Cold weather and icy conditions have taken over from the long period of rain and many of the days were bright and dry in the last week. There were some good reports from all branches angling this week, particularly over the weekend. Although, that said, we are still waiting for news of the first salmon of the season…

There was some great coarse fishing this weekend at the Marina in Athy. The Go and Catch angling club had good bags on the pole with 3 anglers recording over 15lb each, mostly roach and some perch. On the Royal Canal at Moyvalley the Naas and District anglers fished in tough conditions  – cold, clear water and a bright day made for very small catches.

Tjark Hecht with a fine 105 cm pike
Tjark Wagner wins Catch of the Week for this 105 cm pike caught on Fly at Shreelane

Although still quite high, water levels are beginning to drop on Derravarragh and some pike are being reported. The Ballaghadereen Anglers had some good fishing on the Lung over the weekend with pike to over 19lb landed. One lucky angler fishing in the East Clare Lakes had a super fish of over 27lb, the only fish for a 5 hour session, but a great start to the year. Junior Angler Tjark Wagner had a lovely 105cm pike from Shreelane Lake in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. This young angler caught his fish on fly.

Tralee Bay SAC fished Ballyquin recently and had an exciting competition. On the day 15 anglers took part and were rewarded with some of the best fishing that the club has had this season despite some problems with weed in the surf. Flounders, dabs, rockling, coalies, pouting and whiting were some of the species that made an appearance. Congratulations to Tim O’Sullivan from Galway Bay Sea Angling Club winner of the IFSA 2015 Species Hunt with an incredible 58 species. Over all the IFSA species hunt was a great success with a very impressive 71 species recorded, that makes a combined total over the last 2 years of 76 species.

New regulations are being set in Europe for the protection of bass stocks. These will include provision for  catch and release during the first half of the year and a one fish daily bag limit from July to December. In the interim period, pending legislation, IFI is requesting anglers to recognise the need for conservation and to fish according to the regulations that are expected to be introduced shortly i.e. to fish on a catch-and-release basis  up to and including June 30th, 2016.

Salmon anglers are still trying for the first salmon of the year on the Drowes but none have been successful to date.

It seems like the brighter days have stirred up the fish in the put and take fisheries and there were good reports from Adaire Springs in Mooncoin and Cashel Trout Fishery in Northern Ireland. In “Other News” Jason O’Riordan has some great advice on still water tactics and bloodworms which makes useful reading for this time of year.

Travelling anglers are advised that a severe frost is expected tonight. Saturday will start off cold and frosty with fog and ice on untreated roads and paths. Please take care on your way to your venue. It will be mainly dry with sunny spells but fog may be slow to clear eastern parts making for a dull and cold day there. On Saturday night a sharp frost will develop in many areas with icy stretches on roads. Sunday will start off dry with frost gradually clearing as south to southeast winds freshen. Rain will develop in the southwest by noon and will spread northeastwards through the afternoon and evening. It will continue for much of the night and will be become heavy at times. Next week will see more showers but temperatures will increase and it will become milder later in the week.

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

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

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Rain swamped boats on a flooded Lough Currane. Photo courtesy of John Quinlan, Thatch Coattage
Rain swamped boats on a flooded Lough Currane. Photo courtesy of John Quinlan, Thatch Coattage