Is anyone else eagerly looking forward to Monday, and the ability to travel beyond 5km in search of fishing? Thought so! Looking out the window here I can see Lough Corrib in the middle distance, with the mountains of Connemara beyond. They have remained tantalisingly out of reach these last few months, but thankfully most of us will be able to access good fishing within our own county from Monday. See here for our advice to anglers regarding the current government guidance.

Unseasonably cold

The weather has been unseasonably cold, with snow in some parts over the Easter weekend and early part of this week, with more cold forecast from tonight. As a result we don’t have a lot of angling reports to share with you this week.

The first salmon of the season was caught on the Costello & Fermoyle Fishery, a lovely 7lbs springer caught by local angler Geoffrey Fitzjohn and sportingly released.

Geoffrey Fitzjohn admires his catch, the first salmon of 2021 at Costello, before release.
#CPRSavesFish

 

While Lough Currane produced no salmon, it did see the first sea trout of the season to local guide Dominic McGillicuddy. On salmon was reported from the Moy, another river where angling pressure has been very light, but should see a lot more rods from Monday. Salmon smolts are congregating and starting their seaward migration at the moment, which will continue for several weeks. Salmon and trout anglers are reminded to be careful when handling these delicate fish, and we have some advice here.

Duckfly hatches on Lough Conn brought some fish to the boat for local anglers, although the cold weather and travel restrictions meant very few anglers were out.

 

A fine 59cm trout released by Peter Roche on Lough Conn

Big river trout and pike

River anglers are starting to see trout feeding now too, and Marcin Redka had a cracking 7lb trout off the River Fergus in Co. Clare. He also landed a big pike of almost 20lbs, which is our Catch of the Week.

Elsewhere regular contributor Dan O’Neill had good sport on the Kings River with wetflies and dry dropper setups.

A fine almost 20lbs river pike for Marcin

 

No plaice like home

Cold and occasionally rough sea conditions have made sea angling reports scarce, and this time of year is often quiet on the sea angling scene, before it really takes off in late spring. The Killybegs Mariners club members, however, are blessed with good fishing on their doorstep, and some have been out after plaice and other species with success.

 

A fine Donegal plaice for Gavin

We have also received confirmation of EU bass fishing regulations up to the end of July 2021, with anglers permitted to take 2 fish per day with a minimum size limit of 42cm. We will update when we get the decision on EU regulations from August onwards.

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…

Cold again, with showers today becoming wintry and even turning to snow in places. Remaining cold over the weekend, with frost at night and daytime temps not getting above 5-8 degrees. Showers of rain, hail, sleet and even snow will give way to a ry day for some on Sunday, mostly in the east and south, with rain in the northwest. The outlook is for slightly milder weather, but low pressure dominating leading to showery outbreaks of rain. Ah well, it wouldn’t be April without showers, right!

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

Kevin Crowley
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

Trout Fishing Reports

Pike Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports