According to Met Éireann Autumn begins today the 1st of September.  August left anglers in despair as they waited for higher water levels and the fish, unlike our soccer hero Robbie Keane, decided not to play ball.

The Drowes saw little activity this week and only a few grilse were recorded. Owenea Fishery had only 23 rods and the gauge average for the week was low at 0.16 metres.  However 15 year old Jordan McGrory led the way on the Crana river in North Donegal.  This young angler caught and released a fish around 7lb which was fresh off the tide on a flying red c from the Willow Pool.  The Moy is crying out for fresher and wetter weather. To date 5,290 salmon were reported; only 74 salmon this week.

The Boyne brought spirits back up with two French visitors who enjoyed some good fishing after the rain. On day one they had two fish that were landed and released, 3 more fish lost and a few missed as well. September is usually a good month for the Erriff and with some extra water this week a local angler recorded 5 sea trout ranging in weight from 0.5lbs to 1.25lbs on a Silver Stoat’s Tail plus some fresh grilse.

Gabriel from France with his fish from the River Boyne which he released
Gabriel from France with his fish from the River Boyne which he released

In Cork, the Lee had a poor week but the Bandon had some excellent catches by visitors on a day ticket. One gentleman and his friend had 5 fish between them to 17lbs.  The Bandon Angling Association reminds all members that September is fly and spinner only on club waters.   The Munster Blackwater reported a few nice salmon to 7lbs which were caught and released at the Ballyduff Bridge and Ballincurrig during the weekend.

Not much action for the Laune anglers even though water levels are good now but the lads at the Currane were kept busy with sea trout ranging from Junior class right up to a cracker at 9½ lbs. Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September sees the annual 2016 ‘Currane Championship’ Waterville’s Sea Trout Catch and Release Fly-fishing Competition, organised this year by The Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust. I’m sure Vincent Appleby will be on standby with his camera to capture all. So smile!

Again in the trout department the Boyne was a winner. Water levels were good and some lovely wild brown trout were caught using the nymph fishing techniques. On Sunday the Lough Ennell Perpetual Cup was fished.  Noel Farrar of Tallaght Co. Dublin had a cracker of 3.340lbs to take Top Rod.  The very choosey fish at Lough Sheelin made life hard for the rods who were out.  35 fish in total for the week, the heaviest being a 5 lb trout caught using a Klinkhammer by Dublin angler Mark Trent.  The Garrison & Lough Melvin Anglers hosted their 4 day Melvin Open Pairs 2016 competition.  James Cox came and Fechin McMorrow Jnr came in joint winners.  Lough Corrib held its head high this week with Cornamona, Oughterard and Greenfields fishing well.  Eugene Willis from the Garrykennedy Angling Club  landing a beautiful trout a little over 5.5lbs on a dry sedge.

Pawel Orlow from Fishmaniak.pl. reminds us that they are running a boat pike competition on Garadice Lake. This 2 days competition will be an evening session and will take place on Saturday afternoon 3rd of September. The club had a very successful boat competition on Sunday 21st of August on River Shannon at Banagher.

A busy week for sea anglers be it from shore or boat. Donegal shores brought an array of colourful wrasse and German anglers were delighted with 20 species around the Mayo coast.  Amongst the fish caught were five species of ray, various flatfish including turbot and brill as well as grey, red and tub gurnard to name but a few.  A kayak angler tested the waters in Kerry and although the fish caught were no record breakers, the scenery was breath-taking.  Clogherhead in Co Louth had an invasion of mackerel shoals and a good few fish following this bait in.  The local seal population made sure they got first choice.

Blues to 2.1 mtrs, porbeagle to 1.61 mtrs, skate averaging 85lbs, conger to 35 lbs, ling to 18lbs, bullhuss to near specimen weight at 13 lbs and plenty of medium Pollack, coalfish and cod provided great sport for Courtmacsherry charterboats. Reports from Bass anglers differs depending on what coast you were fishing.  Those who chose Wexford were disappointed with the numbers and those who fished in Cork were delighted. An excellent fish at 12lbs 8oz was landed by Noel O’Sullivan plus a PB for visitor Vin Heron at 9lbs.  Our ‘Catch of the Week’ goes to a Dublin angler Patrick Fagan who caught a prize specimen gilthead bream 5lb 12.8oz  and measuring 54cm.  A fine lump of a fish !

Patrick Fagan with his specimen gilthead bream of Specimen gilthead bream 5lb 12.8oz is our 'Catch of the Week' winner
Patrick Fagan with his specimen gilthead bream of Specimen gilthead bream 5lb 12.8oz is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner

The much awaited Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championships, Ireland’s most prestigious coarse angling event takes place from Monday 5th to Friday 9th September. In addition to the Pairs Championship, there is also the Daiwa Cup which rewards the best individual anglers.  Inniscarra Lake was the place to be this week.  They started their three weeks of match fishing on the Lake which started on Saturday with the O’Callaghan’s Open ahead of the Celtic Shield 3-Day festival.  Julian Kendrick of County Offaly won the festival with a top weight of 51.900kg. Just ahead of Alistair Ogilvy, last year’s Celtic Shield and Vintners Cup winner with 49.140 and in 3rd was local man Pawel Swistun with 45.380.

Winners of the Portlaoise Fishing team event at Blessington lake in Co. Wicklow were. 1. Jason Byrne 2. Clive Condell 3. Michal Kobryn. They fished with a strong breeze and foggy conditions.  In Cavan pleasure anglers had plenty of Bream, Tench and good Roach in the Arva/Gowna/Killeshandra/ Carrigallen area. The Town Lake Killeshandra is also producing big Bream.

This year’s NCFFI Junior All Ireland Championships took place at Killykeen Forest Park on Saturday 27th August followed by the Inter-Provincial Team Championships on Sunday. Well done to winners Cillian Flynn, Caolan Donnelly, Eoin Rogers and Jamie Edwards.

In other news the prestigious Rosslare Small Boats Festival takes place from 10th – 17th September in Rosslare, Co. Wexford. The festival, now in its 31st year, will attract 138 anglers from Wales, Scotland, Isle of Wight, England as well as Ireland, generating huge revenue for the Wexford area. Definitely one to look forward to.  This coming Sunday we also have the  Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association hosting their last club trout competition for the 2016 season.  Lots of competitions and events in the coming weeks, so no excuse.

Looking ahead to the weekend Met Éireann say Saturday will see rain spread to all parts of the country and turn heavy in places. Most at risk from heavy rain will be southern and southeastern areas, although some heavy falls may also occur later in the west and north. During Sunday, some showers will persist early on but mainly dry and bright conditions will develop for the afternoon and evening; west to northwest winds will slacken as the day goes on and temperatures will recover normal values generally.

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

Nancy Hearne

Catch, Photo, Release

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Salmon parr 216 mtrs above sea level in the Turraheen river - Photo Noel Power IFI
Salmon parr 216 mtrs above sea level in the Turraheen river – Photo Noel Power IFI