I was driving to Dublin one morning this week, and crossing the River Suck on the M6, the flooded fields downstream covered a vast area. The River Shannon in Athlone was also out over the banks, flooding the Callows. Turloughs were full, and ditches and streams were channeling rainwater downstream everywhere. Anyone who grew up in the 80s may remember the pop group Wet We Wet. Well that was certainly an apt way to describe the weather of late. I believe the position of the jet stream is to blame. Unfortunately, said jet stream appears to have no intention of adjusting its position this week, so we can look forward to more Atlantic depressions being steered our way.

Check out the clip below from Galway, where the River Corrib is in full flow this week.


Risk and Reward

With rivers in flood, lakes flooding farmland, and gales whipping up the sea, it is fortunate that we have any angling reports this week. But quite a few intrepid anglers have been out braving the elements, and some have been richly rewarded.


Predator Angling

Pike angling is really coming into prime season now, and the Barrow has started to produce some nice fish. High water levels didnt stop a group of crazy Belgians from enjoying great sport in Carrickmacross. Anglers in Longford had to search out new spots that weren’t flooded, but found the pike eager to feed when they did find them. Father and son Neil and Sam Byrne also enjoyed some good pike fishing around Killeshandra.

A fine pike for Craig

Sea Angling

Sea anglers have been keeping a keen eye on the weather forecast, waiting for a window to get out fishing. Getting afloat has been rare, but skipper Kevin MacGabhann managed to get out to enjoy some great fishing in Galway Bay, with cod to 11lbs landed.

A fine 11lbs cod

The bluefin tuna season for licensed boats closes tomorrow, but the Fiona Tee managed a late trip on Donegal Bay during a weather window last Friday. They had 2 lovely fat tuna to the boat and another fish lost. We have 2 delayed reports from Cork also, with a roundup of the recent Cork Small Boats Festival, where an incredible 27 species was required to win! Evan McGovern and friend Tony had a wreck trip before taking out the boat for winter, and Tony was rewarded with a specimen conger, our Catch of the Week.

Tony with his specimen conger

Also in Cork, JP Molloy took the Munster Closed Gold Medal competition, coming out on top after a tough weekend with 3 sessions in the Youghal area. In Donegal, the weather didn’t deter the Killybegs Mariners crew, with some nice fish reported from the shore, including some good cod.


Coarse Angling

The coarse angling festival scene may have quietened down, but clubs will be holding regular competitions throughout the winter months. The high water will certainly have an impact, with many venues unfishable, and current affecting fishing too. That was the case on the Barrow this week, where despite the conditions, Neil Keane managed a very creditable bag of 6.4kgs to win the Naas Anglers competition. Flood conditions also saw difficult fishing at Clondorny Lake for Leg 2 of the Munster Coarse Anglers winter league, where 7lbs 6oz was enough to win.


Trout Angling

The season may be over but angling guide and flytier Jackie Mahon is back at the tying bench, and he shares with us some of the patterns he is working on at the moment.

Irish Style Hoppers- Picric Olive hopper
Irish Style Hoppers- Picric Olive hopper

Peter Driver from Piscari Fly will be back online this Saturday evening, hosting a live flytying event at 8.30pm on the Piscari Fly Facebook page.

Daire Whelan and Tom Doc Sullivan host the 50th episode of the Ireland on the Fly podcast this week. This week’s episode is the Book Club, and this week they discuss  Kingsmill Moore’s A Man May Fish, the seminal work on fly fishing in Ireland.


Other News

Specimen Fish Awards

For the first time since February 2020, anglers who caught and recorded specimen fish received their awards in person last weekend. The Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards were held in Dublin last Saturday and saw anglers from all over the country meeting to chat and celebrate their achievements. You can read about it here and see the photos on the ISFC website.


Funding

Inland Fisheries Ireland has activated the Habitats and Conservation Funding Call for 2023. Grant funding is available to Inland Fisheries Ireland and to eligible third parties throughout the Republic of Ireland to support sustainable fisheries habitats and conservation projects. The fund is made up from licence and permit contributions.

Check the IFI website for more details; https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/services/funding/habitats-conservation-funding-call-2023


And now the weather

Friday will remain very mild, with temperatures of 14-16 degrees, and dull drizzly conditions slowly clearing from the west. Continuing mild, dull and misty tomorrow morning with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Becoming dry for most through the afternoon and evening with hazy sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees in moderate, occasionally fresh, southeast winds.

On Sunday, outbreaks of rain will spread across the western half of the country in the morning, turning heavy in places. The rain will extend into eastern areas in the afternoon and evening. Staying very mild in light to moderate southeasterly winds.

The outlook is for mild and unsettled weather to continue, with further spells of rain and blustery winds at times.

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

IFI Staff
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

Pike Fishing Reports

Coarse Angling Reports

Sea Angling Reports

Salmon Fishing Reports

Trout Fishing Reports

Other News