A number of clubs and fisheries around the country have celebrated their new found freedom by holding knock ups and matches with anglers, both competitive and non-competitive alike, only delighted to get back in the swing of things.

Oaklands lake in New Ross has been producing some fine bags of carp for anglers of all shapes, sizes and ages, as has Tooman Fisheries in Leitrim where Wednesday’s open match was won with a haul of 184 lbs.

Portumna CAC are planning their first club match of the season this Sunday July 5th, hopefully the strong wind that’s forecast eases for them and they can still blow away their cobwebs.

Tommy Burke won the Edenderry knock up with 6 lbs 9 ozs

On the canals, the Royal Enfield CAC have been busy clearing swims for their upcoming events and Edenderry CAC held a knock up in terrible conditions where 6 lbs 9 oz of fish was enough to take top spot.

Ready to Go and Catch……..

Lakes in Cavan and Leitrim have been fishing well for tench, bream and hybrids, as shown by the Go and Catch Feeder Team who made the most of a calm but overcast day to bag up with an impressive haul of bream and hybrids.

A nice bag of bream and hybrids for the Go and Catch guys

In county Laois some nice carp and tench are being reported from Gill’s pond by the Ballinakill anglers.

Norman Rothwell and an impressive few fish

In east Clare, the Tulla District and Angling Club will be holding their first competition this Sunday at Silvergrove from 11am until 4pm with new and novice anglers welcome, draw for pegs will be at 9.45am; they’ll be busy clearing swims this Friday evening ahead of the event.

So grab your coarse rod, some floats, weights, bait and hooks and get out there; what better way to introduce the younger generation to the art of angling than nabbing a few tench from the canal, bream and hybrids on a lough or a carp from a commercial – what’s stopping you?