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sn’t it supposed to be summer? It certainly hasn’t felt like it this week, indeed today is wet and windy and reminiscent of winter. Oh well, I suppose the rain is warmer, at least! The jet stream is apparently further north than usual lately, steering strong westerly winds and plenty of showers our way over the last week or more. But we are due to get a break over the next few days, just in time for the weekend, so let’s enjoy it while we can.
The rain will be good news for water levels in rivers, as well as water temperatures. With grilse starting to run rivers around this time every year, we shoud see plenty of anglers hitting the banks over the next few weeks. This week we have just a coupler of reports, and it’s from the River Feale first, where Eddie Corry caught and released a cracking 12lbs salmon on a home tied fly, our Catch of the Week.
The extra water levels has seen more fish moving on the Moy, where sport picked up significantly on most fisheries, including the Ridge Pool which saw its first few salmon landed for the season.
Trout will also be enjoying the extra bit of water, and Dan O’Neill found streamers effective on the Nore in the higher water. We have a great report of good sport on Lough Fada in Co. Kerry for some young anglers too.
In Dublin, the Dodder Anglers are hosting a youth tuition day on Saturday in conjunction with the Dublin Angling Initiative. Registration is essential, details here. And trout anglers may be interested in a new competition on Lough Sheelin on June 28th, held to remember our friend and colleague Henry Keating, RIP.
The Edenderry Coarse Angling Club held a 5-day event, including a 2-day and 3-day competition, which saw a great turnout. Gal Charnock took the 3-dayer for a third time in recent years, while Karl Unwin won the 2-day event.
At sea, it was a rough week weather wise, with most boats confined to port, or sheltered waters. On the Shannon Estuary some nice tope and bull huss were landed, as well as a range of other species when weather permitted going further out.
North West Charters in Co. Donegal reported on some great species fishing recently, particularly during the fine weather in late May. There was also good species fishing to be had in Galway Bay, including some lovely looking cuckoo wrasse.
And over on the east coast, skipper Kit Dunne managed a couple of weather windows and put guests over some great fish, including tope, bull huss and this beautiful tub gurnard.
And now the weather
The rest of Thursday looks damp and drizzly, with fresh southwest winds. Friday will be mostly cloudy and breezy, with lingering patchy outbreaks of light rain or drizzle, mainly confined to northern and southern coasts later in the afternoon. Some sunny spells will break through in places later. Highest temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, mildest for east and southeast counties. Fresh westerly winds will become gusty along northern coast later
Becoming generally warmer and drier for the weekend, with spells of hazy sunshine. Lingering light rain and drizzle will affect northern counties. Saturday will be dry for most with spells of hazy sunshine and just a few light showers in northern counties. Highest temperatures of 14 to 22 degrees, best values away from northern and western counties, all in a light to moderate northwest breeze.
Sunday: Dry with spells of sunshine and just light easterly breezes. Highest temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees, best values across the Midwest.
Monday: Generally dry with a mix of cloud and hazy sunshine. However, patchy mist and drizzle will move in across the western half of the country later. Rather humid with highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees generally, in no more than moderate southerly breezes.
Current indications suggest Tuesday will be breezy with scattered outbreaks of rain.
If you do go fishing this weekend, 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 this May Bank Holiday weekend, especially here in Ireland.
IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release
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All the angling news
Salmon Fishing Reports
- A fine Feale salmon on a home tied fly for Eddie Corry
- Salmon angling picks up on the Moy as grilse run starts
Trout Fishing Reports
- Rain sees streamers work well on the Nore
- Dodder Anglers Youth Tuition this Weekend
- Henry Keating Memorial Cup – Lough Sheelin, June 28th
- Lough Fada brownies fit & fighting on family fishing day
Coarse Angling Reports
- NCFFI: All-Ireland Youth Canal Fishing Championship returns to Edenderry
- Charnock and Unwin Take the Honours at Edenderry Festival Week
- Donal McGuirk Claims Victory at Royal Enfield Two-Day International Festival
- Blackwater Blowout for Baggers
