The weather has finally returned to ‘normal’ summer conditions, with cooler temperatures and wetter Atlantic systems pushing the warm continental systems back to the continent (where they belong) and bringing much needed rain to the western half of the country in particular.
Our migratory fish have welcomed the flush of fresh water in the west; over 1,000 salmon were reported caught on the river Moy with half of those coming on Thursday August 2nd following heavy rain on the Wednesday.
On the Erriff there were thirty salmon reported caught for the week, with twenty of those returned to fight another day; there were also good numbers of sea trout in the system as reported by anglers which is great to hear in the west of Ireland where stocks are under pressure.
Further south a steady trickle of fish are being reported on the Munster Blackwater and a number of salmon were landed on lough Currane, both on fly and on the troll, along with some sea trout up to 3.5lbs.
In the western loughs, the World Cup Trout Fly Fishing Championship was held on lough Mask over the bank holiday weekend and after four days of qualifiers and several hundred anglers giving it their all, Ulster’s Nigel Green was crowned the overall winner on Monday with seven fish for 9.77lbs.
On the coarse scene there have been reports of excellent catches of bream and tench on the Grand Canal in the midlands, although competitors in the Tullamore and District Angling Club Junior league found the going tough when they ventured out for their event at the weekend. The Barrow has also produced the goods for those willing to get off the beaten track and explore a little. While the water levels are still low in many places, anglers fishing into darkness or very early in the morning are being rewarded with good bags of tench, bream and hybrids in Cavan.
In the midlands the pike and predator fishing is beginning to pick up with reports of good fishing for lure anglers on the larger loughs where a number of pike of over 100cm have been reported.
Bass fishing has been rewarding for insomniacs in the south and south east – the very best of the fishing again coming to those who fish hard lures and soft plastics well into the night, with tides being less influential after dark.
A reminder to saltwater anglers fishing around our coasts – all sea bass landed by recreational anglers must be returned to the water unharmed in 2018 under EU Council Regulation 2018/120; this European Union regulation was drafted into law in Ireland under Statutory Instrument No. 99 of 2018 and remains in place. More information on EU Council Regulation 2018/120 is available here and information on S.I. 99/2018 is available here.
And now the weather…
Changeable and unsettled weather will continue this weekend, with an Atlantic weather pattern continuing.
Friday will be dry in most parts with clear spells but cloudy conditions with rain and drizzle will extend from the Atlantic, affecting some western and southern areas as the day goes on. Min. 5 to 7 degrees in the north, 9 to 14 elsewhere, mildest in the southwest.
Saturday will be cloudy and misty, with patchy rain and drizzle in the morning. More persistent rain will extend from the Atlantic during the afternoon and evening, with some heavy bursts. Quite warm and humid. Max. 17 to 21 Celsius, in mostly moderate winds, mainly southeast at first, veering south to southwest and freshening along western and southern coasts. Further outbreaks of rain on Saturday night.
Sunday will remain quite warm and humid, with rain in eastern counties in the morning, clearing to bright spells and scattered showers, some possibly heavy. Max. 17 to 22 C. in light variable breezes.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Paul O’Reilly
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Sea angling reports
Coarse angling reports
- Quiet in Cavan but good fishing for night owls and early birds
- Tullamore and District Junior Angling Report
- Barrow fishing well for dace, roach and bream
Salmon angling news
Trout angling reports
Other news
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