Rainfall in the past week was once again below normal nationwide, but the long dry spell is coming to an end and there was heavy rain in parts of the west and south west yesterday. The last week has been cold with temperatures consistently more than 2°C below normal and often feeling colder in northerly winds. Tough to be out in but not the worst conditions for angling…

salmon
Nigel Lackey with the first Moy Salmon of 2023 weighing in at 8lbs.

Low water levels continued to dog anglers in the last week, so reports are thin on the ground. The first River Moy salmon was caught last week by Ballina native Nigel Lackey on the Ballina Salmon Anglers waters.  The fish was caught on the worm and was landed on “The Flag” just upstream of the Ballina Salmon Weir.  Ballina Salmon Anglers also reported two fish lost. Lough Currrane also produced a salmon last week. Angling guide, Dominic McGillicuddy caught a fine 8lb Salmon on the troll on a cold morning  but it soon warmed up when the reel sang its merry tune. Anglers on Lough Currane are reminded that the fishery and wider area remains catch and release only for all sea trout in 2023. The second draw of the season for River Lee brown tags will take place on Wednesday 22nd March 2023. For more details on the draw and how to enter see River Lee Brown tag draw – Round 2

Sheelin trout

Lough Sheelin opened its waters to a brand-new fishing season on Wednesday March 1st.  Early season fishing is never for the faint hearted and March 2023 has stayed true to form, testing the metel of its anglers with near Baltic conditions prevailing. In the opening week 78 trout were reported to staff on the lake. Dabblers and traditional wets did well, but the Minky, Humongus and other lures caught the most fish. There were some good days reported on Lough Corrib too where anglers fishing a mix of fly and troll tactics had some lovely trout in bright but cold conditions. With the clock ticking down to the opening of many of our trout rivers, fly guide turned streamer specialist, Keith McDonnell has put together a number of tips that will aid you in the pursuit of early-season trout.

pike
5 20s for Newbridge District Pike Anglers wins the club Catch of the Week

Newbridge District Pike Anglers fished a Limerick venue last week and had one of those days when everything comes together. By the end of the session they had caught and released 23 pike, including five twenties and two doubles, to make it a session they will never forget, and a worthy Catch of the Week if ever there was one. Meanwhile on Lough Allen a group of German students finished a semester of study in Ireland with an angling experience they are unlikely to ever match again. The group of five had some great days over a week of fishing but the highlights were breaking PBs and catching a really impressive pike of 120cm.

flounder
James Harty with a 41cm flounder. James and his brother Danny and sister Mila win Junior Catch of the Week

Cork’s Rebel anglers had a good session on Ballycrenan Beach. The fishing wasn’t hectic but there was enough going on to keep them interested with bass, ray, flounder and bullhuss caught on a variety of baits. Bass from the beaches is not something that just happens on southerly beaches at this time of year, as Donegal’s Killybegs Mariners have also been getting bass, and sea trout on their local shore marks. Galway Bay SAC held their second club Master Angler competition on Sunday, fishing Carrowmore beach just outside Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. A nice surf and decent tide looked like perfect conditions, but fishing was frustratingly slow for the senior anglers. The juniors did much better with some 40cm plus flounder really shaking things up. James Harty and his brother Danny had 3 between them  and at the end of the competition, the Hartys swept the board in the junior section, with James taking top spot, followed by Danny in second and sister Mila in third. This super achievement wins Junior Catch of the Week.

Oaklands

Just one coarse angling report in this week. The second round of the Munster Teams League was fished at Oaklands. Home advantage really showed as the the Oaklands teams took first and second place.

Podwatch

In this episode of the Lure Fishing Podcast, host Cormac Walsh has a really interesting chat with Grant Woodgate, a bass lure specialist based in Portugal. Meanwhile the Ireland on the Fly podcast continues its focus on spring salmon fishing, this week turning its attention to the Upper Caragh Fishery in county Kerry.

Other news

Inland Fisheries Ireland has just published the Winter 2023 issue of its research newsletter. The publication covers a number of topics including barrier assessment, climate mitigation programme, hydromorphology, and more. Check it out at IFI research newsletter looks at barriers, climate, trout and river restoration

And now the Weather

This weekend will be unsettled, with rain, sleet, and snow on Saturday followed by wet and windy conditions on Sunday. Temperatures will be much milder on Sunday, ranging from 7 to 11°C. Sunday night will be windy with showers, and Monday will be cloudy with showers in the south and southwest. Tuesday is uncertain, with potential showers falling as sleet on higher ground. The rest of the week will see continued rain and showers due to low pressure in the Atlantic, with mild conditions expected.

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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