Jason Nash of the Bandon Angling Association reports…
29 September: Some great fishing was experienced during the week along different stretches of the river. Many fish were coloured and released unharmed, with the fly working best. However, it was also great to see a number of fresh, sea liced salmon to 12lb also landed. Good luck to everyone heading out tomorrow for one final fling!!
30 September: Well that’s a wrap for another year on the Bandon. Heavy rain today made fishing tough but a few salmon were caught all the same on fly and spinner. Soaked to the bone I had one fish this morning and lost another which I estimated to be between 15-20lb after a great battle. It was nice to see fish running throughout the day also.
Overall, it was an interesting season on the Bandon. Spring salmon fishing was really poor unfortunately and was a disappointment after we enjoyed some good spring fishing over the last few seasons. Early summer fishing was still tough but some nice catches were made by those fishing regularly.
Thankfully, the river witnessed an excellent run of grilse in July. The lower reaches were stuffed with fish and it was a spectacle to watch so many jumping in the pools. These provided good sport but the fishing was brilliant once conditions improved after heavy rain resulted in higher water levels. August was the best month of the season with many anglers reporting multiple catches. What we have become accustomed to though is the fact that the Bandon is now a spate river and one really needs to be on the river at the right time to get the best of the fishing.
Come September, as per usual,the run of fresh fish really slowed down. Some fresh salmon to 12lb were caught over the last fortnight of the season but most salmon were stale.
With regards to trout fishing, anglers enjoyed fantastic sport with brown trout at various times of the season. May in particular was excellent for dry fly fishing and the trout were in pristine condition as they gorged on great hatches of fly. Sea trout fishing was good at times as there was a better run this year compared to the least few years. The biggest sea trout reported was 4lb and a few fish of this size made it to the bank.
We hope everybody enjoyed their season on the Bandon River. Bring on 2020!
Jason Nash
Bandon Angling Association
Go Fishing…
Bandon Angling Association have set up a guiding service in conjunction with Jason Nash, Peter Aspinwall and Phil Dewey. Details of the guiding service are provided on the website and they are looking forward to making memories and enhancing people’s fishing experiences on the river Bandon. Day tickets and club membership are also available.
Web: https://bandonangling.com/
Kilcoleman Fishery, Enniskeane, is renowned for its hospitality. The owners David and Patricia Lamb make a particular effort to make their guests feel at home. Past visitors have described the atmosphere as ‘laid back’ and the accommodations as ‘cosy’. Kilcoleman is “fly only” throughout the entire season. However, in certain water conditions, spinning is permitted for salmon. Trout angling is “fly only” at all times.
web: http://flyfishing-ireland.com
