It was a case of “Adios Abigale” and “Bonjour Barney” for anglers in Ireland. We’re taking a welcome break from being battered about by gusty gales at the moment. It goes without saying that boat angling is pretty much off limits so there are only a few shore reports for the sea anglers this week. Once again the majority of the updates come from the pike scene with a few coarse and rainbow trout stories for variety…

pike
A fine Lough Derg pike for Pierre Monjarret wins Catch of the Week

Stage 3 of the Lough Muckno Winter League was fished on Concra Wood Upper on Sunday. Contrary to expectations and with very high water levels, the sections at Concra fished very well and very evenly. Alan Larkin was first with just short of 5kg, mostly on the pole. The 4th leg of the Royal Enfield CAC Winter League was fished in difficult conditions over the weekend. Conor Browne won the day with 13lbs. Naas and District Anglers fished the first leg of their winter league at Graiguenamanagh recently. Conditions were poor with anglers struggling to keep bait dry and gear on the ground. Catches to over 12kg were still weighed in at this popular venue.

We have another great report in from Lough Derravaragh this week. There were a few good fish landed and the pike there are being taken on a wide range of methods including spoons, jerkbaits, soft plastics, deadbaits and fly. Fly also was working over the weekend on Lough Allua where pike to over 100cm were reported. Kayak angling at Clare venues is producing good pike with fish to over 20lb landed. On nearby Lough Derg Pierre Monjarret had a lovely looking pike that wins him Catch of the Week.  Some good pike were also taken by anglers fishing in the Boyle area. Further west in Co. Mayo a group of French anglers had 27 during a week which was marked by some truly awful weather. The Killinarden Anglers Initiative crew took to the Oaks Fishery in Derry for the weekend. They fished through the night and had some good fish as a reward to sticking out the appalling weather.

There are good reports from The Galway Buccaneers of bass and flounder on west coast venues with night tides fishing best. A recent Tralee Bay SAC competition on Bannow Beach was slow enough but some good flounder and a 10lb 8oz painted ray were beached. Staying in Kerry, reports from Waterville are that the bass and pollack are still taking despite the weather. Painted ray were the on East Cork marks with some fine fish landed in the last couple of weeks. The Ballyshunnock anglers left their lake behind to show their youth anglers the thrills of shore angling in Waterford. Great sport was had with dabs, flounder, codling and rockling showing in numbers.

Fly anglers who have yet to tackle pike or saltwater species still have rainbow trout to fall back on in the winter months. Winter leagues run at a number of venues including Annamoe and Rathcon amongst others. Anglers in Derry are reporting enjoyable fishing at the Oaks Fishery and Cashel.

Salmon anglers are reminded that the draft regulations (S.I. No. xxx of 2015), are open for public inspection at the offices of Inland Fisheries Ireland and online. Any person may submit observations or objections to the draft regulations at any time during the period of 30 days concluding on 10 December, 2015.

A new survey that aims to gather information on the current level of awareness of invasive species and their negative impacts amongst paddle sports enthusiasts was launched on Monday the 16th of November. The survey is being co-ordinated by Ronan Cooney, a scientist and avid paddler, and Dr. Joe Caffrey, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Ireland and Canoeing Ireland. Many invasive species can survive for long periods out of water, in damp conditions, and can easily be transferred from one watercourse to another as paddlers move around the country. For more information see http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Notices/canoeist-biosecurity-survey.html

Thankfully the first of our winter storms have passed on and the weather is a bit more suited to angling again, although as we go to press a small craft warning remains in operation. Met Eireann advise that with winds from the north there will cold conditions over the weekend and for Monday with significant frosts expected, but indications suggest less cold weather will return during Tuesday and Wednesday.

Finally, well done to Inland Fisheries Ireland staff, David McCarthy and Martin Dennehy. Their quick thinking and skill saved a life earlier this summer. Their actions were noted in the Irish Water Safety national awards ceremony. We are all proud to have them as colleagues. They are a credit to our organisation and their quick thinking and swift response has resulted in a man still being alive today. What a wonderful achievement!

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

Myles Kelly

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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bass
A pretty special sunset in Kerry and a few bass biting as well.