The weather has been bright and clear for the most part, though a little cold for the time of year. Most freshwater catches have been a bit down for this reason. But not all the good fish had stopped biting…
Lough Currane finally got on the spring salmon score board as fish were taken on lure and fly this week and the Butler Pool continued to produce salmon on fly. Delphi also saw a few springers caught, all on fly, and by the same angler! The Bandon marked it’s season opener with a spring salmon for the first time in many years – the lucky angler released his fish making it the first report of a released salmon this season.
In coarse angling news Shamie Winters won the CM Lakelands Feeder Only Winter League. The final was fished on Lough Muckno and top catch on the day was 3.750kg.
Most pike anglers who were out at the weekend reported that the conditions did not favour their sport. Jacks made the bulk of catches with just the odd double encountered. One angler who bucked the trend was Ronan Murray, our Catch of the Week winner, who landed an incredible 33lb 10oz pike in the north east of the country.
We got a couple of sea angling reports in this week from Co. Cork. In shore angling news Richie Ryan had the first mullet reported to us this year, and caught on fly no less. Mark Gannon, Charter Skipper of the Lady Louise in Courtmacsherry was also out. His anglers had plenty of herring, coalfish, a few pollack and at anchor some fine bullhuss.
Trout fishing opened on Lough Corrib, amongst other fisheries, last week and there were some hardy souls who were out on what was a very windy day to mark the occasion. Not many trout were caught, unsurprisingly, but a great time was had by all. Trout anglers are reminded that many trout feeding hard at this time of year are spent fish and should be released to allow them fully recover from the rigours of spawning.
High pressure over Scandinavia is continuing to influence our weather with mostly dry conditions, but it is to become very cold. The weekend will be dry and sunny, but getting colder with sharp frost in places. Next week may get colder still with very low temperatures predicted and widespread severe frost. Don’t put away those winter woolies just yet!
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.
Headlines
Salmon angling news
- Spring salmon on lure and fly from Lough Currane
- Another Delphi Springer landed
- Another salmon from the Drowse, level dropping nicely
- Bandon opens with a springer for Leon
- Another springer from Butler’s Pool as Currane anglers wait for their first
- 2 Springers in 20 minutes for George at Delphi
Coarse angling reports
Pike angling reports
- High water makes fishing tough in O’Casey pike league
- Tough conditions on Erne River for pike qualifier
- 33lb pike from Cavan Monaghan area last weekend
- Mostly jacks for Tullamore anglers in Hogan Cup
- A Bonus Early Season Trout for Killian in Cavan
Sea angling reports
- Early mullet from Clonakilty caught on fly
- Bullhuss, herring, coalies and pollack for Courtmac anglers
