Peter Driver of Piscari Fly is back with his weekly roundup of the fishing scene on the Nore and beyond:
How’s the Fishing
Keith Kearney a good customer of ours was out on the River Liffey during the week with his Piscari-Fly Venator 10ft6 2weight and picked up this lump of a trout on it. He said he was using Pheasant tail nymphs.
River Nore
The river Nore has been fishing fairly decent over the last number of days, lots of feedback saying there are fish to be got. There is a bit of rain and a lot of wind due in this week so it will make things difficult but definitely worth getting out for the evening rise. Ricky was out during the week for the evening and got some nice trout. Peter was on the Nore all day Saturday with a friend of ours from Northern Ireland. We had some good fish throughout the day mostly on Dry Dropper in the glides and nymphing then in the fast water.
A little video here on Dry Dropper set up from our YouTube channel;
Peter was in Vyšší Brod in the Czech Republic with the Irish Youth team 2 weeks ago for a couple of days of practice before they fished the World Championship.
The lads had some good practice sessions and they had stuff working but the competition just didn’t go their way, but I guess that is just the nature of these competitions. They just don’t go your way sometimes and that’s just what happened to the lads, they just didn’t get a run at it and unfortunately the results didn’t reflect the caliber of young men that they are. They were a really great bunch of lads and he really enjoyed spending time with them in the Czech Republic and on the Avonmore earlier on in the year. I am sure we are going to see lots of these young lads over the years at International level and we wish them all the best of luck in their future endeavours. Congratulations to USA on a clean sweep, amazing fishing and congratulations to all those involved.
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Based on the River Nore just outside Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland. Piscari-Fly is a growing Fly-Tying and Fly-Fishing business with a vast amount of experience and knowledge. If there is ever anything I can do to make my service better for you please feel free to suggest it to me and I’ll gladly try my best to accommodate your requests. Thanks again. Peter Driver.
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Joe Fitzharris tells us that Lough O’Flynn was the venue for the Donnellan Cup, fished on Sunday August 18th.This event was well supported on the day and the fishing was good to.
Castlerea team of Mark Malone & Michael McDermott came up trumps in a well contested event. Fly patters of the day were Daddies, Silver dabbers, Damsel and Humongous.
Results as follows,
1st Mark Malone & Michael Mcdermott, 6 fish for 12lb 09.0 oz,
2nd Adrian Murphy & John Burke, 5 fish for 10lb 05.6 oz.
3rd Tom Foley & Shane Stephens, 4 fish for 10lb 00.0oz.
Heaviest fish was caught by Shane Stephens and weighed 3lb 09.4 oz.
The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub proudly announces the Launch of The King Of The Lake International Pike Festival 2024, set to take place on September 28th and 29th. Here’s the link to sign up https://forms.gle/fLx7YY6mRLHcLjVs7 .This highly anticipated event, also known as “The King Of The Lake 2024,” promises to be an unforgettable experience for both international and Irish anglers. With an impressive prize pool of up to 11,500 Euros in cash and numerous sponsorship prizes, the competition already boasts over 40 prizes for participants and free BBQ’s each night of the competition. At an entry fee of only 150 Euros per boat, this event offers not only the safest but also the most enjoyable competition of the year. Sign up today https://forms.gle/fLx7YY6mRLHcLjVs7 The King Of The Lake 2024 prioritizes four key aspects: Safety, Friendship, Family, and Fishing. The event aims to promote angling and outdoor recreational tourism in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands while emphasizing sustainable angling practices through catch and release, water safety and use of life jackets on the water for all who use our waterways. It’s important to shine a light on the pike fishing tourism market in Ireland which plays a significant role in the economy, supporting over 1,100 jobs directly and indirectly and generating more than 45 million euros in tourism spending annually. The King Of The Lake 2024 is a nonprofit competition aimed at showcasing what Lough Ree and her surrounding areas have to offer. Preparations are now well underway for Ireland’s Largest Area Fishing Competition, spanning over 50 square miles of water from Tarmonbarry to the Bypass Bridge in Athlone. Competitors have the freedom to fish anywhere within this vast area throughout the two-day event. With the substantial cash prizes and numerous sponsorship prizes, the organizers are committed to providing participants with the greatest chance of winning a prize this year, with over 40 prizes up for grabs. The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub extends its gratitude to all who attended the launch event yesterday evening at the Lough Ree Access For All National Accessibility Centre in Ballyleague Lanesborough, including Senator Eugene Murphy, Roscommon Vice Cathaoirleach Larry Brennan, Longford Cathaoirleach Mark Casey, Longford Councillor Sean Mimnagh, MEP Ciaran Mullooly, Lisa Joy Roscommon Tourism, Arnold Donnelly Inland Fisheries Ireland, Chris Scally Chairman of Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub, Alan Farrell Treasurer of Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub, Jason Carr and Shane Gill from Camlin District Anglers, and members of Roscommon Civil Defense – Jannine Gillespie, Brian Prince, and Michael Mullaney. Special thanks go out to the sponsors and partners who make this event possible: Wild Hunter -Athlone, Wild Total Outdoors- Mullingar, Dennistons -Longford, Horse Power Workshop- Mounthrath Co Laois, Mel Handmade Lures -Co Longford, L. Corr Handmade Lures – Co Longford, Failte Ireland, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Roscommon Tourism, Longford Tourism, Roscommon COCO, Longford COCO, and Inland Fisheries Ireland. Businesses interested in sponsoring The King Of The Lake 2024 and having their name prominently featured are encouraged to contact [email protected] for more information. Anglers considering participating in this year’s event can also reach out to the same email address for further details. To sign up, simply click on the provided link, complete the 5-minute registration process, and make the payment of 150 euros per boat via Revolut to 0871823805. Stay tuned for more updates on the competition, and as always, tight lines, lads!
Over the past seven days, rainfall amounts were once again below average across most of the country, with as low as 8% of normal at Casement Aerodrome, Co. Dublin; however, good news for river anglers on the western seaboard is that there were wetter than average conditions in parts of the west, northwest and far southwest. In these areas, between 28mm and 45mm of rainfall was recorded (120% to 190% of normal), with the most rain recorded in Co. Mayo, finally freshening up the rivers and loughs if only for a short while…
It’s in Mayo that we begin this week, where heavy rain over the August bank holiday caused water levels on the Moy to rise significantly and more rain since kept it high. When water is high, the spinner and the worm outperform other methods and that is how most of the 318 fish recorded on the Moy for the week ending August 11th were caught. In the south west, anglers struggled again on Currane, with mainly brownies and juniors moving to the fly, but over on the Inny a couple of good floods got the grilse moving and fish were landed on both spinner and fly.
Brendan Doyle with an 11 lbs salmon caught on the Ridge Pool
Three generations of New York’s Caseys fish the Deel.
With some good coaching and dedication, maybe some of the anglers who compete in the youth competition on Melvin can eventually represent their country at international level, just like the 15 young Irish anglers who won the gold medal to claim an unprecedented four-in-a-row at Grafham Water in England. This gold adds to their consecutive wins in Scotland, Wales and at home in Ireland in the last few years. The Irish team and coaches win our Catch of the Week this week for their tremendous achievement.
Friday night will remain dry for much of the country under broken cloud. Lows of 8°C to 12°C in mostly light southwest breezes.
Saturday will be cloudy with scattered showers, though parts of the south and east will stay fully dry with sunny spells. Highs of 15°C to 19°C in moderate southwesterly winds.
Dry under broken cloud on Saturday night, with lows of 9°C to 13°C in mostly light westerlies. Sunday will be dry with a mix of cloud, the odd shower and some sunny spells. Highs of 16°C to 21°C, in moderate westerly winds, with cooler, breezier weather moving in early next week.
In another fantastic episode of the summer sessions on the Lure Fishing Podcast, host Cormac Walsh has a great chat with top bass angler Emlyn O Toole.
Emlyn, who is based in County Wexford, is one of the most skillful bass anglers out there and has developed an immense watercraft skillset. In this episode he shares some of the secrets which have helped him catch some big bass including two double figure fish in one day. While Emlyn is very humble and great guy, he is the ultimate bass angling Ninja.
If you enjoy listening to the Lure Fishing Podcast, make sure to follow and share the channel with other like-minded anglers.
Local angler Declan Moran was the overall winner of the 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition seen here being presented with the Tom Moran Memorial trophy by Bella Moran. Declan had 38 fish and 230 points on the day and also received a decanter and crystal glasses and two nights accommodation in 'Mary's of Mulranny'.
The 58th Annual Newport Sea Angling Festival took place in the beautiful surrounds of Clew Bay over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over 60 anglers took to the seas over the two day event with the junior members out on Saturday 3rd of August followed by the Senior anglers on Sunday 4th. Check in on Saturday began from 9am onwards at Newport Quay. There was a great buzz of excitement as the young anglers, filled with freshly cooked sausage rolls, boarded the boats to begin their days fishing. The committee were back in action again early Sunday morning providing tea and sausage rolls for all the senior anglers just before they boarded the boats and headed out to sea.
A group of Junior Anglers who participated in the recent 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition 2024 on Saturday 3rd of August.
The weather conditions for the Junior anglers on Saturday was fair but the recorded catches were low. This was in sharp contrast to the conditions on Sunday for the Senior anglers who had to brave the wind and the heavy rain for the afternoon. However, despite the poor weather on Sunday, the fish count on most boats was good.
There were prizes on offer in a range of categories including Novice Junior category (1st to 3rd), main Juniors category (1st to 5th), largest fish, Ladies category, Seniors category (1st to 8th), Junior Master Angler and best skipper.
The prize presentation took place in Nevins bar which was packed to capacity as all other events in the town were cancelled due to the poor weather conditions. Club Chairman Sean Fahy got the proceedings underway against a backdrop of a slideshow of images taken at our recent events. Each of the various sponsors were thanked for their continued help and support (a full list of sponsors below and also available on our website and Facebook page).
A selection of prizes on offer for the 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition 2024.
Those in attendance eagerly awaited the results from the various categories. Local angler Declan Moran was announced as the overall winner of the competition with a total of 36 dogfish and 2 Bulhuss (230 points total). Declan received the much sought after Tom Moran Memorial Cup (a cup dedicated to his late father who passed away in 1997 and was among the early founding members of the club as well as a local skipper). The main Junior section winner was Patrick Sammon with a total of 6 fish and 85 points. Patrick received the Margaret Moran Memorial cup and ensured the cup came back to Ross (as Margaret was both a former club secretary and a sea angling mentor to Patrick when he was young). A prize for the largest ray category was won by Peter Coyne who landed a stingray on board the Finnaun (which was the first time a Stingray has been landed in this event). Laoise Fynes was also announced as the Junior Master Angler for the season. See all results from the competition listed below:
The results of the NSAC 58th Annual Festival Competition were as follows:
Seniors Category: Fish Points
Overall Winner Declan Moran 38 230
2nd Place Paul Murphy 21 105
3rd Place Kieran McGowan 17 105
4th place David Nevin 10 100
5th Place Jessica Loftus 14 95
6th Place Francis O’Toole 18 90
7th Place Sean Kilroy 11 85
8th Place Jim Pressley 8 85‘.
Local angler Declan Moran was the overall winner of the 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition seen here being presented with the Tom Moran Memorial trophy by Bella Moran. Declan had 38 fish and 230 points on the day and also received a decanter and crystal glasses and two nights accommodation in ‘Mary’s of Mulranny’.
Best Senior Lady Category: Fish Points
Winner – Siobhan Melvin 14 70
Runner up – Niamh Tester 12 60
Largest Fish Category:
Largest Bullhuss – Declan Moran (40″)
Largest Ray (Stingray) – Peter Coyne (26″ x 40″)
Largest Conger – Niamh Murphy (46.5″)
Declan Moran with the largest Bullhuss (40″) caught during the recent 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition 2024.
Juniors Category: Fish Points
1st Place Patrick Sammon 6 85
2nd Place Leah Moran 3 60
3rd Place Holly Magee 10 50
4th Place Cian Moran 5 45
5th Place Liam Moran 3 45
Patrick Sammon was the overall Junior winner of the 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition and received the Margaret Moran Memorial Trophy (presented by Peter Moran, Simon, Fiona, Oisin, Fionn and granddaughter Erin), Patrick had 6 fish & 85 pts on the day.
Junior League (Master Angler):
Winner – Laoise Fynes
Laoise Fynes was the Junior League winner for Newport SAC and received the Junior League Shield presented by Peter Moran.
Junior Novice Category: Fish Points
Winner – John Moran 6 50
2nd Place – Dmytro Krys 9 45
3rd Place – Paul Moran 4 20
*7123 Caption: John Moran was the winner of the Novice section with 6 fish & 50 pts and received the Richard Steer Memorial Shield, replica, rod & reel set presented by Sue Steer (sponsor).
Best skipper – Tom Moran – The White Water II
Congratulations from all at Newport Sea Angling Club to each of the winners and thanks to all those who took part in the competition over the weekend.
Paul Murphy was the runner up with 21fish and 105 points in the recent 58th Newport SAC Festival Competition 2024
We would also like to thank our Skippers for their help over the two days, all the staff of Nevins Bar, those who presented prizes, anyone who helped to make the day a memorable occasion for all who took part. The club would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generosity, as without their support, the competition would not have taken place.
All the action from Newport
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Our thanks to the 2024 NSAC 58th Annual Festival Competition sponsors as follows: Trophy Sponsors: Tom Moran Cup – Bella Moran & Family (Main Trophy Sponsor), Sue Steer (Novice Category Sponsor), Peter Moran (Junior Trophy Sponsor),Kilroy Trophy – Josephine / Sean Kilroy, Jayne O’Malley Cup – Martin / Mary O’Malley Main Sponsors: Clr Brendan Mulroy (Main Club Sponsor), Mary’s of Mulranny (Competition Sponsor), Nevins Bar (Competition Sponsor), Inland Fisheries Ireland (Main Club Sponsor), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Main Club Sponsor), Attracta’s Laundrette, Futura Flooring, Sheridans Centra, Kelly’s Butchers, Newport Pharmacy, Patricia’s Fashions, Tracks & Treasures, The Towers, Hotel Newport, Bridge House Beauty Salon, Moynish Guest House, Gerry Grealis – Avondale House, Alan Leneghan, Corcoran’s Drapery, Market 57, Print Addiction, Sweeneys of Achill, Jim Pressley, Mulranny Motors, The Bridge Inn, Westport House Adventure Park, O’Malley Transport.
Please contact any member of the club if you wish to get involved in helping out at any of our events throughout the year!
We are now taking entries for our next competition which is a Teams event scheduled for 7th of September. Contact Sean on 087 0644601, Declan on 087 6831216 or any member of the committee for more details / to book in.
Piers are usually the handiest places to fish from, and you can often drive right up to the spot you want to fish. They can sometimes be overlooked and left to the ‘mackerel bashers’, but they can produce some varied fishing and help to put a few ticks on the species list for the year. A few of the Killybegs Mariners took a trip to a local pier during the week and managed seven species in an evening’s fishing: smoothhound, rock goby, black goby, ballan wrasse, whiting, pouting and poor cod.
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That smoothhound came hot on the heels of the one caught by Proinnsias Doherty a couple of days previously, which was the first one landed by the Mariners in Donegal Bay this year. Hopefully, they will become a feature in catches over the next few weeks.
The first Mariners smoothy of the season fell to Proinnsias Doherty
Vincent Appleby reports on a slow week on the lake in Waterville:
7/8/2024. I was talking to one Currane angler this evening and I quote, just a few brown Trout today, but what do you expect with a low lake and there is no argument to that. Wind fresh, West veered WSW, followed by good cloud cover and rain at times. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 2.1mm, amount of sunshine 1hrs.8mins, maximum air temperature 17.3c.
8/8/2024. Today’s report is as miserable as the weather, no reports of any significant catches as the rain lashed down at times but mainly misty rain throughout the day, it will be interesting to see the amount of rainfall in tomorrow’s notes but to be honest it wouldn’t surprise me that some of the Currane anglers had their Inny C&R hats on today. Wind SW moderate to fresh, veered WSW, West. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 2.8mm, amount of sunshine 0hrs.7mins, maximum air temperature 16.6c.
9/8/2024. No reports from the Salmon department, so we will head for the Sea Trout department, just a few C&R seatrout to report, from juniors up to the 3lbs class. Just for the record there were two boats out and as you can see by the photo of the Bull rock, it’s a mighty low lake. Wind moderate West veered WSW, SW. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 3.4mm, amount of sunshine 0hrs.1mins, maximum air temperature 17.6c.
Gulls resting up on the Bull Rock
10/8/2024. I believe the Currane anglers were invaded by the Killarney Brown Trout Anglers for their yearly Brown Trout C&R competition this day and I think there were 18 boats competing today, fair play to them. On the Currane Salmon and Sea Trout and Brown Trout manipulations no reports as of yet. Going back to the Killarney Brown Trout anglers I might have some info in tomorrow’s notes. Wind light WNW veered west, WNW, NW, followed by bright sunshine for most of the day. Yesterday’s weather amount of rainfall 0.1mm, amount of sunshine 4hrs.2mims, maximum air temperature 18.8c.
11/8/2024. We start with yesterday’s invaders, I was politely told that my notes were highly exaggerated on the amount of boats taken out by the C&R Lough Lein Anglers club, so lets put the record straight. In the words of one renowned Killarney Angler and I quote, 3 brown trout won and 2nd had 3 from what I heard, C&R Lough Lein Anglers club few 1,s definitely not 18 boats out. Well that puts me in my place, all I can say is typical false news by the Currane CNNA. Now to today’s manipulations no reports as of yet but to be fair it was fairly rough out there as you can see by the gusts, Wind fresh to strong SE veered SSE, gusts up to 61km/h and very humid and overcast followed by misty rain and heavy times this morning. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 10hrs.3mins, maximum air temperature 18.4c.
12/8/2024. No reports from the lake as of yet, but to be fair that’s not surprising after last night’s thunder and lightning and followed by most importantly the heavy downpours and just for the record there was 13.6mm of rainfall and as I always say that doesn’t include mountainous rainfall, so you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the Currane anglers had their Inny C&R hats on? Wind fresh WSW veered SW, SSW. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall as already stated, amount of sunshine 3hrs.6mins, maximum air temperature 23.1c.
13/8/2024. Straight to an update on yesterday’s notes and my apologies for the delay. For starters there were a few nice C&R seatrout, followed by a few nice brownies caught on the troll. Now we cut across the valley to the River Inny farmer and his report, Hi Vince, 2 C&R Salmon caught by spinning and 3 C&R Salmon on the fly. Now back to today’s manipulations, as of yet no reports from the lake so it’s straight to the C&R Inny farmer. Hi Vince, Lovely flood this morning on the Inny, at least 2 salmon caught so far so with any luck I will have an update later, but you can put a ? to cover yourself. Wind fresh NNW followed by reasonable cloud cover at times. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 9.8mm, amount of sunshine 3hrs.6mins, maximum air temperature 18.1c.
All roads lead to Coachford this weekend for the ten club teams competing for a place at next years World Championship proudly hosted by the NCFFI on Inniscarra Lake.
Fermoy CAC are the club hosts of 2024 and invite the club teams to participate in an official practice match on Friday 16th. Teams can book in at O’Callaghans Bar & Guest House ready for the draw at 8am, fishing 11 to 3pm.
On Friday evening the ten teams will confirm their players for the two-day competition drawing their sections at 18:00hrs leaving the peg draw to Saturday morning. Bait limits apply and a bait check will take place at the pegs each day at 08.50hrs. Visit https://www.ncffi.ie/24wflcq/ for the match rules and bait limits.
Any anglers who are interested in learning a thing or two about float fishing at the highest level should drop by and watch the best in the business at work.
The NCFFI invites your club to present a team at the 2024 edition of the All Ireland Feeder Club Championships. The five person team event fishing to FIPS rules will take place over the course of two days Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August on various venues in and around Carrick on Shannon. To be confirmed, but likely to include the River Shannon and local loughs. Bait limits apply.
Entry to the Championships, open to NCFFI member clubs only is €125 per team. Registration is in advance on-line only to collect the €25 pegging/administration fee. €100 pools collected on the day will be shared among the teams and the top three individuals.
The championship also serves as qualifiers for the teams to represent Ireland at the FIPSed World Feeder Club Championships of 2025 to be staged in Serbia. Entry is €225 per team. The €125 collected online includes a contribution for the travelling teams, €100 pools is payable on the day.
Closing date for entries is 5pm, Sunday 18th August.
All NCFFI clubs are invited to take part in the championships. Eligibility rules apply only to those who wish to qualify to represent Ireland with the option to present a team including two foreign nationals (i.e. those who do not hold a UK/NI or Irish passport). The NCFFI funds the FIPSed entry fee plus the winning team that travels will receive the €100 per qualifying entry.
