Well, it was a reasonably nice weekend everywhere, but the weather the last few days has been decidedly grey, drizzly and windy at times. Certainly here in the west anyway! In spite of the inclement weather, it is warming up, both on land and at sea, and the fishing is improving.

Salmon fishing is picking up in many places as grilse runs get underway. The early part of this week saw sport improve markedly on the Blackwater, while the grilse have arrived in Galway and are providing good sport. Rivers in the southwest are fishing well, with good fishing reported from the Bandon, and salmon to 13lbs off the Ilen. Salmon are moving on the Moy, which recorded its best week yet. Lake anglers did well in Killarney, while Carrowmore also started to fish well, with sea trout joining the salmon.

Salmon about to be released on the Blackwater

The mayfly is over for another year, so there are few trout reports from the loughs, although early risers in the know will be targeting Caenis feeders on calmer mornings for the next few weeks. River fishing is going well, and anglers on the Nore had great sport.

Brown trout
Brown trout

Sea angling is really picking up now with the sea warming up. Boat and shore anglers are all seeing increased activity and more fish all around the coast. East coast anglers have been enjoying excellent fishing, particularly for smooth hound and tope. The first shark was caught aboard Tom Collins boat in west Cork, while anglers up the coast in Clare enjoyed great mixed species fishing. Good bass fishing has been reported from Wexford all the way up to Donegal, and Galway Bay also reported great species fishing, with our Fish of the Week being this specimen ballan wrasse for Mariusz Lyszczynski.

 

Pike and coarse fishing is also picking up. Coarse angling clubs have been able to hold club competitions but festivals and inter-club competitions will get underway now, and we should see more reports from these soon. Jacek Gorny has been after pike with clients on Lough Ree lately, with their efforts paying off handsomely.

 

And now the weather…

The weekend looks perfect in most areas, with warm dry weather forecast, light westerly winds and temperatures of 20-26 degrees. Cooler in the west, with breezy conditions on Atlantic coasts. Monday looks nice too, with a drop of rain coming in on Tuesday and fresher conditions dominating after that.

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

Kevin Crowley
Catch, Photo, Release

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