It’s been an odd week weather wise. I heard someone say we were going to have an Indian summer. And though the mild temperatures and heavy rain were quite like the summers I remember growing up, I don’t think that’s what he meant. Temperatures were very mild, well up into the teens. The rain though, has been really heavy, with parts of the country getting 3 times more than normal for the time of year. Unsurprisingly, associated floods didn’t do coarse and pike anglers many favours but there were still some good catches to be had as fish remained active over the weekend. Sea anglers did much better with the conditions on offer. Many dodged the worst of the wind and got out on charter boats and along our shores for some really good results…

inniscarra

Inniscarra reservoir’s Feederfest Ireland saw contestants from The Netherlands, Sweden and England compete alongside expert feeder anglers from across the island last weekend. In what was a tough competition the Dutch took all the podium places with an incredible 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Winner Willem VD Helm won the competition with an impressive 59.230kg.

pike

In other competition news Tomasz Kurman and Jacek Gorny won the first All Ireland Lure Angling Championships on Lough Ree at the weekend. The competitors enjoyed some great pike and perch fishing the lake with pike to 106cm and perch to 37cm caught and released. Fishing a Newbridge and District Anglers competition, Glenn Keegan, on his first ever day pike angling, landed a 20lb 7oz pike from a river venue. The specimen pike helped to secure a win for Glen much to the delight of his new club’s members. If you’d like to try your luck in a pike competition, Tulla and District Angling Club are inviting all pike anglers to the John Punch Memorial which will be fished this weekend on October 30th from 11:30 to 16:30 on Lough Graney.

Lovely fish of 1.14m
Catch of the Week goes to Richard and Katia. Richard is pictured here with a lovely pike of 1.14m

In other pike fishing news Mikey Mooney and members of the Bluebell Angling Club enjoyed some decent piking on Lough Ramor at the weekend. Well done to Mikey who caught his new PB, a solid double figure pike weighing in at 12lb 9oz. Finally, catch of the week goes to French Anglers Richard and Katia who had some good pike on Lough Derg over a couple of the days fishing with TJ’s Angling Centre in Killaloe. Their biggest pikewere 114cm and 108cm.

The Slob Bank, Youghal
The Slob Bank, Youghal

On to sea angling now and the return of the Munster Open Gold competition, the first fished since 2019. The competition was held at the Slob Bank in Youghal and the fishing was considered to be excellent with plenty of flounder and some decent bass in the catches, and anglers carding as many as 7 species. When the score cards were tallied Aidan O’Halloran took the gold medal with a fine bag of 27 fish for 716 points. Staying in Cork, angling guide Richie Ryan gives an overview of his season on Cork Harbour where anglers had some good pollack on fly and better bass fishing this year.

ling
A fine ling

Moving up the coast to Co. Clare we check in with Luke Aston, skipper of the Clare Dragoon. It looks like his season may well be done for the year but if so he finished it well with some good catches in the estuary and further out on the reefs. Further up the coast anglers in Galway report that the mackerel finally made it to Nimmo’s Pier and the Prom at Salthill last week. It’s as good a time as any for anyone in Galway who’s interested in angling to give it a go with the local sea angling club, Galway Bay SAC holding a few evening fishing sessions for members over the next few weeks. New members are always welcome…

Bluefin tuna tagged

Sligo Boat charters have an enviable record this year as their boat has caught blue fin tuna every time they have fished for them this season. Their anglers are also getting plenty of good ground and reef fishing. They’re not the only boat getting great bluefin tuna results as both Killybegs Fishing Trips and Tuna.ie had epic tuna fishing again last weekend with up to 6 fish caught a day. Wrapping up this week’s angling reports is the Killybegs Mariners Winter League where a mild still evening made for tough fishing. Cara Boyle got off to a good start with some lovely flounder landed but the fishing quickly slowed down as crabs got to work on the baits.

Ever wanted to be a Ghillie on a famous fishery?

Ballynanich Castle is looking for a Fly fishing ghilllie for next season. As their Fly Fishing Ghillie, you would be responsible for the overall fishing experience their anglers receive when they make a booking. It sounds like a really exciting opportunity to work on an iconic salmon fishery. Find out more at Ever wanted to be a Ghillie on a famous fishery?

Ballynahinch Castle

Trout and about…

Anyone missing their trout fishing can relive the 2022 Lough season with Daire Whelan and Tom Doc Sullivan at the Ireland on the Fly Podcast. In other trout fishing news Vartry Angling Club are holding a Ladies Open Day on Sunday the 6th of November, from 10am to 3.30pm, open to ladies and girls only. This is a great opportunity to take up fly fishing, or just give it a try, in the company of fellow lady anglers and instructors. At this time of years many fly anglers turn to their vices for solace and Peter Driver is here to help with another great live broadcast scheduled for Saturday at 8.30pm – this week is all about wings.

And now the weather

There’s a Small Craft warning for all coasts of Ireland over the long weekend as southerly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts. This warning is in place until Monday afternoon.

Saturday morning will be wet and blustery with rain extending northwards to all areas early in the morning. The rain will clear northwards through the late morning and afternoon with showers following from the south, some heavy. Fresh southeasterly winds will become southerly later. Highest temperatures of 13°C to 16°C.

Sunday sees mix of sunny spells and frequent showers, in moderate to fresh southwest breezes. Many showers will be heavy. Showers will become confined to western and southern areas in the evening. Highest temperatures of 12°C to 15°C.

The bank holiday will be wet with widespread heavy rain expected. Drier and brighter weather will likely develop in the west and south later, but with rain continuing in eastern parts into the early night. Moderate to fresh southerly winds will ease to light westerly breezes. Highest temperatures of 13°C to 15°C.

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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