Keen angler Andy Kish moved to Ireland from the USA 4 years ago – he fishes the east coast for bass and here is a great write up he sent us detailing a recent trip:
I grew up fishing for striped bass (rock fish) on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, USA. I moved here 4 years ago and was delighted to learn the wild Irish bass are a distant cousin to our rock fish. I saw a lot of anglers using live bait, such a rag worm and peeler crabs. However, I decided to use the same gear I use for rock fish back in Maryland; medium action spinning rod with soft plastics, Rapala crank baits, and spinners. Lo and behold the local bass loved it! It took me a while to learn the tides and when and where to go. But through trial and error I’m finally dialled in.
I caught this guy at 9:10 pm, about 45 min after high tide. There was a slight offshore breeze which led to calm and clear water. I fished for about an hour before he took the blue fox spinner. There is no better feeling than getting hit on a slow retrieve, feeling the rod tip bend over and the head shakes beginning. At 60cm, he pulled drag and fought hard. Truly a beautiful species that fights like a boxer and pulls like a freight train!
I usually catch and release but I kept this guy to feed the family. And he was delicious cooked on back yard Weber!
DARREN Maguire, of Garrison in Fermanagh, is the 2025 Champion of the Lough after retaining the trophy at the catch-and-release trout fishing competition on Lough Melvin on June 8.
Darren Maguire with the Champion of the Lough trophy.
It was organised by Rossinver Fishery in Leitrim. Darren took home a boat, crafted by Gareth Foley of Kinlough, after beating 71 other anglers in the final of the four-day contest.
Competitors return to the harbour at Rossinver.
Go fishing…
A permit is required for the Rossinver Fishery. Permits (including boat hire) are available from:
It’s been a very slow start to the season with good weather and low water conditions. We finally got some rain and better salmon fishing weather this past week and finally put our first salmon of the season on the board.
7th June: The Erriff was at 1.103m and saw the first salmon of the year landed by Colm Reynolds on beat 9 Garden pool on a cascade weighing around the 8 lbs mark.
8th June: Phillip Clesham landed the second salmon of the 2025 season in the Falls pool, weighing 6 lbs on a thunder and lightning.
There are still not a lot of salmon showing yet but hopefully the grilse will arrive soon to kick off our season.
Having basked in an extended spell of sunshine in May, the Irish weather has reverted to type in June, with most of the country experiencing above-average rainfall for the first week of the month. The rain has been very patchy, though, highlighted by the fact that Valentia in Co. Kerry saw the most rain (39mm), while next-door neighbours in Co. Cork received the least (12.1mm). Temperatures and sunshine held up well during the week, remaining slightly above average for most of the country, but the wind has been pretty strong and gusty, a factor that is reflected in some of our angling reports.
As the angling calendar moves from May to June, and the drama, high hopes and dashed expectations of the capricious mayfly hatch fade into the distance, it is the salmon anglers who begin to brim with expectation, as they wait with eager anticipation for news of grilse moving into our river systems. These smaller ‘summer salmon’ start to enter our systems in June, encouraged by any decent drop of rain, and there has been a bit of that around this week… But salmon aren’t the only long-distance travellers returning to our waters at this time of year, as sea anglers can look forward to welcoming the wandering tope and blue shark back to our shores, as they begin to congregate in good numbers around the coastline from June onwards.
Alberto from H2O media releases a brownie back to the river.
To sea angling now, and we begin in Co. Kerry, where the annual Tag-A-Ray Festival attracted anglers from far and wide to the fabled fishing grounds of Tralee Bay. Wet and windy conditions hampered the fishing a bit, with the boat angling restricted to a small area of shelter, but despite that, plenty of good fish were caught and tagged. It was a Tom double act that won the prizes as Galway angler Tom Keal took the shore win and Howth angler Tom McAdam took the boat win. The outstanding fish of the festival was a once-common but now rare Angel Shark, caught by Chris Kelly, and this catch of a lifetime wins Chris this week’s Catch of the Week.
A rare Angel Shark wins Chris Kelly this week’s Catch of the Week
On the international scene, it’s hats off to Alby Allan, from South Shore SAC, and JP Molloy of West Cork & District SAC, who travelled to Sardinia to take part in the Magrini International tournament, one of the top competitions on the circuit, attracting entries from all over Europe. Both Alby and JP have represented Ireland on many occasions, so it was no surprise that the pair came out on top on this occasion, their combined scores beating the rest of the stellar field. Back to the domestic scene now, and in Co. Wexford, 26 members of the New Ross & District SAC participated in their annual 3-day event, held on the Hook Peninsula. The event was plagued by strong winds, which led to multiple zone and venue changes, but none of that fazed Eugene Andrews, who put in a solid performance to take the festival win. In the south west, Bass specialist David Norman has added a couple of days to his bass lure workshop schedule. Anyone looking for a Father’s Day gift for a fishy father could do well to book a slot. Our last piece of sea angling news is that South Shore SAC will be running the Tommy Keogh Open Competition on Saturday, 14th June, and interested anglers can now register.
A win for team Ireland as Alby Allan & JP Molloy take the honours at the prestigious Magrini tournament
In pike angling news, four first-time visitors to Melview Lodge faced some sunny conditions for the start of their week’s fishing, but by the end of the week, the skies had clouded over and sunny smiles came out, as the guys had plenty of pike, with a few over the magic metre mark. Meanwhile, it was the returning visitors who were in action up in Co. Roscommon, as Bodo Funke welcomed back a few of his regular clients for some fantastic pike fishing on both fly and lure.
Bodo Funke & client enjoy some fine pike fishing
In coarse angling news, 11-year-old Leo was treated to a fishing holiday in Ireland by his grandfather, Perry. Leo had never caught a tench before, so they decided to make tench their main quarry, using feeder tactics at short distance. And it was a case of zero to hero for Leo, as he broke his duck in style, catching numerous tench, many to specimen size, the best of which weighed in at 6lb 5oz. On the match scene, the CM Lakelands Feeder Club fished a bank holiday match on Lough Skeagh on Monday, where Brenton Sweeney took the win with 6kg of skimmers, hybrids and roach. We wrap up this week’s fishing reports with news that entry is now open for the popular Lough Muckno Feeder Festival. The event will run from 30th June to 4th July and anglers looking to compete should register their interest early.
First ever Tench for 11-year-old Leo is the reason he is all smiles with these lovely specimens.
And now the weather
Today will be a day of sunny spells and isolated showers. Cloud will build from the southwest this afternoon, with most areas overcast by evening, followed by outbreaks of rain in the southwest. Highs of 12 to 17 °C in light to moderate westerly breezes. Saturday morning will be wet in most places, but the rain will clear eastwards as the day progresses, leaving a mix of showers and sunny spells. Sunday will bring a mix of sunshine and showers, although it will be generally cloudier in the west and southwest. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 °C in moderate westerly winds. The unsettled spell looks likely to carry into early next week, as the pattern of sunny spells interspersed with patchy rain and drizzle continues.
Garrett Ruigrok releasing a nice fish back to The Ridge Pool
Water levels rose considerably in the Moy this week following on from some welcome rain. Levels at Ballylahan rose from 0.26 m on Sunday 25th to 1.05 m on Thursday 29th before receding to 0.46 m by noon on Sunday 1st June. The weather is promised to remain unsettled with forecasts for twice the average rainfall in parts of the west. An improvement in catch reports was evident this week as a result of better angling conditions coupled with increased angling activity leading up to the bank holiday weekend.
The Moy Fishery: Eight salmon were caught in the Moy Fishery for the week of which three were released. Six were caught on the Ridge Pool with two salmon caught on the Cathedral Beat. The fish weighed between 6 lbs and 12.5 lbs and were caught on the fly, spinner and worm.
Ballina Salmon Anglers: Peter reports of one 10.5 lbs salmon being caught and three grilse weighing from 3 lbs to 6 lbs.
Knockmore Salmon Anglers: Kenneth reports of two salmon caught both on the prawn weighing 10 lbs each.
Attymass Angling Club: Kevin reports in of two salmon caught for the week with the best weighing 9 lbs.
Byrnes Fishery: Roy reports of four salmon caught on the prawn and worm with two weighing 9 lbs one at 10 lbs and one at 12 lbs.
Armstrong Fishery: George reports of four salmon being caught weighing up to 10 lbs using all methods.
Gannon’s Fishery: Pat reports in with eight salmon being caught with two being released using all methods and the best weighing 13 lbs.
The Foxford Fishery: Granville reported seven salmon caught mainly on the prawn, with the best weighing in at 14.02 lbs.
Foxford Salmon Anglers: Harry reports of thirty-one salmon caught using all methods. Eighteen of the salmon were caught in Rinnaney with the best weighing 13 lbs.
Foxford Town: A report of three salmon being caught on the prawn with the best weighing 9 lbs.
East Mayo Anglers Association: Kathleen reports of nineteen salmon being caught using all methods of which three were released. The best weighed in at 15.5 lbs with the next one down weighing 14 lbs and several over 9 lbs.
Arnaud Baptiste from France with a nice one off the Cathedral Beat.
Moy Estuary
Unfortunately, due to strong winds and general inclement weather the estuary remained quiet for the week.
Over the bank holiday weekend The Lough Conn and Cullin Anglers Association held their annual competition, known as the Traynor and Tolan Cup. A total of forty-two boats carrying eighty-four anglers set out in difficult conditions on both days. Fish were hard caught with not much surface action happening. The wetfly proved the most effective method with yellow and green Mayflies proving effective for some anglers.
Padraig Traynor on behalf of Lough Conn and Cullin Anglers Association presenting Stephen Browne with 1st prize of a Sheelin lake boat in Gortnor Abbey on Sunday evening
Stephen Browne came out the winner this year with the heaviest bag of three fish.
2nd place Jimmy Fitzgerald
3rd place William Craig, Northern Ireland
4th place Declan McKibbin
5thplace John O’Neill
Waiting for the signal to go in Gortnor Abbey, Lough Conn on Saturday morning 31st May
A win for team Ireland as Alby Allan & JP Molloy take the honours at the prestigious Magrini tournament
Irish sea angling competition anglers are up there with the best in the world, as they have proved on many occasions at World Championship level. Last week top match anglers Alby Allan, from South Shore SAC, and JP Mollow of West Cork & District SAC, travelled to Sardinia to take part in the Magrini International competition. One of the top competitions on the circuit, the Magrini attracts entries from all over Europe, with many top international anglers taking part.
Both Alby and JP have represented Ireland on many occasions, with JP captaining Ireland to a famous World Championship win in South Africa in 2012. So it was no surprise that the pair came out on top on this occasion, their combined scores beating the rest of thre stellar field.
They also finished 2nd and 3rd in the international anglers category. We wonder how much the excess baggage charges were on the way back with all those prizes! Well done lads, up the Irish!
First ever Tench for 11 year old Leo is the reason he is all smiles with these lovely specimens.
Leo was treated to a fishing holiday in Ireland by his grand father Perry. It was their second trip to Ireland, but this time they decided to stay with Host Kevin at Melview Fishing Lodge.
It was mentioned that 11 year old Leo had never in his time fishing ever caught a tench so that was the target for host and anglers. They decided on fishing the feeder at a sort distance and the results were unbelievable. Not only did Leo manage to catch his first tench ever, the tench he did catch were all specimens! The biggest of fish fish weighed in at 6lb 5oz.
There were plenty of roach and small skimmers also caught but not put in the same net as the big for fish safety.
First ever Tench for 11 year old Leo is the reason he is all smiles with these lovely specimens.
Kevin said
Well done Leo, it was a great achievement and also a big thank you to granddad Perry for taking the time out to ensure Leo had the best time.
Thanks again guys for your company during the week and the best of luck Leo for the future and keep going with the fishing and hope to see you again.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
This from the organisers of the Lough Muckno festivals:
Lough Muckno Feeder Festival from the 30th June to the 4th July 2025, is the next significant event organised for this great venue. With a good interest already signalled, the entry is now open for all intending to take part.
All participants (irrespective of earlier booking) are requested to signal their intention by commenting “Book me on please” on the Muckno group Facebook page, and we will like, to signal confirmation of the booking.
Registration at Old Coach Inn from 8am on 30th June and draw at 9am. Feeder fishing rules apply and fishing will be 11am to 4pm daily.
Black and Yellow islands, which are under development at this time will be available, as per agreement with Monaghan Co Co. A van draw will apply for this and all Festival events henceforth, in order to comply with the strict Health and safety protocols in place for the past 3 years.
Muckno
A vast 10 year development consultation programme with all stakeholders is underway at Lough Muckno currently and we have represented angling at 4 different meetings in recent weeks.
Muckno
On a recent one to one, with Monaghan County Council around the current upgrade at Black island we agreed that the section would be opened to us, a week prior to the Feeder Festival, with car and van access restored to us from mid June, to coincide with the return of the shoals of Roach, currently away on their spawning grounds.
The only group to have vehicular access here, is this one, and only on condition of strict compliance, with the Health and safety protocols that we had commissioned and submitted.
With further amenity upgrades, this area is now experiencing unprecedented public footfall and we are asked to adhere to the strict conditions of signposting, speed limit, vehicle entry and exit close formation.
All vehicles must enter together in a controlled manner at a specified time and exit similarly controlled, at the finish of competition.
No driving is to be undertaken outside of the entry and exit convoy method, so unfortunately no deviation will be permitted, to allow cars/vans to drop off or pickup at the start or finish of daily competition.
A week ago the Irish fly fishing team was in the Czech Republic getting ready for their shot at the World Fly Fishing Championships and with a very respectable sixth place last year in France, hopes were high for the team that they might even medal – something that has never been done before by an Irish team at the World Championships.
Team Captain, Dec Conlon, joins Tom & Daire on the latest show to tell them how Ireland fared.
