As we neared the end of September and the end of the game season, the weather too reminded us of the change in seasons. Windy, showery weather came in with a bang, signalling the return of Atlantic weather patterns and autumn storms. While salmon and trout anglers will be looking back on a season to remember (or forget!), many more will be looking forward to the fishing opportunities that autumn brings. Who knows what fish will be at the end of that rainbow? (That one was a bass, by the way!)

Well. the game angling season is over for 2021. Many fisheries were busy over the last week. Rain and cooler conditions brought welcome conditions for many salmon anglers keen to get out before closing day. Unfortunately, that probably means many of our reporters were out too, and it will be next week when we start to see round-up reports of the season. The only report in was of excellent trout fishing from Lough Currane for visiting anglers from the UK.

The fish, meanwhile, have their minds on other things, namely finding a mate and spawning over the next couple of months. We wish them every success!

 

For now, it’s time to sort the game fishing gear for winter storage, tidy up tackle boxes and for many, get the fly tying desk set up again. But don’t forget, just because the game season is finished, that doesn’t mean there aren’t many more fishing opportunities still available. I’m certainly hoping to target a few bass over the coming weeks.

 

bass

Specimens

Sea angling is still providing excellent sport at this time of year. East coast anglers have enjoyed great tope fishing with Wicklow Charters, while blue shark were feeding hard in West Cork. There were some fantastic bass for one specimen hunter in Waterford, a fine 70cm bass for kayak anglers in Cork, and a monster mullet for another in West Cork, both of which were front runners for Catch of the Week, but we plumped for the big mullet!

 

Catch of the Week. A cracking specimen mullet of 7lbs 13oz for Jim Murray

 

The cooler conditions sill suit pike anglers, and many pike anglers will be looking forward to good autumn sport. Belgian visitors certainly had good sport with quite a few pike on the fly in Co. Longford.

pike

Coarse angling festivals and competitions are also in full swing at the moment. Fish are clearly in the mood too, judging by the incredible weights caught at the Cootehill Festival, where Tony Hopkins was a worthy winner.

 

With autumn well in now, remember to wrap up well to make the most of those fishing opportunities. Nothing spoils a trip like being cold or wet, and remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!

And now the weather

Fresh and blustery today with a mix of sunshine and showers. Some of the showers will be heavy with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms, mainly over the northern half of the country. Highest temperatures ranging 11 to 14 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds.

Outbreaks of rain will clear eastwards during Saturday with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers following from the west. Some heavy bursts of rain are expected with a chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. Top temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in fresh and gusty west or southwest winds.

Sunday looks set to be a fresh and blustery day with showery outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards over the country at times. There’ll be some dry and bright periods also. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty westerly winds.

Monday and Tuesday also look blustery, with a spell of heavy rain crossing the south on Monday, but drier on Tuesday, with just a few showers.

The further outlook is very uncertain, with extra-tropical storms in the Atlantic possibly coming close to Ireland, but even if they don’t it looks set to remain unsettled.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

Kevin Crowley
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update, please send it to reports@fisheriesireland.ie.

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