This past week saw torrential rain, gales and even some thunderstorms sweeping across the country. The extensive rain resulted in widespread flooding with water levels reaching levels not seen for quite some time making for mostly poor angling conditions. As a consequence, we didn’t receive many angling reports this week. However, some anglers braved the elements or made use of the few calmer and sunnier intervals to enjoy some good fishing.

While the last of the remaining trout fisheries finally closed last week, we received a late report from angling guide Jackie Mahon. In his report Jackie looks back on his last trip of the season on Lough Arrow which was quite a memorable one and a great way to finish the 2022 trout season.

Ewan McGregor, setting a drift up in Laundry bay Lough Arrow
Lough Arrow providing some excellent end of season fishing

Autumn is prime time for pike and as pike are still actively feeding it is no surprise that predator anglers from all over the country will gather this weekend at the first NCFFI All Ireland Lure Angling Championships taking place on Lough Ree.

Earlier this week, some nice pike were reported from the Virgina and Bailieboro area despite high water levels and difficult conditions. The Leinster Pike Anglers hit a river venue for the second leg of their winter league last weekend, and with bad weather forecast, it looked like it was going to be a tough day on the banks. However, the rain held off for most of the day which made for a more enjoyable day’s fishing.

Staying with pike fishing, we received two reports from the Boyle area, where  Brendan Sharkey of Predator Fishing Ireland has been guiding a number of groups lately, producing some super fish around the magical 1 meter mark.

Pike Fishing in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
A beautiful pike form the Boyle area

Over to coarse fishing, where club competitions were tough going in Co. Cavan due to exceptionally high water levels, while the last of the local festivals in the Cavan/Leitrim area was fished in Carrigallen from 3rd – 7th October. Overall winner was the ever consistent Lee Symonds, with a total of 51.750 kg. Further west on the River Suck, Shane Dunne won the Connaught 2 day October Festival with an overall weight of 7.150 kg.

Given last week’s blustery and stormy conditions, it’s hardly surprising that sea angling reports were also quite scarce this week. Saying that, anglers fishing with Wicklow Boat Charters had a bit of a late-season bonanza landing several fine tope up to specimen size as October is proving to be a good month for tope.

Quality tope from the east coast

October also seems to be a prime time for bluefin tuna in Donegal Bay! Several tuna boats reported epic fishing with up to 8 fish to the boat and many more hook ups. This is clearly world class big game fishing and therefore wins our Catch of the Week.

World class tuna fishing to be enjoyed in Donegal Bay

Staying in Donegal Bay,  the beaches around Killybegs also fished well during the week with Killybegs Mariners member, Cara Boyle, catching a fine flounder measuring just one 1cm short of the 45cm specimen mark.

Elsewhere, the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers held the 2022 Inter-Provincial Shore Angling Championships in the Killala area over the weekend of 8-9 October. Conditions weren’t easy and in the end after three competitions just one point separated the top two men’s teams, with Leinster just coming out on top ahead of Munster.

JP Molloy (Munster) with two nice counting flounder at the Inter-Provincial Shore Angling Championships

Finally, we received a great report from Newport SAC, who fished their final boat competition of the season on Sunday, October 9th in Clew Bay.

In other news…

The Galway Fishery recently featured on the Nationwide programme on RTE One television. The focus of the piece was on the research carried out on salmon stocks at the fishery, including a look at salmon smolts being tagged. In case you missed it check it out in YouTube here.

Paddy Gargan on Nationwide

And now the weather

Showers or longer spells of rain will continue in the north and northwest over the weekend. It will turn drier further south with clear spells developing. Lowest temperatures generally of 7 to 11 degrees, milder in parts of the west in moderate or fresh southerly winds. Low pressure will be dominating in the early part of next week bringing more heavy showers on most days with some localised flooding possible. The outlook is for more unsettled weather with wet and breezy conditions.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland. If you’re heading to the coast, don’t forget to check the tides.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

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