The settled weather of the weekend lasted for most of this week and anglers in most parts enjoyed the opportunity to get out and fish in pleasant conditions. Of course the light winds made for tough fishing at venues where anglers like a bit of wind to ruffle the water’s surface but for others it meant the chance to do something out of the ordinary…

Irish tuna on fly
Sidney Kennedy wins Catch of the Week for his albacore tuna on fly

On the River Boyne levels have fallen following rains from the previous weeks and some good salmon fishing is possible in the lower reaches and indeed further upriver. Fishing has not been easy on the Munster Blackwater recently but a few fish have been reported at Fort William and on the Blackwater Lodge beats. The rain forecast for tomorrow has lifted spirits as anglers expect the extra water to bring up more fresh fish. The rain will also be welcomed by anglers on the Lee, Bandon and other West Cork and Kerry rivers where levels are low. Lough Currane saw a score or more sea trout to 5lb landed since our last update and again millpond conditions made for tough angling on a number of days. There was a small improvement reported by anglers on the Laune and the much talked of rain will hopefully bring further improvements. Though a few salmon were caught on the Erriff, fishing was slow and hopes are pinned on the coming rains. Fishing has been tough on Delphi too but September should see things pick up as it does most years. The Moy saw a small improvement as water levels dropped last week, but few anglers are fishing. The message from one German visitor who had 3 grilse in one day was to get out on the water. Although few anglers are on the Drowes, and it seems to be quiet a party of French anglers had 26 salmon last week and thoroughly enjoyed their time on the river. The same could not be said for anglers on the Owenea who fished in hope rather than expectation in very low water levels.

On Lough Corrib, late hatches of olives and sedges have been providing anglers with good sport over the last week. Although many are fishing wets some great bags were had on dry fly with fish to over 4lb landed. Anglers fishing a competition on Ennel on Sunday found it difficult and just a handful of fish were returned. Better fishing was had by those competing in Lough Owel’s recent competitions. Stocked lake fisheries are also reporting good fishing. Some fine rainbows were taken on a variety of flies by anglers at Lough Lene, Ardaire Springs, Carrigavantry and Cashel Trout Fishery.

On Sunday 61 anglers entered the IFPAC qualifier which was fished near Shannonbridge. Fishing was pretty patchy apart from one section which fished really well and between them they caught 260 pike to 15lb 09oz. Anglers on Corrib were enjoying more than the trout fishing last week and one lucky pair had a few good pike including a couple of fish of 14lb and 22lb. Some of the East Clare lakes are returning modest catches at moment but hopefully things will improve for Lough Graney Angling Club’s next competition on 18 October. A German angler piking in the Foxford area had some great fishing including pike to over 1m on the troll and numerous double figure fish on fly.

The World Pairs got off to a flying start this week and already we have had some great weights by individual anglers to over 18kg. Cathal Hughes and Philip Jackson were on top of the leader board for the first two days but the end of yesterday’s fishing saw big changes. They have fallen back to fifth place and Lee Addy and Paul Keeley are now in pole position – though there are only a couple of kilos between first and fourth place. Cavan is seeing a lot of angling activity at the moment with a number of festivals taking place. The Gowna Festival was fished last week and was won with 53.880kg. The Arva Festival is taking place this week and there are daily catches of 14-18kg. Pleasure anglers in the Belturbet area are also reporting good fishing. It’s a busy time on Inniscarra in Co. Cork which currently in the middle of festival mania. Alastair Ogilvy won the Vinters Cup with 42.200kg. Charlie Greaves won the Lennox cup which finished on Wednesday and Jimmy Crossley is currently leading the Coolcower Cup. Weights have still not recovered to expected levels but the change in conditions may yet see an improvement.

Off the east coast, charter boat anglers are getting up to 10 species a day including tope to almost 50lb and smoothhounds to nearly 20lb. Settled weather on Sunday and early this week saw enterprising boat owner Mike Dennehy take off from Kinsale in pursuit of Albacore tuna. As many as 20 were caught on a day including two on fly for Catch of the Week winner Sidney Kennedy. Bass anglers fishing from Clonakilty had good sport even on the poor days getting fish to 72cm. A few bass were also reported from Courtmacsherry and other anglers charter boat fishing in West Cork have been treated to good catches of blue shark, ling, cod and more. Similar fishing was reported off the Clare coast with the addition of megrim, haddock and porbeagle.

A Small Craft Warning was issued at noon today and southeast to east winds will reach force 6 at times today and tonight on all coasts of Ireland. A Status Orange Rainfall Warning is also in place for tonight and tomorrow in Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. A Status Yellow Rainfall Warning is in place tomorrow for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Waterford.

In general weather over the weekend will be mixed with a wet start to Saturday, though dry conditions are expected over the southern half of the country in moderate westerly breezes. It will be much the same across Sunday and Monday.  Hopefully conditions will settle again for sea anglers but the change should see an improvement at most river and lake fisheries.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

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Bunerky Lough
A dramatic backdrop for the anglers fishing the World Pairs on Bunerky Lake