After a brief spell of hard, winter weather we have returned to more unsettled with some rain and wind. Water levels, though not back to normal are dropping at most fisheries. Though the conditions were not all bad in the last week there were only a handful of reports, some very interesting…
The first salmon of the season was caught on Monday of this week. The lucky angler, Neil O’Shea, was trolling on Lough Currane when he met with and landed his 10lb springer. No further fish have been reported. Lough Currane opened on Sunday, though conditions prevented anglers from marking the day in earnest. The Laune also opened on Sunday though few anglers turned out to fish on a day that saw waterspouts whipping along the lake shore and a good wave coming down Beat 1.
Winter canal angling is not normally associated with bags of fish to 30lb, but at weekend two anglers from Naas and District Anglers fished the whip at Newry Canal. One used bread the other maggot for for a combined weight of almost 57lb.
The Leinster teams dominated the IFSA shore angling championships fished at Wicklow and Wexford, winning the Mens, Ladies, under 21 and under 16 divisions. Notable catches were 7 of the men getting over 40 fish on the night session.
Pike anglers on Lough Ennell enjoyed good fishing last week and at the weekend. Fishing on the troll, double figure pike in great condition were landed. Anglers on Lough Derravaragh were not so lucky and even the perch were reluctant to be caught.
Gales and small craft warnings are in effect all along the west coast as this is written and the forecast for the weekend is for wet and windy weather, though colder conditions are expected later next week.
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 contact@fisheriesireland.ie.
Headlines
Salmon fishing reports
- First salmon of the season caught on Lough Currane
- Not many turn out to fish the Laune, no salmon reported
Sea angling reports
- Leinster anglers steal the show at the Interprovincial Shore Championships
- Big fish hunt, 52cm January cod sets the target as Ullcatch fish species hunt takes off
Coarse angling reports
Pike fishing reports
News clippings
- Threat to Irish water by antibiotic-resistant bacteria: EPA – Sunday Business Post
- Inland Fisheries Ireland Board Appointments Made – Afloat.ie
- Call goes out for Ulster anglers to reveal net gains, Belfast Telegraph
- Plan to make waterways more attractive for public use, Connacht Tribune
- Angling Notes: Records set for twaite shad and smooth hound in 2015, Irish Times
Other news
- Fishmaniak Pike Winter League on Sunday Jan 31st
- TAFI AGM on February 14th in Athlone
- Learn the art of spring salmon fishing at Delphi
- Minister McHugh announces Inland Fisheries Ireland Board appointments
