Blue sky fishing over the past weekend and great to see so many out enjoying the fishing on the local shore marks. Spotted rays and thornbacks along with a few flatties for John Burke and a new club record long spined sea scorpion boat length for Gavin Dorrian who was out aboard Leah C on a Lough Swilly Club event fundraiser for the under 21 team.
Also, a few trout among the flatties on the beach caught and released for Joh.
A lot of basking sharks about the bay this week and minke whales it is a perfect time to book one of the local boat tours on the bay for a great day out in the sun.
The Lough Arrow Stream Development Competition was held on Saturday 25th April. It was great to see so many familiar faces and also to meet anglers who came to fish Lough Arrow for the first time.
Thanks to the competition committee and club members who arrived at Flynn’s Pier from 7am to assist with the parking of cars boats and trailers. A huge thank you to John and Cath from Lough Arrow Caravan Park who worked wonders and accommodated all the boat trailers. Also thank you to Gráinne from Rock House for the use of the grounds.
Thanks to Kim Goulding and the food truck crew and also to Michael and Susan Wall for the power supply.
Chantelle Carr from Biosecurity Ireland was present to promote awareness of the need for biosecurity and what this entails.
It was a wonderful sight to see 80 boats moored along the shore and in Brick Bay waiting for the off at 11am.
We had a spell of early morning rain but it quickly dried up and it turned into a lovely day. A little more wind would have been helpful but overall it was grand as the boats headed out.
There was great anticipation at the prize-giving that evening as to who would take home the 1st prize of boat and trailer. Ciaran Reilly from Galway was the eventual and deserved winner and was greeted with a great round of applause when he went to claim his prize and The Brendan Henry Memorial Cup.
Winner Ciaran Reilly is presented with the Brendan Henry Memorial Cup by Mrs Theresa Henry
Refreshments were provided by James Ward of Lough Gill Brewery – Valerie and Tara were kept busy!
Finally, the success of the competition was due in no small part to the help and support of sponsors, committee and club members, neighbours and community. Thank you one and all.
Tight lines, bent rods and keep casting!
TOP 10 WINNERS OF THE LOUGH ARROW STREAM DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION
Rainfall amounts for the last week were below average across the country. All places recorded less than 3mm of rain. The most rainfall was recorded at Claremorris where 2.8mm fell with high pressure expected to dominate our weather up until midweek, rainfall amounts are expected to be significantly below average across the country until then. However, current indications suggest that there is the chance of showers developing from Thursday 30th onwards. Water levels continue to drop at Ballylahan from 0.92m on 20th April to 0.63m on Sunday 26th April.
Foxford Salmon Anglers
Foxford Salmon Anglers got off the mark for the season on Sat 25th April with a 12 lbs springer caught and subsequently released followed closely by two more salmon on Sunday also released back to the water.
East Mayo Anglers Association
East Mayo Anglers also off the mark last week with Dominic Conlon from Straffan, County Kildare landing a 10 lbs salmon followed closely again by Ben Baynes of Castlebar with an 8.75 lbs salmon.
On Sunday 26th April the Devaney Cup was held on Lough Conn with ten boats carrying eighteen anglers going out in poor conditions with varying winds proving difficult to fish in. Three fish to the competition limit of 33cm were landed with many below the measure returned on the day.
Devaney Cup Results
1st place – Martin Kenny – 1.026 kg
2nd place – Joe Quinn – 680 g
3rd place – Billy McGhee – 616 g
Small hatches of mayfly are beginning to show and water levels are also starting to drop so hopefully an improvement for anglers on the horizon.
On Monday, I was out on a lake trying for a tench. It’s still early in tench season, so there was no one else at the lake. I found a likely-looking spot and cleared the weeds with a rake to make a fishable swim, which took nearly two hours!.
I was using a caster imitation lure that I made out of foam. First I fed the spot with homemade feed that had digestive biscuits, Weetabix, and breadcrumbs. Since I was going to match the hatch, I added some casters to the feed as well. Also during the course of the day, I was throwing a handful of casters every so often.
My setup was simple fluorocarbon attached to the main line. At the end of it with an open loop, I had 2g weight with a floating caster lure. I was casting it to the spot where my balls of feed had landed. The first bite happened at 12 o’clock.
The fish took suddenly and firmly without any line bites. There were a few runs with drag peeling from my light tackle (I was using a light spinning rod with a 3g to 12g casting weight).
After a few powerful head shakes and, of course, a dart for the weeds to hide, I landed it. I managed to catch 4 tench like this, all a little shy of the 50 cm mark. Size ranging from 45cm to 47cm.
The 2026 trout fishing season got off to a flying start on Saturday, April 25th, at Bohernabreena Reservoir, where ten keen anglers gathered for the first competition of the year (it would have been the Pasker Cup that was first in the season but the weather had other plans, with the rescheduled Pasker 2026 taking place on Saturday, 16th May). Back to Bohernabreena – with near-perfect weather conditions throughout the day, expectations were high (but not high enough!) and the fishing more than delivered.
All anglers bagged up on the lower lake (something not seen in recent memory, we’ve been told). The top lake fished exceptionally well, with record sizes and numbers of fish. In first place was Cathal McDonald. In what can only be described as a remarkable catch, Cathal landed a stunning 3 lb brown trout—widely regarded as the largest fish ever taken from the top lake during a competition in living memory. An incredible achievement and a strong statement as he begins the defence of his title. Congratulations, Cathal! Fran Nugent caught the heaviest fish for the day at 3.315 lbs. Well done to Fran!
The competition for the top spots was tight, with Gary Coakley securing second place thanks to a fine bag of fish, followed closely by John O’Neil in third, also putting in an impressive performance.
1 of 5
All in all, it was a fantastic opening event, marked by great conditions, strong catches, and a brilliant atmosphere among the anglers.
Attention now turns to the next outing, which takes place on Lough Owel on May 16th. If this first competition is anything to go by, we’re in for an exciting season ahead.
Anglers talking to IFI staff reported catching 2 salmon from Lough Currane for the week ended 26 April. Both fish were up into double figures. It was a real mix of conditions on the lake last week. There was wild weather most days with gusts to 83km/h before the weekend. The near gale force wind mellowed to gentle south westerly breezes on Saturday. Unfortunately the cloud gave way to blue skies on Sunday…
Vincent Appleby has a little more detail:
25/4/2026. All honours on Lough Currane today are most deservedly bestowed upon Mr. Daniel Dwyer, who, while angling under the expert guidance of the distinguished Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy, secured a splendid 12‑lb salmon on the troll.
For the record — and for those who appreciate the finer details — seven boats graced the lake, yet it was Mr. Dwyer alone who succeeded in persuading a Currane salmon to rise to the occasion. Now for the today’s Currane anglers weather chart, the weather proved most civilised: a gentle south‑westerly breeze, occasionally variable, drifted across the water, accompanied by respectable cloud cover through which the sun broke intermittently, lending the proceedings an atmosphere of quiet refinement.
Looking elsewhere in Co. Kerry there is still no word of salmon caught on the Kenmare Rivers.
For more information on the daily conditions on Lough Currane, 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 in Waterville and beyond
Sea Trout – Catch and release only
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
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.
Water levels are dropping fast on the Laune, as of Sunday 26 April. There were 2 salmon caught on the river last week. On Beat 3 a 6lb fish was caught spinning. There was abetter fish of 8lb caught on Johnson’s Fishery, also spinning.
The sun was hanging just right in the Donegal sky this Sunday, the 19th of April, when the lines were tossed and the journey began. Leaving the familiar shores of Arranmore behind, where our luck was not just there, the boat cut through the Atlantic swell, trading the quiet of Aranmore for the raw beauty of the deep blue.
The destination? The Stags of Owey. It wasn’t a day for small fry or “fishtails”; the mission was clear. For twenty-five minutes, the engine hummed a steady rhythm as the coast shrivelled into the distance, finally giving way to the jagged, ancient silhouettes of the Stags.
Then, the world went quiet—save for the sound of the reel screaming.
The jackpot had been hit. Down in the kelp forests beneath the Stags, the big ones were waiting. It was a flurry of silver and gold as Pollock and Coalfish came over the gunnels, one after another—thick, powerful, and beautiful. The kind of haul that makes your shoulders ache and your heart race.
With our catch taken and the adrenaline still pumping, the boat turned for home. There’s no better seasoning for a meal than salt air and success. By the time the sun started to dip, that “jackpot” catch was already in the steamer, filling the house with the scent of the freshest dinner in Ireland.
From the wild Atlantic to the dinner plate in record time—now that’s a Sunday well spent.
Dreaming of a getaway? Let us make the arrangements for you. North West Charters has been is offering first-class fishing and sight seeing trips and guidance in Donegal. Our skilled skipper are experts at finding the best fishing spots and helping you secure the best days fishing you could find in the North West.
Pick ups at Burtonport, Kincasllagh and Arranmore piers.
O’Casey’s Pike Angling Club held its 4th heat of its 2026 league last Saturday on a river venue. Fishing was slow due to weather conditions, with wide-brimmed sunhats and sunglasses the order of the day. The anglers persisted nonetheless and managed to land some decent river pike despite the poor conditions.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
