Visiting US angler, Christoper May, seems to have a knack for catching big pike in Ireland. Back in May, Christoper was on Lough Derg with Damien Culliney of Anglers Paradise Guiding and netted a cracking 114cm pike.
On hearing that September is another great time of the year in Ireland for pike, he booked a return trip. This week, again on Lough Derg, he had another fantastic day’s sport with multiple Pike, trout and perch coming to the net.
1 of 5
Big Derg pike, 112cm
Decent pike, again over 100cm
another great pike over 100cm
56cm trout from Lough Derg
Lovely Derg perch at 33cm
The icing on the cake was another really large pike of 112cms, an upper twenty. Bonus trout to 53cms and perch to 33cms made it another day to remember. After a few more 100cm+ fish on other local lakes, Christopher is returning stateside with a big smile on his face. Again!
Anglers Paradise Ireland is owned and managed by Damien Culliney, a well known angler and chef in the Clare region and a man passionate about the inland waterways and natural history of County Clare. At Angler’s Paradise, we love the thrill of Game fishing and Pike fishing in equal measure and can take our clients to some of Europe’s most unspoilt rivers and lakes in search of trophy predators and the realisation of their angling dreams.
Gary Madden, Dan Mcdermott, Mike Faherty (winner) Padraic Baggott presenting, Martin Noone (winner)
Joe Fitzharris reports of a very successful first time running of the Baggott Perpetual Cup on O’Flynn…
Twenty-six anglers competed in a well contested Baggott Perpetual Cup in reasonable angling conditions. On the day fish were landed on a variety of fly patterns with the silver and claret dabbers, Daddies, and Humongous featuring prominently.
Top rods were the Oughterard pair of Martin Noone and that wily Fox, Mike Faherty, who had a combined catch of 6 trout for 11lb 1.8 oz. Congratulations lads!
Heaviest fish prize went to Feichin McMorrow with a trout 3lb 4.2oz.
Results
1st Mike Faherty & Martin Noone, 6 fish for 11lb 1.8oz.
2nd Mark Malone & Michael McDermott , 6 fish for 10lb 13.4oz.
3rd Daniel McDermott & Ronan Baggott, 6-fish for 9lb 13.6 oz.
There were a few fish showing in the Kerry rivers last week with the rains that fell. Some good news in from the Kerry Blackwater was that on 14 September S Casey, a local angler, caught a fine salmon of about 16lb on a size 14 Willie Gunn, which was, of course, released.
Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane and the river Inny…
Ballinskelligs Bay this morning, 18 September
18/9/2024. Bright sunshine all day, followed by a gentle to light and variable wind East veered ESE, SE, SSE, SSW, WSW, SW, WSW. As you can see by the photo, not ideal fishing conditions but watch this space for an update. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 11hrs.3mins, maximum air temperature 20.8°c.
19/9/2024. Another bright and sunny day for the Currane anglers, followed by a gentle and variable wind, East, ESE. Just for the record the Eastern end of the lake would be flat calm for most of the day, that doesn’t mean my Noble Currane angler couldn’t have a C&R strike, as I said in yesterday’s notes watch this space. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 10hrs.5mins, maximum air temperature 21.4°c.
20/9/2024. The Currane anglers had another scorcher of a day, followed by clear blue skies and a very variable wind East light veered ESE, SE, SSW, WSW, W. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 10hrs.7mins, maximum air temperature 22.2°c. Just for the record if an update comes in, I will put it up straight away.
21/9/2024. As I’m sure you know there was no update on yesterday’s manipulations, sadly today was another roaster, in the words of one Currane angler it’s too bright and a good flood would be no harm, there’s no argument to that. Mind you I wouldn’t be surprised if there was the odd Grilse or Trout caught? Wind Gentle to Light to Air, ENE variable, yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 10hres.4mins, maximum air temperature 19.3°c.
C&R Grilse caught by Gary
22/9/2024. There was a fine C&R Salmon caught on the troll, now we head for the C&R Sea Trout and Brown Trout department, UK Currane angler Mr. Gary Humphrey and fishing of https://thecrescentwaterville.ie/ caught 1 Brown Trout and one Sea Trout on the fly while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com just for the record there was a few more trout caught on the drift. Wind variable NE Light to Gentle veered ENE, NNE followed by reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 6hrs.9mins, maximum air temperature 18.0°c.
23/9/2024. The Currane anglers were all quiet today, going by my WhatsApple and email department, but saying that, watch this space for breaking news? Wind Gentle to Light NNE veered N, NNE, North followed by good cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 4hrs.2mins, maximum air temperature 18.7°c.
24/9/24. Just three boats reported out manipulating their skills, all I can say is that only one angler who came up Trumps, that was UK Currane Angler Mr. Gary Humphery fishing out of https://thecrescentwaterville.ie/ caught and released a fine 3 to 4 lbs Grilse caught on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com they finished their day off with a Sea Trout followed by a Brown Trout, again caught on the troll and all released. Wind, North light to gentle and variable, Veered NNW, NW, followed by reasonable cloud cover plus the odd shower. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall, trace, amount of sunshine 0hrs.3mins, maximum air temperature 16.6°c.
25/9/2024. The Currane angler reports that there was 1 salmon caught on the troll and followed by a nice few Brown Trout and juniors caught on the drift. Staying with the Sea Trout The Currane umbrella man Mr. Gary Humphery fishing out of https://thecrescentwaterville.ie/ and fishing with his Gillie www.fishingwithdom.com was in good form with two C&R Sea trout to his rod. The eye of the Eagle was watching as you can see by Gary’s photos. Wind East veered ENE, E, ENE, moderate too fresh at times. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.1mm, amount of sunshine 4hrs.2mins, maximum air temperature 14.8°c.
Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.
The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-
the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
For more information on the daily conditions, all the craic and news be sure to check out Vincent Appleby’s Salmon and Sea Trout blog for regular reports with back dates, petitions, public consultation notices, readers letters and videos and more of what’s happening on Currane.
Notes: Located at Lakelands House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation, on Ireland’s best sea trout lake, Lough Currane. Frank is a professional angling guide and boatman.
Sea angling can be arranged with local operators.
Boat Hire
Boats for hire. All boats and engines are moored on the farm, 300 metres from the house, with easy access from the road with car park and boat shed.
Notes: Having ghillied on Lough Currane for over 30 years Vincent is a great choice for those looking for a guided service or flyfishing instruction on the Lake. All ages are catered for and even experienced anglers will benefit from the watercraft and fly-lore unique to Lough Currane. All tackle is provided and accommodation can be organised if required.
Michael Murphy reports on fishing on the Moy catchment for the week up to last Sunday.
Water levels reduced incrementally over the week with a reading of 0.62 m at Ballylahan on Monday morning 16th dropping to 0.33 m by Sunday evening 22nd. Weather wise the past seven days sees rainfall totals well below normal for most of the country. With a changeable and more unsettled week ahead rainfall amounts will increase with many parts set to record above average rainfall accumulations.
Ballina Salmon Anglers.
A total of nineteen salmon were reported caught this week with spinning working best with the majority weighing between 2 lbs and 5 lbs. The heaviest fish of the week weighed 9 lbs.
Mount Falcon Estate
A total of nine salmon were caught, all on the prawn and all nine were released back to the water.
Knockmore Salmon Anglers
Kenneth reported eight salmon caught spinning and on the worm of which six were released. Best fish of the week weighed 6 lbs.
Attymass Angling Club
Kevin reported eight salmon caught this week using mostly the prawn with the best fish of the week weighing 7 lbs.
Coolcronan Fishery
Nick reported sixteen salmon caught mostly on the prawn of which fourteen were released. Best weight of the week was 6.5 lbs
Byrnes Fishery
Roy reported seventeen salmon caught this week all on the prawn of which twelve were released.
Gannon’s Fishery
Pat reported eight salmon caught for the week using all methods of which five were released.
The Foxford Fishery
Granville reported three salmon caught for the week of which two were released. Best weight for the week weighed 6.5lbs and this fish was caught on the fly.
Foxford Salmon Anglers
Harry Feeney reported twenty-one salmon caught for the week of which eight were released. Overall, angling activity was reported as low.
East Mayo Anglers Association
Kathleen reported seven salmon caught for the week of which six were released. Best weight for the week was 10 lbs and this salmon was caught on the fly.
Lough Conn and Lough Cullin.
The Castlebar Anglers Association held the annual end of season competition “The Jackson Cup” on Sunday 22nd September. Twenty anglers partook, going out from Gillaroo Bay on Sunday morning. Four anglers showed a return of six trout above the measure. First place went to Peter Corcoran with Matt Higgins coming in second and Hughie Mc Donnell taking third place.
This week on Ireland on the Fly, Tom & Daire are ‘following the fin’ with Louth native, Joe Quinn, who has been based in Mayo for the last fifty years, and is a well-known international angler who has fished for salmon, sea trout and his first love, brown trout.
They talk to Joe about brown trout on Lough Conn, night time sea trout fishing, why he ditched the salmon rod over twenty years ago and find out some special fishing stories from New Zealand.
Plus, he tells them how a GoPro retirement present to himself has seen him set up an ever-growing YouTube channel.
Suir Estuary Sea Angling Club held their annual Open Shore Competition on Sunday the 15th of September at Woodstown, Co. Waterford. There were 33 senior anglers an 6 juniors competing on the day. The Senior anglers were vying for €100 for a zone win and €200 for the overall winner, while the juniors were hoping to take prizes sponsored by John O’Brien.
The fishing was good from the get go and then tapered off towards the end. The main catch was bass. Other species on the day were flounder, plaice, mullet and eels.
Results are as follows
Zone 1
1st Kevin Curran
2nd Pete Davis
3rd Petre Andejk
Zone 2
1st Barry Murphy
2nd Willy Kett
3rd Brendan Butler
Juniors
1st Alex Murphy
2nd Kai Butler
3rd Cormac O’Connor
Top lady angler
Anne Witty
Biggest round
Danny Byrnes 65cm bass
Biggest flat
Alex Murphy 36cm flounder
Overall winner
Danny Byrnes
Suir Estuary Sea Angling Club gave special thanks to the committee members and club members for the organising of the competition. There was also a big thanks to the sponsors John O’Brien of Waterford Outdoor and Angling Centre an to the Saratoga bar an restaurant fwho hosted the prize giving.
Go fishing…
New members are welcome.
For more information and to enquire about joining see the club Facebook page at
Paul McLoughlin was in touch with a report from Naas & District Anglers latest match on the River Barrow.
Today’s John Prescott Memorial match was held on the River Barrow at Carlow with 35 anglers pulling from the draw bag.
It was a match on a very clear and slow river and it turned out fish were held up in pockets on the river.
I battled with Gary Doyle on the next peg for the first 2 hours going fish for fish until suddenly I couldn’t get another bite and it stayed like that with the last 3 hours only produced an odd fish for me and Gary stayed catching until the end. I felt I had 6 kg and Gary had around 10 which turned out to be 7 and 11 at the scales. We thought we were 1 and 2 but little did we know that 2 times winner David McNiece had 8 kg of waggler caught fish and Decky Walsh had blitzed the Knockbeg section with 12kg.
Second place was an excellent 11.380 from local man Gary Doyle.
This years name on the trophy was Decky Walsh with an outstanding catch of 12.770kg from the middle of Knockbeg section.
A big special thanks to the lads that cleared swims Andrius and Jimmy Kelly and to all at Naas and District Anglers who helped make the match happen.
Special mention to Billy O’Neill from Waterways Ireland for granting secure access to the match length, and massive thanks to Waterways Ireland for the clearing of the banks and repairing the towpath. Without their help the event could not take place.
Big thanks to Éire Óg Carlow GAA for hosting us for the draw and presentation.
Finally to Rosaleen Prescott for her continued support and attending the prize giving. I’m sure John was looking down at us and would love to be there having the craic with us.
Well done to all the winners and many thanks to all that participated.
Naas & District Anglers
The New Naas & District Anglers Club was set up on the 31 August 2012. Our Club is a Social club. The waters around Naas are Home to brown trout ,salmon,eels, pike, perch, bream, rudd, tench. Naas and District Anglers are dedicated towards getting kids involved in the sport of angling.
Club Members are responsible for restocking and ensuring that all angling byelaws are complied with.
Membership of the club is always open and we welcome new members with open arms.
This weather, a lovely week with rotten winds and big tides, has us making choices.
We said we’d try some inshore work for bass and stuff. The wind was always going to be an issue being east or north east and quite strong. It was, going by forecast,the better day of the weekend.
It’s been a while since we actually targeted wrasse. In hindsight there’s more about than there was a few years back. They make for great craic.
We worked some lovely ground east of the harbour. Sizeable bass were scarce . A shame as we had encountered some good numbers during the week.
A harbour wrasse this time but the same story… FBM doing the damage.
We eventually ended up hiding from the wind and fishing for wrasse. How bad! It was great to get into some hard biting hard fighting wrasse. There’s no doubt but the Black Minnow is a superb wrasse catcher but the wrasse do make short work of the bodies.
Lovely colourful fish for Andy. A fine chunky fish. Fiiish Black Minnow No3 25g doing the business again.
We worked our way back towards the harbour and tried some nice ground half expecting bass and getting wrasse again. The wrasse fishing has suffered a bit down this way with potters keeping the humble wrasse for bait, so it was good to see some nice fish about. You’d wonder if there is the bigger fish on some of the old haunts…
The wrasse tend to hammer the lures… this one pulled the body off Andy’s jig head.
We retrieved a couple hours after a very low tide.
Was really hoping for a bass on this drift hence the Crazy Paddletail… at least the wrasse hammered it and didn’t just chomp the tail
Water levels were low on the Laune for the week ended 15 September. There were just two fish reported to staff for the week. One of these was salmon weighing 7lbs caught spinning at Johnsons Fishery. The other salmon was about 5lbs on Beat 3 taken on worms.
Water remained low last week and there were no more reports of fish caught.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
