Lough Currane and River Inny updates from Vincent Appleby and the Waterville Lakes and Trust…
11/7/18 England may be disappointed they lost their semi final of the World Cup but not as half as much as we Currane anglers because we didn’t even get a strike, so one can say it was a disappointing day all round. Wind was light W and variable. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 21.2 c.
12/7/18 Currane Anglers could only look at a flat calm Currane today so one could say the fly anglers were made redundant and even if the wind had got up they would need to ask the patron St. of fishing St. Peter to intervene and the same goes for the anglers that manipulates on the troll, but I will say one thing, dry spell or not Lough Currane has a great reputation for proving otherwise when conditions are hard. Wind no comment. Yesterdays weather maximum air temperature 22.5c.
13/7/18 All quiet on the SW front in all departments which is not surprising considering water levels are on a lower scale, so one can understand the lack of action and there is rain on the way tomorrow but sadly it will hardly wet your head and amount forecasted for Waterville is 0.5mm. As you can see by the photo of The World Famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie Wind NW light with reasonable cloud cover. Yesterdays Weather maximum air temperature 21.8c.
14/7/18 As forecasted we did get a spot of rain in the SW but I have to report one sweated more water than the clouds, on that note we will head out to Lough Currane and I can tell you the action was as slack as the rain again. Now we had for the photo department of North Kerry and a scorched Ballybunion Golf course, photo courtesy of the Kerryman and the low waters at Waterville Bridge. Wind W fresh with good cloud cover and very humid. Yesterdays weather, 18.9 mm. Maximum air temperature 9.9c.
15/7/18 Lough Currane Anglers were more enthusiastic this day after a light sprikle of rainfall, but I can tell you by the end of their day, their enthusiasm had sunk to a low like the waters of Currane, so a full pint of beer was order of the day after their hard efforts, need I say more. Total amount of rainfall for kerry was 3mm, maximum air temperature 18.3.
16/7/18 Straight to the Sea Trout department, Co Offaly Angler Mr. John Smith caught a fine 3lbs Sea Trout on the fly and returned his Sea Trout, all while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com Wind NW with reasonable cloud cover and the odd shower. Yesterdays weather amount of rainfall 8.1mm. Maximum air temperature18.0c.
17/7/18 At first it seemed to be all quiet on the SW front in all departments, you could say it was a Rod Stuart day, I’m Sailing. But – Northern Ireland angler Mr. Andy Wishart’s daughter, Kerry caught her first Salmon while trolling with her Dad and may it be the first of many. Wind W fresh and variable with reasonable cloud cover and very warm. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature, 17.5c.
18/7/18 Straight to the weather and the order of the day was bright sunshine and very warm and with all that there was at least 3 boats manipulating their lures, all they had to report at the end of their day was a Suntan. On the early shift it was reported that an angler fishing on his own had a good crack from a Salmon while trolling but sadly the salmon won the day and that sums up today’s action. and again sorry for not putting it in yesterdays notes. Wind calm this morning and come afternoon there was a nice breeze from the NW. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 0.3 mm. Maximum air temperature 18.8 c.
Vincent Appleby
www.salmonandseatrout.com
The Trust report
Impact of hot, dry conditions on Currane catchment
As the hot dry weather continues, with no substantial amount of rain forecast, it is probably time to take stock of the impact it is all having on our freshwater ecology here in Waterville. The Lakes are at a very low level and most of the small streams have been reduced to a trickle. Water temperatures are at a level not experienced for a good number of years. The Kerry County Council carry out water quality sampling in all the main lakes on a periodic basis for the EPA and this week the surface water temperatures in Currane were recorded at over 23 degrees. Even at 36 meters, in the deepest part of the lake, 16 degrees was recorded. Far above the comfort level of our trout and salmon! The water flow at our conservation hatchery below Lough Derriana is much reduced and this coupled with water temperatures of over 20 degrees means that our juvenile salmon are having a tough time too, with inevitably some casualties being experienced.
Anglers have always been aware that these hot bright conditions are not conducive to good fishing, but we wonder how many realise the impact on the ecosystem generally. Warm water means low levels of dissolved oxygen and we are seeing that fish are crowding into the areas of the lakes where small streams, which still have a reasonable quantity of water, flow in. Similarly, salmon and a few sea trout are staging off the mouth of the Waterville River and are particularly vulnerable to the seal population and avian and two legged predators!
The fry in the virtually dry small streams around the lake, have migrated back into the main lake itself and they too are becoming vulnerable to predation, not only from the mergansers but also from their larger brown trout cousins! The reduced flows in the streams similarly reduces, what the scientists call, ‘the wetted areas’ with an inevitable loss of invertebrates – trout food.
All is not doom and gloom however. The total lack of rain has meant that there has been virtually no agricultural ‘run off’ in the catchment for weeks and this is reflected in the lack of the normal algal blooms in the lakes, resulting in exceptional clarity of the water, this week recorded at almost 20 feet.
It may be that we are seeing an indicator of what is likely to be the impact of global warming.
Since the last ice age our trout and salmon have progressively migrated further north to keep in their comfort zone and there is growing evidence that increases in water temperature will change their behavior in the future.
Lets all hope that substantial rain comes soon!
Rod Robinson
Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust
Go fishing…
Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry.
Telephone: +353 (0)66 9475248
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com
Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust
The Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust, formed by concerned volunteers in 2016, is one of the new Rivers Trusts to be set up in Ireland and is currently aspiring to Charitable Status. Its remit is to protect the fresh and coastal waters of the Iveragh Peninsula.
Find out more and how you can contribute at
Find out more about Lough Currane…
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see
