At the moment we’re in the middle of what seems like our first winter storm, but as spring was sprung yesterday I’m not really sure how that can be. The weather last weekend was a lot wetter than expected and many rivers across the south saw floods, some of these have yet to fall away. In general it seems like it was a quieter week for angling.  Still no confirmed spring salmon but the pike, coarse and sea fishing are not doing so badly…

Killinarden Angling Initiative is one of the 17 Angling for Youth Development Ireland hubs around the country. They are a very active hub, working with kids and adults on projects that range from getting people fishing to fundraising for Pieta House. At the weekend they were out with their junior anglers on Lough Ramor. The kids had some really good fishing and it is from this trip that our Catch of the Week was taken. Well done to Adam for his super 2lb 4oz perch.

perch
Adam wins Catch of the Week with this 2lb 4oz fish

We have two sea angling reports in this week, both from the Kingdom of Kerry. Kayak angler Gary Robinson was back on the pollack which were biting well. Glen Wightman was also out at the weekend and he had 3 fine bass while lure fishing. A great way to start his angling season and 3 more fish for the National Bass Tagging Programme.

Brown trout anglers are still waiting for the season to open here, but those who enjoy throwing flies through the winter are enjoying the fishing at venues like Knockaderry and Rathcon. Joe Winder had 7 trout at the final qualifier in the Rathcon Winter League at the weekend where bows to 68cm were landed.

The weekend’s rain put the Munster Blackwater into a big, brown flood. A few anglers still went out for the opener on the river, even though it was a miserable enough day. No fish were caught it and it was a similar story from the other rivers and lakes around the country. The wait for the first confirmed spring fish of 2017 continues.

Met Eireann advises that Friday night will bring outbreaks of rain, heavy in places with the risk of sleet or snow especially in the east on high ground.  On Saturday morning, the rain and any sleet or snow will clear northwards. The rest of the day will be bright with sunny spells and just a few showers in the west. Highest temperatures of 5 to 7C with light southwest breezes. Saturday night will be very cold with a widespread sharp or severe frost and icy patches. Sunday will be a cold, bright day with sunny spells and some showers of rain or sleet, these mainly over the western half of the country. Monday and Tuesday will be wet and windy but daytime temperatures will climb to 10 or 11C. Not the most encouraging forecast – rivers that are up will stay high but at least the winds might be only light to moderate over the weekend. Not great for flying a kite but Ok for casting a line.

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

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

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Drowes
Summer levels at Red Roof on the Drowes, 31/01/17