Toberdaly Bridge, Offaly, Ireland
Toberdaly Bridge, Offaly, Ireland. Unfortunately the weather went from this to chaotic for the Edenderry festival

It’s been a wet and windy start to June. The rain was needed at most fisheries, but the wind has been a bit contrary at times…

The rain and grilse runs were timed well for a change, but those rivers getting their first dirty floods of the summer were not great for fishing. Many of West Cork’s spate rivers fell into the latter category, but the Ilen was not amongst them racking up 30 salmon last week. The Bandon also improved with the drop of fresh water it received. The Laune, Currane, Owenmore and Feale all had positives to report, but the wind undid the chances of many on Lough Currane. The Galway Fishery did well as the grilse run and favourable water levels saw 137 fish landed with some anglers getting 4 and 5 fish a session. Fishing on the Moy continues to improve and 340 salmon were reported as salmon are now spread all through the system. The Munster Blackwater also recorded a few good days and further east anglers on the Suir had some really exciting catches before the rain put the river out of order. Many had the prized double figure fish from this river, but one angler was witnessed catching and releasing a super springer estimated at 26lb.

Liam Harris
Liam Harris win a River Suir beauty

Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched a public consultation focusing on the development of a national sea trout policy and is now inviting submissions from the public. Sea trout has significant economic and cultural importance in Ireland with the potential for further development. For more see: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Public-Consultation/sea-trout-policy-development.html

Gareth
Gareth Jones had 24 trout on Lough Corrib, 3 over 4lb, all released. This super achievement wins him Catch of the Week

The weather did not really suit late season mayfly fishing for trout and all the big loughs struggled. Despite big hatches of fly on Sheelin any  trout caught here were hard earned as anglers negotiated wind changes and temperature drops. Over on Corrib the Mayfly is done and changeable weather did not make for enjoyable fishing. The “but” was that Caenis did offer some great early morning sport and some anglers had 8 and 10 trout a morning!  There were a few trout reported from Lough Ree and some of the midlands stocked fisheries offer a great antidote to a tough day on the big loughs.

The Grand Canal at Daingean was producing good catches of bream and tench earlier this week, unfortunately the weather has been playing havoc with the canal fishing for the Edenderry 3 Day Festival. The CM Lakelands Feeder Only 3 day festival produced plenty of hybrids and skimmers. The festival was fished over two County Cavan Loughs, Barnagrow and Skeagh, during the Bank Holiday weekend was won by Robertas Zilaitis with 42.280kg.

Ken Golightly
Ken Golightly’s with 28kg plus of bream from Inniscarra

Ken Golightly’s first day catch of almost 29kg from the Garden Centre in Inniscarra’s Ottewill Cup gave him an unassailable lead and he easily took 1st place despite two tough days after that. Pleasure anglers are reporting some great bags of fish between Portumna and Shannon Harbour with catches reaching 30 – 40kg for some.

Lough Derg saw some great pike catches last week as the Irish Kayak Angling Club fished the first leg of their championship from Portumna. Reports from the angling guides on the lake are that the bite is on and 1m plus fish are feeding well.

smooth hound
David with Wicklow Boat Charters first Specimen Smooth Hound of 2017

The poor conditions often made life difficult for sea anglers hoping to get out on the waves.  Killala Bay is fishing well and charter boat anglers onboard Leah landed some fine  fish (15 species) despite the windy conditions. Shore anglers and charter boat skippers are getting good fishing from Donegal’s shores. Donegal Bay is once again up in highlights following more Killybegs Mariners trips and anglers on Rosguill from Downings had a great mix of fish as new marks from last year continue to produce this season. Galway Bay is also fishing well and tope and blue shark are expected to put in an appearance there soon. Anglers fishing on Loch an Iasc in West Cork had good wreck fishing with their star fish a 15lb pollack. East coast anglers also had good fishing to report. Specimen smoothhounds are starting to come onboard Kit Dunne’s boat and despite some awful weather and trips being cut short they are getting great fishing.

Other news: 
Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched a Fish & Film competition to encourage young people to spread the word about fishing. Junior fishing clubs, youth clubs, projects and centres from across Ireland are invited to apply to the competition by taking film footage of their fishing adventures and promoting it online. The top three groups with the most views on their film will go forward to a junior fishing competition where the overall winner will receive a €1,000 fishing tackle voucher for their club with the two runners up each winning a €250 voucher. To enter visit: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/fishandfilm

The forecast is for a blustery weekend with some rain, some heavy, in warm daytime temperatures on Saturday, but cooler on Sunday. The outlook for next week is for warmer weather to develop after a fresh start with showers. There are gale warnings and small craft warning in effect so check the forecast before heading out.

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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