Well, that’s the end of May. What can you say? The weather in May is rarely your friend. Even in the last week the winds conspired against anglers up and down the country. Temperatures were not too bad, but the wind often made things feel cooler, and often getting afloat was complicated or impossible. And the rain, well that was all about where you were during the week. Some people had hardly any, but the thunder storms and cloudbursts over other parts saw up to 260% of the average. So let’s welcome June and hopefully a bit of settled weather…

salmon
American angler Sam with a fin perfect fish immediately after losing a double figured fish on the Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery

The previously mentioned rain saw the levels on the Moy shoot up last week and a total catch of eighty-four salmon was reported. Falling water and improving conditions saw a few springers landed on the Blackwater and grilse were also seen. Meanwhile low water in Killarney saw only a handful of fish landed on the Laune and Lough Leane. There was just one salmon reported on Lough Currane and the Owenmore Fishery is expecting sea trout fishing to improve.

Mayfly – river gold.

As May draws to a close we still have plenty of Mayfly reports from rivers and lakes up and down the country. Hatches everywhere have slowed right down, in many places the Mayfly fishing is well finished for another year. Having said that Corrib had a sudden resurgence and some impressive catches were had – ask Tom Doc, more on that below. Keith McDonnell has a great write up on what Mayfly fishing means to river anglers. His trials and tribulations will be recognised by anglers of any code, and he captures the essence of this special season. Dan O’Neill reports from the Nore where nypmhs were the order of the day. It was more mayflys for Paddy Dunworth on the Deel where it was Greenwells and mayfly nymphs that tempted the trout. Mayfly nymphs were also the medicine for the Piscarifly lads and Sheelin trout, though we’re also hearing that the murrough hatch is underway there now. Finally anyone looking to hear more about the Mayfly on Corrib (Tom Doc), Arrow, Melvin, Key and Sheelin can tune into the Ireland on The Fly Podcast where they talk to Eamonn Ross and Jackie Mahon.

Jamie had some great tench in Cavan

IASCaire Feeder Fishing Club held the last round of their Spring League on Lough Garadice. Catches were mainly made up of smaller roach but there were a few good hybrids sprinkled in amongst them. At the other end of the country anglers fishing the Ottewill Cup on Inniscarra had some super fishing with weights of over 17kg and a daily average of 9kg. Ger Power and his nephew Jamie enjoyed a great day in Cavan catching some lovely tench. The Newbridge Pike Anglers also took an opportunity to fish for tench, this time on a trip to Leitrim, and the early start was well rewarded with lovely looking tench to 5lb. Meanwhile in Longford visiting anglers from the UK had tremendous fishing with Melview Lodge. They had numerous bream over 7lb and one super fish of 9lb 3oz.

First Irish pike for Chris 114cm
First ever pike for Chris 114cm

Igor Pavlović enjoyed a three hour session on the River Inny recently which produced two stunning pike ā€“ one of which was Igorā€™s new personal best at 17lb. Four anglers from Wigan fishing with Peadar O’Brein had 57 pike in the Carrickmacross area. Two Klaus’s fishing 4 days with Bodo Funke had lots of pike but the best were their 5 over 100cm including one magic fish of 108cm. It was big fish for first time pike angler from the USA, Chris, who had a 114cm beauty on Lough Derg. He’ll be a long time trying to break that PB but has already booked Damian Culliney for round 2 later this year. Also on Derg were the competitors in the Lough Derg Predator Challenge. Twenty-eight teams took part but only one could be victorious and the honours went to Team Catch&Release. In another competition on the Shannon system Jay Cooke of the Leinster Pike Anglers had 12 fish to over 18lb to take first place in their 2 day event.

first blue shark 2024
Dave Edwards with the first blue shark of 2024 wins Catch of the Week

Being confined to Killala Bay due to challenging weather further out to sea did not limit five anglers last Monday on board Leah who ended up catching 13 species including homlyn ray. Ā The Kent Stainless Fishing Society had a great day off the Saltees at Kilmore Quay last weekend fishing with skipper Walter Rankin. Wreck fishing off Wicklow has improved and skipper Kit Dunne made sure his anglers were stuck into some fine lumps of pollack and coalfish. To the southwest now and Mark Gannon reports that there is some really enjoyable fishing to be be had as family groups are getting some great species fishing, as well as landing specimen skate! Staying in Courtmacsherry, Dave Edwards got the first blue sharks of the season last Friday, which wins him catch of the week. Boats from Dingle and Caherciveen are getting good fishing too and the smiling faces tell their own stories. Finally, Troy Francis won the weekend’s West Cork and District SAC competition, which was fished in East Cork.

Other news…

TheĀ NCFFI is inviting young anglers to join a series of sessions covering a range of float fishing techniques and develop with them as they look to form a pool of anglers to progress to championship level. Find out more atĀ Join NCFFI to learn new angling skills on Saturday June 8th

And now the weatherā€¦

Tomorrow will be dry with long spells of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20Ā°C, a little cooler in the northwest, in light to moderate northwesterly winds. Turning cloudier on Sunday and Monday light rain or drizzle at times. Becoming cooler and more unsettled through next week.

We expect that there will be a lot anglers out this June Bank Holiday weekend, especially with a gorgeous Saturday on the way, so why not read over our Angler Safety Checklist here. Donā€™t forget to check theĀ forecastĀ before heading off and if youā€™re going to sea,Ā check the tides.

SafeĀ fishingĀ to allĀ and tight lines, especially here inĀ Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have anĀ anglingĀ story to share with theĀ IrishĀ AnglingĀ UpdateĀ please send it toĀ [email protected]Ā and donā€™t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicatedĀ Angling Ireland Facebook page.

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