Fine weather dominates as some Moy fisheries get off the mark with early springers

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April 30, 2026

The River Moy in Foxford — Tough conditions on the Moy

Michael Murphy reports from the river Moy…

River Moy Angling Report – week ending 26-04-2026

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 30^th onwards. Water levels continue to drop at Ballylahan from 0.92m on 20^th April to 0.63m on Sunday 26^th April.

Foxford Salmon Anglers

Foxford Salmon Anglers got off the mark for the season on Sat 25^th 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.

Improving prospects on Lough Conn with mayflies beginning to show and water levels falling

By

IFI staff

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April 30, 2026

Michael Murphy reports from Lough Conn…

On Sunday 26^th 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

1^st place – Martin Kenny – 1.026 kg

2^nd place – Joe Quinn – 680 g

3^rd 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.

Fine tench fishing for innovative angler!

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 29, 2026

This report from Artem of the Makeshift Lures YouTube Channel:

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.

Anna Livia Trophy 2026 – A Brilliant Start to the Season for DTAA

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 29, 2026

This great report from the Dublin Trout Anglers’ Association:

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.

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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.

Tight lines until next time!

Another couple of salmon from Currane last week

By

Eileen Carroll

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April 29, 2026

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
the waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

Go fishing….

Guides and boat hire

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Email: [email protected] Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/

More information

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Fly Fishing on Lough Currane

Address Termons Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353(0) 87 922 8659 Phone: +353(0) 66 9474146 Email: [email protected] Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com

More information

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Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Email: [email protected] Website: lakelandshouse.com

More information

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Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Email: [email protected] Website: oshealoughcurrane.com

More information

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Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie

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Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Email: [email protected] Website: salmonandseatrout.com

More information

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Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800 Email: [email protected]

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A couple of salmon caught spinning on the Laune

By

Eileen Carroll

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April 29, 2026

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.

Go Fishing..

Rivers Laune and Killarney Lakes system

Baska in sunshine off the north west coast

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 29, 2026

This great report was sent to John Paul Baska of Northwest Charters by Mark Dunlevey in Canada, who joined him for a trip recently:

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.

North West Charters

Address Burtonport Donegal Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 366 7625 Phone: +353 74 9543891 Email: [email protected] Website: NorthWestCharters.ie

More information

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Sea angling in Donegal

Sunhats, sunglasses and sunscreen for O’Casey’s pikers

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 29, 2026

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.

Results were as follows:

1st Paul Reynolds 18Ib 15oz, 5 fish.
2nd Daron Reynolds 13Ib 15oz, 5 fish.
3rd Brendan O’Reilly 12Ib 4oz, 4 fish.
Heaviest fish: Minde 8Ib 1oz.

Action from the river bank

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Dates announced for CM Lakelands Open Cup

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 29, 2026

The CM Lakelands Feeder Club has announced the dates and venues for their new event, the CM Lakelands Open Cup.

Tickets will go on sale on May 14th, 2026. Qualifiers will be a max of 24 anglers. Tickets €50 (€20 pools on the day of each qualifier). Four anglers will quality from each qualifier.

There will be no practice match for the final on the Friday. Instead, there will be an open match on the Sunday beforehand.

Q1 June 7th – Drumkearragh/Skeagh
Q2 June 14th – Drumkearragh/Skeagh
Q3 July 5th – Muckno
Q4 July 26th – Muckno
Q5 August 16th – Lough Sillan
Q6 August 22nd (Saturday) – Lough Sillan.

Open feeder match, August 30th, Lough Sillan. The final will be held on September 5th/6th on Lough Sillan plus another lake.

The club also held a small knock-up match on Sunday on Baird’s Shore on the Dromore system. 1st overall was Brenton Sweeney with a weight of 5.790 kg. Brenton fished 3 lines, 18 metres, 33 metres and 40 metres to catch 120 roach.
2nd overall was Damian Foltyn with a weight of 4.440 kg made up of roach and perch. Damien fished the short line first and then moved out later in the match. 3rd Overall was Piotr Horbiński with a weight of 3.420 kg of roach and odd hybrids caught at distance.
Next weekend is the 2-dayer to be held at Skeagh and Drumkearragh.

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Simple patterns working well for Nore trout

By

Myles Kelly

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April 29, 2026

Dan O’Neill reports from the River Nore…

The easterly wind for sure put the fish off since I spoke to you all last. Life on the river has been good we have hit some warmer weather now and I wonder how long will it be before I hear the first complaint about the sun or lack of rain.

What’s been working, with the mix of weather the wind played a part in what techniques we used. Wet fly and a little dry dropper were most common. In relation to wet fly I used an aggressive leader set up to help counteract the breeze a bit.

An aggressive leader set up for those of you who are unsure is where we have a longer butt section on the leader. I usually use a 4ft butt section, I moved out to 5 and a half foot over the weekend due to the wind. For flies I took a look around and there was a good mix of olives and march browns about. For patterns I’m using March Browns on a size 16, likewise with winged olive patterns.

Looking at the water temperatures on hydro data the fish are still very much active one hour before peak water temperature and one hour after. So we are on a tight enough window of opportunity to capture our quarry. With the wind being unhelpful and the fish perhaps sulking a little i put a 2mm pheasant tail nymph on point and then a winged wet on as a dropper. It just helps to get your offering a little closer to the trout.

Moving onto dry dropper now, I had my first trout on the dry fly yesterday or should I say my client did. Super to see the trout come up and sip in the fly, gave some flashback to July last year. Just an olive Klinkhammer, a nice simple tie that the fish found attractive. For a nymph I am using a pheasant tail with a copper wire hotspot just at the tail, it’s like a mini copper john. They really went mad for this nymph and again not my design but it sure did get fish.

So I spoke of the water temperatures and heights in this article and previous ones, but where am I getting the information I hear you ask. If you follow the hydro data site and enter in your location it will link you to the closest station and give you the information. Yes of course temps vary but you can use it as a guide for your outings and try to link up patterns of catch rates, water heights and temps.

So again, simple patterns working best here on the Nore currently, I will be at the Irish spring Angling fair the May bank holiday weekend so be sure to stop by for a chat to the Cadence stand as well as the Apgai Ireland stand. The show has grown quite a bit since last year so well worth a visit.

Upcoming fly fair

The Irish Spring angling fair at Ardaire springs is just around the corner and i am delighted to be demonstrating at the show this year again. I will be showcasing the Cadence Predator range 9ft 9wt and 9ft 10wt as well as an exciting new predator line the predator range was designed by Ian Gordon. I will also be showcasing the new entry level range from 5wt to 7wt.I have been fishing with them for a while now and enjoy using the rods. It was important to keep the versatility in the rods which is something you are all sick of me talking about I’m sure 😊. Hoping to see you all at the spring angling show, feel free to pop by the Cadence fly fishing or Apgai Ire for a chat with me about all things fishing.

Guiding and angling courses

Over the coming months i will be holding classes on fly fishing and course fishing from beginner level up. Fun ways to get involved in fishing, learn more so that you can get out there and catch some fish. Everything is supplied so if you don’t have the gear and would just like to see if you like fishing before you make the commitment of buying your first fishing rod then contact me on the below details for availability and times.