Laethanta na bo riabhacha is an old Irish “piseog”, or saying, translating as the days of the brindled cow, and relating to the first week of April. It refers to hard winters, that continue on well into spring. Traditionally, cattle would have been out in the fields by now, enjoying the first flush of nutritious new grass, but the legend goes that the brindled cow, feeling peeved at the long winter, grumbled so much to her bovine friends that March took grave offence, and borrowed a few days off April to finish off the brindled cow with more cold weather and no new grass. Well this week certainly felt like that, with cold easterly winds and night frosts lending more of a feel of winter to the air.
Despite the Arctic chill, fish were doing their best to provide entertainment, and there is a lot of good sport to report.
Duckfly hatches have been getting going on Lough Corrib, where some fine trout have been reported. Trout fishing has also improved on Sheelin, with good fishing reported from the Midland lakes of Owel, Lene and Derravaragh. Milder weather forecast from tomorrow should bring hatches on further and bring more anglers back to the water.
Spring salmon continue to run the Drowes in good numbers, with fish caught almost every day, while salmon fishing on the Moy was very good, with some fine fish caught by anglers. Lough Currane continues to produce springers, although the first sea trout have yet to appear, and some nice fish were taken on the River Feale also.
Some nice pike are coming off the Shannon too, with deadbaits and lures working.
John Fleming’s crew had a spectacular day of specimen spurdog fishing on Saturday, with 16 specimen fish recorded (all measured released), and sea anglers are gearing up at the moment for warmer days and the return of many species to our waters.
And now the weather..
We are currently experiencing heavy rain around the country, which will impact on most rivers, but the weather is set to improve from Saturday, with sunny spells and showers and milder temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in light breezes. It sounds positively spring-like!
The early days of next week continue the milder trend, with air temps of 9-14C, which should see things improve significantly over recent weeks. And hopefully the brindled cow has survived!
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Kevin Crowley
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Salmon angling news
- Drowes continues to fish well for springers
- Salmon fishing picks up on the Feale
- Cold weather no deterrent to springers on the Moy
- Anglers take advantage of brief window to intercept springers at Kylemore
- Salmon continue to run Lough Currane over Easter
- West Cork/Kerry reports
Trout angling reports
- Duckfly up on Corrib but weather deters anglers
- Sheelin producing some fine trout despite Arctic weather
- Midlands lakes producing nice trout as early season anglers warm up
- Emy Lough fishing well
Pike angling reports
Sea angling reports
Other news
- Jobs at IFI: Fishery Officers
- Public consultation: Fermoy Weir – Angling Limitiations
- Salmon Fishing Course on Erriff, 18 -20 May
- Irish Ladies Fly-Fishing Association outing set for April 22
