It has been a quiet week on the angling front following Storm Éowyn sweeping across the country on Friday, January 24th. Éowyn was the most powerful and severe to hit Ireland since Hurricane Debbie in 1961, with gusts of 183kph recorded in Connemara breaking an 80-year-old record that was set in Foynes back in 1945. A wave height of 10.4 metres was recorded offshore of County Clare and no doubts shore anglers will find that many of the marks that bore the brunt of the incoming storm will have been completely changed, only time will tell.
With many homes and businesses still without power following the storm, the application deadline for the IFI Sponsorship Programme has been extended until February 7th. This deadline may be extended again should the power situation persist.
In coarse angling, the organisers of the Ireland’s Feeder King event have also pushed back the dates for their ticket sales to try and give anyone interested a chance to take part. For any young angler who wants to get involved in coarse angling matches but doesn’t know where to start, Jack Keenahan has some great advice to help get the ball rolling. We’ll be keeping an eye on Jack’s blog for more great advice in the coming weeks and months.
The main fishing news this week is that the first salmon of the 2025 season was landed on the Drowes by John Shields from Derry following a storm induced rise in water levels. John was fishing a worm in the Mill Pool and the fish of 10lbs gave a good account of itself, so well done to him. Elsewhere, the strong winds that continued all week gave the Currane anglers zero opportunities to try and catch one themselves, maybe next week will be different. The Easkey Anglers will also be hoping to catch a salmon and the brown tag draw there will take place on February 14th and anglers can apply until the 9th.
On the sea shore, the Donegal anglers were willing to use any weather window between the storms to get out and both the Killybegs Mariners and the Carrick Beach & Rockers SAC held competitions over the weekend. Fishing was tough for both, but turbot, flounder, bass and trout were landed so fishing wasn’t a complete waste of time. One thing that shore anglers are being asked to keep an eye out for this year is eggs of the Flapper Skate. Scientists from UCC are doing research into Flapper Skate (previously known as Common Skate), a species that is scarce worldwide but found in pockets around the Irish coast. If you do find one, please contact them.
Off the water, we have a couple of podcasts for anglers to check out this week. Our bass anglers will be interested in the latest Lure Fishing Podcast, where Cormac speaks with Marc Cowling for a second time about all things lure and bass. On the topic of Atlantic salmon migration, the guys from Ireland on the Fly talk to our very own Glen Wightman about a tagging programme that tracked a salmon’s journey from Greenland back to the River Erriff.
And now the weather…
Patches of light rain or drizzle developing over the western half of the country on Friday night, lows of 1°C to 5°C in moderate southerly winds.
Breezy and rather dull on Saturday with outbreaks of light rain, becoming heavier in the west and southwest by evening and remaining widespread overnight. Highs of 8°C to 12°C in an easing southerly wind, lows of 4°C to 7°C.
The rain will quickly clear eastwards on Sunday leaving dry and bright conditions in most parts. Highs of 8°C to 10°C with light west to southwest winds. Dry on Sunday night with lows of 1°C to 5°C in light southerly winds.
Don’t forget to double 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
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All the angling news
Salmon Fishing Reports
- IFI opens first draw for River Easkey salmon tags for 2025 – Brown tag conservation regulations in effect on Co. Sligo river
- Storms and strong winds stop angling on Currane
- Ireland on the Fly – latest podcast: From Greenland to the Erriff – the story of one salmon’s 2,500km journey
- First salmon of the season caught on the Drowse
Coarse Angling Reports
- Ireland’s Feeder King – tickets on sale February 5th for qualifiers 1- 4
- New to coarse angling matches? Jack Keenahan has some advice
