After the Indian summer of last weekend, where temperatures hit highs of 25°C in places, we’ve had the first proper taste of autumn this week, with noticeably chillier mornings and ever darker evenings. The forecast for next week is for warmer, drier, more settled weather to return, so all is not lost, and there will be opportunities to fish in relative comfort again. The fish are not oblivious to the changing seasons either and, for many anglers, now is the time to catch a big one, as the harvest season is a time for bigger fish to feed well before winter sets in…

We start this week with some of the biggest fish in Irish waters – the mighty bluefin tuna – a fish that has been seldom seen in the reports this season due to the strong winds that have plagued us throughout the summer. There has been an increase of bluefin sightings all along the west coast, and Killybegs Fishing Trips have really made up for lost time with a great week’s bluefin fishing. We hope that the more settled weather to come will increase the numbers of tuna trips in the coming weeks.

Charters and small boats have been making the most of the weather windows, and Jim Clohessy used one to have a smashing day’s shark fishing in Cork. In west Cork, patience was key for skate fishing in Courtmac, but also important for kayak guiding specialist, David Norman, for whom it felt good to finally get afloat. In Clare, sheltered marks in the estuary were once again productive, while on the Galway side of Galway bay, the Brazen Hussy II made the most of warm sunshine and lovely sea conditions last weekend with some very nice fish. On the east coast, the tope were biting for anglers fishing with Wicklow Boat Charters and in the south east, Cormac Walsh did well for bass when the big tides were building.

Brought this one on board to clear traces. Quick snap as I was putting her back.

On the competition scene, special (but overdue) mention to the Italian team who won the World Boat Championships (U21) that was hosted in Donegal from Aug 24th-31st. Once again, high winds caused havoc for the organisers, but that couldn’t take away from a very professionally run event. In Mayo, the Newport SAC held their annual teams competition in a calm Clew Bay under clear blue skies while, on the shore competition scene, the Munster Open Shore was fished on Inch Beach in Kerry at the weekend, with Troy Francis taking the gold medal.

In freshwater, the Belturbet Autumn Festival was held last week, with Belturbet’s own Roger Baker taking the honours there. The IASCaire Feeder Club kicked off their Autumn league in Killeshandra and, in Westmeath, the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland held Youth Team Qualifiers on Gaulmoylestown pond – with some impressive weights from the next generation. In Wexford, the 9th round of the Sensas Summer League took place at Oaklands Lake where, as ever, weights put scales to the test. Away from the competition scene, regular British visitors, Andy and Pete, had another great week of pleasure angling with Melview Lodge.

A good Tench for Pete
A good Tench for Pete

Also staying with Melview Lodge were regulars Thomas and Pete from the Netherlands, the guys were after pike and they had some good fish to 98cm on local lakes, while over on Lough Ree, Fish Tales hosted a pair of beginners who caught pike like old pros.

In Mayo, salmon fishing has been good for the time of year on the Moy, with 109 salmon reported caught this week. In Kerry, Lough Currane has been windy and wild but the odd grilse was caught on the troll and some trout were caught on the drift when conditions allowed. On the Laune, only one salmon was reported caught and that fell to a spun lure.

Still in Kerry, but fishing for trout and not salmon, were junior anglers who took part in Killarney Salmon and Trout Anglers Try Fishing evening held on Barfinnihy Lough. Twenty three young anglers participated and all of them took home wonderful memories! On the wild trout loughs, Piscarifly reports that Lough Corrib has been tough, Senan Stanley reports that Derg has been ideal for lure fishing and, in Mayo, Lough Conn will host the Kieran Lynn Perpetual Cup this Saturday, September 14th. The Dublin Trout Anglers held their latest competition on Bohernabreena reservoir at the top of the Dodder system, while further south in Limerick, Paddy Dunworth reports that the conditions on the Maigue have been good for photos, but diabolical for fly fishing.

trout

To wrap up the trout reports this week, we head to Lough Melvin, where Rossinver Fishery Syndicate and Foyle River-catchment Outdoor Group (FROGs) jointly organised the World Youth Lough Open competition on Sunday, September 8th. Forty two young anglers fished the event and it was 15-year-old Jack Reidy, from Loughrea in Galway, who won the event with a total of 7 fish, including a monster trout of 78cm – the fish of a lifetime! Jack wins our Catch of the Week this week for this tremendous performance.

Fish of a lifetime for Jack

Away from the water, the 12th annual Irish Fly Fair and International angling show is back in Fermanagh for 2025. This prestigious event will be held at the fabulous four-star Killyhevlin Hotel and grounds overlooking majestic Lough Erne. Dates are set for 16th and the 17th of November and doors open at 10am both days.

Finally, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking applications to a new €250k fund enabling those who are disabled or disadvantaged to enjoy fishing and related activities. IFI’s Go Fishing Fund 2024 will provide angling supports to people with a disability or restricted mobility, or people facing social, economic, or educational barriers. Applications for the scheme can be submitted via IFI’s dedicated portal until November 7th, 2024.

And now the weather…

Friday night will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle and patches of mist and fog. Lows of 9°C to 14°C with light to moderate southerly winds.

Dry on Saturday morning, with some sun in the east and south. Rain will then move into parts of the north and west, with a few showers elsewhere. Breezy with highs of 15°C to 18°C. Outbreaks of rain on Saturday night. Lows of 10°C to 13°C.

Sunday will have a mix of sunny spells and isolated showers in the north and west. Drier elsewhere, with highs of 15°C to 19°C and westerly breezes. Dry but cloudy in the evening with light to moderate southwesterly breezes. Lows of 9°C to 12°C.

Rain at times on Monday, heavier and more persistent in the north. Fresh and gusty southwesterly breezes bringing warmth with highs of 18°C to 21°C. The outlook for next week is for warm conditions with highs of 18°C to 21°C with light winds.

Don’t forget to check the forecast before heading off and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.

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] and don’t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicated Angling Ireland Facebook page.

All the angling news

Salmon Fishing Reports

Trout Fishing Reports

Coarse Angling Reports

Pike Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

Other News