Irish Angling Update 🎣 5 July 2024

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July 5, 2024

Despite rainfall totals for the month of June being below their long term averages and sunshine totals for the month of June being about 10% above average, the month was a full 3°C colder on average than June 2023 and colder than the long term mean overall. The first week of July hasn’t been any better, and with cool, gusty, changeable weather to continue into next week, anglers will have to choose their sessions wisely to get the most out of them.

To sea fishing first and we have news this Friday morning that the Irish men’s and women’s senior teams have both claimed the gold medals at the Home Nations Shore Championships held in Scotland. The under-16 team took silver in their event and the under-21 team took the bronze – well done to all on a tremendous result.

Back home, the windy conditions of late have made for uncomfortable boat fishing at sea, or kept some skippers inshore, but reef and wreck fishing has been excellent for those willing to brave the choppy seas. In West Cork, anglers fishing with Courtmac Sea Angling Centre have had a skate bonanza offshore, great conger and ling on the reefs and everything from ray to good size bass inshore, while the Silver Dawn has started to get some shark action to add to their great skate fishing.

Closer inshore, Angling Adventures West Cork had fine bass and wrasse on the kayaks before teaming up with Eire Bass in east Cork to land some unusual species on the fly! In Galway Bay, the Brazen Hussy II has done well on the reefs and also landed the first couple of porbeagles of the summer, while on the shore, the Galway Bay SAC held the latest leg of their Master Angler League on Whitestrand where weavers, bass, flounder and some nice turbot kept the anglers busy. In Donegal, Killybegs Fishing Trips had a very rare catch – a torsk – a fish that skipper Michael hasn’t seen since working on a trawler in the nineties, while Adrian Molloy of tuna.ie landed bluemouth, megrim and the first two blue sharks of their season.

Before we leave the coast, we have one more offering of interest to the saltwater angler, as Cormac Walsh of the Lure Fishing Podcast returns with a really insightful chat with south east bass expert, Pat Gallagher – this one is not to be missed.

In freshwater, coarse angling has been mixed with some late spawning roach deserting the swims, as was the case for the VDE Baggers’ match on Muckno; club members had to work hard to bag a bream or hybrid to be in the placings. It was a similar story for anglers competing in the Ireland’s FeederKing qualifier at the same venue, where skimmers and small hybrids made up the weights, but some bigger bream separated the wheat from the chaff. A handful of the Munster CAC made it to Silvergrove in Clare for a knock up where small weights meant a tight finish, but over on Oaklands, in Wexford, small weights are uncommon and Leo Lynch emptied peg 32 for a weight of 131kg to win the match there.

The ever-active Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub have begun their summer coaching series – an initiative that IFI are proud to support. During the series, budding young anglers are taught how to land coarse fish in a safe environment by the club’s fully qualified coaching team of Philip and Mary. If you are interested or know somebody who might be interested in taking part, contact the club at [email protected].

Another young angler catches at Lanesborough

The relatively cool weather hasn’t done the pike fishing any harm, with some great catches on river and lake. In the midlands, well known angler Mick Flanagan – who was kept off the loughs because of high winds – had great sport on the surface as he caught Inny pike with a combination of frog and duck lures. Not too far away on Lough Ree, a grandfather/grandson team took a day’s guided fishing with Chris Scally of Fish Tales, where they broke PB after PB. Also after big pike on a wild lough was well known lure angler Senan Stanley, who fished for all the freshwater predators with pal Daniel; perch, pike and some smashing trout made the day a memorable one for them!

Also fishing for trout were father/daughter trio PJ, Rosie (6) and Annie Maguire (9). The trio were only trolling 10 minutes on Inchiquin when the rod Rosie was holding buckled over. Rosie wins our Catch of the Week for the fabulous 9lb trout that she landed single-handed – well done Rosie! Peter Driver of Piscarifly reports that the Nore has been fishing well, but we don’t have reports in from any other rivers this week – apart from the Ireland on the Fly Team who speak with John Buckley about the Irish team’s sixth place finish at the FIPS-Mouche World Championships in France.

Rosie's big trout from Inchiquin — Rosie’s big trout from Inchiquin

Finally, we turn to salmon angling, where fishing improved on the Galway Weir Fishery and the Erriff whenever the water levels came right in June. The Weir saw 150 fish caught during the month, with a good average size of 6lbs or so and very few below 4lbs. On the Erriff, fish were of a similar size with a few fish in the 8-12lbs bracket as well. The River Moy saw its best season of the year so far with over 400 salmon reported, while sea trout anglers on the Moy Estuary enjoyed a decent week’s fishing. Grilse are making their presence known on the Munster Blackwater near Ballyduff, where some good spring fish are also featuring in the catches. Over in Kerry, the rivers badly need water but anglers fishing on Currane have landed both salmon and sea trout this week, with 8 salmon reported and sea trout up to 4lbs.

In other news

Inland Fisheries Ireland calls all sea anglers to participate in the 2024 IMREC Survey. The Irish Marine Recreational Angling (IMREC) Diary was launched in 2021 to help monitor recreational catches of marine species in our waters. A primary aim of the project is to collect data that will help all stakeholders to better manage, conserve and protect the fisheries resource, thereby providing benefits for recreational sea angling in Ireland and supporting those small businesses involved in the sea angling sector.

And now the weather…

Friday evening will bring long spells of rain with the chance thunderstorms and spot flooding, with a yellow rain warning in parts of the east overnight. Highs of 14°C to 18°C with a light southwest or variable breeze. lows of 7°C to 9°C overnight.

Saturday will bring sunny spells and showers extending south east through the afternoon, turning heavy in parts. Highs of 13°C to 17°C with a moderate west wind. Clear spells and scattered showers overnight, lows of 7°C to 9°C in a light westerly.

Sunny spells and showers on Sunday, with some heavy or possibly thundery downpours likely in the afternoon. Highs of 13°C to 17°C in a variable breeze. Showers to die out early on in the night, leaving a mostly dry night with clear spells. Lows of 6°C to 9°C in a light northeasterly breeze.

Monday and Tuesday will see more sunny/showery weather with highs of 14°C to 20°C in a light breezes.

Don’t forget to check the forecast before heading off and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected] and don’t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicated Angling Ireland Facebook page.

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Sea Angling Reports

Decent week for sea trout anglers on Moy Estuary

By

IFI staff

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July 5, 2024

Judd Ruane of Fishing Ireland reported of a decent week on Pegasus with Harry Feeney and friends enjoying two reasonably calm days with a return of 22 sea trout while Eric Logan and a friend had one tagged sea trout.

Richard Fowler and his group had a return of 5 sea trout on their outing. Steve Warnock and Michael Smith and their groups had returns of 5 and 4 sea trout respectively while at all times all anglers observed the 3 bag limit.

Go Fishing

Pegasus II

Quicksilver 640 Yamaha 120hp
Skipper: Judd Ruane
Licence: 1555
Base: Ballina Operational area: Ballina
Quay and Moy Estuary.

Notes: The angling boat Pegasus is equipped with the
latest technology, fishing tackle and safety equipment. Licenced for a
maximum of 4 rods skipper Judd Ruane specialises in catching sea trout
on the beautiful Moy Estuary. Daily charter departs Ballina Quay and booking
is essential. A salmon licence is required.

Address: Creggs Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Telephone: + 353 (0)87673 6969 and +353 (0) 96 22183
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fishingireland.ie

Best week on the Moy so far

By

IFI staff

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July 5, 2024

Michael Murphy reports from the River Moy…

River Moy Angling Report week ending 30-06-2024

Water levels at Ballylahan fluctuated only slightly again this week with a reading of 0.35 m on Monday 23^rd and dropping down to 0.27 m by noon on Sunday 30^th June. Catches were up week on week with a total reported catch this week of 434 salmon for the system. Rainfall was quite varied over the past seven days with the east of the country recording 23 mm of rain as opposed to the north of the country recording only 7mm for the week. This coming week will be unsettled with rainfall amounts to be above average with the southeast and west expected to have the wettest conditions.

Moy Fishery

An improvement in numbers again this week with a total catch of 76 salmon caught of which 30 were released. The Ridge Pool accounted for 56 while the Cathedral beat produced 13 salmon. The Weir Pool produced 7 salmon for the week. All beats showed a good range of weights from 3 lbs up to 8 lbs with the heaviest fish weighing 13.5 lbs.

Mai Bonner with her first of the season on The Ridge Pool

David Carney with his best for the week on the Ridge Pool at 9.5 lbs

Ballina Salmon Anglers.

A total of 33 salmon were reported caught this week with 21 caught on the worm, 6 on the fly and 6 spinning. The majority were grilse from 2.5 lbs and 5 lbs with the best coming in at 7 lbs.

Mount Falcon Estate

A total of 10 salmon reported caught with 7 being taken and 3 released with weights ranging from 4 lbs to 8 lbs.

Knockmore Salmon Anglers

Kenneth reported 11 salmon caught on the worm and fly showing weights from 5-6 lbs.

Attymass Angling Club

Kevin reported 4 salmon caught for the week showing weights from 4-8 lbs.

Coolcronan Fishery

Nick reported 2 salmon caught showing weights up to 6.5 lbs.

Byrnes Fishery

Roy reported of 23 salmon caught this week with weights ranging from 3 lbs up to 7 lbs. Most fish were taken on the prawn.

Armstrong Fishery

George reported of a good week with 27 salmon caught using all methods including shrimp, worm and bubble and fly.

Gannon’s Fishery

Pat reported 6 salmon caught for the week. The heaviest fish weighed 7 lbs with all methods successful this week including spinning, worming and the shrimp.

The Foxford Fishery

Granville reported 56 salmon caught for the week using all methods with the best on the prawn and 11 of them returned to the water.

Reports were received of 20 salmon caught this week in the Foxford town area. The bubble and fly and the worm appeared to be most successful method with most fish ranging between 3 lbs and 5 lbs with the best weighing 8 lbs.

Foxford Salmon Anglers

109 salmon were reported caught in Foxford Salmon Anglers waters for the week. All methods were successful, and the heaviest fish weighed 9 lbs.

Cloongee Fishery

A total of 8 salmon were reported caught this week with 6 of these reported as being released. Weights ranged from 2.5 lbs to 7 lbs, and most were caught on the fly.

East Mayo Anglers Association

A total of 49 salmon were reported caught for the week of which 21 were released. Successful methods included the fly, spinning and worming with weights from 3 lbs to 9.5 lbs. The heaviest two fish for the week weighing 9.5 lbs were caught by Ian Guegan and J P Guiblain. Their best day of the week being Thursday the 27^th coinciding with a slight rise in water levels.

Ireland on the Fly: Team Captain, John Buckley, on Ireland’s 6th place at the World Championships

By

IFI staff

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July 5, 2024

You may not be into competition fishing but when the FIPS-Mouche World Championships are on surely you can’t help but wonder how the Irish team fared when pitting itself against the best in the world at fly fishing on rivers and lakes?

This year the Worlds were held in the south of France where John Buckley, the Killarney angler, was the team captain, and while we might not be expected to medal going up against the likes of the French and the Spanish, the Irish team went out as always with high hopes.

John tells Daire & Tom how it was our best overseas performance ever, as well as telling them about his own fly fishing life that began around the lakes of Killarney and developed into a love of competition fishing.

Listen & follow on Apple or Spotify:

https://pod.fo/e/24f471

The Lure Fishing Podcast – Summer series #1 – Pat Gallagher

By

Paul O'Reilly

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July 5, 2024

325230029_2786483284820028_659731482724467116_n — The Lure Fishing Podcast with Cormac Walsh

The Lure Fishing Podcast Summer series kicks off this month.

During this series, host Cormac Walsh chats to the guys who are currently at the forefront of bass fishing in Ireland.

These guys are grinding it out week in week out and producing the goods. Don’t miss this great series where some of Irelands top lure anglers share their best kept secrets.

First up is Pat Gallagher, whose intimate knowledge of the coastline of Wexford and Waterford is second to none. In this episode he shares some of his vast knowledge and effective tactics for targeting bass on lures.

You can listen to the podcast on Spotify here and on all of the usual pod channels.

Rare catch for the Fiona Tee

By

IFI staff

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July 5, 2024

Killybegs Fishing Trips who have over 40 years experience offering fishing charters from their base in Killybegs recently added rare species to their tally sheet. Read the skipper’s short report below…

A really rare catch on the Fiona tee today, a torsk, which I haven’t seen since the 90s when I was on the trawlers, but we would only get them in really deep waters and well north from here, so another first for the Fiona Tee!

Anglers also had some nice ling, cod and some chunky pollack…

Go Fishing…

Fiona Tee

Address: Moneygold, Grange, Co. Sligo.
Telephone: +353 (0)87 6224348
Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.killybegsfishingcharters.ie/

Clean sweep for Irish teams in Home Nations Shore Angling

By

IFI Staff

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July 5, 2024

449782855_1067434721762793_3683616483176552042_n — The victorious Ladies Senior Team

BREAKING NEWS

There may be a few sore heads in Scotland this morning, where the 2024 Home Nations Shore Angling Championships finished up yesterday. After two days of intense competition, the news filtered through last night of GOLD medals for both the ladies and men’s senior teams.

And the Men’s Senior Team with their trophy

There was also success for the underage teams, with the Under-16 team taking silver, and the under-21 team winning bronze.

Well done and congratulations on a fantastic performance! We hope to have a full report on the competition next week.

Bluemouth, megrim and some toothy critters for Deep Blue

By

IFI staff

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July 5, 2024

Adrian Molloy of tuna.ie was out on Donegal Bay. Read his short report below…

Went looking for a couple of species today; found quite a few bluemouth, a couple of megrim, a small porbeagle of around fifty pounds and the first two blue sharks of the season, the first around sixty five pounds and the second around eighty pounds. Hopefully the blue sharks will show in numbers this year!

Go Fishing…

Deep Blue

Skipper: Adrian Molloy
Base: Killybegs Operational area: Up to a 30 mile radius from the point of departure.

Authorised bluefin tuna boat

Notes:We can also offer you some of the finest Sea Angling in Ireland, inshore and offshore on the best boats and with the best skippers.

Whatever your angling interests from ultra light tackle and fly fishing for big reef pollack to trolling and stand-up tackle for fast fighting Tuna – we aim to please ! Dolphin and whale watching, scenic tours and wildlife trips available along some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. Shark fishing! Skate fishing! Tuna fishing! Donegal has it all.

Address: Kilcar, County Donegal, Ireland,
Telephone: +353 (0)85 8567460
Email: [email protected] Web: http://tuna.ie/

Grilse appear at Ballinaroone on Munster Blackwater

By

Shane O'Reilly

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July 5, 2024

Angling on the Munster Blackwater has been slow of late and the river is running low and clear. The best of the fishing has been in the lower sections. Welcome news is that the grilse have started to appear in small numbers which should provide some extra impetus over the coming weeks.

Daniel Kolomanski was in touch with a report of the season to date on the Ballinaroone Beat, a 1 kilometre-long stretch of the Munster Blackwater, circa 2 km upriver of the village of Ballyduff on the South side:

“We have had a good start to the season with 23 salmon (as of 2 July 2024) to 15 lbs and most in double figures. Also one excellent sea trout to 5 1/2 lbs. A good result considering that we have only been fishing for 7 weeks due to the high water earlier this year. We also limit the number of rods to 4 on our beat, so the fishing pressure has been light.

The grilse have finally made an appearance, however, the numbers are still being dominated by mainly double figure salmon. The condition and strength of the fish has been a standout this year, including some fish well over 20lbs that were met, seen and played but escaped the net. Small, sparsely dressed flies have been the most successful lure with the late afternoons and evenings being the time when most have been caught. Getting your lure down to the fish has been the key to success as the water is still very cold for this time of year and is currently some 4 degrees Celsius cooler than that of upriver.

For those new to the river or salmon fishing or if you’re just in need of a bit of remedial casting tuition, we suggest engaging one of the excellent local ghillies. It’s the best money that you’ll spend especially if you’ve travelled far or this is a special occasion. Let us know and we’ll suggest a few people who are excellent casting instructors and canny fishers who spend most days on the water and know the river and the salmon runs and lies for each season.

We and our ghillies encourage catch and release.”

Contact information to follow…

Shark and skate fishing picking up for Silver Dawn

By

Paul O'Reilly

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July 5, 2024

This update from West Cork Charters:

After a slow start to the shark season for Silver Dawn, things have started to pick up. At first, there were only two single blues in two trips to get them; however, things improved rapidly as our Dutch guests started getting into them with 6 to the boat on Tuesday.

Skate have been going very well and some great specimens have come aboard, and as always in Silver Dawn, without the use of a gaff.

Great male and female specimens for Robyn Van Der Meer was the highlight but birthday boy Raynor also got amongst the Skate. A good Bullhuss was an added bonus.

Great skate, blues and huss on Silver dawn

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