W

e have enjoyed a nice settled spell of Autumn weather since Storm Amy visited our shores two weeks ago. Last week a big swell after the storm took a few days to settle down, but since then we have had nice calm weather, albeit overcast and cool. The flooding from Storm Amy has mostly subsided now, and although many rivers are still high, most venues are now accessible.

We start this week with salmon angling, where we have just one report this week. With all fisheries closed now, we have a round up of the season from Delphi, where fishery manager David McEvoy says that the sea trout fishing was the highlight of the year. The less said about salmon the better – a common theme this year.

Pike angling is usually in full swing at this time of year, and we have several reports from around the country. Chris Barry of Go Fishing Ireland reports that with water temperatures around 12C, pike fishing is really firing now. Chris reports on some recent fantastic trips with clients, where pike to 117cm were landed!

Jack Whelan 117cm pike
Jack Whelan’s117cm pike

Angling guide Senan Stanley reports from Lough Derg, where he finally got a few hours to himself and smashed it on lures, landing several fish to over a metre, and a good few more just under.

A group of Italian anglers were back for their annual visit to Boyle, and Bodo Funke reports that birthday boy Ron was rewarded with a PB pike – later celebrated with cake and Irish coffee!

Coarse fishing is also in full swing, although there were mixed results from the Cavan/Leitrim area, with Lakelands CM finding it tough fishing for their match on Annaheirin Lake, while Cavan CAC had some great weights on a Co. Leitrim venue, where Mick Mahony won with 10+kg.

The VDE Baggers got their winter league off to a good start on the Newry Canal, where new members were welcomed to the club, and Jack Tisdall weighed in 5.21kg to take the win, just 20g ahead of Aaron Hutchmann in second.

In international competition news, Ireland won the Celtic Cup held on the River Weaver in England, a great training outing for the team for major international competitions. They will defend the title on home soil, err, water, next year.

To the sea now, and Storm Amy gave us a right stirring up 2 weeks ago, which impacted on a lot of sea fishing subsequently. I certainly struggled last week in Kerry, but did get to see angling guide James Raymond of Irish Angling Adventures land a specimen painted ray. In west Clare, skipper Sean Maguire reported on some recent shark and general fishing, where his guests had some great sport.

Cormac Walsh found some bigger bass over the big tides last week, and hopes for even better fishing over the new moon tides next week.

In West Cork, David Norman reports on an epic day’s fishing with his client Mike, with 5 species and plenty of fish caught on jigs and lures from the kayaks, taking advantage of the settled weather and calm conditions.

On the east coast, senior anglers fishing the Ballybrack SAC competition at Kilgorman were humbled by the junior duo of Jesse Murphy and Sean Keane, who comfortable outfished them on a day that produced a lot of fish.

In Donegal, engine trouble kept two small boat anglers restricted to fishing inshore marks, but they were none the poorer for it, with some fine fish caught, including a rare red band fish.

Red band fish

The Killybegs Mariners were back in action on the competition scene, having had to cancel the previous week for the red storm warning, but their patience was rewarded with some great fishing, including plenty of flounder to 39cm.

Staying in Killybegs, plenty of bluefin tuna were caught by guests of Killybegs Fishing Trips over the past week, averaging 200-300lbs.

And it’s back to west Clare we go to complete our round up, with some incredible fishing reported by Luke Aston for guest Mark. Mark was up for big fish, and that’s just what he got, with a remarkable hat trick of a bluefin tuna over 300lbs, a Common Skate over 200lbs, and a massive sixgill shark estimated at 1200lbs+. A feat that surely deserves our Catch of the Week.

In other news

The deadline for submitting specimen claims is approaching fast. If you were lucky enough to catch a specimen fish this year and want to claim it, get your paperwork into the Irish Specimen Fish Committee as soon as possible so that the ISFC can assess it. All specimen claims to be submitted by 31st Oct. Further information on how to claim your specimen award are available here.

Elsewhere, Sharks le Chéile (“sharks together”) — an independent group linking scientists studying sharks, skates, and rays in Ireland with the public — is inviting interested anglers to get involved. Working in partnership with government agencies, the group’s mission is to bring marine science closer to the public and foster collaboration. Anglers who’d like to learn more or participate can visit their website at  https://sharkslecheile.org/ for details.

 

A public consultation on three byelaws is open until 2 November 2015

  1. Conservation and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806, 2006
  2. Transfer of Live Roach Bye-Law No. 561, 1973
  3. Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809, 2006

Click the link above to get more information and find out how to make a submission.

And now the weather…

A big change to our weather from tomorrow!

Saturday will be a dull, breezy day with outbreaks of rain in the west and southwest at first, gradually spreading northeastwards across the country, heaviest and most persistent in Munster. Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in fresh and gusty southeast winds, stronger near coasts. Sunday will see heavy and persistent rain in the north and east at first, with further thundery falls and spot flooding possible. The rain will clear northeastwards through the morning with sunshine and showers following from the southwest, some of which will be heavy. Fresh to strong and gusty southeasterly winds at first but winds will ease moderate southwesterly behind the rain. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17 degrees.

The early days of next week see some bright spells with scatter showers, and moderate NW/W winds. Current indications suggest that our weather will continue unsettled with temperatures decreasing.

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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Salmon Fishing Reports

Trout Fishing Reports

Coarse Angling Reports

Pike & Perch Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

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