This week saw anglers itching to get to the rivers, lakes and seas.  After a blustery Friday the Currane settled down and saw an array of sea trout being caught and many released ranging from 1¾ lbs up to 5 ½ lbs. Both seasoned and new anglers did well in the salmon department too with Darwin couple Crag and Liza Wilson catching their first Atlantic salmon and  Waterville Angler Mr. Gerry O’Sullivan catching a fine 9 lbs Salmon on the troll while Bristol visitors had a lovely fresh 8 ½ lbs fish on the troll on a Blue and Silver Toby.

203 salmon was the tally for the Moy this week although high winds at the beginning of the week meant fluctuating water levels.  The Foxford Fishery produced a fine 11 lbs salmon for Thierry Rey Dorene, France, on worm and further up on the East Mayo water 59 salmon were reported.  Lough Inagh saw a cracking 12lber for Michael Van Mourek who used a full floater with a Lemon and Grey size 10.

June got off to a great start in Delphi, twenty fish were landed in the first seven days, helped by the fact that there had been a big flood on the 1st. The fish weighed in at a respectable 6lbs 5ozs up to a cracking 11lbs 12ozs on a Willie Gunn from the Whin pool.   The Drowes also has had a good week. 70 salmon were caught with the majority of the catch consisting of grilse.  Marty King reported a 10lb salmon caught on prawn from the Washstones.

'Catch of the Week' winner Pat Kennedy with his cracking Nore salmon with he released.
‘Catch of the Week’ winner Pat Kennedy with his cracking Nore salmon which he returned safely.

Down in Kilkenny, Pat Kennedy caught and released a fine conditioned salmon on the Nore.  This lovely catch and release fish is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner.  Italian angler Francesco Leggieri tried his hand at spinning on the Liffey with Guide Peter Cunningham.  Unfortunately after a  15 minutes battle Francesco’s fish estimated to be about 16lb made a successful bid for freedom before it could be netted.  The Munster Blackwater saw Cork man Dan O’Keeffe catch a 14lb fish on prawn on the Lug Pool.

Owenea, Donegal reported fine catches up to 13lbs in weight with water conditions good. While Carrowmore Lake had to contend with high winds. Nonetheless 9 salmon were caught, 4 of which were released.

Sheelin had a difficult week, with wind direction and strength dictating where anglers fished.     Wet fly fishing was the more popular choice and the heaviest fish was a 9lb trout caught by Donegal angler Nigel O’Shea using a spent pattern fishing at Church Island on June 3rd. The Mayflies have arrived at Lough Melvin too and the fish responded well.  Kinlough and Lareen Bays saw the best trout.

Lough Conn saw great activity and anglers believe that the current “purple patch” of fishing may extend well into June.  Brendan Hand and Mick Naughton from Longford had three trout for 4.5 lbs.  A damp day on the Liffey threw up some nice small trout for visiting anglers out with guide Rob Love.  While at the Rye Water at Carton House Premier League player Aaron Hughes tried out his moves.

Knockaderry in Co. Waterford had some feisty fighters and it took great skill for angler Jack O’Mahony to land a 59cm rainbow on a damsel on a floating line. Luckily David Tantrum PRO of Waterford Fly Fishing was on hand with the net.

Ballyhoe Lakes saw very young anglers from Dublin learn their trade from their Dads.  These future anglers had tench to over 6lb and bream to 8lb 3oz.  Alan Croke also fished the area with Hair-rigged fake corn on a bolt rig which yielded him 12 tench to 6lb in one overnight session.

Robert Buick of East Belfast Coarse Anglers won the very popular Edenderry festival with 31lbs 8oz and Kevin Johnson took the Ottewill Trophy at Inniscarra with a weight of  35.350kg.  Anglers are reminded that the Ballybay NCFFI Charity Shield is on Sunday June 28th in aid of Irish Cancer Appeal.

Lanesborough shows us that it’s back on the map with its Lanesborough International Competition which was won by Tony Kersley.  A nice prize of €1500 for first place.

The Royal Enfield festival on the Royal Canal saw challenging conditions for fishing.  Local angler Conor Browne was delighted to win with fine nets of roach on both days for 9lbs 5oz and 14lbs 7oz.  Ballybay Knock up match on Lough Muckno had tough conditions also.  Top weight was 9lbs 14ozs for Derek Buckley.

Harry Whitehead won the Waterways Ireland Junior Classic, River Erne along with Jake Taggart who took the Novice category.

Melview was the place to be if you were looking for pike this week.  Kevin Lyons had two fishing companions over from Holland for the long weekend.  Although they met windy weather on the first day, they went on to catch some fine 1 metre plus pike on day two.  A future trip for Dammes and Andre is certainly on the cards.

Skipper Ger Murphy in Kinsale had the second blue shark of the season, he was just pipped at the post by Tom Collins out of Union Hall.  Valentia Island provided the fun for  a group of Austrian anglers onboard the Sioux.  They finished their 2 day trip with 61 pollack (the biggest 14 lbs, 90 cm), 1 cod, 35 coalfish, 1 ling, 1 pouting and a couple of mackerels.  Luke Aston reported conditions around Clare have improved as the week progressed and winds died down.  Lots of whitefish and cod above 6lbs were among the catch.

Galway skipper John Fleming was pleased with the pollack and cod averaging about 7 to 8lbs this week but his sights are set on the blues now. Rosguill skipper Michael McVeigh is looking forward to the weather settling down too and says things are improving around the Donegal coast but water temperatures are still low.

In other news we have Ardaire Springs Angling Centre offering Summer Camp for the 10 to 16 year olds.  A great way to introduce young people to angling and a stunning place to start. For Juniors there is also the NCFFI Junior Club Championships on Saturday 27th June at Newry Canal.

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

Nancy Hearne

Catch, Photo, Release

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Photo compliment of Ardaire Springs Fishery, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny
Photo compliments of Ardaire Springs Fishery, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny