Sunset on Lough Corrib (Photo by Larry McCarthy)
Sunset on Lough Corrib (Photo by Larry McCarthy)

Mixed conditions were reported across the country this week with warmer, humid weather earlier in the week giving way to our more familiar and unpredictable ‘sunshine and showers’ as we approach the weekend.

Trout angling on Lough Corrib saw an improvement this week with hatches of mayfly and sedges while news from Macroom tells us that salmon anglers are performing well across a number of locations, particularly the River Ilen where 40 salmon to 14lbs were landed.

On Lough Sheelin, steady numbers are reported to be fishing the lake for trout but most anglers are dismissing the daylight hours and only coming out when the sun goes down, this is when the action really seems to be happening. After a couple of week’s unavoidable absence, our regular correspondent Brenda has returned so read her full report for more in-depth information.

In Cavan, coarse angling venues reported good fishing across most of the county, aside from the Carrigallen area which experienced slower fishing earlier in the week due to the brighter conditions. Elsewhere in Dereskit, Ballinamore, Derrycassan and Cootehill among others, fish are plentiful at the moment.

On the sea angling front, Killala Bay saw good conditions and good catches of Ray, Pollack and Ling up to double figures were reported. In Cork, blue sharks have been showing well and a couple of Porbeagles have also been landed. Ling, Cod and Pollack are appearing in good numbers but mackerel have remained patchy for several weeks.

Sid Jones with another specimen bass
Sid Jones with his specimen bass

From the shore in the south east we have reports of excellent bass fishing from angling guide, Sid Jones, and from anglers participating in the Irish Bass Festival. Sid has caught a number of specimen sized bass in recent weeks and had some successful trips with some very happy clients. The Bass Festival saw 80 anglers catch and return over 150 fish with the longest fish of 77cm captured by Kristian Davies (#CPRSavesFish). Ted Roche won the Juvenile category with his 60cm fish and Ray Horgan had the best three combined fish with 214.5cm – pretty impressive results. For a full rundown of festival results, see next week’s Irish Angling Update.

In recent days, it has been the junior sea anglers who have been competing with the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers’ Under 21 & Under 16 Teams participating in the World Championships last week in France for the first time in several decades. Both Irish teams performed brilliantly with the results in the balance until the final cast. In the end, the Under 21 Team took home the silver medal with the Under 16’s coming in at a respectable fourth place.

IFSA Under 21’s silver medal team : Joe Carley, Sean Carley, Jordan Muir, Killian Farrelly, Conor O’ Leary, Stephen Bierney, Ryan Blair, Jim Snoddy and Joe Byrne.
IFSA Under 21’s silver medal team : Joe Carley, Sean Carley, Jordan Muir, Killian Farrelly, Conor O’ Leary, Stephen Bierney, Ryan Blair, Jim Snoddy and Joe Byrne.

Meanwhile at home and in the West, junior sea anglers were out in full force in Mayo at Newport Sea Angling Club’s Daniel Peacock Memorial & National Junior Championships. Over 42 anglers between 8-18 years of age competed in the enjoyable one day event with plenty of prizes up for grabs for the novices.

In other news, Inland Fisheries Ireland’s #CPRsavesfish campaign continues to attract attention from regional media. If you haven’t heard about it, check out www.fishinginireland.info/cprsavesfish for more information. The campaign aims to encourage catch & release angling and engage the general public around the pursuit.

Looking to the weather at the weekend for those planning to go fishing, the weather will be showery and cool, but moderate to fresh winds are likely to ease. Saturday will be showery with sunny spells but will become cloudier as showers become more frequent in the west. It will be fresh and gusty in the northwest and north. The showers will continue into Sunday and become heavier for a time with top temperatures around 15-18 degrees. This will be coupled with light to moderate southwest and southerly breezes.

On that note, safe fishing to all in the week ahead and tight lines, especially to those here in Ireland.

Órla Sheils

Catch, Photo, Release

#CPRsavesfish

If you have an angling story to share with Irish Angling Update, please send it to [email protected] .

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