There was a real change in the weather last week as the darker evenings started to feel a little cooler. There was the odd warm day that made you think of the summer past but the fierce storms and heavy rain soon had minds focused on the wintery weather to come. Many fisheries were in flood last week and into the early part of this week -bad news for salmon and trout and anglers – and the sea conditions kept boats tied up at times, but there was some good fishing for those who could get out when the going was good…

John Brock with his 25lb salmon
John Brock wins Catch of the Week with his 25lb salmon from the Munster Blackwater

Many of the salmon caught at this time of the year are coloured fish that entered the rivers earlier in the year. Some of the fish are already wearing the spawning livery and many of the cock salmon are sporting serious looking kypes. All these fish should be carefully returned to ensure the best chance of decent fishing for the next generation of anglers…  John Brock fishing at Fort William on the Munster Blackwater had a salmon estimated at 25lb. the fish, which was carefully released, wins John Catch of the Week. The fish was caught on Friday last week before heavy rains brought more floods to the system. High water on the Lee saw only 16 fish reported last week, but the Bandon fared better and decent fish to 14lb including some fresh salmon were landed. Other west Cork rivers were quiet though there was a slight improvement on the Ilen where 15 salmon to 15lb were reported. Anglers in Kerry despaired as the Laune continues to fish poorly, with no sign of an improvement despite good conditions as the season’s end approaches. The often windy weather was unsuitable for salmon anglers on Lough Currane, but when casting a line was possible there were good numbers of sea trout and some salmon to be caught. The Erriff and Delphi experienced some serious spates and widespread flooding was the result. A few fish were landed but more rain at the weekend saw the rivers going out of action for a time again. Water levels on the Moy proved a bugbear for anglers in Mayo too. Last week only around 150 salmon were reported from the river and the prospects for the final days of the season are not great.

Congratulations to Mullingar man Andrew Duncan, who won the individual competition in the Four Nations International fished at Llandegfedd Reservoir in Wales on Friday. The Irish Team did well too, taking silver. Anglers at home had their own victories. Junior angler Jack Rogan put most of the senior anglers at the Dick Doyle competition on Carrigavantry to shame on Sunday, managing the conditions like a pro. The fishing on Sheelin wasn’t straightforward either last week but there were good fish caught including a trout of 7 ½ lbs for Paul Delaney, Dublin on a Claret Dabbler at the Long Rock. This time of year the midlands lakes host a number of end of season competitions. On Lough Ennell Ciaran Newman won the O’Malley Cup and the Christy Sleator Cup was won by Jimmy Stenson. The Chairman’s Pairs fished on Sunday at Lough Lene was won by Niall Maher and Alan Russell. Lough Corrib has seen mixed fortunes for anglers availing of the last bit of action before the end of the season. Daphnia and sedge patterns have been producing the bulk of activity and results. It was a similar story on Lough Mask, but most of the fish were taken on wets over deep water. All trout anglers are encouraged to practice catch and release at this time as fish will be congregating to run rivers for spawning.

The Leinster team won the Senior Inter-Provincial Championships in atrocious weather conditions over the weekend on the Grand Canal at Daingean. At Muckno Philip Jackson did well to net 9.040kg in a Lurgan CAC event. Portumna CAC’s Curley’s Festival saw some anglers bagging up and over 2000lb of mostly roach were caught in the 5 day event where Paul Hallen was the eventual winner. Good fishing was also reported from Oaklands Fishery in New Ross. Finally, well done to all the anglers and coaches who turned out to help St Mels School Angling Club day out at Lanesborough. The young anglers had a great time catching plenty of fish and hope to see fishing added to the timetable for every Monday afternoon.

With Autumn well and truly here we expect to see more pike reports in coming weeks. Some good fish are been landed in the North East and across the border counties, as well as at bigger venues like Lough Mask and the Shannon lakes.

We’ll start our sea angling reports in Donegal this week where skipper Michael McVeigh has had a few blue sharks and tope but hopes that the fishing in general will pick up before he’s off the water until next year. The last leg of the west coast shore league took place on the 24th September in Killala. Coalies made up the main catch along with flounder, dogfish, weavers, whiting and even a blonde ray turned up. Timothy O’Sullivan was winner on the day and of the event overall. Luke Aston in Clare brought his charter boat out for one last try at blues last week. They had some nice sharks including one super looking fish of 95lb. At Courtmacsherry fishing was poor enough following the weekend’s storms, but there has been some good ling, pollack and the odd blue still to be caught.

Anglers in Cork are reminded that the Coachford Greenway will be closed to the public from Monday 3rd October 2016 for approximately two weeks while essential repair and maintenance works are carried out.

The Irish Specimen Fish Committee reminds anglers to submit specimen claim forms before 15th November, and scales from shad and cyprinids by 15th October.

Anglers in Ireland are reminded of the importance of staying safe on the water as they enjoy fishing on Ireland’s rivers, lakes and seas. There have been 18 angling related drownings in Ireland since 2014 according to Inland Fisheries Ireland and Irish Water Safety, who have joined forces to highlight water safety to the angling community. Find out more…

The nights are drawing in and there is not much left of the summer’s warmth as the outlook is for changeable and rather cool weather. As we go to press there are winds to over gale force 8 forecast for coastal waters. Over the weekend expect some showery episodes, with a few longer spells of rain at times. As this is an Irish forecast you can also expect some dry, bright periods occasionally too… Go on and go fishing, you’ve been out in worse.

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].

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Lough Shellin
Lough Shellin