The bright sunshine and warm daytime temperatures made fishing difficult for many anglers. But reports on conditions and general fishing trends were overtaken by the big news this week – the capture of that huge trout from Lough Corrib. The story received international coverage with angling media in the USA, UK and Europe carrying reports and photos. Reaction from anglers at home and abroad was quite varied, even polarised.

Many praised the achievement while others condemned the killing of the fish. The debate this has created is an interesting one with many questions raised regarding catch and release, maximum size limits, the value of big old fish to the spawning stock and whether it is better to kill a fish that has spawned once and could contribute more to a fishery or one that  has spawned many times already being widely debated. Each argument has its proponents and detractors, angling like all sports is full of opinion.

Although fishing on Carrowmore had been a bit slow, as of last night the lake is fishing its socks off and boats reported double hook ups and salmon to 13lb. In general most fisheries have seen salmon hard to tempt in the bright sunshine. Where there was good water; the Munster Blackwater,  Galway Fishery, on the Moy and at Ballisodare fishing was a bit better. Evening angling worked on some rivers like the Suir and where there was a bit more cloud like at Lough Currane salmon anglers had better luck.  The change in weather conditions should see an improvement at all the fisheries which have suffered from the bright sunshine and low water.

Wynnes Bay on Lough Allen is fishing well for bream at the moment and local Leitrim anglers had bags to 80lbs last week. Anglers on the Inny report that the shoals of roach there are bank to bank, but no big bags have been taken. The annual NCFFI Junior Canals Championship, sponsored by Waterways Ireland, was held in Kilcock on 26th May. Despite high winds, bright sunlight, clear water and signs of roach and rudd spawning, it was great that most anglers caught with some nice bream landed. Well done to Conor Byrne, Jack Sutton and Rosie Connolly who won their divisions.

French pike anglers had great fishing on Gortinty Lake near Drumsna Co Leitrim. In all they had 68 pike for the week the best of which was 1.19m. Other Shannon venues which are producing some good fish include Lough Derg where pike to 1.6m were reported. Flyfishing is proving very successful at the moment on Lough Corrib and many anglers fishing with Corrib Predator Team have had personal bests on their recent trips, including a fine fish of 111cm for one Polish angler.

Mullet fishing reports have been scare but it looks like the sunshine has improved anglers chances with this wary fish as David from EastCoastFishing reports. Tope from the shore is many a sea anglers dream and there were some fine fish taken last week from a Co. Clare mark. Those waiting for the bass closed season to end are focusing on other species and there was some good pollack fishing in Wexford. Charter boat reports this week come from the Antrim coast, Donegal Bay, Wicklow and Mayo.

Bank holiday safety warning

The Irish Coast Guard today issued advice to the public (and to holidaymakers) in advance of the June bank holiday weekend. Many people like to enjoy the outdoors during good weather and in particular during bank holiday weekends.  Every summer, the Coast Guard responds to thousands of requests for assistance to those in difficulty while on the water, on cliff paths and coastal walks, enjoying water sports, engaged in coastal activities, hill walking and so on. Throughout the year, Coast Guard Units throughout the Ireland will patrol our rivers, lakes, waterways and coastlines issuing safety advice and information to holidaymakers and tourists.

Before going afloat or sea angling from rocky shores check local weather conditions and tides in the area. Wear correctly maintained and fitting lifejackets that are suitable for the activity – boat fishing, wading, kayaking etc. Lifejackets are of no use unless they are worn. Ensure your craft is fit for purpose. Always advise someone as to where you are going and the time of your intended return.  Do not overload the craft.

If you are in difficulty or see someone in difficulty and requiring assistance dial 999/112 and ask for Coast Guard.

Weather outlook

After a mainly dry start with hazy sunshine rain will gradually extend from the southwest and will become heavy and persistent in places. It will be very mild with highest temperatures of 16 to 20C in moderate easterly winds. Rainfall warning – Between 25 and 65 mm of rain possible, (heaviest totals likely south midlands). The heavy rain will initially affect the southwest on Saturday, gradually extending northeastwards by evening time. Rain slowly clearing southwards later Sunday. Sunday will be cloudy with further outbreaks of rain and a risk of local spot flooding. The cloud and rain will very gradually clear away southeastwards. Monday will give a bright, fresh day with sunny spells and dry apart from a few scattered showers. Highest temperatures 13 to 17 degrees in light to moderate northeasterly winds. The week looks to be wet after that. Not great for the beach but anglers will be happy.

Tight lines to all,

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

Headlines

Coarse angling reports

• Float and feeder qualifiers fished at Inniscarra
• Bream good in Lough Allen, whereas Creenagh Lake and Finn Lough produce bags of tench
• Nice catches of Tench and Hybrids at Correen Ford on the Suck
• Young anglers catch some nice bream on the Royal Canal at Kilcock.
• Young Anglers Hooked as IADA Follow Up On Fisheries Awareness Week
• The Inny boys strike again with bank to bank fish!

Pike fishing reports

• French anglers pleased with their catch of Pike in Leitrim
• Big pike on Corrib
• 33lb Pike caught near Mountshannon while trolling
• Some good pike angling in Portumna area, but Brosna and Camcor rivers quiet
• Pallas lake angler can boast of a 9.5lb and a 5.5lb pike on the same cast !
• Terrific pike of 1.24 metres for 11 year old Thomas Bigot on Lough Derg
• A misty day piking in Monaghan

Salmon fishing reports

• Purple patch for bars of silver on Blackwater
• Two Michaels from Limerick catch two fish from Mulcair
• Listowel at night in the company of Silvery flies
• Erriff Fishery
• Galway Fishery
• Fishing slow on Carrowmore and Beltra but Ballisodare remained excellent
• Sunny days make salmon shy on the River Moy
• Lough Melvin fishing is slow with a 5lb and 4lb grilse caught.
• Liam Ellis takes a fine specimen sea trout for the third year in a row on Lough Currane.
• Salmon run improving on the Suir, new webcam at Clonmel
• Salmon fishing on the Munster Blackwater, new webcam at Fermoy
• Connemara is in all its splendour but fishing is slow
• Good catches on the Drowes before the sunshine and the dropping water
• Très bien! Benoit caught a splendid 9lb salmon on Lower Kilmurry
• A slow start to Lough Melvin but fishing picked up after Tuesday
• A good week for Drowes fishing with numerous salmon caught.
• Six fine sea trout in the space of two hours on Moy Estuary

Sea angling reports

• Well done to Jim Hendrick who is shortlisted for the Wexford Business Awards 2012
• 5lb 2oz Sea Grey Mullet for an experienced fisherman
• Ahoy skipper ! Thats a fine Grey Gurnard you caught !
• Good mixed fishing on west coast
• Destination Wexford, target Pollack.
• Bites were slow around Wicklow except for a few ray who took the bait
• Tope very slow but a fine skate makes up for it in Red Bay
• The craic was mighty and the fishing too in Donegal Bay
• Out and about sea fishing with the Scouts in Arklow
• Tope day for father and son, simply the best!

Trout fishing reports

• Great May fly fishing on Drumharlow lake last week
• Strule still producing sport in low flows
• Evening and early mornings order of day on Lagan, Cusher, Callan and Bann
• Anglers scarce during the day around Mullingar as fish feed in evenings
• Hope for us all on Lough Ree, algae gone, flies buzzing and Martin lands a lovely 6lb trout
• Low water levels limit trout anglers on Clare rivers
• Only a small number of flies are returning to the water on Lough Derg
• Hawthorn, Connemara Black and Viva all working well on Pallas Lake
• Trout had a feeding frenzie on the Shannon especially on the spent
• Monster Trout on Lough Corrib
• Weather sub tropical on Corrib, but fishing not sub-parr
• Lough Carra
• Lough Mask Produces Good Sport in BBQ Conditions
• A good week on Lough Arrow & Doon with best time being evening
• Some great fishing reported on Loughs Conn & Cullin despite difficult conditions
• Good fishing reported at Carton House Fishery near Maynooth
• Good fishing for Gillaroo and Sonaghan with mayfly hatching on Lough Melvin
• Brown Trout Update from the Fane, Dee and Glyde
• Testing Daytime Trout Fishing on the Boyne After the Mayfly
• Lough Conn produces the trout at the ITFFA National Championship
• Trout to 9lb on Lough Sheelin, plenty of mayfly

News clippings

• RNLI awards presented – Irish Times
• MulkearLIFE celebrate birthday on the banks of the Mulkear in Limerick village – Limerick Leader
• RNLI awards presented – Irish Times
• Biggest trout in 118 years caught in west – Irish Times
• Fisherman catches giant trout in County Galway – BBC News
• Anglers launch their Hall of Fame book – The Kilkenny People
• Kilcormac to play host All Ireland Trout Angling Match – Offaly Express

Other news

• Angling and the Rural communities discussed by Jim
• Federation of fly fishers exams Ireland
• Casting class to be held on the River Slaney, Co. Wexford June 23rd 2012