As we approach the loss of an hour at the end of the week, anglers tried to make the most of the daylight. Unfortunately water levels hampered most of their efforts.  Sea anglers did however enjoy a good variety of fish…

The Grand Canal was the venue for the Leinster League match. Royal Enfield CAC man Brian O’Donoghue took first place with his fine 23lbs 5oz net of skimmer bream from the Millennium Bridge section. Both the Millennium and Bumpy Road sections were fished and catches were made up of small roach and bream.

The Newry Canal had their Winter League match. Anglers fished long pole, short line and 6 to 7m whip on the grassy bank section adjacent to O’Rourkes coalyard. Way down the country at scenic Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny, the Irish Angling Development Alliance held their last match of the Summer League.  Water levels were very low on the Barrow with virtually no flow, so participants had their work cut out for them.  Mark Moloney, who was already well out in front before this match, drew the downstream end peg and went on to win the competition, but he did leave a few fish for other contestants.

34lbs of roach was what took first place in the Madcaps (Midlands Coarse & Pike Anglers) winter league for angler Mark Jerome. The river Shannon saw Trevor Wykes come in 2nd with 23lb and John Keogh finish 3rd.

A Well Condition Bass "Off the Surface" is our 'Catch of the Week' winner.
A Well Condition Bass “Off the Surface” is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner.

A busy week for pike anglers. Lough Corrib is a favourite for Aidan Traynor and fishing colleague Mike McNamara.  Both had to put up with some very cold temperatures but were rewarded with some fine 15lb pike for their efforts. Ramor saw warmer temperatures and those fishing there reported some cracking pike to 20lbs in weight.  Guide Peter Cunningham had a well-conditioned aggressive pike taken on a dead bait which gave a great battle but he said those fishing with fly were very disappointed.

419 anglers competed for a piece of the £11,500 overall prize fund in the Waterways Ireland Erne Pike Fishing Classic which is now in its tenth year. Kevin Raleigh from Westmeath took the top prize of £1,000 in the Bank section with a fish weighing 16lb 5oz and in the Boat section, Frank Donnan from Belfast won £2,000 first place with a fish of 17lb 8oz.

Beautiful Lough Allua delighted a German tourist when he boated a cracking 105cm pike on a trolled Westin brown trout. This was a PB for him and he’ll certainly be back for more. Good lengths were also reported from the Boyle area. Anglers Gilbert and Phillipe encountered some crazy perch fishing and pike 110cm and 105cm. Gilbert even got a nice pike on the fly.

Lough Derg had a husband and wife team from St. Tropez testing the waters and they had pike to 95cms. But another French angler rattled the scales with a fish of 113cms.

A foggy Castle Leslie had some very lively pike. No great monsters but plenty of catches. Good numbers were also had by two brothers fishing in Mullingar while trolling.  The lads were pleased with the weights which were well up into the double figures.  While over on Lough Ree the action was furious with pike not far off 20lbs.

Jim Hendrick was back in action with some lure fishing in Wexford with David Byrne. After a hard session they landed some lovely bass.  One of these plump well-conditioned bass “off the surface” is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner.

Sligo skipper Daryl Ewing had what could only be called a Carlsberg moment when he landed 5 skate up to 170lb. A quick photo and all returned. Their neighbouring county of Galway reports some excellent lure fishing while further down in Clare, some nice chunky cod and the odd porbeagle were among the catches.

Cork anglers too had great numbers of cod as well as a wide variety of other species. Seasoned angler Jim Clohessy had a row with a feisty 16lb ling and you will be please to know Jim won this round but not before the ling had hammered Jim’s pollack !

Carrigavantry in Waterford hosted the TAFI Munster Bank Competition last Saturday. Bright sunshine didn’t help the anglers in their quest.  17 competitors took part and the best rainbow was 52cms.  This bank holiday weekend sees the Knockaderry cup being fished.  The venue has been changed to Carrigavantry. First prize is €800 worth of tackle, so it is well worth attending.

Congratulations to St Mary’s Senior School, Dunmanway in Co Cork who won this year’s Something Fishy competition with their ‘Wonderful Water Kids Show’. Prizes were awarded in the West Cork Education Centre.

Salmon anglers who have not yet returned their log books are encouraged to do so as possible in the envelopes provided.

It should be dry this evening but outbreaks of rain and drizzle will develop along Atlantic coastal counties. The outlook for the weekend is unsettled and turning colder. Anglers are reminded to stay safe and enjoy the long weekend.

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

Nancy Hearne

Catch, Photo, Release

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Beautiful Lough Allua captured by guide Greg Latour
Beautiful Lough Allua captured by guide Greg Latour