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A big fish for a little lady on the River Illen !

Molly Long, Skibereen with 8.5 lb salmon
Molly Long, Skibereen with 8.5 lb salmon

When 8 year old Molly Long from Skibbereen goes fishing, she does it with style.  Molly caught this 8.5 lb salmon from the River Illen in Co. Kerry.  She couldn’t stop smiling.  Well Done!

Molly Long, Skibereen with 8.5 lb salmon
Molly Long, Skibereen with 8.5 lb salmon

A return to bait fishing worked well for the South Coast angler

Rockhunter's Dogfish
Rockhunter's Dogfish

After a few fruitless lure session last week and over the weekend Rockhunter decided to return to bait fishing.

2nd July:  All I had for bait was frozen razor but thought I would give it a go as I did not have time to dig fresh bait earlier in the day. I headed to a beach which produced a couple of nice bass two weeks ago and would be fishing much the same stage of the tide. There was a good surf and low cloud totally blocked out the full moon so I was hopefully of getting a few bass.

These was a lot of fine weed in the surf close to the shore so I had to cast out further than I would have liked. Shortly after setting up I had a good knock on one of the rods, at first I was convinced it was a bass since it was pulling strongly but as I retrieved the fight weakened. A few minutes later I hauled a large dogfish out of the surf. That was followed by a rather plump coalfish. I have never caught coalfish in July from that beach – probably an indication of how cold the water is, well below the average July sea temperature.

Rockhunter's Dogfish
Rockhunter's Dogfish

As the tide began to push in more strongly I had another dogfish. Again it was a large one which fought well and had me thinking it was a bass until I had it on the beach.

Another coalfish followed. Then I had a sharp tug on one of the rods, I picked it up and could feel a strong fish on the end. It was pulling hard so I knew it was definitely not a dogfish. As I got it in close I could see a good fish splashing about in the surf and was sure it was a bass until I had it on the beach – it was a Bull Huss!!
That was a bit of a surprise, I have never caught one on this beach before and dont think I have heard of one been caught there either.

Bull Huss
Bull Huss

I fished on for a bit longer but had no more bites so packed up about half an hour later.

3rd July:  I dug some rag worms at lunch time and that night returned to the same beach but fished a different location further to the west. The surf was much weaker compared to the previous night but it was relatively weed free. I cast out one rod and was setting up a second when I spotted some tugs on the first. I struck and began to retrieve. I could tell from the way the initial fight died off that this was another dogfish.

Another two dogfish followed. Then I had a fish which was putting up a much better fight. This must be a bass I thought – but I was wrong – it was another Bull Huss, smaller than the one I had the previous night.


The tide began to push in after that but there were no more bites. I fished for about another two hours with only a few gentle nibbles which were probably small fish pulling on the bait.
Compliments of:

RockHunter
South Coast, Ireland
http://rockhunter-southcoastbass.blogspot.com/

Excellent salmon caught on the Slaney up to 16 lb.

Fresh 80cms Fish from Slaney
Fresh 80cms Fish from Slaney

The Slaney is fishing well and the following report is from the Slaney River Trust:

July 9th: When I should be writing about sea trout it is great to report that the very high water has resulted in excellent catches of large fresh summer salmon with fish up to 16 lb. and 85 cm. being landed. Large cascade varients (about size 6 or even 4) are doing the job. On one fishery on Sunday all 4 rods out landed a fish with others lost. It would seem that these fish are well spread through the system and not just in the well known beats.  An active presence on the water by anglers is the best protection against the illegal  killing of salmon.

Fresh 80cms Fish from Slaney
Fresh 85 cms Fish from Slaney

July 10th: The fish above will give you some idea of the quality of fish about. One word of warning take care of your electronics – we have had one set of electronic car keys permanently lost while returning a fish and another case where the angler was so keen to get a fresh 12 lber back yesterday he fell in, filled his waders and destroyed his iphone. No laughing matter in either case.

Slaney River Trust

http://www.slaneyrivertrust.ie/

Exceptional Algal Bloom detected in North West

North West Bloom of Karenia
North West Bloom of Karenia

Seawater samples submitted to Marine Institute in the past few weeks have shown the presence of a species of Phytoplankton that can harm marine animals, and some mortality have been reported among oysters, cockles and lugworms from the Mayo to Donegal coastal regions.    

Analysis carried out at the Marine Institute phytoplankton lab has indicated that there is an ongoing bloom in the area of Karenia mikimotoi which is a phytoplankton of the dinoflagellate group that produces dense blooms and often results in similar mortality of marine organisms. The bloom is most likely to originate offshore and several previous occurrences of this species have been recorded in Ireland over the years, most significantly the bloom in 2005 which extended all along the west coast. That bloom lasted through the months of June and July and resulted in extensive mortalities of wild intertidal and sub-tidal invertebrates and fish. There were also reports of losses of farmed shellfish in west coast at that time.  

“The species of phytoplankton that is causing this unusual mortality is quite common in the summer months around the coast of Ireland. The species can cause mortalities in shellfish and finfish because it contains a toxic irritant that results in damage to the gills of shellfish, fish and invertebrates. This, coupled with reduced oxygen levels during the decaying bloom can result in extensive mortalities over large areas of the coastline, as we reported during the 2005 event,” explained to Mr. Joe Silke of the Marine Institute Phytoplankton and Biotoxin Unit.  

North West Bloom of Karenia
North West Bloom of Karenia

The current bloom has shown moderate levels between half a million cells to 1.5 million cells per litre in the Donegal bay area. A second bloom is also evident from satellite images in the Belmullet to Clew Bay area where reports of dead shellfish and lugworms have been reported by the public. Lower levels have been observed along the Galway and North Clare coast and also in Kenmare, Bantry and Dunmanus Bays.  

“These blooms are part of the natural cycle of phytoplankton in the sea, and originate offshore. As they are pushed to the coast by oceanic and tidal currents they accumulate to dense levels that can even discolour the seawater in what are often called ‘Red Tide’ events.  Just as certain land plants contain toxins and irritants, so do marine algae and the accumulation of these coastal blooms are not associated with pollution or any man induced activity,” said Mr Silke.  

The duration of the current bloom is difficult to predict, it may subside quickly to be replaced by the more typical mixed summer algal community, or it may continue over the next month or so as was the case in 2005. The Marine Institute are continuing to monitor samples from the region and all results are on the website immediately after analysis on www.marine.ie/habs .

http://www.marine.ie/home/

Munster Blackwater has fined off well with the Castle Flat in Ballyhooly fishing well

Gavin O'Shea with his 11lb salmon
Gavin O'Shea with his 11lb salmon

Heading down to the Munster Blackwater we hear from Ian and Glenda Powel:

Friday July 6th: Both the upper & lower river have steadied. The lower river remained at 0.98m all day. The Killavullen gauge has fallen just 1cm through the day. Six fish were caught which made it the Joint Third best Day of the Season – for just 7 rod days.
Best fish of the day was a 12 1/2 pounder for John Harte on spinner from Ballincurrig.

Gavin O'Shea with his 11lb salmon
Gavin O'Shea with his 11lb salmon

This one above was 11lb. & caught by Gavin O’Shea on Carrig.
Steven Slattery had an 8 pounder on fly in the evening on Ballyhooly & Joe Lonergan had 2 on spinner & Dennis O’Donnell one on fly on Killavullen.

Saturday July 7th: Even with the floods we have had some amazing fishing so far for July with 26 fish for just 27 rod days. The prospects have to be absolutely superb for the coming week, as there have been great runs of large sea-liced fish coming through the upper river in recent days. Even yesterday with the Killavullen gauge at 1.65m, 2 rods slipped into Ballyhooly at 6.30pm & released two fish on the fly.

With one more fish caught by Tim Harty on fly from Ballyhooly reported to me very late last night, the total for yesterday was then 7 fish (3 on fly) which made it the joint Second Best Day of the Season.

Rain swept up the catchment from the East last night – we had 9mm here. The upper river is rising this morning but looks to be peaking at ~2.00m – up 35cm from yesterday afternoon.  The water is apparently very dirty! The Ballyduff gauge is on 1.16m this morning – up from 0.98m last night. Clarity is OK at ~2 feet.

The forecast is for dry weather into next week. If the river drops & fines off, the prospects for sport are superb in the coming week.

Sunday July 8th: The river was pretty coloured above & below yesterday – just beginning to clear off by evening. There were just 2 fish caught yesterday of 7 & 9 ½lb. from (you’ve guessed it!) the Castle Flat in Ballyhooly. The river has fined off well this morning. Down to 1.00 at Ballyduff & 1.68m at Killavullen. Clarity good at 2½-3 feet. There’s already a couple of fish caught from our top beat Ballygarrett by one rod in his first 20 minutes of fishing this morning.

Looks as if we’re going to get a few dry days before another band of rain comes in Thursday. Brilliant prospects for the beginning of the week.

Ian & Glenda Powell
Blackwater Lodge & Salmon Fishery
Upper Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.
Tel: 00 353 58 60235     From UK: 0871 474 0135  (10p/min any time!)
Mobile: 00 353 87 235 21 20
E-mail: info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net Website: www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining for Jonathan

Jonathan Releases His Fish Safely Back to the Kells Blackwater
Jonathan Releases His Fish Safely Back to the Kells Blackwater

As with many fisheries around the country, high water and difficult fishing conditions have also hampered angling on the Kells Blackwater recently. However, every cloud has a silver lining and Pat McLoughlin reports that Jonathan O’Brien caught and released a nice salmon recently on the Kells Blackwater. The water was really way too high but Pat who knows the river like the back of his hand, thought that one or two fish would stop for a little rest before moving on.  And guess what,  he was right!! Jonathan guided by Pat caught and released a nice fish during his visit. The last time Jonathan was down with Pat he had 5 for his day, but Pat commented on this occasion “we were lucky to get this one in such conditions”. A little bit more than luck Pat!!!

 

Jonathan Releases His Fish Safely Back to the Kells Blackwater
Jonathan Releases His Fish Safely Back to the Kells Blackwater

 

Jonathan O'Brien with his Kells Blackwater Salmon
Angling Guide Pat McLoughlin and Jonathan O'Brien with his Kells Blackwater Salmon

Irish Angling Update, 05/07/12

The very wet weather that we had in June has continued into July and the general higher water levels have helped salmon anglers around the country with great numbers recorded nationwide.  Coarse angling has been superb despite the weather and Chris McGregor’s night’s fishing paid off on the Royal Canal at Kilcock where he took a great catch of bream and roach.  Down in Carlow, the local club introduced fishing to many new anglers on the River Barrow last week.  The NCFFI inter provincial championships were held on Inniscarra Lake and they enjoyed super fishing.  Over on Lough Derg a group of English anglers enjoyed super fishing amassing 1,300 lb. of coarse fish for the week. 3 Merseyside lads hit the East Clare Lakelands area for the best bream fishing sessions they had coming to Ireland in 20 years. Some of better known Inny anglers in Westmeath enjoyed a trip down the River Camlin and took a wonderful catch of Bream and Roach.  There was super bream, roach and tench fishing reported from many waters in the west and middle Cavan Lakelands.  Polish national Michal Wrobel living in Cavan enjoyed some super bream and tench fishing in Lough Oughter and his lovely catches plus nice photos earn him the Catch of the Week.

Lovely catch of Bream and a nice tench recorded by Michael Wrobel in Cavan.

The higher water levels certainly helped salmon angler and some huge fish up to 25 lb. were reported from Rivers Nore and Suir.  There was some superb salmon reported also from the Munster Blackwater on most beats.  In many of the smaller rivers in the Cork Kerry area, there was some tremendous fishing in the past week.  On lough Currane there was some fine grilse fishing reported along with some sea trout and a cork angler returned a fine specimen sea trout of 8 lb. which he caught on fly. The Owenmore Fishery in Co. Kerry had its first two grilse of the season.  The higher water levels did curtail salmon fishing on the River Feale at Listowel.  In Connemara, there was a great improvement in salmon and sea trout fishing on Lough Inagh where a fine specimen brown trout was recorded. On the nearby Kylemore Abbey Fishery, the 50th salmon of the season was recorded along with good sea trout fishing.  On Delphi Elaine Corps out fished her husband, Mark Corps, angling adviser with IFI and took her first ever salmon at Delphi! There was plenty of salmon and sea trout running the Newport River and into Lough Beltra and Salmon fishing improved on the Burrishoole Fishery. There was excellent conditions and excellent salmon and sea trout on the Owenduff River.  Carrowmore Lake continued to produce good salmon and it was another exceptional week on the River Moy. The Ballisodare Fishery produced excellent sport and the good run of grilse continued for the Drowes with fish in the double figures.

There was plenty of sea angling activity to report and even in Dublin on the east pier in Dun Laoghaire some fine wrasse and mackerel were reported. In Wicklow Bay deep sea fishing produced Tope, Thornback and Homelyn Rays in the shelter of Southerly winds. Danny Meagher and friends enjoyed some fine Smooth Hound fishing in the dark on Wexford beaches. Congratulations to Jim Hendrick, SEAi on winning joint runner-up in Wexford Business Awards.  There was good bass fishing reported from Cork Harbour. There was good deep sea angling for groups of Dutch and Irish anglers fishing with Mark Gannon out from Courtmacsherry. A fine 26 lb. Ling was taken by a German angler on board the Sioux in Valentia There was great fishing, breath taking scenery and a tasty supper at Dingle by shore anglers. Mackerel are plentiful along with some tope, pollack and flats along the Clare coast. Nice pollack and ling were taken deep sea fishing aboard “Bluewater” fishing out from Clifden. There was “lousy fishing” for anglers fishing with Michael McVeigh off the Donegal coast but some fine fish were recorded all the same.  Plenty of Tope were reported but no big females were caught by deep sea angler fishing out from Red Bay.

The higher water levels helped better fishing for trout at Carton House on the River Rye. There was great fun at Aughrim for young anglers on Dublin Angling Initiative course. Fine Carrigavantry trout please the anglers fly fishing there. An Argentinian guide fished on the Nire River and landed some amazing fish.  There was good trout and pike reported from Lough Ennell as fishing is generally quiet in the Midlands. There was tougher fishing conditions for anglers fishing on Lough Sheelin this week. There was some nice Trout reported from Pallas lake and the Camcor River despite the mixed weather conditions. Hatches of Sedges started to entice trout to feed on Lough Acalla.  There is a fine 19ft Sheelin boat for first prize for the McConville Cup to be fished on Bilberry and Lannagh Loughs. Junior anglers enjoyed trout fishing on Lough Doon near Dromahair. Finally there was some very good pike fishing reported from Lough Derg.  Weather condition look set to be cool and changeable so the good fishing should continue although some parts of the Rivers Shannon and Erne are unfishable due to flooded fields.

Tight lines especially in Ireland,

Paul Bourke

Catch, Photo, Release


Coarse angling reports

Pike fishing reports

Salmon fishing reports

Sea angling reports

Trout fishing reports

News clippings

Other news

Higher water levels bring a better salmon fishing on many Cork and Kerry salmon fisheries.

Tom Curtayne with a lovely 17 lb. Salmon taken on the River Laune

Eileen Carroll from IFI Macroom reports on fishing in the Cork and Kerry Rivers.

FOR WEEK ENDED SUNDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2012 AND SUNDAY 1ST OF JULY 2012

KILLARNEY LAKES AND LOUGH LEANE

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2012

4 salmon landed for the week, 3 weighed in at 5lbs each and 1 was 13.5 lbs all caught trolling

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 1ST OF JULY 2012

No report

FLESK RIVER

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2012

11 salmon landed averaging 4lbs caught on worms by local anglers

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 1ST OF JULY 2012

5 salmon landed for the week ranging from 3lbs to 5lbs each

LONG RANGE RIVER, KILLARNEY

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2012

3 fish landed averaging 5 lbs on worms by local anglers.

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 1ST OF JULY 2012

No report

RIVER LAUNE BEATS 1 AND 2

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 24TH OF JUNE 2012

2 fish landed weighing 4lbs and 6lbs by Cork anglers spinning.  2 fish landed on Johnston’s fishery weighing 4lbs and 3lbs by tourist anglers spinning

WEEK-ENDED SUNDAY 1ST OF JULY 2012

1 salmon landed on Beat 1 weighing 6lbs by a tourist angler

LAUNE SALMON AND TROUT ANGLERS’ ASSOCIATION WATERS AND BEAT 3

Angling Report 25th June (Email to Laune Angling Report)

Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association waters and Beat 3.

Water now at 3 feet on the gauge at Johnston’s.  With all the great water we had for the week one would have expected the fishing to be better up to Wednesday it was not good, put it down to water being too high especially for fly.

From Thursday on fish were being met on most fisheries.  The angler who got things going was Tom Curtayne from Killorglin who had a sparkling fish of 9.5 lbs at Crowley’s on Thursday followed by a 17 pounder at the Rock Pool on Friday 22nd.  Members are also continuing to catch nice sea trout on all methods.  There were a total of 10 fish reported for the week.

Beat 3: Richard Miller from Tralee had 2 fish on Beat 3 on Friday an 11 pound fish and a 6 pound fish.  John Hussey had a fish of 10lbs on Saturday. There were also fish caught by visiting anglers.  Water perfect for Beat 3. (photo attached)

Tom Curtayne with a lovely 17 lb. Salmon taken on the River Laune

For further information look up:www.launesalmonanglers.com Email: billydownes@hotmail.com End        Billy Downes Secretary      Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association

Angling Report 2nd July (Email to Laune Angling Report)

Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association waters and Beat 3.As of Monday 2nd July water now back up to over 3 feet on the gauge at Johnston’s and running slightly coloured from the Gweestin.  If the rain stops should be cleared by Tuesday.  Lovely water for the week but not a lot of fish being met.  The exception was Billy Cotter who had a fish of 5 lbs spinning.

There were a total of five fish reported for the week.

Beat 3: Lovely spinning water and running clear should be perfect for all methods when river begins to fall.  There were 3 fish reported from Beat 3.For further information look up:         www.launesalmonanglers.com Email: billydownes@hotmail.com Billy Downes Secretary      Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association

RIVER BANDON

37 salmon landed for the past two weeks, averaging 7.5lbs each.

RIVER LEE

80 salmon landed for the past two week averaging 7lbs each.

RIVER ILEN, RIVER COOMHOLA AND OUVANE RIVER (REPORT FOR WEEK ENDED 1ST OF JULY 2012)

Ilen river –                           34 salmon best 14 lbs on a flying C

Coomhola river –              6 salmon landed best 7lbs on a worm by a club member.

Ouvane river –                   8 salmon landed best 8 lbs on a worm.

 

Super bream, roach and tench fishing reported from many waters in the west and middle Cavan lakelands.

Alice Murtagh IFI Corlesmore, Arvagh reports on coarse fishing in the Erne catchment in Cavan.

Water levels are extremely high due to the recent heavy falls of rain however those who are fishing report good catches of fish.  Some English anglers staying in the Lough Bawn Hotel Killeshanrda recorded good fishing on Dereskit Lake with bags weighting up to 80 lb, with plenty of Skimmer Bream, some Hybrids and Roach being bagged also.

Gartanoul, Killykeen is producing good mixed bags of Roach, Perch and small Skimmers up to 40/50lb bags.

Town Lake Killeshandra is still producing good Tench and good Roach are being caught at Rockfield.

Good Bream up to 5lb in weight and some nice big Tench are being recorded at Flynn’s Pass.

Some English anglers staying in the Breffni Arms Arva recorded good catches of fish also, Mike Cook, Wolverhampton bagged 86 lb on Kevins Shore, 72 lb on Gulladoo and 91 lb on Cullies including Two Tench weighing 6lb each.  Eddie Waites 60 lb Hybrids and Roach on Killykeen and 62lb Roach on Gartylough.  G Farnworth from near London 52lb on Gartylough, 65lb on Holybank and 69lb on Gulladoo.  Mr. E Dennis Shefield 71lb on Corfree, 68lb Kevins Shore and 70lb on Tessie’s Shore.  Phil Mueller bagged 61lb and 82lb on Gulladoo and 67lb on Holybank and 48lb on Kevins Shore.  A party of seven from Northampton bagged 1,950 lb of fish in one week’s fishing the Arva/Gowna area.

Fishing in the Cootehill area is reported to be good with 30/40lb of fish being bagged in Mullinary Lake mostly good Roach and Hybrids.

The river at Belturbet is also reported to be fishing very well despite high water levels.

Some local angliers fished White Lake Redhills and landed 4 Jack Pike on Monday last.

 

 

 

Nice pollack and ling taken deep sea fishing aboard "Bluewater" fishing out from Clifden.

Seamus McEvoy with a lovely ling while fishing on "Bluewater"

Charter skipper John Brittain on deep sea fishing for his clients fishing out from Clifden.
Fishing on board Bluewater has been very good for the last few weeks. The bad weather has mostly passed us by and we have had slack winds and can get to all the fishing spots in comfort. There are pollock in abundance so the light tackle anglers can really test their skills, plenty of Ling and some Cod for the heavier fish and really good Whiting Haddock and some nice Tub Gurnards for those that like species fishing.

Charter skipper John Brittain with a lovely 10 lb. pollack

Dave Mc Evoy, manager of Delphi Fishery, took a busman’s holiday with a group from Louisburgh for a day out today. A two mile drift lasting two hours saw 14 species in the boat with action all the way. By lunch time we were anchored in the shelter of Inishturk cooking some of the catch with a line over the side for a skate. No luck with the skate but young Seamus McEvoy topped the skippers 10 lbs Pollock with a nice Ling for catch of the day.
Seamus McEvoy with a lovely ling while fishing on "Bluewater"

John and Sue Brittain
Sharamore House,
Clifden,
Co. Galway,
Ireland.
Tel 095 21073
Sharamore House
Bluewater Fishing