It was a wet week with torrential downpours resulting in destructive flooding in some parts. Temperatures dropped considerably too, adding to the feeling of a bad end to a poor summer for many. Venues all across the country are at winter levels already and sea anglers in many places had to contend with flood waters pushing saltwater species offshore and murky waters which also made angling tough at times…
Floods and high water dominate the salmon angling news. There are a few fish about all the same, though they are spread right through the various fisheries following the sustained rains. Anglers are reminded that the daily quota on Open Rivers is one fish a day in September.
Trout anglers are also having to contend with the unsettled weather. Most of the lakes are quite high now and in many cases the water temperatures have dropped a few degrees. Not much in the way of hatches about, but there are still a few good trout to be caught as anglers who braved the conditions on loughs like Sheelin and Corrib found.
Setting up higher on the lake shore is required of coarse anglers at the moment. And many have found that they are casting to the spot where they could normally expect to be sitting at this time of year. Between the high water and cooler temperatures the fish are not in their normal swims, but a bit of searching can result in some decent fishing.
The cooler conditions will suit pike anglers who will be glad of an early return to the rivers and lakes they long to frequent. We expect to have some good reports in the coming weeks of pike angler successes.
In sea angling news we have reports in from the charter boats in Dungarvan, Carrigaholt, Killala and Kincasslagh. The weather has not been on their side for a lot of the time but some good ground, wreck, reef and shark fishing has been had. A catch of note in Killala Bay were a number of double figure pollack and these win Catch of the Week. Staying in Donegal small boat and shore anglers have had great fishing as the club members of the Killybegs Mariners continue to enjoy the best of what the north west coast has to offer.
It’s been a great season for the authorised skippers taking part in the scientific catch-tag-release bluefin tuna fishery. We have already seen reports of tuna tagged in Cork, Galway, Sligo and Donegal and now we can add Clare to the list as the Clare Dragoon caught its first fish of the season.
Other news
Freshwater Detective courses are being run in Louth and Wicklow over the next few weeks.
Ireland on the Fly has a new podcast for you to listen to. This week’s topic is this year’s salmon runs.
More details in the links below.
And now the weather…
Sunny spells and scattered showers on Saturday morning. Cloudier in the afternoon and evening with showers or longer spells of rain at times over the northern half of the country. The best of any bright or sunny spells will be in the southeast. Cool and breezy with highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees and moderate to fresh westerly winds.
The outlook is for fresh and breezy conditions with showers or longer spells of rain at times. Temperatures will be milder than recently. This will last all the way to Thursday, which should be brighter and drier, but it looks like the cool, wet weather is back again after that.
Safe fishing to all this weekend and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
All the angling news
Salmon Fishing Reports
- Currane dirty, a few juniors caught and salmon on the Butlers Pool
- River Moy still in flood
- First International Women’s Flyfishing Day – 12 September 2020
Trout Fishing Reports
- Up and down on Corrib – big fish for some anglers
- Francis picks up where Ellen leaves off as Sheelin anglers move to late season tactics
- First International Women’s Flyfishing Day – 12 September 2020
- Reliving childhood memories on the Bunowen
Coarse Angling Reports
Sea Angling Reports
- Weather improves for charter boat anglers off Clare coast
- Clare coast off the mark for Bluefin, Donegal Bay still fishing well
- Rocky shore and small boat sport in Donegal
- Great range of species for Kingfishers at Kincasslagh on Saoire Mara
- Dungarvan charter boat anglers enjoying their time on the water
- Double-figure pollack from Killala Bay
