It’s been a week of extremes, with an unseasonably strong storm last Friday giving way to a heatwave getting underway today. Last Friday and Saturday were exceptionally windy, blowing away hopes of getting out fishing for many. Since then the weather has been quite benign, warming up as the week progressed with temperatures up to 28C in part of the midlands and west today. Needless to say, this has impacted on angling, just as anglers were starting to get a bit more freedom from Covid-19 restrictions and exploring fishing options within 5km of home. Many are looking forward to Phase 2, when people can travel up to 20km from home, which will open up many more opportunities for fishing.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has issued guidance for anglers on getting back fishing in compliance with the government roadmap for reopening the country. These are guidelines only and may change if the overarching roadmap for society changes.
While the storm brought wind, much of the rain that fell was soaked up by the land that has been hit by a spring drought. Consequently, floods were small and many rivers did not see much of a lift at all. Water levels remain low in many places around the country.
Salmon Fishing Reports
There were few reports of salmon fishing, with low water levels prevailing in most rivers. Indeed, as our reporter in Kerry mentions, Lough Currane has not seen a good flood since St. Patricks Day, over two months ago.
Trout Fishing Reports
The mayfly has been in full swing on several of the big loughs for a few weeks now, with hatches slowly coming to an end. Spent gnat fishing on Sheeling is coming into its own at the moment. Over on Corrib, trout have been coming freely to wet and dry fly, as well as the dapped mayfly, and they were even jumping into the boat!
River trout angling is at it’s best at the moment, with excellent fishing on the river Boyne reported. Many other rivers around the country will be seeing good hatches and trout feeding hard now.
- Free rising brownies on the Boyne as some angling activity returns
- Patience makes for time well spent on Sheelin
- Trout jumping into the boat on Corrib
Pike Fishing Reports
Pike fishing is going well at the moment, with good fishing reported from Lough Derg, where fish up to 110cm were caught. A fantastic 26lbs pike was also reported from Lough Derravaragh.
Sea Fishing Reports
While charter boats remain tied up and shore anglers restricted to 5km, there has been little to report on the sea angling scene. Chris O’Sullivan from near Tralee has been making the most of his local fishing, however. Bass, flounder, and ray, including stingrays have been on the target list lately. But it was a surprise catch which gave him a big shock – a specimen tope of 45lbs! Read about it and watch the video here.
Chris’s tope is our Fish of the Week.
Stories from the Waterside
Do you know of a story with a water theme – a story that simply must be told? Here is your opportunity to tell it and to be in with a chance to win one of 20 great prizes totalling €4,000, which will support local businesses. Closing date is May31st, so start scribbling!
Your story can be from the past or the present day – that’s up to you. It might be about the wildlife that lives or once lived in or around a waterbody – your story might be about fishing, hunting or just watching nature.
Find out more at: Stories from the Waterside
And now the weather…
As I look out the window, the sun is shining, a light breeze is blowing, and it’s a sweltering 25 degrees outside. The forecast bodes well for sun worshippers, with high pressure dominating for the next few days. Met Eireann forecasts warm and mostly dry weather continuing for the rest of this week and through the Bank Holiday weekend, and current indications are that it will remain mostly if not completely dry until the end of next week. With little rain in sight, rivers will continue to endure low water levels, and salmon angling may not get going for a while yet. The settled conditions will suit a number of angling disciplines, however, and if you have fishing within 5km of home, get out and enjoy it .
Stay safe wherever you are,
Kevin Crowley
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
