It has been a fairly quiet week for anglers in Ireland. Strong winds dictated the angling for most of last week and while some were lucky to get out and catch fish others were waiting for an improvement in conditions that came too late or not at all…

The majority of salmon anglers have seen another season come to a close, some lucky fishers might continue on those rivers that stay open until the 12th of October but for most last Friday saw a lot of waders being hung up until next year. Weather and high water conspired to make the closing week a dull enough affair at the end of what was a fairly mediocre season at many fisheries. Salmon anglers are reminded that their logbook and any unused tags must be returned to IFI before by 19 October.

David Byrne wins Catch of the Week for this char, the first for a number of years we have reported on
David Byrne wins Catch of the Week for this char from Doo Lough, the first for a number of years we have reported on

Lough Sheelin’s anglers have a few days of trout fishing left before their season closes on October 12th. Wets accounted for the bulk of the fish and cooler, windy weather really had an impact on the fishing.  The Leinster National Qualifier was held on Lough Owel, Co. Westmeath on Saturday. Conditions on the day were cool, bright and calm, not ideal, but the 71 anglers soldiered on, fighting for a place on the Leinster Team. Keith Flemming from Lough Derravaragh Anglers Association landed four fish for 7lb 4.6oz to win the competition.  Wet and windy weather marked the last week of fishing on Lough Corrib. There were a few good fish taken before closing day and plenty of tales told about better ones lost.

Last week 93 anglers fished the 36th Annual Cootehill Angling Festival. This 5 day event concluded on Friday. In a close run finish 2014 champion Mark Pollard emerged victorious over Steve Saddler by just  550g. Total catch for the week was 2,924.380kg. Many of the anglers who were at the Cootehill Festival are now fishing the Autumn Festival on Lough Muckno, another 5 day event. At the end of Day 3 Simon Willsmore was in the lead with 31 kg, just grammes ahead of on form Mark Pollard, and the competition is still very much up for grabs.

Good luck to all the competitors in the 9th World Championships Predator Boat Fishing with Lures being fished on Lough Ree. Today and tomorrow will see the anglers taking to the water in 42 boats, following biosecurity protocols applied by Inland Fisheries Ireland, for the official practice sessions. The competition will be fished over the weekend and we look forward to bringing you news on all the goings on next week.

Tourist anglers in the Longford area are getting good numbers of decent pike to 80cm as well as better fish to 104cm. Lures and jerkbaits are working best. Well done to all the anglers who supported the Lough Gowna and Upper Erne Anglers / Hughie Brady pike angling competition in support of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin. Joe McDermott was the winner there with 40lb 6oz.

Over 100 anglers fished the annual Westport Skate Festival, hosted by Vinny Keogh and his family from the Helm in Westport Quay. This year, the lucky angler with the biggest skate was Dave Bennett, from the UK. Congratulations to all the young anglers who fished the first round of the Leinster Juniors fished at Arklow. Conditions were good and the best bag on the day was 28 fish.  Staying on the shore, Killybegs Mariners outing to Narin was also fished in good conditions. Dogs dominated the catches but a few good flounder were also landed. Cork Harbour is continuing to produce a few bass and  some good bass to 12lb have been landed elsewhere along the Cork coast by shore anglers.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has awarded over €3.4 million to angling projects and fisheries initiatives in communities nationwide over the past five years. We are now looking for feedback via an online survey (www.fisheriesireland.ie/fundingsurvey) which will help inform the future direction of funding schemes. The funding survey should take less than five minutes to complete with all participants entered into a draw to win one of three €50 tackle shop vouchers.

As we go to press there is a Small Craft Warning in operation as Southeast winds will occasionally reach force 6 today on Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Loop Head to Fair Head. The outlook is for the generally dry weather to continue over the weekend and into next week.  There will be spells of sunshine each day. Maximum temperatures will be between 13C and 16C at the weekend, but it will become a bit cooler from Monday and a slight grass frost may occur at night as a result.

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].

Headlines

Salmon fishing reports

Trout fishing reports

Coarse angling reports

Pike fishing reports

Sea angling reports

News clippings

Other news

A Bandon salmon is returned on closing day
A Bandon salmon is returned on closing day