This time last year the country was “enjoying” a visitor which became known as the Beast from the East, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. This week, we have enjoyed possibly another symptom of Climate Breakdown, with temperatures up to 17 degrees Celsius, in winter! While the weather this week was more enjoyable than last year for most, I’m not sure which is more worrying for the future.
Today, 1st of March marks the official first day of spring, and fishing gets underway on more rivers. The dry weather this week gave lower water on most rivers, which suited some, and salmon were reported from Lough Currane and the Drowes, with the Moy also recording it’s first fish on Monday. It has started raining here in the West, with heavy rain and gales forecast for tomorrow, so we should see plenty of water on salmon fisheries and hopefully more fish to report next week.
Sea anglers took advantage of calm seas and the balmy weather this week, with Kit Dunne and a small group enjoying smashing fishing yesterday out of Wicklow, catching quite a few specimen spurdog, including our Catch of the Week for Dan Smith.
Anglers in Donegal also enjoyed the conditions and good shore fishing on the beaches of Donegal Bay. The first leg of the West Coast Shore League
The Western Shore League got underway last weekend in glorious conditions at Renvyle, Co. Galway on Saturday evening, where 28 anglers enjoyed excellent late winter sport, catching up to 12 different species. While I certainly enjoyed the evening session, I was given a lesson in fishing by John Cunningham on the peg next to me, who won the zone.
That’s pretty much it, with no pike, trout or coarse reports sent in this week.
And now the weather…
The balmy days of the past week are already a thing of memory, as March has come in like a damp squib, bring rain to the west of Ireland this morning. Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for tomorrow, with the following few days set to bring showery weather and moderate to fresh winds. Temperatures will fall back to more normal values, with highs of 8-10C most days. As ever, if going out on the water, check the forecast and stay safe!
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Kevin Crowley
Catch, Photo, Release
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Headlines
Salmon angling news
Sea angling reports
- West Coast Shore League off to a great start with super fishing from Renvyle
- Great shore fishing in spring conditions in Donegal
- Specimen Spurdogs on a Cracking Day in Wicklow
