Another wet and cool week in Ireland. Plenty of rain in the west and a little drier in the east, relatively speaking. St. Patrick’s Day normally marks the start of so many anglers’ seasons. Unfortunately Coronavirus has impacted all avenues of life in Ireland, and angling is no different. Many angling providers are having to shut down and events and festivals have been cancelled. But while there’s some fishing to report on, we’ll keep bringing you the angling news…

Salmon release on the Upper Caragh fishery #CPRsavesfish

There was some decent salmon fishing enjoyed at a few venues this week. The Upper Caragh Fishery did well again, and nearby on Currane there were a handful of salmon landed. The Laune had an exceptional salmon caught, a big fish of 22lb, and killed. Up on the Drowes there were a few anglers getting out and a few more salmon caught. Indications are that it could be another decent week ahead for salmon anglers.

Gaetan Hincelin with a beautiful Sheelin fish. Gaetan is wearing a ursuit floatation suit.

Trout anglers usually see March 17th as a good day to hit the rivers, and no doubt many did in the last week, weather be damned. The Kings River, a tributary of the Nore, fished well while the main channel was a little high. On the Drowes two large trout were caught, 6lb and 7lb. Unusual fish for the river and the feeling was that they were Ferox trout out hunting for food. Winds limited lough fishing for many, but there was a good enough report from Lough Sheelin, where despite cold and coloured water trout to 7lb were boated. High water didn’t put a stop to catching fish on Owel either, while anglers enjoyed some great fishing on White Lake’s opening day.

Chris Simpson
Chris Simpson led going in to day 2 but finished 2nd in the end

Coarse angling festivals fell foul of Coronavirus in the last week. The first half of the Inniscarra festival was fished in tricky conditions as water levels rose 16′. Cathal Hughes did well to retain his title winning the St.Patrick’s festival for the second year in a row with 26.370kg. On Lough Muckno venue specialist Peter Horbinski won the very muted St Patrick’s weekend Two day Festival. Both events were fished in adherence to social distancing guidelines. Sadly since then all competition fishing and festivals have been suspended for the next few weeks.

Catch of the Week winner Dominic Rickhard with his 104cm pike

We have only a couple of pike reports in. There was some good fishing reported from the midlands where Dominic Rickhard had 10 pike to 104cm fishing with angling guide Michael Flanagan. Dominic wins Catch of the Week.

Ireland on the Fly

Daire Whelan writes that his podcast Ireland on the Fly will continue it’s weekly episodes finding out about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland. On this week’s episode, it’s all about streamer fishing and how and why you should be trying it and not just when the river is in flood. If you can’t get out, listen in…

And now the weather

For the next few days the Midlands and East will remain relatively dry; however, rain and drizzle are forecast for the west. Over the week ahead, it is expected that west will receive between 2 and 3 times the normal or 25mm to 70mm in total, and the Midlands and East, 15mm to 20mm in total. Average temperatures for the week ahead are forecast to be between one and two degrees below average for most of the country, and around normal in Southeastern coastal areas. Water levels and forecasts look favourable, so keep a rod length apart at all times if you’re out and try not to to high five each other when you catch a fish…

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].

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