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reland experienced variable weather conditions over the past week, with periods of heavy rain and fresh winds. While the rain improved angling conditions on a number of smaller spate river systems, salmon angling remained on the slow side for most of the time. The southwest saw a few salmon and sea trout reported from the River Laune and the Killarney Lakes area, while improved water levels provided better fishing opportunities on the River Moy.

Trout action on the lakes also slowed down considerably, which is expected once the main mayfly hatch is over. Yet, some late mayfly hatches still provided decent sport at times. This was the case on Loughs Conn and Cullin, where conditions improved during the calmer, brighter spells, producing the odd better fish.

In contrast, river trout fishing produced some encouraging results, which aligns with expectations for this time of year. We received a number of positive updates, including one from Dan O’Neill on the River Nore, where water levels have finally settled, resulting in the trout feeding more freely. Good fishing was also reported from the River Maigue, where Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling enjoyed a great day guiding and teaching three young lady anglers from the US. Mick Flanagan of Midlands Angling was also in touch; he had a great few hours on the River Brosna in Mullingar after having to change his plans when he was blown off the lakes.

Senan Stanley joined expert Peter Driver for a detailed tutorial on Euro-nymphing, which can be a very effective method when trout aren’t feeding actively on the surface.

Concluding our trout section this week, we would like to point any interested trout anglers to the latest episode of the Ireland on the Fly podcast, featuring well-known trout angler Sammy McGowan.

Moving over to pike fishing, the discipline is entering its typical seasonal slowdown, though some notable catches were still recorded. Angling Services Ireland, operating in the Boyle region, proved that mid-June can still produce outstanding pike fishing when a group of Austrian anglers broke several personal bests, catching multiple fish over the magic 1-metre mark.

On Lough Derg, angling guide Johannes Bulfin of Watershed Fly Fishing made the most of some added-time angling this week, catching a super personal best (PB) Esox. Consequently, Johannes’ fantastic 115cm pike, weighing 29 lbs and coming in just one pound short of the specimen weight, truly deserves to win our Catch of the Week.

In recent weeks, we have repeatedly reported on some outstanding tench fishing, and this week big Irish tench make the headlines once again: Anglers Noel O’Dowd and Tom Skerrit had a great day out at a Leitrim venue, catching a number of fine Tinca specimens.

Meanwhile, the second qualifier of the CM Lakelands Open Feeder Cup took place last Sunday on Loughs Skeagh and Drumkearragh in County Cavan, with Piotr Horbiński finishing on top and Brenton Sweeney in second place. Closer to the Midlands, up-and-coming coarse anglers Thomas and Jack Gilligan took the top two spots in the Daingean Sundew Festival junior championships, fished on the Grand Canal.

Elsewhere, the 30th FIPSed European Coarse Angling Championship will take place in the Cavan Lakelands on 27 and 28 June 2026, bringing together the finest float anglers from across Europe. This prestigious event will once again showcase Ireland as a prime coarse angling destination and is certainly an event to look forward to.

Finally, over to sea angling, where high winds restricted most offshore action for much of the week. Before the winds picked up, David Edwards, skipper of the Silver Dawn, was out last weekend successfully targeting blue sharks, whiting, and ling off Courtmacsherry. Along the Clare coast, charter boats also reported lively reef fishing and bent rods. Further north along the Donegal coast, this was also the case for North West Charters fishing out of Burtonport.

A number of shore competitions also took place over the past weekend. Starting in Wicklow, Conor Clancy claimed victory at the Tommy Keogh Open in Kilcoole. Also in Wicklow, Ulster Krakens SAC enjoyed their annual away-day match held near Arklow, while Caliso Bay in West Cork was the venue for the latest open competition of West Cork and District SAC. While catches were well below what anglers would normally expect from this productive stretch of coastline, a wide variety of species were still recorded, including bass, corkwing wrasse, ballan wrasse, scorpionfish, bull huss, dogfish, flounder, and some specimen shore rockling.

Other news

If you are looking for a new hobby, why not give sea angling a try? Cobh Sea Angling Club is always delighted to welcome new members; whether you’ve never held a fishing rod before or have years of experience behind you, check out what the club has to offer…

And now the weather

Tonight will see a mix of clear spells and scattered showers at first, becoming largely dry by morning. Winds will be light and variable, and patches of mist and fog will form. It will be cooler and fresher than recent nights, with lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees. The weekend will be generally dry with long spells of sunshine. There is just the chance of a few passing showers in Ulster and north Connacht during the mornings. Highest temperatures will range from 16 to 22 degrees, warmest in the east, with light to moderate westerly or variable winds. The outlook for next week is for a continuation of these settled, dry conditions. However, heading toward midweek, there is some uncertainty, though the latest guidance suggests a warming trend with the potential for showers pushing up from the south.

If you do go fishing this weekend, 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 this May Bank Holiday weekend, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

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

All the angling news

Salmon Fishing Reports

• Improved water levels offer better fishing opportunities on the River Moy
• A few salmon from Laune and lakes last week

Trout Fishing Reports

• Plan comes together for A-Team on the Maigue
• Dan O’Neill with an update from the River Nore
• Midlands Angling back on the Brosna
• Quiet week on Conn & Cullin still sees some Mayfly action
• Jim Keeshan wins Ian Rowand Trophy in style with DTAA season’s heaviest trout
• Senan Stanley – Euro Nymphing for Trout
• Ireland on the Fly: Irish Caps, Pink Flamingos and Fly Tying with Sammy McGowan

Coarse Angling Reports

• Daingean brother take top two spots in Sundew Festival
• Europe’s finest headed for Cavan lakelands!
• CM Lakelands Open Feeder Cup – Round 2
• More good tench fishing reported from Leitrim

Pike Fishing Reports

• Austrian anglers smash personal bests in the Boyle region
• Added-time angling produces PB pike for Johannes Bulfin

Sea Angling Reports

• Sharks, big whiting and unexpected visitors for West Cork Charters
• Great reef fishing action in Clare
• Brendan Wall wins WCAD competition at Caliso Bay
• Looking for a New Hobby? Why Not Give Sea Angling a Try?
• Sunshine and Smoothhounds for annual Ulster Krakens away day match
• Conor Clancy claims victory at Tommy Keogh Open in Kilcoole
• A clean sweep of the North Atlantic shelf for North West Charters