Sid Jones of Fishing Ireland Guided Fishing journeyed down to Co. Cork for some sea fishing with Tom Collins and reports:
I was on a recent two day trip to Union Hall Co Cork in search of common skate and blue shark and thankfully I wasn’t disappointed….Last December I rang and booked with Tom Collins who came highly recommended. Time speedily passed and the trip was a couple of days away. After speaking with Tom I organised what rods and rigs needed and he helped me out with any questions about the common skate that I had as myself or any of the lads had fished for them before..
Excited would be an understatement. We steamed out to one of Tom’s skate mark Wednesday morning aboard Loch an Iasc a fast worker 36 with 700 horsepower, it seemed like no time at all in this sturdy powerful boat. The days fishing went exccellent, we landed mackerel, gurnard, codling, pollock to 8lb, ling to 7lb, conger to 15lb, 5 common skate in less than two hours the best being 104lbs.
The upmost care and professionalism towards all the species captured and released was outstanding to see from Tom…. He is so hands on with every aspect of the catch, photo and quick release of the fish, they all go back strongly….. After an exciting days fishing we headed back to Casey’s bar our highly recommended accommodation, a homely B&B for some excellent food and a cold pint.
Adam Smyth with one of the conger eel caught
Day two had high expectations due to recent multiple catches of blue shark, thankfully our day was also busy with a clatter of blue shark, the heaviest weighing 80lb. I landed a 40lb+ blue shark on my spinning rod and 4000 size reel loaded with 20lb braid the same set-up I use for bass fishing, the shark was tagged and went back strongly with one flick of the tail. Union Hall is an amazing place to fish and no finer a skipper to put you over them than Tom Collins, I’ll definitely be back down……
Sea angling charters ltd is a modern and energetic business driven at the helm by experienced angler and skipper Tom Collins. We operate a fully insured and licensed charter boat from the picturesque fishing port in Reen, Union Hall, Co. Cork. Reen pier is situated 2 miles west of Union Hall village and is central to some of the most productive fishing grounds and whale feeding areas off the Irish coast. Whether you are a seasoned angler in pursuit of a catch of a lifetime or a passing tourist hoping to get that photo of a breaching whale we aim to fulfil your every need.
The weird and the wonderful - A Buff Arches moth at Crover shore, June 21st
A strange month that started with a heat wave that turned to torrential downpours and ends with showers. Fresh water anglers suffered at the beginning of the month and sea anglers excelled. This week we have a switch around with sea anglers complaining about the harsh conditions. Our Irish weather is as unpredictable as the Euro Soccer results and the British voters….
Rain was a welcome visitor to all of our salmon lakes this week. On the Erriff, Paddy Donegan caught a cracking 9lb fish on a Willie Gunn and other anglers were pleased with some nice grilse up to 4½lbs. 3 sea trout were also recorded in the ¾ to 1lb bracket. Fresh water also brought good fish to the Costello fishery. Beat 1 produced 2 cracking fresh fish of 6lbs 12oz and 6lbs 8oz for one angler. The Galway Fishery had its best week of the season with 121 fish logged, as well as many more lost. Both Shrimp and Fly landed some beauties in the 5 to 6 lb range. A beautiful fresh grilse caught and released by John Moloney on the Galway Fishery is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner.
John Moloney releasing a nice fresh grilse on the Galway Fishery is our ‘Catch of the Week’ winner
On the Drowes grilse were caught from all areas of the river on fly, spinner worm & prawn/shrimp. Prospects are looking good for the coming week with water levels at a nice height. The river is averaging a dozen a day at present. Lough Melvin however, had little angling activity despite the fact that there were quite a few grilse about. There were 10 grilse caught for the week, all by trolling. On the Owenea Fishery spinner and fly landed 5 salmon on beat 8 ranging from a 10½lb fish to a fine 15lber which was caught and released by Martin Harvey.
The super Moy lived up to its name with over 600 salmon reported caught. The Ridge Pool, Cathedral Beat, Weir Pool, Mount Falcon and Foxford all performed well. Cloongee gave French anglers some lovely catches on spinners. Average weights on the Moy were 3 to 6 lbs but there were some cracking double figures recorded too. Ballisodare Fishery had 255 salmon; most were caught on fly or worm with only a few caught on the prawn at the Falls.
Dropping down the country to Cork and Kerry, we saw tough Corkonian fish on the River Bandon putting up quite a battle. Some lovely sea liced grilse are making their way up the river. The majority of the 25 grilse reported were caught on worm shrimp and fly. On the Lee 14 salmon were landed this week mostly around the Kingsley Weir, the best weighing 11lbs. The flying C worked best on the River Ilen where 6 fish were reported.
A cracking 8½ lbs sea trout for Dublin fly angler Eoin O’Reilly was among the catches on the Currane. Other catches included a 6½lb grilse and a good few 3 – 4lb sea trout. Beat 3 on the rive Laune reported 9 and 7lb beauties for Thomas Ward and an 11lber on the Laune Anglers waters plus a 10lb salmon at Johnstons. Ted O’Riordan, secretary of Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers Association passed away on Thursday. Ted did great work for the association and will be badly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
The Munster Blackwater is in fine condition and had a good week. They recorded a number of fish caught on the fly including one cracking salmon at 12lbs from the Ballincurrig beat. Black spinners with copper blades seem to be the favourite at the minute for anyone spinning although the fly is working better than the spinner.
Donegal crooner Daniel O’Donnell paid a visit to Andrew Ryan at Clonanav in Ballymacarbry Co. Waterford. No doubt he serenaded the fish into submission ! Himself and wife Majella were out filming the new series of Daniel and Majella’s B & B road trip. At Sheelin this week, no amount of singing could coax the trout. They are caught between the dregs of the Mayfly spents and the beginning of the sedges and were in no mood for feeding till late evening. 32 fish was the tally for the week, the biggest being 6½lbs which was taken on a murrough.
Lough Corrib worked well for the early risers. James McDonnell of Cashel fishing at Cornamona had an excellent trout of 4lbs while trolling. Caenis fishing proved fruitful with a Scottish angler getting 10 fish over one early morning trip. On Sunday last Cairde Loch Coiribe hosted The Federation Cup (Catch & Release competition) out of Annaghdown. 56 Anglers participated, between them recording 40 trout caught which were measured and released back into Lough Corrib. Well done to all involved.
It’s not only soccer the Germans excel at. Coarse angler Thomas Wolf made Killeshandra his home for a few days fishing and totted up a nice bag of 22 tench between 4 to 6 lbs. Massive weights were also the order of the day at Lurgan angler’s annual club carp trip to Toomans Carp Fishery. Kevin Maguire won with an unbelievable weight of 271lb 2ozs over the two day event. The Breffni Arms Festival took place recently too. Bags included Bream, Skimmers, Roach and Hybrids and top weight went to Kevin Rowles with 74.290kg.
The blue sharks made their way early to Galway and waiting for them was skipper John Fleming of the Brazen Huzzy 2. John kicked the season off in style on Saturday with a fine blue of 84lbs. Sligo Boat Charters chased the spurdogs and Daryl Ewing reported a couple of nice specimens at 17lbs and 13½lbs. He tells us there were great amount of big pollack, mackerel, coalie, cod, codling, ling, pouting and poor cod about.
The last 3 weeks on the Wicklow coast was very busy for skipper Kit Dunne as he had a total of 47 specimen smooth hounds, 13 in one day alone ! Co Clare had some rough seas this week but the estuary did yield some fine lumps of pollack and an 8lb bull huss.
Anglers are reminded that the closing date to register for the IFSA shore species hunt in July 31st. Application forms can be had from their site. Congratulation to Greystones Ridge Angling Club who officially opened their new club rooms this week and tight line to all.
The outlook for the coming week is for changeable and unsettled weather to continue over the weekend and throughout next week. It will be cool at first, but temperatures will increase a little next week. Winds will fall light on Saturday night, with rain developing in south and southwest coastal areas, but dry elsewhere, apart from a few scattered showers. Rain and drizzle will become more widespread Sunday night.
Markus Müller, Angling Information Manager with IFI Ballina office reports from the Ballisodare Fishery:
Luke O’Connell reported that anglers on the Ballisodare Fishery enjoyed excellent fishing during the week. The fishery produced a fantastic 255 salmon (100 released) mainly between 4 lbs. and 5 lbs. with a good number of bigger fish also caught. Most fish were caught on fly or worm with only a few caught on the prawn at the Falls.
On Monday June 20th, Liam Gilsenan had a lovely 9 lbs.+ bar of silver from the wall at Harrisson’s on a small Green Highlander double. JB Chenaux and nephew Alex had good fishing for the week catching over 20 salmon all on the fly, most of which were released.
On Wednesday June 22nd, juvenile angler Jack Hogan caught two nice fish on the worm at Harrisson’s, one about 4.5 lbs. while the other was slightly bigger. Sticking on the juvenile angler topic, Darragh Kenny had the best fish of the week, a cracking eleven pounder taken on the fly at the Falls. Eamon Ruddy had a nice 6 lbs. fish on the worm also at Harrisson’s, while Derek Woods managed a seven pounder at the Falls on the fly.
On Thursday June 23rd,Noel and Kevin McKeever landed a good fish each at the Falls weighing 8 lbs. and 6 lbs. respectively. Vincent Henry had a good day up river catching 3 grilse, two of which were released, all around the 5 lbs. mark. On Friday June 24th, JJ Sullivan caught a nice fish of 8 lbs. at the Falls, while Mark Graham had a 6 lbs. fish upriver on the fly.
David Lee enjoyed a great weekend’s fishing catching 4 grilse all on the fly, releasing 3 of them with one fish around the 7 lbs. mark. A group of visiting French anglers arrived on Saturday for a week and have started off their trip with 14 fish caught between 6 anglers over 2 days.
Markus Müller, Angling Information Manager with IFI Ballina office reports from the River Moy:
With over 600 salmon reported caught, the River Moy saw another excellent week. Fresh fish were present throughout the system and were mostly in the 3 lbs. to 6 lbs. bracket. However, a number of bigger fish, well into double figures, were also caught.
On the Ridge Pool, Paul Leonard, Limerick, caught his first ever salmon (3 lbs. on fly), while Javier Gomez, Spain, had two fish at 4.5 lbs. and 6 lbs. respectively also on fly. John McKinley, Athlone, scored on the Weir Pool with two grilse averaging 4.25 lbs. and Brian Fleming from Northern Ireland caught a nice 7.5 lbs. fish on the Cathedral Beat.
A proud Paul Leonard, Limerick with his first ever salmon caught on the Ridge Pool
US angler, Allison Lepping had a fine 13.8 lbs. salmon on Mount Falcon, while Gilles Boudier enjoyed excellent fishing on Armstrong’s with bubble & fly. The Frenchman landed 3 fish, best a cracking 16 lbs. salmon! Double figure fish were also caught by Jeff Wyles on Gannon’s (10 lbs. on spinner) and Tom Carthew, Cork, on the Foxford Fishery (11.25 lbs. also on spinner). With over 100 fish reported, the Foxford Salmon Anglers’ waters provided excellent sport for local and visiting anglers alike.
Thierry Coulm also reported very good fishing during the week for a group of French angles on Cloongee. Amongst the successful anglers were Alain Bordessoule with 5 fish weighing between 4 lbs. and 7 lbs. and Freddy Turbin, who had 4 fish also between 4 lbs. and 7 lbs. Anglers on the East Mayo water also experienced fantastic fishing. Jo-Ann Rhodes from Foxford had a fine fourteen pounder on spinner, while Rubin Legros, France, caught 6 fish over two days, best at 9 lbs. also on spinner.
Some of the successful French anglers on Cloongee (f.l.t.r.: Alain Bordessoule , Freddy Turbin, Thierry Coulm)
Markus Müller Fisheries Information Manager ——————————————–
Iascach Intíre Éireann
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ballina
A Mayo man was charged with possession of eight unlawfully caught salmon at Lacken Pier on 22 July 2015 at a sitting of Ballina District Court earlier this month.
Stephen Rooney of Ballina, Co Mayo pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined €160 with costs amounting to €250.
Judge John Lindsay heard evidence that fishery officers had observed a car on Lacken Pier on the night of 21st July 2015. The officers noticed liquid oozing from the underside of the car, which they suspected to be blood and mucous from fish…
Gaelic football was never more exciting as in Burkes of Clonbur last weekend as Galway took on their arch-rivals Mayo for a place in the Connacht final. Close to the Mayo border, Burkes lounge was packed to capacity with a good sprinkling of both sets of supporters.
When the final whistle blew, signalling a win for Galway by three points, the cheering and excitement almost brought the house down. It had taken Galway eight years to record this historic win.
The media angling group were there too, not only to enjoy the game but to take in some fishing on Mask and to enjoy the hospitality offered by the Burke family. It was to be a return visit which again lived up to expectations….
A farmer is facing prosecution over a leaking silage pit which has been blamed for a major fish kill on a tributary of the Clare River – one of two discovered in North Galway in a week.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said they were alerted about the first fish kill last Wednesday and despatched officers to the Yellow River near Dunmore, which flows into the Clare River.
They discovered large numbers of dead fish in the river over the course of almost one kilometre downstream…
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is seeking submissions from interested parties in relation to a proposal to introduce a byelaw prohibiting trolling on Glen Lough (River Lackagh) in the North Western River Basin District.
The proposal currently under consideration is to request the minister to introduce a byelaw on Glen Lough to prohibit trolling for any species of fish at any time.
Trolling means to fish from a boat, which is being rowed or mechanically propelled through water, by trailing or towing a fishing line with a hook, bait or lure attached….
Lindsey Clarke reports from Owenea Fishery – Monday 13th to Sunday 26th June 2016 (2 weeks).
There was very low water for the greater part of the fortnight. There was a small fresh 0.22m on the 14th but low water until we received a decent flood of 0.40m on the 24th. The Owenea has been slow to start this season probably due in great part to long periods of low water. There has been around 5 salmon up to the 12th June. Over the fortnight, 5 salmon have been recorded to date. On the 13th, Alan Watson recorded a 10½lb salmon caught on a fly from beat 8. On the 23rd, Mick Kolbohm reported a 5lb 3oz grilse caught on a fly from beat 7. On the 25th, Martin Harvey reported a lovely 15lb salmon caught and released on a spinner from beat 8. On the 26th, Adrian Whelan logged a 5½lb grilse caught on a spinner from beat 9 and Billy Blair accounted for a fine 12lb salmon caught on beat 8.
A proud Paul Leonard, Limerick with his first ever salmon caught on the Ridge Pool
Some of the successful French anglers on Cloongee (f.l.t.r.: Alain Bordessoule , Freddy Turbin, Thierry Coulm)
