It was another windy, blustery, stormy, wet week for Irish anglers and many saw their weekend’s activities cancelled. All branches of the sport were impacted by the conditions and reports were few and far between, but that’s not to say there weren’t any that wouldn’t inspire you…

Anglers did their best on Lough Currane but they were beaten by the conditions on most days out of the last 7 as the lake was whipped by strong winds. High tides this week had hopes up on many rivers around the country but very few salmon were forthcoming and we had no reports of catches from either the Bandon, Laune or Blackwater. One river that did perform was the Drowes where 3 salmon were caught last week and rods reported seeing a number of fresh fish running the river.

There were less anglers out on Lough Corrib due to the inclement weather but those that made the effort were rewarded and some decent fishing was reported. Hopefully the forecast of milder weather later next week will keep the Ducky fly on track. Staying the west, Lough Conn provided good sport for at least on angler on opening day as Sean Goulding had fish to 4lb 6oz on a Silver Dabbler. Lough Lene at the top of the Boyne opened on Wednesday and there was a good number of anglers out on the lake. Nearly all met fish and some lovely rainbows and browns were landed. One angler with the distinction of representing his country reckoned it was one of the best opening day’s he ever had. As the wild fisheries open, thoughts of working out the kinks enter many anglers’ heads. The ESB angling club were at Courtlough over the weekend to get a bit of timely instruction and enjoyed catching some good fish while they were at it. Carrigavantry and Knockaderry are also fishing well and there are still a few places available in the Nadine Cancer Battle Fund competition on Knockaderry this Saturday.

In the calm before the storm, Derravaragh and the River Inny produced the goods for pike anglers out with Michael Flanagan. One fisherman played the pied piper to good effect and on that day they had 9 pike in the boat.

Oisin plays the tin whistle crossing Derravaragh, the setting for Irish myth the Children of Lir

Many anglers had to restrict themselves to shore angling the during this period of windy weather. This doesn’t mean the fishing has to suffer though. Two groups of anglers in Longford, fishing with Melview Lodge, managed some fine pike into double figures and the Newbridge and District Pike Angling Club saw anglers  competing for the Winder Cup land 9 doubles to over 19lb.  John Burns fishing near Banagher earlier in the month had 5 pike to around 20lb on deadbaits.

Steo Sheridan
Steo Sheridan wins Catch of the Week for his 19.04lb pike that helped him take the Winder Cup

Sea trout provided excitement and inspiration for the Killybegs Mariners on their most recent outings to Donegal Bay. They found the silver surfers racing through the waves, gorging on sandeel and many were caught at extreme short range.

There is a rainfall warning today for  Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry and a small craft warning for most of our coastal areas. You can expect the cold and very unsettled weather to continue right over the weekend. There will periods of heavy rain, with some severe downpours at times, especially in southwestern, western and northwestern counties with spot flooding. Some falls of sleet and snow at times there also.  Now it won’t be all bad as part of the south and south west can expect brighter conditions for a time on Saturday and Sunday shouldn’t be awful. After Monday the weather is expected to become a bit milder with temperatures climbing into the teens.

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

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

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Silver surfers inspire Killybegs Mariners
Silver surfers inspire Killybegs Mariners