Jingle bells, Santa Claus, turkey dinners – it’s that time of year and only the bravest anglers will be heading out in the next couple of days as the final rush to get everything ready gets underway. Luckily enough Christmas seemed far away enough last week that going fishing was easily explained and we have some good reports from around the country, despite Storm Deirdre’s best efforts…
Pike anglers had some great fishing in the last week. The All Ireland Pairs was fished in Cavan where 3 anglers returned catches of over 30lb and the biggest fish on the day was 15lb 13oz. Staying in Cavan, Gerard Smith fishing with angling guide Pauric McGearty had 20 pike to 20.5lb all on lures. Lures were working well in the Midlands too and on Lough Derravaragh Alan Brodrick had some smashing fish, the best of which measured 116, 115, 112 and 110 cm. The River Inny is also fishing well and some super pike were caught recently – again on lures – as Gordon Davies fishing with Michael Flanagan had pike to 26lb 2oz.
Some serious fish caught there, but Catch of the Week goes to junior angler Patrick Frahill who had five perch on Lough Derg, all released. Patrick learned the lesson of his life on his afternoon’s fishing – that catching fish is just “brilliant”. I’m sure Patrick and dad Alan will be fishing partners for life.
It was a tale of two venues on the River Shannon at the weekend. In Leitrim the river fished well for Sheemore Anglers and weights to over 17lb were recorded, but down in Co. Clare 17oz would have but you in contention in the Munster Anglers match.
We have shore angling reports this week from Wexford, Kerry and Sligo. Flounders are still producing good fishing at many venues with coleys and dogs helping out with competition scores. Cod did not get much of mention about the place, but there are some good whiting going in Cork Harbour still.
Funding available in 2019 for angling projects and events
Initiatives which support novice anglers and angling tourism invited to apply for funding to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Programme 2019
Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched its Sponsorship Programme for 2019 and is now inviting applications from suitable angling events and initiatives nationwide. The programme, which is one of the funding mechanisms of the National Strategy for Angling Development, awarded funding to 62 Irish angling events and 10 teams representing Ireland in overseas international events to the combined value of €30,000 last year. To find out more and to apply, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/sponsorship
Met Eireann tell us that tomorrow morning will be dry and bright in many areas, with sunny spells, but scattered showers will occur, most of them in parts of west Ulster, Connacht and west Munster. Maximum temperatures 7 to 11 C, in moderate west to southwest breezes. After a wet night, Sunday will be cloudy and misty generally, with further rain, persistent and sometimes heavy and with some fog. A bit of rain at times on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself looks to be mild and bright. The good news is that St. Stephens Day looks like a good time to try out all the new fishing gear you got the day before…
So it only remains to say Happy Christmas , Merry New Year and for one last time in 2018 –
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
- New Guiding Service and Boat Hire and Great Fishing Too!
- Good Sized Pike Make Late Rush on Derravaragh
- Getting hooked on angling on Lough Derg
- Pikers Kiernan and Sheenan win the All Ireland pairs
- Good piking on the River Inny, fish to 26lb 2oz caught
Sea angling reports
- Flounders and coleys for the Mariners at Mullaghmore
- South Shore Anglers finish the year on a high
- Dogs, dabs and whiting from Fenit for Kerry inventor
Coarse angling news
- River Shannon at Carrick fishes well for Sheemore anglers
- Munster coarse anglers have a tough match at O’Briensbridge
