IFI recorded water temperatures of above 20 degrees Celsius at the Galway Fishery twice in the past 24 hours and, as such, IFI has closed the fishery to protect fish from potentially lethal stress.
IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.
The fishery will re-open once temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed, and is conditional on at least two successive water temperature readings of less than 18 degrees Celsius.
Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI.
Anglers with season permits for the high bank and OPW beats on the Corrib River in Galway will also be affected by the closure, and fishing must cease until the fishery reopens
IFI encourages anglers to contact the Galway Fishery for the latest advice before travelling.
Other fisheries managed by IFI have also recorded high temperatures, and anglers are encouraged to contact IFI via the details below for the latest update.
At fisheries where catch-and-release angling is permissible, anglers should take extra precautions during times of warm temperatures to minimise the stress on fish such as brown trout and Atlantic salmon.
Anglers using catch-and-release methods are encouraged to limit the exposure of fish to air, or avoid it completely where possible.
The Moy, Galway, Erriff, Cloongee, and Ballyvary fisheries are owned by the State, and operated by IFI.
IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, or water pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
Ridge Pool at the Moy Fishery, Co Mayo, which is now closed to angling
Galway Fishery, Moy Fishery and Erriff Fishery in Co. Mayo now closed to angling
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is suspending angling at the Galway Fishery in Galway due to high water temperatures.
The Co. Galway fishery is closed to all angling from midnight on Monday May 19th after multiple high water temperatures were recorded, and remains closed until further notice.
The Erriff Fishery and Moy Fishery in Co. Mayo are also closed to all angling because of elevated temperatures.
Recent dry and hot weather has caused water temperatures to exceed the 20 degrees Celsius threshold in these locations recently.
IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.
The Galway Fishery will re-open once water temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed.
Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI.
Anglers should contact the fisheries to check the latest advice before travelling.
At fisheries where angling is permissible, anglers should take extra precautions during times of warmer temperatures to minimise the stress on brown trout and Atlantic salmon.
Anglers using catch-and-release methods are encouraged to limit the exposure of fish to air, or avoid it completely where possible.
The Moy, Galway and Erriff fisheries are owned by the State and operated by IFI.
Other State-owned fisheries are also being monitored.
IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, or pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
Lough Sheelin Angling report, May 12th to May 18th 2025
‘If I told you this was only gonna hurt
If I warned you that the fire’s gonna burn
Would you walk in? Would you let me do it first?
Do it all in the name of love’
Bebe Rexha
Paul Colreavy with his slab of gold caught on nymphs
This was another daunting and uncomfortable angling week on Lough Sheelin as daytime temperatures soared into the mid-twenties, water temperatures climbed over 18 degrees and lake levels shrank a little bit more, revealing a distinctive bleached hemline around the lough.
The meteorologists are telling us that this settled hot spell of weather is all down to what they are calling “an Omega block” which is a type of high-pressure system that becomes stationary and blocks the normal west-to-east movement of weather systems producing a prolonged period of hot weather which is what we are experiencing now.
The late and great Sheelin angler, John Murphy always linked the peak of the May or whitethorn blossom to the peak of the Mayfly season. The May blossom now lies heavily on the bushes and hedgerows, a luxurious blanket of scented white and pink flowers draped over the whitethorns around Lough Sheelin. We are only in mid-May and historically this is still early for the Mayfly on Lough Sheelin which traditionally happens in late May to mid-June. Of course, with climate change affecting weather patterns nothing can be assured, and it seems everything is early with this unseasonal and premature hot weather.
Spent on water
Ephemeroptera or the Mayfly – a delicate aquatic insect that has the ability alone to stir the blood in all trout anglers, triggering them to forgo the mundane to make that yearly pilgrimage to Ireland’s great limestone lakes of which Lough Sheelin is one. The Mayfly nymph (aquatic stage) can last from several months to a few years depending on the species, matures and emerges from the water and transforms into subimago (also known as duns) sporting a dull appearance and often resting on vegetation before a further transformation. The adult (Imago stage) is where after shedding their skin again, the subimago becomes adult mayflies (spinners). This stage is short-lived typically lasting a day or two, during which they mate and lay their eggs and die on the surface of the lake. Because Mayflies are a crucial food source for trout, they are a key component of fly fishing. It is important that anglers understand Mayfly behaviour and their lifecycle in order to predict and capitalize on hatches so imitations of Mayfly nymphs, emergers, spinners and spents all make up necessary components in the fly box. Mayflies are known for their synchronized emergencies, which can create spectacular hatches and make them a pivotal food source both for the trout and other aquatic life.
Mayfly mania
There have been enormous and spectacular hatches of Mayfly on Lough Sheelin over the past week, their vast emergences akin to an extract from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film ‘The Birds’. This year seems to be a particularly good year, but this may have something to do with the hot spell of weather we are experiencing. We should be eternally grateful for the presence of this majestic and magical little fly because it is a great indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem and most importantly of good water quality.
This hot weather coupled with a persistent easterly to variable wind crippled the start of the Mayfly season here. Morale was low, with many anglers blanking – no takes and only sunburn to show for a hard days fishing. Angling numbers were high each day on the lake predictably due to the fact that this is the most coveted time of the trout fishing season. Disappointment and frustration was high on the agenda as anglers repeatedly reported no rise of fish and all daytime successes were down to nymph fishing which many if not all anglers eventually resorted to. The fall of spent as the heat of the day gave way to the cool of the evening produced a mesmerizing pattern of drifts of silken crumpled spent wings covering the water’s surface. Anglers reported trout rising sporadically to surface feed but showing little or no interest in the artificial. It seemed at times that the entire lake’s surface had been painted with brushstrokes of brown and grey, a golden dust of aquatic lacework covering the surface of the lough as the Mayflies lay in the last throes of life, their job done.
The perfect combination
Flies that worked were the nymph patterns – Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, Prince and Sparkle Dun, fished slowly. Emerger and Cripple patterns were limited in their success. Dry fly fishing the Wulffs in Grey, Green and Royal got results. Spent Gnat patterns along with the nymphs were the most successful in attracting fish for this week. Some wet fly fishing was there in the shake up with teams using a Pheasant Tail or Hare’s Ear Nymph as a top dropper, a Sparkle Dun or Emerger as the middle fly and a Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear for the point. Other patterns used were the Raymond, the Mosley Mayfly, the F fly, the Bibio Hopper (on the top dropper) Royal Wulff, Greenwells Glory, Grey Wulff, the Buzzer, Humpys, Pheasants Tail, Klinkhammer and the Stimulator. The most popular wet flies used were the Sooty olive, Green Dabbler, Claret Dabbler and Peter Ross Dabbler.
Best fishing areas, depending on wind direction were the silted areas of Goreport, Corru, Sailors Garden, Gaffneys, Derrysheridan, Merry Point, Plunketts Point, Bog Bay, Stony Islands, Finea and around Church Island. All locations were wind dependant.
CopycatBlue tag releaseTracker tag
IFI’s tagging project is active on Lough Sheelin so all anglers are reminded to keep an eye out for a blue tag with the requirement to note the number, size of fish and to ensure trout is released.
Follow the leaderMartin Ryan 5lb on the Spent
Anglers must remember that Lough Sheelin is a wild brown trout fishery. This large majestic expanse of water takes no prisoners and will never give up her quarry easily. It has always been that way regardless of where we are in the fishing calendar. Admittedly the Mayfly season is supposed to be an easier time to catch a trout when anglers can make the most of the trout’s gluttony and it is easy pickings. ‘Duffer’s fortnight’ a term that I find hard to understand -14 days when the trout are careless and even the novice can catch fish. Times have changed and in the here and now Sheelin is challenging for all sorts of reasons – an excessive and ready supply of food sub-surface, a mammoth amount on the surface, previous snags and releases and excess boat traffic to name but a few. People who fish Sheelin must realise that this is not an easy place, the fish are not trained and there will be lots of blank days, you have to work hard to catch your fish. But on those blank days we should remember that being out on this lake is not just about fishing, it is also very much about being in a vast wild place with nature very much in evidence with millions of magical mayflies who have remained largely unchanged for over 300 million years. As Tomas Garrigue Masaryk said, “Wherever the trout are, it’s beautiful”, the icing on the cake is the chance of catching a Sheelin specimen.
Ringing in the MayflySpent Gnat fishWaiting for GodotDavid Jones with his Spent Gnat troutSpent release, Sailors GardenMayfly pattern
We here at Lough Sheelin Guiding Services provide what we think is a world class ghillie and guiding service on the famous Lough Sheelin. We will do our upmost to try and make sure visiting anglers catch there fair share of these famous wild trout and make
your visit a memorable one.
Our Ghillies offer fully guided trips and be assured we know every corner and drift on Sheelin and will work hard for you to make sure you get the best opportunity to catch Sheelins famous wild brown trout.
Well its the start of a New Era for me. This season I will be running a Guiding Service on the midlands lakes. I will be primarily based on Lough Sheelin, Lough Owel and Lough Lene, where I have fished all my life. I have many caps for the Senior Irish Team, Captain twice, I have also won the Brown Bowl and have coached the youth team on and off for over 15 years. I am also the Irish Ambassador for Wychwood Game.
The midland lakes produce some of the biggest wild Brown Trout in Ireland and some of the biggest Stocked triploids too. The season starts with fry imitations but quickly turns to the buzzer, followed by Olives, Mayfly and sedge fishing as the year progresses.
If you want to book a day with me please please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Please remember anglers to abide by BYE-LAW 949 which strictly prohibits from
June 14th, 2017 onwards:
The taking of any brown trout of less than 36 centimeters.
For a person to fish with more than 2 rods at any one time.
To fish with more than 4 rods at any one time when there is more than one person on board the boat concerned.
For a person to take more than 2 trout per day.
All trolling on the lake from March 1st to June 16th (inclusive).
To fish or to attempt to take or to fish for, fish of any kind other than during the period from March 1st to October 12th in any year.
The Essentials
Luring with flies
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Bleeding Wulff, Kenneth Rawley
Buzzer Wolfi Robl
Buzzers, Brian Barron
Coffee break, Milko Dimov
Dry flies
Good little fly before the fall of spent, Peter Dunne
Jim Sheehan creation
Jim Sheehan nymph
Catching the cycle, Jim Sheehan nymph
Olive nymph kamasan, size 14, Kieran Sherlock
Mayfly madness, Kenneth Rawley
One for May, Graham Lonergan
Tom Johnson
Mayfly. Jorgen Danielsson
CDC flies, Diego Bosello
Kenneth Rawley
Cooling downKevin Sheridan overcoming the challenge of Lough SheelinDenis Goulding with his sunshine fishA trout caught and released by Denis GouldingDiarmuid O’Donovan guided by Denis Goulding
Heaviest trout: a 9 lb trout caught by Gene Haran at Crover
Number of trout recorded: 53
Selection of catches:
Barry Fox, Rathoath – 2 trout at 7.1 and 5lbs caught on Spent Gnat patterns along the Western shore.
Juerg Casty, Switzerland – 1 trout at over 7lbs using an Olive Hare’s Ear Copper head as a point fly, caught and released at the Stoney Islands.
Diarmuid O’Donovan guided by Denis Goulding – 1 trout at over 3lbs on nymphs.
Dominic Murphy, Dublin – 1 trout at 5lbs on a spent at Crover, May 13th.
David Jones – 1 trout at 6lbs on the Spent Gnat, May 11th.
Melvyn Wood – 1 trout at 3lbs on the Spent Gnat, May 11th.
Martin Dunn, UK – 1 trout at 3lbs on nymphs.
Gary McKiernan (Lough Sheelin guiding) – 14 trout for the week, averaging 3lbs on nymphs and dries.
Ryan Crozier and his pal Willie Graham travelled from Co. Down to join Chris Barry for a day’s fly fishing for pike in Cavan. Conditions were tough to start with a cold easterly wind gusting across the lake for most of the morning.
Moving out of the wind, and into a normally productive bay, the lads worked hard throwing flies into lovely looking water of 10-15 feet. The wind direction changed and minutes later, a good fish torpedoed after Ryan’s fly, crushing it right at the boat. After a spectacular battle, the fish was netted and measured at 102cms. A new PB pike on the fly for Ryan and nearly the same length as his smile.
Ryan Crozier, Pike on the fly – 102cms
Not long afterwards, he was in again. Another big fish nailed his fly just at the boat. This was a very powerful pike which leaped and tail-walked all the way to the net. She measured 101cms but was clearly a much heavier fish. Two cracking fish in the space of 30 minutes. Wille got into the action as well, connecting with two more fish and was very unlucky as another big fish cruised up to his fly at the boat, but missed it. Well done to the two lads who enjoyed their day’s fly fishing on the boat.
Ryan Crozier – pike on the fly 101cms
Fly fishing for pike is an increasingly popular branch of the sport and can hold its own with any other methods for catching big fish. Just ask Ryan!
James Raymond of Irish Angling Adventure reports on an exciting weekend of angling…
Well the guiding season has kicked off now and the first weekend of it has gone well. On Saturday I had Darren Griffin all the way down from Donegal. After 6 years of chasing an elusive Stingray and Undulate ray, he decided it was best to get some guiding to get him on the fish. We met Saturday for the morning and Tide and fished this to about 2.5hrs after low. First cast I ended up with a Painted ray while not long after Darren had a small thornie. Darren is forever cursed with getting thornies. I had some more fish but unfortunately Darren only had the one at mark one.
As the tide started to push and leads were no longer holding bottom we moved to mark two. Weed was pushing hard here but once the tide slowed I had two undulates on the one hook as the male and female were latched to each other. We started to pack things away and just got out of our waders Darren’s rod had a nod and managed his first ever undulate ray and a very nice size one at that. I was delighted to get Darren his first undulate after so long chasing them. The pressure was on now to try get a Stingray to make the days fishing an absolute success.
Back to the same location as mark one and it wasn’t long I had a Stingray. This rounded off a Tralee Bay Grand Slam for me. Not long after this Darren’s rod “hooped” over and it could only be one thing taking line from the reel and that had to be a good sized Stinger. After a few initial runs, We landed the fish and at 110.5cm Darren was over the moon. Now the pressure of getting the two targets was off but we only needed a painted to get Darren hist first Grand Slam. Well not long after and again last cast, Darren picked up a painted to round off a great days fishing. Plenty of firsts and PBs.
Moving on to day two, I had a group of lads out from Roscommon who were chasing bass, pollack and wrasse on the lures. With conditions not being Ideal we still decided to give it a go. Bass fishing was non existent but we still went through where to target bass, what features to look for and some basic water craft of how to find features and structure using the waves and where fish would lie when ambushing their prey.
After a quick bit of lunch we then moved to the Wrasse and Pollack. Fishing was slow to begin with a lot of moving to find the fish. After a while Chris has a small pollack on a soft plastic. The swell at this point started to build and made fishing some of the marks difficult with regular splashing. We moved along the coast searching for fish and it wasn’t long before all the lads were into the wrasse with two fish just coming in shy of specimens. All in all everyone had a great day and learned a thing or two.
Ready for a thrilling shore fishing adventure? Contact me at Irish Angling Adventures today to book your guided session and experience the thrill of targeting the best Ireland has to offer and a multitude of species along the stunning West Coast of Ireland. At Irish Angling Adventures, I’m incredibly excited to offer Guided Shore Angling Sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, I’ve got the perfect adventure waiting for you.
Why Choose Irish Angling Adventures?
Expert Local Guide: As a local expert, I have in-depth knowledge of the local waters, fish behaviour, and the most effective fishing techniques. I’m passionate about sharing my expertise with you and making sure you have a great time.
Tailored Experiences: I cater to all skill levels, from complete beginners to seasoned anglers. I’ll give you personalized instruction and support to make sure you have a rewarding experience and at least leave the day with some new skills and techniques to continue in your fishing journey.
Unforgettable Scenery: The West Coast of Ireland is simply breathtaking, and my guided sessions give you the chance to soak in this beauty while enjoying some fantastic fishing
Both Moy Fishery and Erriff Fishery in Co. Mayo currently closed to angling
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is suspending angling at the Moy Fishery in Ballina due to high water temperatures.
The Co. Mayo fishery closed to all angling at midnight on Sunday May 18th after multiple high water temperatures were recorded, and remains closed until further notice.
The Erriff Fishery in Co. Mayo is also closed to all angling because of elevated temperatures.
Recent dry and hot weather has caused water temperatures to exceed the 20°C threshold in both locations.
IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.
The Moy Fishery will re-open once water temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed.
Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI.
Anglers should contact the fisheries to check the latest advice before travelling.
Other State fisheries are experiencing high temperatures and may also be subject to closure. Before travelling, anglers should check for the latest updates with fisheries via the contact details below.
At fisheries where angling is permissible, anglers should take extra precautions during times of warmer temperatures to minimise the stress on fish such as brown trout and Atlantic salmon.
Anglers using catch-and-release methods are encouraged to limit the exposure of fish to air, or avoid it completely where possible.
The Moy, Erriff, Galway, Cloongee, and Ballyvarry fisheries are owned by the State and operated by IFI.
Other State-owned fisheries are also being monitored.
IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, or water pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
Aasleagh Falls, Courtesy Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) is notifying anglers of the closure of the Erriff Fishery due to high water temperatures.
The fishery in Co. Mayo is closed to all angling, from Saturday 17 May until further notice.
The Erriff Fishery recorded water temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius twice in the past 24 hours and, as such, IFI has taken the decision to close the fishery to protect fish from potentially lethal stress.
IFI is guided by scientific advice that indicates a dramatic increase in angling-related mortalities at temperatures above 20 degrees.
The fishery will re-open once temperatures return to levels where fish will not be thermally stressed, and is conditional on at least two successive water temperature readings of less than 18 degrees Celsius.
Anglers with bookings affected by the closure will be contacted by IFI.
Anglers should also contact the Erriff Fishery to check the latest advice before travelling.
IFI also released an advisory notice that other State fisheries are experiencing high temperatures and may also be subject to closure should temperatures continue to rise.
Anglers should contact the relevant fisheries to check the latest advice before travelling.
In warmer temperatures, anglers should take extra precautions, such as limiting fish exposure to air or avoiding it completely where possible.
The Moy, Galway and Erriff fisheries are owned by the State, and operated by IFI.
Other State-owned fisheries are also being monitored.
IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
It’s a great summer we’re having! A bit earlier than usual, but what can you do? We’re enjoying (enduring?) a long dry spell that has been getting warmer and warmer and there’s still more to come. Unfortunately a number of rivers and lakes are running low and some are heating up. So freshwater anglers, please take this into consideration when you are handling and releasing fish. Sea anglers are not complaining though as the settled conditions are just about ideal for getting out…
Saturday will be yet another dry day with plenty of sunshine. Highest temperatures of 17°C along eastern fringes to 24 or 25°C in the west, all in light to moderate easterly or variable breezes. These warm, dry and mostly clear conditions will continue through to Thursday, though a few mist and fog patches may develop with showers possible later in the week.
Despite the unseasonally hot and bright conditions, mayfly hatches on Corrib have been very good over the past 2 weeks. Fishing has been tough in the bright sunshine, but there has been a good breeze on some days and anglers have been having sport on wet and dry fly when conditions are suitable. Paul Heaney of Corrib Anglers guiding service says the conditions mean short drifts are the order of the day, and moving to find fish is vital. Paul also says there have been good hatches of sedges, and a few evenings ago he had four pan sized trout on a sedge nymph fished on the point.
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Danielle Gingell has been fishing the lake over the last week and has enjoyed really good sport on wetfly, including a nice 15 inch fish on Tuesday in bright skies and a good wave. The fish was one of 5 to the boat for Danielle that day, with another 5 hookups that didn’t get to the net.
A lovely Corrib trout for Danielle
Trolling for ferox can be productive in this weather, although most anglers will leave them alone when the water warms up further. Guide Jasper Mathews of Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences got out for an evening with a friend and managed two fish on the troll, losing a third, with the best going just under 8lbs.
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Outlook
The forecast is for another week of warm, dry and bright weather, so daytime fishing may prove tough. Caenis hatches should be providing good early morning sport, and sedge fishing in the evenings can be very productive. Just don’t forget the Factor 50 and a hat!
In warmer temperatures, any anglers should take extra precautions, such as limiting fish exposure to air or avoiding it completely where possible.
The Moy, Galway and Erriff fisheries are owned by the State, and operated by IFI.
Other State-owned fisheries are also being monitored currently.
IFI urges the public to report any instances of distressed fish, fish kills, illegal fishing, pollution to IFI’s confidential 24/7 number on 0818 34 74 24.
Ready for a thrilling shore fishing adventure? Contact me at Irish Angling Adventures today to book your guided session and experience the thrill of targeting the best Ireland has to offer and a multitude of species along the stunning West Coast of Ireland. At Irish Angling Adventures, I’m incredibly excited to offer Guided Shore Angling Sessions. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, I’ve got the perfect adventure waiting for you.
