
A wet and windy weekend was followed by a wet and windy week with still more wet and windy weather to come. It hasn’t been easy for anglers but we have a few reports from around the country as a number of clubs fished their last competitions of the year over the weekend…
This week started on a sombre note as we learned of the death of our retired colleague Peter O’Reilly. Peter had a lifetime of service in inland fisheries where he worked tirelessly to promote the wonderful salmon and trout fishing available across Ireland. Paul Bourke returns to the blog this week to pen an appreciation of one of Ireland’s true angling greats – Peter O’Reilly – an appreciation
The mixed up weather has not made for straightforward pike fishing. Cold, crisp days have been rare enough and floods have been the norm. High water often puts pike off the feed as they take their time to adjust to the new conditions. Most of the competitions fished over the weekend saw mostly jacks and smaller fish landed but the Newbridge pikers had a fine fish of 17lb landed in their Christmas league and over on Lough Derg, Chris fishing with Anglers Paradise had a super fish of 112cm. This fine pike wins Catch of the Week.

The windy weather has kept most boats ashore and our sea angling reports this week come from the shore. Flounder formed the mainstay of catches for anglers in both Wexford and Donegal. Locally cod and whiting are also being caught, particularly at some of the popular venues in Waterford and around Cobh and Cork Harbour.
Salmon anglers are reminded that licences are available for purchase from all the usual outlets as well as online. If you are purchasing online please allow sufficient time for delivery of orders allowing for Christmas posting and IFI office opening times over the holiday period: IFI offices will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
Be advised there are Yellow warnings for Wind and Rain on Saturday. Wet and windy with local spot flooding as heavy rain continues through the day. Strong southeast winds in the morning will become strong west to northwest in the afternoon, with the potential for damaging gusts in parts of the north later. Sunday will be a mostly dry day with just a few showers at the coasts. Temperatures will range between 5 and 7 degrees in the afternoon in mainly light southerly breezes. It’ll be cold on Sunday night once again as temperatures fall to between zero and plus 3 degrees. Wet unsettled weather will continue into next week.
Remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page as we’re doing our best to share all the details of the tackle shops, guides, fisheries and other angling services that are providing Christmas specials and vouchers. You’re sure to find the perfect angling present for someone else or maybe something for your own Christmas list…
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].
Headlines
Pike angling reports
- Newbridge pike anglers get a good day for last comp of year
- Tough fishing for Leinster pikers in winter league
- 167 pike over 100cm in 2018 for Lough Derg guide
- Lovely pike of 112cm saves a slow day in Clare
Sea angling reports
- Menapia anlgers close a good season in Wexford
- Good flounders and more for Killybegs Mariners in Donegal
- Wicklow Boat Charters Customer Competition Awards
Coarse angling news
Salmon angling news
Trout angling new
Other news
- Popular angling destination in County Mayo receives an upgrade
- 240,000 salmon returned to Irish shores last year
- Historic low in fish kills welcomed but water quality remains a concern
- Off the Scale: Issue 25 out now!
- Fishing book: Salmon of the River Lee
- New fishing outreach initiative reels in the novice anglers in Galway