Anglers will be aware that the past seven days have been significantly drier than normal for the time of year, with many stations across the country recording zero rainfall. Mean air temperatures were also well above normal throughout the country, up to 4.7°C above average, with sunshine levels of between 165% and 272% of the norm.

The persistent east winds and low water conditions haven’t helped freshwater fishing though – but hopefully that will all change after the weekend, with some wetter weather due to arrive from the south west. Salmon anglers who have waited patiently for the chance of a spring fish will be glad of the change, as salmon fishing reports have dried up along with the weather. We’ll hope for more news next week.

Trout also prefer a dull day and a west wind to the bright days and easterlies we have had to put up with recently. Lough Sheelin, where early season fishing had been excellent, has slowed down somewhat with the conditions, though fish are switching their attention from lures to flies as water temperatures increase. On nearby Lough Owel, twenty-six members of the Dublin Trout Anglers’ Association fished their annual Pasker Cup competition and two fish took the honours for PJ O’Driscoll. Young angler Reece O’Keeffe, age 11, was out on Lough Lene to celebrate his birthday and he did so in style catching a beautiful rainbow trout.

rainbow Reece

It was the pike anglers who seemed to fare best in the last seven days, as pike are very active after spawning on many fisheries. On the Erne system, British visitors Alan and Stuart had their best pike fishing in thirty years of visiting Ireland, with fish of 22lb, 23lb, 23lb, 28lb 08oz, 29lb 12oz and 31lb during their week’s fishing – they win our Catch of the Week for this week. Also on the Erne were the Butler family, where youngsters Adam and Niamh were thrilled to catch pike and perch with the fishing gear they got for Christmas!

Alex with a pike just under 30lb
Alan with a pike just under 30lb

In Cavan, pike guide Ronan Murray’s guests had 110 pike up to 113cm for their smashing week of fishing and Ryan Power landed a super 20lb+ fish while teaching his better half the art of deadbaiting. Finally from the pike scene, angling guide Jacek Gorny was back on the water at the weekend having given the pike fishing a rest during the prime spawning period; his clients, Patrick & John, learned first-hand how effective Jacek’s hand-crafted lures really are!

The usual coarse angling suspects were at it again this week. The Erne Anglers fished the final round of their Winter League, Nick Howell winning outright there. The CM Lakelands Club fished their match on Skeagh and Drumkearragh, landing good numbers or roach and skimmers, and on the Shannon, the Portumna Coarse Anglers had a fine day’s fishing on the Salmon Run, as did the Lucky Anglers’ Fishing Club who were also in the area. At Grange Glebe Fishery in Meath, there were plenty of bent rods and tight lines as tench and carp were feeding hard in the warmer weather. Speaking of warm weather, the Ireland U25 Feeder Team are feeling the heat as they compete at the World Championships in Spain this week; we wish them luck and we’ll report on how they do next week.

Finally, we turn to the tide, where the light winds and fine days have made for comfortable charter boat fishing for anglers who ventured offshore, particularly in the west. Those boats that are back on the water after the winter break enjoyed an abundance of wildlife, including basking sharks, dolphins, minke whales and all manner of sea birds – not to mention some decent pollack fishing. Pollack were also very active in Cork Harbour and guide Richie Ryan was surprised at just how good the fishing was, as his clients caught some great fish on the fly. Back on dry land, the West Cork and District SAC fished an Open match at Whiting Bay on Saturday with Alan Mulcahy finishing top of the leaderboard there, while at the other end of the island, the Killybegs Mariners made best use of the fine weather to catch a variety of species during their outings.

Off the water, we have three fly fishing newsletters and one podcast and to bring you. Firstly to PiscariFly, who visited the North West Angling Fair and fished Wicklow’s waters and also on the Shannon. Dan O’Neill brings us more valuable lessons from the river in The River Whispers #20 and the APGAI team bring us their latest news in their monthly report. On the latest Ireland on the Fly, podcast, Ronan McWilliams tells Daire & Tom about the mystique of the Blue Stacks in Donegal and why he loves nothing better than getting away from it all fishing on remote hill loughs.

And now the weather…

Dry and clear on Friday night with areas of mist and fog forming. Lows of 1°C to 6°C in light southerly or variable winds.

Saturday will be a cloudier day overall, though hazy sunny spells will still occur before drizzle develops later. Highs of 12°C to 16°C with light breezes. Scattered showers will spread from the Atlantic overnight. Lows of 3°C to 7°C.

Showers in the west will spread eastwards over the country on Sunday morning with sunny spells and possibly hail and thunder. Noticeably cooler highs of just 9°C to 12°C in moderate southwest winds. Lows of 0°C to 4°C on Sunday night with a touch of frost possible.

Early next week will bring changeable weather, with the possibility of hail, heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms.

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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