch a fine grilse on a secret fly (which he’ll disclose to no one!) in very tough conditions within 6 casts. Wim also caught and released 2 fine Sea Trout, both in the 3 ½ lbs range.

Owenmore fishery again was hard going; local anglers had one salmon over 10 lbs and 3 grisle between 5 /6 lbs. Again on the Cork rivers it was the locals who performed best, the Lee had 12 peel mostly on the fly, the Bandon saw some salmon and grilse with the most successful methods being shrimp and worm.

The Munster Blackwater cheered 15 year old Jack Hughes from the U.K up to no end as he caught a cracking salmon weighing 18½lbs at Fort William. Water levels are dropping back nicely and fishing for the coming week should be good.

Brenda Montgomery IFI summed up the gift of passing on the art of angling with a lovely quote from Charles R Swindoll this week “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children” and what better way than give them memories of the river banks, the lakes or seas. Sheelin’ evening sedge, Murrough and the Green Peter teased the trout out of the water this week. The Blue moon on Friday July 31st drove the trout into a feeding frenzy. There were 72 trout recorded this week, the heaviest being 5lbs by Paddy Lyons of Cavan. The McDonnell cup will be fished there tomorrow August 8th.

Unfortunately the final day of the Lough Mask World cup had to be postponed due to weather conditions. Just over 500 anglers participated in this year’s competition from all across Ireland and the UK. Those brave enough to tackle Lough Conn & Cullin enjoyed good catches. Green Peter and wet fly pattern worked best.

Lough Corrib was a busy place this week. Great activity on mayfly patterns and sedge patterns to a lesser degree. In the Greenfields area well known angler Vincent Hughes had a personal best while dapping Monday last with a trout weighing 7.062 Lbs on a cricket.

Ballybay Angling Association tell us that Sunday morning’s club knock up saw 17 anglers turned out at a blustery Yellow Island on Lough Muckno. Piotr Horbinski took first place with 9.8 kgs. Lough Ramor, like the rest of the country had high winds last weekend but at Coronagh fishing was possible. Red maggots produced fish straight away for anglers. Perch, the odd roach and some fine hybrids made up the catches. Later as this week settled down, Ramor came into its own with a fine array quality hybrids and roach.

The four day Annual Belturbet Festival took place; two days on Killykeen, one on Rockfield and one on Glasshouse. Harsh conditions but Wayne Fuller, Ballinagh managed 34.710kg. A date to add to the diary is NCFFI All Ireland Club Championship, Bobby Smither’s Memorial Cup which is on Inniscarra Lake Coachford on August 15th and 16th.

Pike fishing didn’t make any headlines this week and most areas were quiet. The next Championship qualifier will be held on a river on Sunday 9th August. As the original area chosen is unsuitable at present a different venue is being discussed. Details can be had from John Chambers on 086 6057306. The top 6 anglers qualify to fish in the Final which will be held on a Saturday next April. Anglers use 1 rod and can fish anywhere they like on the lake. The venue has been fishing very well and good catches are anticipated. To enter you must be a member of one of the 70+ clubs affiliated to the Federation. If you are not a member of one of these clubs you can easily join one at the check in for around €10 for 2015. The entry fee is €15 and there is an optional €5 pool for the heaviest pike on the day. Details on IFPAC site.

Rosguill skipper Michael McVeigh tells us he was fishing by the dozen. He had lovely catches of reef cod around Tory. A dozen on one day’s trip ! Gary Robinson and Craig Murphy were at the opposite side of the country at Wicklow. The two kayakers ventured forth with a selection of frozen and live crab and went on the hunt for hounds and dogfish. No problem catching fish with these two seasoned anglers. Gary reminds us of the Irish Kayak opening which takes place in Courtmacsherry on Saturday August 15th. Many super prizes to be won.

The following weekend Mullaghmore SAC are holding an open on Sunday 23rd of August on Tullan Strand Bundoran.

Mark Gannon skipper at Courtmacsherry hauled in some fine fish during bad weather. The biggest of these being a skate weighing 164 lbs. This fish didn’t make things easy for the angler Dirk Crauwell and put up some battle. ‘Catch of the Week’ goes to Dirk and his fine skate for handling difficult conditions well. They also had ling up to 20lbs. Up the coast at Galway, the Brazen Hussy 2 danced with the blue sharks and John Fleming said he had 4 blues up to 88lb which were all tagged and released.

Declan Kilgannon was in safe hand with a little crew man called Josh at his side. This young man took the stormy seas and the giants of the ocean in his stride and boated some excellent sharks. I’m sure we will hear much more from Josh in years to come.

Guide Richie Ryan came to the aid of a lady angler called Nathalie Peters from France when the pollack she was catching today on the fly was so big she needed assistance to bring it onboard. On that note I wish you all tight lines and safe fishing this week and may you all have fish so big you need assistance with them !

Nancy Hearne

Catch, Photo, Release

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Sheelin boat takes a rest...
Sheelin boat takes a rest…