The cold snap gave way to unseasonably warm weather and temperatures to 16C have been recorded in recent days. Unfortunately water temperatures don’t change as quickly so fish that were inactive because of the cold did not just switch on – but at least it was not as brassy for those anglers who made the effort to get out and wet a line…
We have coarse angling reports in from Leitrim, Clare and Meath this week, all competition results. Catches over the weekend were modest but enough to keep the anglers happy. Better bags came from commercial fisheries like Oaklands and Toomans where good nets are possible now that the ice has cleared from these venues.
Pike anglers had some decent fishing in the last week with a good number of fish into the teens reported, particularly from midlands venues. Loughs Ree, Boderg, Derravaragh, Cloonfree and Garadice all produced a few good pike from travelling and local anglers. Good perch were also reported on deadbait at Boderg. Catch of the week goes to Killinarden Angling Initiative junior angler Ethan for his 23lb pike for the Oaks Fishery in Derry. A worthy winner and a new PB.
At Waterfoot, Willie Weir from Larne caught 20 fish to win the annual open fished there. Flounders made up the bulk of the catch but a good number of school bass also put in an appearance. Janet Snoddy won the women’s event and and Harry McKee Junior and Senior won the team event. In other sea angling news cod are in Cork Harbour and the general area in good numbers. Fish of 3-5lb are being taken, boat anglers are getting the better fishing. Staying with cod in Cork the Henry’s Tackle Irish Cod Championships were fished at Youghal over the weekend. There were 66 anglers on the beach taking part. The fishing was slow in general the best action was had at Red Barn. Tim Sexton won the title of Cod Champion for his 48 cm Cod.
Tomorrow and Saturday will continue to be mild and mostly dry though there will be some mist and murk in places. Sunday will get colder particularly overnight, but again it will be mostly dry. There will be some rain working its way across the country on Monday but most areas will be largely dry. The further outlook to the early days of next week is for a spell of unsettled weather with showers or longer spells of rain giving way to drier conditions mid week. After this evening’s winds have blown out conditions should suit boat angling at a number of venues both inland and coastal.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
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Headlines
Coarse angling reports
- Ballymote Coarse Anglers travel to Dromod for winter match
- Some decent skimmers at Tulla for Munster Coarse Anglers
- Jack Langan wins Royal Enfield Winter League
Pike angling reports
- Midland Pike Anglers do well at Boderg
- Polish Fishmaniaks enjoy a good day’s pike fishing on Garadice
- Ethan lands a cracker at Oaks Fishery
- Four brothers go pike fishing on Cloonfree Lake
- A quiet day for pike anglers on Lough Derravaragh
- Double figure pike from Lough Ree
Sea angling reports
News clippings
- New season unlikely to see ease in depletion of salmon stocks – Irish Examiner
- River connectivity the goal of European project – Irish Times
- Leitrim Angling Project Shares In Rural Waterways Stimulus Package – Afloat.ie
Other News
- Inland Fisheries Ireland investigates major fish kill in Owentaraglin River, Cork
- Angling to stimulate economic development in Leitrim as Ballinamore/Carrigallen area receives €100,000 for fishing facility
- Ireland’s rivers are fragmented with significant impact on fish populations say Inland Fisheries Ireland at launch of new EU project to restore connectivity
- Inniscarra Lake programme of coarse angling festivals and open matches for 2017
- Meeting to improve angling along the Royal Canal
- Dyb, dyb, dyb as the 16th Kilcock scouts take to Derravaragh
