The recent settled weather gave very little rain and saw temperatures rise about 2ºC more than normal. There’s no doubt that this boosted Spring but unfortunately it’s cooler the last couple of days and there is a lot of rain on the way. Most fisheries are still quiet as anglers wait for restrictions to ease but one area where local anglers seem to be enjoying the weather and the fishing is on the trout rivers and lakes…

salmon
Sea liced salmon from Kilmurray

In the south-west, there were a few more salmon reported in the last week. Fresh fish are running the Munster Blackwater and Glenda Powell caught and released a lovely sea liced fish at Kilmurray. On the Lee, there were a few fish caught on fly and lure at Inniscarra. Meanwhile in the west there were 3 more fish reported by the Ballina Anglers on the Moy. This brings a total number of fish caught to date on the club waters to six, a fantastic return so early in the season. No other fisheries on the Moy have reported any catches yet. In other news from the Moy, Mount Falcon is offering fishing without the need to book accommodation this year. Last season was their best for over 10 years so it looks like a great opportunity.

bead head nymphs
The beadheads that were working on the Kings River

Trout anglers on the loughs and rivers are enjoying some great sport at the moment. A mix of trolling and fly is producing fish on loughs from Derg to Ree, Conn and Cullin and elsewhere. We are also hearing some encouraging reports from rivers like the Nore, Bride and even Dublin’s Dodder.

Staying on the freshwater venues we have a video report from Marcin Kantor who was fishing a local venue from the float tube. He has some great advice for anyone targeting pike at this time of year. Particularly relevant is his reminder to let them be for a couple of weeks and not to fish for them once they start spawning.

Mullet
Mullet

Heading to sea now, or at least the coast, we have reports of mullet from the south-west and news of a new award promoted by the National Mullet Club – an annual Irish Shield for fish caught in Irish waters. We also have an entertaining video from Eamon McGrattan showing the level of service that is offered to clients of Malahide Charter Boats aboard the Naomi Leigh. You’d be bursting to get out fishing with him!

Bluefin tuna 2021

Building on the successes of the Tuna CHART programmes over the last couple of years, the programme will run again in 2021, allowing anglers to once again participate in this scientific data collection catch and release fishery, subject to Covid-19 restrictions. The call for applications from charter boats is live now and the last date for the receipt of a completed application will be 13:00 on the 9th of April. Find out more at Tuna CHART 2021 – Bluefin tuna scientific catch-tag-and-release angling fishery 2021

In other news…

Inland Fisheries Ireland have launched the ‘Why I love to fish’ video competition as part of Go Fishing Week 2021. We want you to submit a short video of your fishing adventures and to tell us what fishing means to you. Entries are welcome from individuals or groups, fishing clubs, youth clubs, centres and projects are all invited to take part.

The competition is open to everyone over 18 years of age. If your video includes anyone aged under 16 years of age, only a parent/guardian may submit the content. The overall winner will receive fishing tackle to the value of €100 and there will also be prizes for runners up and special categories.

Why I love to Fish competition poster

The closing date for entries to ‘Why I love to fish’ is Friday, 9th of April 2021. For more information on the competition and how to apply please visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/lovefishing.

For information on Go Fishing Week 2021 and how to get involved visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/gofishingweek.

And now the weather…

There’s rain on the way and it will turn wintry later today with snow possible over higher ground in the west and northwest. Fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds will occasionally reach near gale force in some western coastal parts. Rather wet and breezy conditions for the rest of the weekend and to start next week, with continued outbreaks of rain particularly affecting the west and northwest. Temperatures will be milder on Sunday and Monday rising to around 16ºC by Tuesday. Current indications suggest that it will turn drier, but much cooler from mid-week next week.

Safe fishing to all 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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