One of the rarer Donegal bay shore catches – lumpsucker

Congratulations to Letterkenny Educate Together National School who were named winners of the national education programme, ‘Something Fishy’. Something Fishy allows students to learn about fish and the environment in a local context. Students enjoy classroom based activities as well as practical fieldtrips with Fisheries Officers as part of the programme. To find more visit: Letterkenny school scoops top prize in national ‘Something Fishy’ competition

Coarse anglers are recording some good catches in winter leagues and other competitions across the country. Sheemore Anglers had bags of fish to over 20lb at their competitions on Albert Lock, in fact small roach made up a very impressive 34lb for Brian Bohan recently. Portumna was also producing small roach and weights to 14lb were made up of bits in a Munster Coarse Anglers competition. Some lovely skimmers were landed by CM Lakelands anglers on Muckno in their winter league and  continuing North, Rickey Peoples took the 2018 Bann Bonanza title with a 5-day weight of 32.125kg.

Martin proudly displays his new PB
Martin proudly displays his new PB – a 22lb 12oz pike that wins Catch of the Week

The 2nd annual “King Of The Corrib” Catch and Release Pike competition run by Predator Hunters Ireland, was held at Greenfields on Sunday the 18th November. Fishing was tough but there were some good pike measured. Evaldas Gusarovas had the longest pike – 110cm and he went on to win the competition with Aidan Traynor. Some good pike were also caught and released by Pallas Lake Pike Angling Club in their latest competition also fished on Sunday. Martin McCrory only managed one on the day, but it was enough for 2nd place. His 22lb 12oz pike is his new PB and also winds him Catch of the Week.

A November Blue for Skipper David Edwards
A November Blue for Skipper David Edwards

Charter boat Tigger in West Cork had some great late season blue shark fishing earlier this month. Also in the catches were plenty of small to medium cod with the occasional double shots of 3-5lb fish showing as well as occasional fish to 9lb. Around the corner in Kerry anglers fishing with John Quinlan were getting some lovely bass and mullet on fly earlier in the month. Staying in Kerry Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club fished through some brutal conditions last week in their winter league but some decent fish were landed, mostly bass and flounder. In Donegal it was flounders and turbot with the odd coley that made up the catches in the Killybegs Mariners winter league last week – as Stefan Martin put it “Beaches are in prime fishing mode now and the noise of flounder tails slapping on the sand was constant throughout the night”.

Fly anglers looking for something to do over the winter months are reminded to keep an eye out for the various winter leagues that are under way such as those at Annamoe and Rathcon. Most rainbow fisheries stay open through the winter and offer entertaining sport for any fly fishers feeling cabin fever.

Finally, all water users along the River Shannon are being urged to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague (which kills native freshwater White-clawed Crayfish) on a stretch of the Al River. This river is one of the main tributaries to the River Shannon in Athlone and flows westerly, entering the Shannon downstream of the weir. More information here Water users urged to take precautions to limit an outbreak of Crayfish Plague confirmed on Al River, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

And now the weather…

After all the rain of yesterday and today we’ll have a good deal of dry weather in most areas on Saturday with bright or sunny spells and just an isolated shower in eastern areas. However showery rain will continue for a time along the south and southwest coasts with the slight risk of a heavy thundery burst. Highest temperatures 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, in a mostly light northeast breeze, which will be a little fresher along coasts. Sunday will also be mostly dry with showers in places and the cold feeling will persist as we start the day with a frost. It’s due to get windier next week and the further outlook is for unsettled weather with wet and windy spells as an Atlantic flow dominates.

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

Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release

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