It was the one that didn’t get away. Weighing in at 11.5lbs, this salmon ended up on the dinner plate of angler Gerald O’Shea last night. Mr O’Shea, from Curraheen, Tralee, Co Kerry, accomplished the coveted feat of catching the first salmon of the season on the Lakes of Killarney and its environs on the traditional opening day of the season that will run until September… Irish Independent, 18/01/14. Read the full article ‘It’s the Catch of the Day‘.
Ghillie/Guide Vincent Appleby reports on the opening day at the Lough Currane and the weekend’s fishing… 17/01Great to be back on the No Spin No Fly’s zone, on this opening day of the 2014 season and I will start by wishing you all a great 2014 in all departments. Now down today’s facts; there were 12 boats manipulating and all failed miserably in their duties in the fresh wild Atlantic Salmon department. But it was good to see a good few Kelts caught,12 in total. Now to quote of the day, a renowned shooter said in his opinion we anglers were a bunch of Chicken eggs, all I can say is some Chicken some neck and that’s my quote, or is it? Back to a warm fire after a mornings trolling 18/01 All quiet on the SW front so I have poached a Photo from www.loughcurrane.com Afishing we will go… 19/01 No reports of any real rod benders. On the weather front, it made another flood early this morning. Just for the record to all you Anglers, even though you may not have caught my Noble Salmon, I would appreciate if you catch my noble Kelt please report them.
That is your ration for the opener on Lough Currane, from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts. Vincent Appleby
Make a Booking
Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry. Telephone: +353 (0) 87 207 4882 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com Wild weather in the South West – winter storms were “energetic” this year
About 30 anglers marked the opening of the salmon season on the Laune's Beats 1 and 2
Paul Hanley of the Salmon Fishing Ireland blog reports on last Friday’s opening day on the Laune where a good number of anglers marked the occasion. However the floods made conditions difficult for anglers with banks topped in places and for angling with a changing the river bed profile…
The water height had obviously dropped as we could see the rubbish and branches left scattered further up the bank. The temperature was about 5 or 6 C with little or no wind and good, bright sunshine – a nice day to start the 2014 salmon season.
There were about thirty optimistic anglers fishing Beats 1 & 2. Some, like myself, had been there from first light. Very few kelts were seen throwing. I myself saw less than a handful for the whole day and no fresh salmon showed. I did see one angler catch and release a spent fish. The water was cold and running fast but the depth at Beat 1 near the lake has obviously shallowed out considerably and there was a lot of weed which made it awkward for spinning.
About 30 anglers marked the opening of the salmon season on the Laune’s Beats 1 and 2
There were many phone calls made and received during the day and then came the news that a fresh fish had been caught up high in the system on the Killarney Flesk river. A fish weighing over 11lbs and caught by Ger O’ Shea. At least one angler had broken in his rod for the start of the new season and hopefully the rest of us will do the same in the not so distant future. Unfortunately many anglers agreed that they wouldn’t be fishing Beat 1 next year for the start of the season because over the last few years very few fish have been caught there. There is obviously an issue here with Beat 1 shallowing up and not holding fish.
…the water levels were fairly high…
As you can see from the above photos the water levels were fairly high and even those brave enough to walk up to Beat 1 left bank decided to take the long scenic route on their way back as some had a few hairy moments walking near the river in the high water. Paul Hanley,
Salmon fishing in Ireland
Web:http://salmonfishingireland2012.blogspot.ie/
First Salmon caught in Kerry 2014 on the River Flesk
The River Laune in Co. Kerry opened this morning for salmon fishing with the end of the closed season. Billy Downes of the Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers Association has this report… Ger on the Flesk with the first salmon from the system in 2014 – Photo by IFI staff
At the start of the week the river was banking and it was hard to see how the Laune could be fishable on Opening Day 2014. It must have been over 5 feet on the gauge at Johnston’s. Good water for this time of year would be between 2.5 feet and 3 feet. Ger O’Shea with the first salmon of the season from the River Laune – Courtesy of Landers Outdoor World
But could have guessed it- a salmon would be caught! The first salmon from the Laune System was caught by Ger O’Shea this morning in the Flesk it weighed in at 11.25 lbs. It was a beautiful spring fish by all accounts.
Its good to see that fish are running the river and with the water that there they will be able to run for the next month if they are there and allowed to. Billy Downes
Secretary Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers Association Phone: +353 (0)66 712 3950 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers Association
Cianfisher of Boat Angling Ireland ventures out on his boat from Cork Harbour and reports:
Must admit I was out to hunt the flounder today after John fired the first salvo this year . Timed the tides just right and went to the bouy in Ringaskidddy which wasn’t there anymore so I anchored as close as I could remember but to no joy. Fished for an hour and a half for nothing only watching the marine college boys potting around training in the lifeboats. Then moved to the bridge again with no luck so feeling dejected I decided to target dab to add to the list but at this stage the tide was strong yet i persevered and was rewarded with monster whiting all over 40cm ! Big enough to win if the months species . Dogs followed and then my friend the dab came up. At times whiting were as large as dogfish so the fillets were huge. Must try again soon, will have to look into other areas for the flounder though or contact the pros for a trip to Waterford.
At long last a days fishing
Finally an aledged calm spell was forecast but the swell is far to big to chance the salt so it was to the oaks for me.
I was really going to give the pike a go on the heavy new 10# fly rod, So it was just 1 fly rod for the trout with an intermediate line and the 1 for the pike with a sinking line.
I was busting the new rod but the wind was strong in the morning and it was not ideal for trying a new set up.
With the wind and rain howling in it was a tough start and for the first 3hrs it was miserable but it was nice to be out there all the same. By now I hadn’t a single take and I was trying the whole fly box with no luck, I ended up trying a huge cats whisker as I had no small ones left and wouldn’t you believe It , it was on for about 10 mins and a fish rose to my right side I covered it and a fantastic bow wave was coming for my fly JAWS lol, Go on go on take it bang and then off as quick as it was on It was a whopper but the ones that get away always are .
But that was it until 1.30 so I went up to the lads in the hut and I picked there brains about flies and tactics. Well Stephen and Ian spilled the beans and sent me on my way with 3 new flies and out I went. I started back where I was but no joy. so I drifted and tried the margins as I went. with no joy.
I saw a nice reedy patch and thought I will try there for the trout and if I had no luck I’d give the budgey flinging a go [pike on the fly] Second cast here and bang fish on and I was delighted a nice trout just over 2lb.
I fished on as I let the flies sink deep half way through a retrieve as I went to retrieve again I got a light take and a minot scrap and this skitter came up.
Back he went and I fished on, This time I cast well in to the margins and no sooner had I started to retrieve my line I got a take but missed it and then half way in again but a better take but gone as just as quick. I lifted my cast to find the fly was gone the one the little pike was on , it was only 4lb line and I never thought to check the cast after the pike .
New fly in it’s place and I didn’t have to wait long and I had another trout, my day was improving nicely.
By now the day was getting on and the budgey flinging was long gone out of my head and the sun was getting low. But it wasn’t over yet, a few casts later and a smaller trout came to the kayak with what looked like weed in his mouth, But no it was my fly from about 30 mins previous.
That’s the first time that’s happened to me .
So my day ended on a high note and well worth the effort.
Shane Gallagher from the Drowes Salmon Fishery gives us an update on river conditions:
16/01/2014: It has been a month since it started to rain heavily in mid December and the river has been in constant flood since December 20th. The gauge on Lough Melvin at Lareen bay has not dropped below 1 metre in 26 days. It peaked on New Year’s Eve at 1.47 metres.
The OPW gauge at the Four Masters’ Bridge is still out of commission. The link for the Lareen Bay gauge on Melvin is here Melvin Gauge
There is still just one fish reported since opening day. Apart from very high water levels, conditions over the past week have been generally good with mild mid January temperatures, moderate winds and a full moon bringing large tides. The forecast for the weekend is reasonably dry but colder, with wetter conditions returning on Sunday.
River by full moon light at the Red Roof.Some of the walkways have been underwater for the past month.Stakey’s to Scot’s Corner.Fishing the “Tinkers” during the week.
Nerijus Jankunas with his 27.5lb pike from a Co. Cavan lake
Andrius Bikelis of Go and Catch, Ireland’s Lithuanian pike angling club send in this report from one of his members…
On January 12th Go and Catch club member Nerijus Jankunas took advantage of the somewhat improved conditions to fish for pike in a favoured Co.Cavan lake. Nerijus couldn’t believe his luck when he struck into what was obviously a good fish. As the fight progressed it was clear that the pike was more than a double. The fish had to be a good 20.
Nerijus Jankunas with his 27.5lb pike from a Co. Cavan lake
His hopes were exceeded on landing and weighing the fish. She tipped the scales at 27.5lb and after a quick photograph to record the moment the pike was gently released. This fine pike was taken on a deadbait.
January may see the salmon season reopen but it is really the month of the pike and despite the wet and windy weather, which is improving, there have been some great pike reports. Sea anglers have also got in on the action and on the calmer days have even got out to fish from small boats and kayaks to good effect. Coarse angling is a bit quiet, as it always is at this time, though the huge floods will not have helped those who like to start “maggot drowning” as soon as possible in the New Year.
Caoimighn wins Catch of the Week this pike, a beauty of 26lb from Lough Derg
Caoimhghin Phelan wins Catch of the Week with a lovely pike of 26lb. It was one of 3 doubles he caught last weekend on Lough Derg. Caoimhghin had had even better luck on the lake just before Christmas when he caught 6 doubles including 2 over 20lb. Caoimhghin was fishing both fly and deadbait and though the biggest fish came to the deadbaits he had pike to 18lb on fly. Cuan Muyllaert had some exciting sport in the midlands last week. Fishing from a float tube he also had pike into double figures on the fly. As the water levels drop back pike fishing should continue to improve with improving access.
East Cork angling blogger RockHunter reported one of the first bass of the season at a local mark last week. This was soon followed by a second report of bass from Stephen Brennan who was targeting specimen flounder on the east coast. The flounder fishing was very productive and the specimen was logged – crab was the essential bait. Tralee Bay SAC members also were out after specimens last week. Though none were caught conger to 20lb were landed, along with some good dabs and grey gurnard. The winter storms put a stop to bass fishing along most of the Kerry coast, but Kevin Brain reports that the fishing has picked up now. Small boat anglers in Cork Harbour also report an improvement now the weather has settled, a bit, and some fine whiting in particular are being taken. Some good congers and juvenile skate featured in early season trips from Red Bay in our first charter report of the year. Stephen Brennan reports that Kilgorman Beach fished well for last weekend’s RNLI charity match. Anglers caught from the start with Flounders, Dabs, Whiting and Rockling making up the bulk of the catches. This good news for the Irish Winter Beach Festival which will be fished there in a couple of weeks. The banner image in this week’s Angling Update was taken at Kilgorman, courtesy of Stephen Brennan.
Salmon anglers will have to wait a bit longer for news of another springer. Levels at the Drowes are still high, but hopefully there will be some fishing over the weekend. Anglers who fished the opening day on the Lackagh reported lovely water, but no salmon. This river will fish better later in the year. The floods should have helped most of the kelts out to sea but as more rivers open over the next few weeks anglers are asked to take care in identifying their fish as fresh or a kelt. All kelts must be recorded in your logbook.
Trout anglers fishing the Rathcon Winter League had best results on fast sinking lines. Ger Fogarty took 1st place with 6 fish.
More rain is forecast for tomorrow with scattered heavy showers, mostly in western and southwestern coastal counties. The weekend looks to be cold and wet with more broken weather coming in from the Atlantic next week.
Tight lines,
Myles Kelly Catch, Photo, Release
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
The Ireland Angling show, held at the national Show centre in Swords, has grown over the last 15 years to become the Country’s premier Angling event and is a firm fixture on the calenders of anglers through out the Country.
Mara Media have grown the show to bring together all aspects of angling, Sea, Coarse, Game under one roof where visitors have the opportunity to meet angling celebrities and experts from all over Ireland and UK who are on hand to share knowledge, advice and tuition.
Back for a second year due to popular demand will be Henry Gilbey and Mike Thrussel.
Henry will be taking a very “hands on” approach at the next show by taking over the central casting pool area to demonstrate how lures work and what techniques get the best results. Mike Thrussell will once again be on the Pure Fishing s stand running rig building workshops.
The Ieeland Angling Show takes place this year on 15 and 16 February. For more information and buy your tickets in advance see maramedia.ie
Hywel Morgan , world champion Fly caster will be back with talented daughters sharing knowledge and tips to enhance your fly fishing techniques and how to to get your kids started !
Congratulations to the The World Pairs Champions Cathal Hughes and Philip Jackson, second year in a row winning this competition. Cathal and Philip will be presenting a talk each day of the show and will be available to answer any Coarse fishing questions.
In between talks, Cathal and Philip will be running a “Pole Cupping” competition for the kids with a prize sponsored by Daiwa.
Friends of the Ireland AnglingShow, Glenda Powel, Mary Gavin Hughes, Stevie Munn, Jim Clohessy, APGAI Ireland and many more will be working with the show sharing advice and giving tuition free of charge.
For those visitors to the show with an interest in Fly Tying, a selection of World Class Fly Tyers will be on display practising their craft.
The 2014 show will see a marked increase in new exhibitors,Jerry Fishing tackle from China, Shore Fishing Iceland, Waterville Bass Fishing, Fish SKB, Barracuda Fishing Tackle, Rewrite 3, Duo Hook, Monster Tours, We Do Safe and Dry and many more. The 2014 show will have the most extensive line up of exhibitors in recent years.
For the first time at the show, visitors will be treated to a cookery demonstration “Plancha” style courtesy of Chef centre of Ireland’s Chris Sandford and German specialist Mona Leona.
Children are most welcome at the Ireland Angling Show and a large interactive area is designated to teach and encourage kids to pick up a rod. A visit to the Dublin Angling Initiative Kids Zone is a must for families.
For the second year, the Irish Speciman Fish Committee will be hosting the Awards day on Saturday 15th at the Bewleys Airport Hotel at 2.30 pm. Shuttle Buses will run between the Hotel and the Show to facilitate visitors wishing to attend both events.
As the show is held at the beginning of the angling season, visitors are keen to stock up on tackle supplies and check out all the latest products .
“The show has an amazing range of product for all anglers and all budgets. I have brought together a great mix of tackle trade and manufactures showcasing new products and innovation while supporting the Irish Tackle dealers. Whether you are looking for a bargain or investing in the latest cutting edge design and technology the Ireland Angling Show has it all”, says Grace McDermott, Event organiser, Mara Media.
“The most important thing about the Ireland Angling Show is that it brings people together. The show has become a wonderful meeting place for angling friends old and new from around the country to come together with a shared interest in angling; to shop, to learn something new, to meet their Angling legends and enjoy all the show has to offer. It’s a great weekend!
