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First salmon of the season caught on Carrowmore Lake & Lough Beltra

1st salmon of the season on Carrowmore Lake

Carrowmore Lake near Bangor Erris in County Mayo is renowned as a great spring salmon venue, and quite often the first salmon of the season is caught around St. Patrick’s Day. This was also the case this year when the stars aligned for Barry Doocey who caught and released the first salmon of the new season on 17th March! The fish took a Noon’s Blue & Yellow which Barry had tied himself. Since then, three more salmon were caught and released on the lake which raises hope for a good spring salmon season.

The successful fly

A few days later Lough Beltra, the other great spring salmon lough fishery in North Mayo, recorded its first salmon of the season. Compliments go to Vincent McHugh who was the lucky angler on the opening day!

 

Specimen pollack for anglers aboard Fiona Tee

Killybegs Fishing Trips report their first specimen pollack of the new season. The fish was over the magic 12lbs. mark and measured 83cm. However, fishing on the day was quite slow for the first couple of hours but picked up later with mostly pollack, a few coalies and a few cod.

Later in the week, more nice pollack together with some coalies were caught.

Go Fishing…

Address: Moneygold, Grange, Co. Sligo.
Telephone: 00353 87 6224348
Email: [email protected]

Web: www.inishmurrayislandtrips.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/killybegsfishingtrips/

 

Did you apply for a River Lee brown tag? Round 2 Draw results here

River Lee in Cork
River Lee, Cork

On Wednesday morning, 22 March 2023, a virtual draw took place to allocate 45 River Lee Brown Tags to prequalified salmon licence holders. 

A total of 202 valid entries were received by the deadline, 5pm Monday 20 March. Duplicate entries and previous tag winners were removed.

Entrants were issued numbers ranging from 301 – 502 inclusive by email.

IFI recorded the draw and used a random generator to draw the numbers.  A total of 55 numbers were drawn in the first instance. The first 45 will be allocated brown tags. The 10 reserve numbers may be allocated a tag in the event one of the first 45 is not in apposition to take, or returns their allocation.

The draw was witnessed by Sean Long, RBD Director, John Twomey, Inspector and Chris Scanlan, Myles Kelly.

Numbers selected are laid out below.

  • 422
  • 416
  • 347
  • 360
  • 367
  • 333
  • 302
  • 364
  • 376
  • 463
  • 324
  • 391
  • 502
  • 334
  • 476
  • 412
  • 305
  • 424
  • 349
  • 484
  • 497
  • 341
  • 389
  • 442
  • 402
  • 489
  • 420
  • 462
  • 362
  • 393
  • 361
  • 490
  • 425
  • 413
  • 491
  • 455
  • 374
  • 344
  • 468
  • 404
  • 488
  • 451
  • 380
  • 496
  • 343

These are the 10 reserve numbers:

  • 446
  • 318
  • 325
  • 485
  • 310
  • 487
  • 430
  • 348
  • 403
  • 322

It is envisaged that the Brown Tags will be issued by post tomorrow afternoon.

90 fish for 4lb 5oz wins Tulla comp in Scariff Harbour

Scarriff Harbour
Scarriff Harbour

Anthony Weir from Tulla and District Angling Club reports that the club fished its first match of the year on a wet day where it rained for the full duration. The venue was switched from Clondorney to Scariff Harbour due to rising water levels and the change of venue ran to form with everyone catching, though the fish were very small (read minute).

There was a great turn out of 13 anglers with Kevin Leahy 3rd with 3lb  6oz; Barry Cashburn 2nd with 4lb 4oz; pipped by one ounce by Clive Slater on 4lb 5oz (90 fish, which tells you how small they were).

Go fishing

Next match 9th April.
If Interested get in touch at the Tulla District Angling Club Facebook page

Join the Club

Tulla logo

Tulla District Angling Club is a Pike and Coarse fishing club founded over 50 years ago. They are based in East Clare, Munster, Ireland.

For information on joining and club events see the Tulla District Angling Club Facebook page

Tulla Coarse Angling Centre

All eyes smiling at Inniscarra, massive weights caught in Paddy’s Day Open

inniscarra scores

Inniscarra’s St. Patrick’s Day Open was fished at Garden Centre and Fountains House. The anglers on Fountains House did a lot better with some huge bags weighed in. Even though there were only 15 anglers on both sections there was a total over 280kg caught, averaging at nearly 19kg per man!

Fishing at Fountains House winner Adrain Bus had an incredible 41.290kg. The massive weights on this section denied Trevor Platt a top 3 finish despite a huge catch of 25.770kg.

Results

  1.  Adrian Bus 41.290kg
  2. Pavel Swinston 30.910 kg
  3. Pat Barry 26.480 kg
  4. Trevor Platt 25.770kg
  5. Rusalin Micagaudi 19.850kg

inniscarra

Inniscarra 3 Day Festival.

The 3 Day Festival started on Saturday and finishes today. We’ll have a report on how it went tomorrow.

Go Fishing…

Inniscarra Lake TDL

Inniscarra Lake TDL are affiliated to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI the National Governing body for coarse and predator fishing and casting sport as recognised by Sport Ireland and Sport NI. www.ncffi.ie

Inniscarra Festivals 2023

inniscarra 2023

For details of the all the events, venues and more, a downloadable copy of the events calendar, festival results and a directory of angler friendly accommodation in the local area please visit www.ncffi.ie/inniscarra-angling.

Report courtesy of Inniscarra Lake TDL

Another salmon reported from the Upper Caragh

caragh salmon

Michael O’Shea has some good news from the Upper Caragh Fishery in Co. Kerry. Fishery boss Ralph Doppler had a salmon from Pool 10 yesterday. Mike says the fish maybe a few weeks old but was in great condition, and Ralph was more than happy with the result.

caragh salmon

Michael O’Shea
Upper Caragh Fishery

Go Fishing…

The Upper Caragh Fishery is a very well-developed fishery. It has fantastic access with stiles and footbridges along the full length of the fishery.  It has well maintained banks and anglers’ huts are provided on many of the beats. The Upper River Caragh can be fished from both boat and bank. Fishing is also available on Cloon Lough and the fishery provides access for anglers with reduced mobility. Boats for hire and guide services are available at the fishery.

Facebook: facebook.com/glencarsalmonfishing
Email:
 [email protected]
Tel: +353 (0)87 221 3835

Caragh River and Lake

Coarse lakes save Texan’s day at Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet Roach

Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the hotel’s coarse lakes…

I had two anglers from Dallas, Texas out for the first day of the season,10-year-old Christopher Flanagan and his dad Chris. With a very wet couple of days the River Nore for the 17th was unfortunately too high for us to fish so the lakes were the only option. As we walked towards the lake young Christopher told me of his fishing trips back home for crappie, bass and bluegill. I was absolutely fascinated to hear of these stories and the different baits they used. As we got to the lake I explained what species we were fishing and I could see the excitement building in Christopher’s face.

Conditions were less than ideal but it didn’t deter either angler. Float fished worm was our chosen method, bite detection was very tough but we persevered , after a little while Christopher reached for the rod seeing something that I didn’t, striking the rod Christopher lifted into his first Irish coarse fish, a beautiful roach. Some roach did follow as Christopher never gave up despite the heavy rain, it certainly must have been the lucky Irish hat of which I forgot today.

roach
10-year-old Christopher Flanagan catches his first Irish fish

It was great to talk to Christopher today and his dad, hearing of the fishing stories from back in Texas and also meeting such an accomplished young angler. I look forward to greeting Christopher and Chris again in the future (bringing my lucky hat this time).

Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet

Go Fishing

Mount Juliet has trout and salmon fishing available on site over 2.5 miles of the river Nore. Classes also available for every skill level – learn or improve on your chosen technique. coarse fish ponds also available on the hotel grounds.

Mount Juliet

Address Mount Juliet, Kilkenny R95 E096 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 85 7652751 Website: mountjuliet.ie

River Nore trout fishing

A flooded Nore makes opening day a challenge

Kings River trout

Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the Kings River…

On the afternoon of the 17th, with conditions being less than ideal on the Nore, I had to wet the line somewhere. The water height on the Nore at this point was 2.2m. Judging by the river and with time against me I decided to quickly go to the Kings River for a look.  Getting to the Kings I convinced myself it was fishable from the bank, which in a way it was. I found a nice little spot without too many branches overhead. After casting for a while I was having no luck but enjoying being out again after some time away from the river.

Kings river trout

While in thought and just admiring the surrounding I felt a very familiar knock this was it number one. Leaping and splashing I guided a very welcome brown trout into the net. Wetting my hands and quickly taking the hook out I got a quick picture and away the trout went.

Kings River trout

I had one more trout before calling it a day just very happy to have met a trout in such conditions and of course for day one of the season.

Guided fishing

Taking bookings now for guided trips on the River Nore. Anyone wishing to practice a particular technique for trout or learn more about leader setups etc. Full and Half days available, contact me for more information.

Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet

Go Fishing

Mount Juliet has trout and salmon fishing available on site over 2.5 miles of the river Nore. Classes also available for every skill level – learn or improve on your chosen technique. coarse fish ponds also available on the hotel grounds.

Mount Juliet

Address Mount Juliet, Kilkenny R95 E096 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 85 7652751 Website: mountjuliet.ie

River Nore trout fishing

First issue of new online angling magazine dedicated to Ireland!

Predator & Salt is a new interactive online fishing magazine focusing on predator fishing in fresh and salt water, high-quality photography and articles covering various aspects of modern angling – fly and lure fishing, trolling and big game angling.

Kuba Standera, editor of the magazine, describes the main focus of the new publication as follows: “The magazine focuses on showing the adventure and friendship aspects of fishing, its inclusivity and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems”.

Each issue of this new publication will be dedicated to a specific  European fishing destination with Ireland having the honour of being featured in the first issue of the new magazine.

The first issue is 100% dedicated to fishing in Ireland. It covers some of the best fishing destinations worldwide, showing some less-known species and methods to catch them including trolling for albacore and tuna, fly fishing for brown trout, sea bass and pollock up to fly fishing for blue shark. Fishing-related art is also presented. Two Irish-based artists show their wooden & metal sculptures and pencil drawings.

Check out the Irish edition of Predator & Salt here!

Super march pike for Artur Pike Seeker

A super March pike for Artur
A super March pike for Artur

Artur Pike Seeker reports on a recent pike fishing trip…

March is the time when pike start spawning. Fish are picky and lazy. Sometimes it’s really hard to get them to attack. The weather doesn’t help. Sometimes there’s sun, rain, heat cold, wind, calm, in the same day. But if you are a patient and clever angler you can catch a really big fish. Maybe even a beautiful strong, healthy, Irish river pike of 111cm.

111cm pike
A super March pike for Artur