Borough SAC fish latest Shore Master Angler at South Beach Arklow

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April 22, 2026

Richard Dodd of Borough SAC reports from Arklow…

“Dogs, Whiting, and the Return of the Prodigal Graham”

A fine, breezy Saturday afternoon greeted the Borough SAC faithful as they descended upon Arklow South Beach the sparkling jewel of the East Coast match scene and, on this particular evening, the spiritual home of organised chaos. Before a single rod was cast, one man had already earned Man of the Match: Secretary Supreme Tom Butler, who spent the week sending messages, reminders, nudges, and possibly the odd bribe. Whatever dark arts he used, they worked.

By 5:45pm the car park looked like a fishing‑themed family reunion:11 anglers, mountains of gear, and enough enthusiasm to power the Arklow wind farm. And then a shadow moved. A figure emerged.A hush fell. Graham Dungan had returned. After more than a year away, the prodigal son stepped back onto the sand and in true Graham fashion, immediately reminded everyone that he’s still annoyingly good at this sport.

Arklow’s coastline has been a fishing hub since the Vikings first rocked up and said,“Nice beach we’ll take it. Over the centuries it became known for Herring fleets that once filled the harbour, Shipbuilding, including the famous Asgard II. Shore angling that can produce anything from whiting to rays to the occasional “what in the name of Neptune is THAT?.

South Beach rewards skill, patience, and sometimes pure blind luck. Tonight, it rewarded all three. A slight north easterly kept things fresh but not hair ruining. Clouds drifted lazily overhead. As the sun dipped, the wind eased and the sea settled into a calm, silver sheet. Perfect conditions for: Whiting, Flats, Dogs and anglers pretending they knew exactly what they were doing.

Fishing time: 6pm till10pm
Mood: Optimistic
Expectation: High
Reality: Fish from the first cast

From the first whistle, rods were nodding like they were at a heavy metal gig. John Coyne, who had clearly spent the week in deep tactical meditation, arrived with a plan and stuck to it with the stubbornness of a man who refuses to change his lucky socks. His strategy? Dogs at distance. And by all that is holy, it worked. Every time he wound in, you could nearly hear the Jaws theme. Across the beach, doubles and trebles were coming in, Whiting galore. The odd flattie. And dogfish the uninvited wedding guests of the angling world turning up in droves.

Meanwhile, Graham Dungan, fresh from his sabbatical, was quietly putting on a masterclass. Some lads take a year off and forget how to tie a knot. Graham takes a year off and returns like he’s been training with Poseidon. As the wind dropped and the sea flattened, the fishing stayed steady. Bites came in waves.Rods bent. And the soundtrack of the night echoed down the beach:

“Is that mine? No, that’s definitely yours.”

“Ah for feck’s sake another dog!”

It was one of those evenings that reminds you why we do this: Great turnout Great craic Fish from the off. A returning hero. A beach steeped in history delivering the goods. Arklow South Beach proved once again why it’s the crown jewel of East Coast match angling.

Total fish caught: 134

Species included: Dogfish, Whiting, Flats, and one Smooth Hound

Peg	Angler	Fish	Points
1	Tom Butler	6	65
2	Donal Mullen	14	287
3	Martin Corr	14	401
4	John Coyne	19	518
5	Richie Dodd	11	343
6	Graham Dungan	19	321
7	Robbie Reynolds	6	122
8	Willie Roche	12	277
9	Martin Davidson	2	83
10	Seb Dungan	15	242
11	Jim McDonald	16	247

Match Winner: John “Dog Whisperer” Coyne – 518pts

Most Fish: Tie between John Coyne and Graham Dungan (19 each)

Best Returning Performance: Graham “Back From the Depths” Dungan

A brilliant night, a brilliant turnout, and a brilliant reminder that Borough SAC is alive, well, and still capable of producing evenings of absolute magic (and absolute dogfish).

Roll on the next one.

Irish Angling Update 🎣 17 April 2024

By

Myles Kelly

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April 17, 2026

It’s been a very “April” kind of week. There was a bit of sunshine and warmth at times, followed by wind and rain — and that really shows in the fishing. You might also say that the weather’s been awful. For some it was truly awful. Parts of Kerry have had 4 times more rain than normal for the time of year and the coast has been repeatedly battered by high winds. As ever though, some anglers hit it right and did well; others had to work hard for bites.

French anglers Philippe and Bruno returned to Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford for their annual pike fishing trip. Fishing lures in both deep and shallow water, they landed several good pike despite changeable conditions. In competition news, the Upper Erne Predator Challenge saw record participation in its 13th year, with 60 boats competing and prize payouts extended to 20th place due to demand. Darren Connolly won with a 114.5cm pike, ahead of Cormac Hanna (105cm) and Dean Connolly, in improved conditions that produced over 25 fish above 87cm, including a notable 98cm catch for junior angler Brandon Gleeson.

Lough Corrib saw its first good hatch of Duckfly after a warm spell in March. There was widespread surface activity reported from Oughterard to the lower lake and good buzzer and dry-fly fishing. Since then the mix of conditions has made for patchy angling, but guides and anglers have been reporting good sport during the better windows. Buzzers, Dabblers, Hare’s Ear and Duckfly patterns have all been producing. Lough O’Flynn’s Maloney/Keady Cup was fished in blustery conditions at the weekend. It was a tightly contested event but Marcus Kennedy emerged victorious in the end. Nowhere has escaped the often blustery and nearly always wet conditions of the last few weeks, so Mick Flanagan was especially pleased to fish a lovely, dry day on Lough Lene and have a bit of fun with good-quality rainbow trout on the lures. Dan O’Neill finished our trout reports with some great advice for early season fly fishing on the rivers. He details the patterns he has been observing and the tactics he adopts as conditions change.

In coarse angling news, Dutch angler Henk Roskam won Inniscarra Reservoir’s O’Callaghan’s Festival. Over 3 tough days he weighed in at 39.440kg, 4kg clear of second-placed Rimantas Kondrackas. In recreational angling, a UK fisherman started his annual holiday here with an incredible 30 tench for over 100lb from a small unnamed lake. A catch like that is surely something to be celebrated and wins our Catch of the Week.

Salmon fishing was very quiet this week, which will come as no great surprise. Entries for the first 2026 brown tag lottery on the Roughty River are open until April 30, with the draw taking place on May 5. Conditions were wild at times on Lough Currane over the last 10 days, with anglers taking to the high seat when the wind really howled. There was some success though, a 10lb salmon landed on 12/4 by visiting angler Axel Zurbrugg with guide Neil O’Shea. The Delphi Fishery reports 11 salmon landed in March and 2 so far this month. Colin Lynam had a 10.5lb fish from the Rock Pool on 2 April and Mauricio Gordillo took a 5.5lb fish from Finlough Stream on 5 April.

The conditions have made fishing tough for sea anglers, many charter boats could not get out to fish at all last week. John Paul Baska of Northwest Charters (Burtonport, Donegal) ran a short evening trip yesterday, 16 April, landing several colourful fish, including cuckoo wrasse in a lively early-season session. The 3rd of Galway Bay SAC’s Master Angler league was fished at Fanore recently. Weed made it difficult at the start but the conditions improved and a tight match developed with multiple schoolie bass and a flounder landed. A late “last cast” fish decided it, and Kevin O’Hara took the honours. Killala Boat and Shore Club hosted this year’s Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal match. The fishing was tough on Lacken Strand and there was no room for dropped bites. In the end Fionn O’Higgins (Galway Bay S.A.C) took the gold medal. The Irish Angling Adventure Community, set up by James Raymond, is organising informal angling meetups across the south and west coasts, with the next session scheduled for 23 April at Inch Beach, Co. Kerry. We finish our coastal round-up in the east, where a Southshore competition at Arklow South Beach saw good fishing despite bright, breezy conditions. Anglers enjoyed consistent catches of whiting, dogfish and flatfish across both zones. Ciaran Fogarty won overall with 21 fish, ahead of Alby Allan on 18.

Irish Spring Angling Fair

The Irish Spring Angling Fair will be back bigger and better at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2026. Children under 14 years of age, with an adult, can attend for free, making this an ideal family day out. The Irish Spring Angling Fair has become a big hit with angling novices and enthusiasts who value the opportunity of meeting with and learning from a host of world-renowned celebrities. Don’t miss it this May Bank Holiday weekend.

And now the weather

Bright and breezy today with sunny spells and frequent showers, some heavy, and highs of 11–14°C in gusty southwest winds. Showers continue tonight, mainly in the west and north, with clearer conditions in the east; colder with lows of 2–7°C. Saturday will be bright with scattered showers, easing in the west later, and temperatures of 10–14°C.
It turns colder Saturday night with clear spells and lows near freezing in places. From Sunday into early next week, high pressure brings mostly dry, settled weather with sunny spells. Temperatures stay around 10–14°C initially, possibly rising to the mid to high teens by late week. Hopefully the rise in temperatures will spur on the fishing!

There are weather warnings in place this weekend, so don’t forget to double-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].

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Under 14s go free at Irish Spring Angling Fair on 02 and 03 May

By

Myles Kelly

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April 17, 2026

Following on from the ongoing success of the Irish Spring Angling Fair, it will back bigger and better at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre on the 2nd and 3rd May 2026.

FAmily Friendly Angling Fair Reels In Angling Novices & Enthusiasts

Don’t miss what has evolved into Ireland’s largest and only angling show of its kind this May. Building on the success of previous years, this year, the Irish Spring Angling Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever! The two day event takes place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026 at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre, located just outside Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny (Eircode: X91XTY7).

Once accompanied by an adult, children under 14 years of age can attend for free making this an ideal family day out. Parents can browse the stands, attend talks and demonstrations, while children can enjoy a dedicated Kid’s Zone and avail of free fly tying and casting lessons, and the opportunity to catch their very first fish!

The Irish Spring Angling Fair has become a big hit with angling novices and enthusiasts who value the opportunity of meeting with and learning from a host of world renowned celebrities. The two day weekend schedule is packed with interesting talks on various angling related topics and free demonstrations, such as salmon, trout, saltwater and pike flies being tied by some of the best in the business. Game, sea and pike angling are also hot topics and there is guaranteed to be something for everyone, as well as onsite catering for refreshments throughout the day. For the full list and the schedule for talks and presentations see www.irishspringanglingfair.com

Ardaire Springs Angling Centre has been run by Ned Maher for many years and the site has over 4 acres of lakes, stocked with rainbow and brown trout ranging from 2lb to 20lb. As angling fairs go, this is a venue like no other, as it allows world renowned celebrity anglers to showcase their skills and leading tackle manufactures to provide fishing tackle and boat demo’s on the lakes.

With a broad range of exhibitors lined up for this year, anglers will be presented with a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in all things angling, pick up some of the latest tips and techniques and add to their tackle collection. Some of the exhibitors in attendance will include tackle suppliers and stands from fisheries as well as international angling holiday promoters and much more.

Don’t miss this landmark family-friendly Angling Fair at Ardaire Springs Angling Centre and the opportunity to meet celebrity anglers and fellow angling enthusiasts for what promises to be a great weekend!

For more information, please see www.irishspringanglingfair.com or contact Ned Maher on 086 8128937 or [email protected]

Returning French pike anglers do well at Melview Fishing Lodge

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 17, 2026

French anglers Philippe and Bruno were back in Ireland once again for their annual trip to Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. Host and guide Kevin Lyons is always delighted to welcome them back. After many years of fishing with Kevin, the guys have great experience of fishing in Ireland and know the waters very well – so less work for the chief!

The guys fished lures and had success over both deep and shallow water, with pike on the move and searching for a feed. They managed to land some cracking pike during their stay.

This is Ireland, so the conditions were not always the best for fishing, but they carried on regardless.

Signing off, host Kevin says, ‘Well done, guys, and thanks for a great week. Look forward to seeing you again soon.’

As ever, all fish were returned unharmed.

Melview Lodge

Address Drumlish Road Clonrollagh Longford Ireland Phone: +3534345061 Email: [email protected] Website: melviewlodge.com

More information

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Mixed bag for March on Corrib

By

IFI Staff

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April 17, 2026

Early March saw wet and windy weather, but any milder day saw small hatches of chironomids starting to appear, and wet fly fishing picked up, with anglers putting away the trolling rods. There was a spell of mild dry weather just after St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th, which saw the first big hatch of the season on Corrib as the duckfly hatch got underway. Good hatches were reported from Oughterard all the way down to the lower lake, with fish moving everywhere.

Mark Driver from Piscari Fly guiding and tackle shop in Kilkenny visited for a day in mid-March, and fishing buzzer patterns, he landed a couple of nice fish and met a few more, calling it a good day with nice conditions and good sport.

Larry McCarthy from Corrib View Lodge reported great hatches during that week, with plenty of fly congregating over the islands in the calmer conditions, earlier than normal according to Larry. He reported good fishing both to buzzer and dry fly, with the weather particularly suiting fishing dries.

Fishing guide Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Boat Hire (tel. 087 9604170) also observed great hatches of fly, and said there was a great show of fish, plenty feeding at the surface and decent fishing, although bright sunshine made it a tad less easy. Although conditions worsened in the last week of March, affecting duckfly hatches, there was still decent wet fly fishing to be had, with Peter Ross, various dabblers and Hare’s Ear patterns working well. Kevin had Bernie McMahon out one day and they had 3 fish to the boat. Olives were just starting to appear at the end of March, and Kevin and Daithi Ryan had good fishing to wet fly patterns on Good Friday, with 8 fish to the boat between them.

Fishing guide Tom Doc Sullivan (www.tomdoc.com) reported some small hatches in the Doorus area, but overall considered it a poor duckfly in that part of the lake. Despite poor hatches, wet fly fishing was reasonably good; Conor Maguire fished with Tom for 2 days and had 9 fish on wet duckfly patterns. There was good buzzer fishing on occasion when conditions allowed, with fish to 4.25lbs coming to the boat.

Go fishing…

Lough Corrib

Marcus Kennedy wins the Maloney/Keady Cup on Lough O’Flynn

By

Myles Kelly

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April 17, 2026

Ryan Cummins, PRO with Lake O’Flynn & District Anglers Association reports on their latest competition…

The Maloney/Keady Cup was fished in blustery conditions with a excellent turn out from visiting anglers and local anglers.

Fish on the day were shy but never the less many anglers managed to stretch their lines and land fish.

First and second place was very tight with both anglers presenting a fish of the same weight which was finalised by measuring both fish to determine the winner.

Overall it was a very enjoyable competition to kick off the season and meet back with fellow anglers after the off season.

Results

1st Marcus Kennedy. 1 Fish – 1lb 13oz
2nd Ronan Baggott. 1 Fish- 1lb 13oz
3rd Gerry Madden. 1 Fish- 1lb 9oz
4th Feichin McMorrow. 1 Fish – 1lb 7.2oz
5th Tom Foley. 1 Fish – 1lb 7oz

The club would like to thank Mairead of Maloney/Keady Opticians Castlerea for sponsoring this event.

We would also like thanks our prize sponsors,

Daithi Porter, Gowan & Bradshaw
Phillip Monaghan, Ballinrobe
Robert Flynn, Castlerea

Thanks to the Kilmore Inn for allowing us the use of their lounge for food after the competition.

Go Fishing…

Lough O’Flynn, Co. Roscommon

Colourful Cuckoos in Cloudy Donegal

By

IFI Staff

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April 16, 2026

John Paul Baska of Northwest Charters, based out of Burtonport, Donegal, ran s ahort evening trip on Thursday evening this week (April 16th). Despite a dull evening, there was plenty of colour coming aboard, with some spectacular cuckoo wrasse lighting up the boat. The fish may be small this early in the season, but it’s still great to get afloat and get a few bites!

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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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Bass and flounder at Fanore for Galway Bay SAC

By

IFI Staff

-

April 16, 2026

Galway Bay Sac held the latest lef of their club Master Angler league on Fanore Beach, Co. Clare on 21st March. Club PRO Tom Keal has another great report which we share here.

On the 21st of March 6 of our anglers made the journey to Fanore beach for leg 3 of our Master Angler league. Upon arrival at the beach we were met with a full car park and a beach full of people. We must be cursed, as every year we fish here it always seems to fall on a day with amazing weather and a packed beach. Thankfully as we made our way down to the pegs the beach cleared and our match went ahead as scheduled.

The 6 anglers were split in 2 groups of 3, allowing for each angler to get clean ground for the match. The first casts were made at 5pm, 2.5 hours before sunset and 3 hours before the tide.

Pegs 1-3 were almost instantly plagued with weed from recent storms which caused them a few tangles and delays. It turns out this wasn’t all that bad as no fish were caught until later in the match.

With just over an hour to go Tom Keal on peg 4 got things going with a flounder. Soon after both Brian Reidy and Kevin O’Hara joined in with a schoolie each. Fionn O’Higgins on peg 6 joined in with a schoolie himself, creating a 4 way tie with an hour left to go. Keen to get involved, Stephen Quinn landed himself a schoolie, just as Kevin O’Hara landed his second for the night.

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With only half an hour left things got tight. Brian landed a fish and soon after Stephen landed a double shot putting him in the lead. Soon after Fionn landed his second, just as Kevin, Tom and Brian landed their third, to tie on fish with Stephen.

Last cast magic made the difference with Kevin and Tom landing fish each, putting them ahead of the group.

Results

1st – Kevin O’Hara – 4 fish (161 points)

2nd – Tom Keal – 4 fish (143 points)

3rd – Stephen Quinn – 3 fish (122 points)

Go Fishing

Galway Bay Sea Angling Club is a progressive club based in Galway, but fishing competitions along the west coast. New members are always welcome, and every level of experience is catered for, with social outings right up to competitions held throughout the year. If you’re looking to get into sea angling in the west, check them out here

Tough fishing at Connaught Open Shore

By

IFI Staff

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April 16, 2026

Killala Boat and Shore Club hosted this year’s Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal match, with a great report below despite tough fishing.

On the 29th March Killala B&S held the Connaught Open Gold Medal Shore at Lacken Strand, Co Mayo.

Due to weather and beach conditions a decision was made to change the venue from Enniscrone to Lacken Strand. 18 anglers travelled from around the country for the day.

A 5 hour match was ahead of them, with just over an hour on the drop and the rest on the incoming tide.

Expectedly so, only a few fish were caught before the low water mark, one in each of the two zones. As the tides changed fishing got quiet until the third hour. Turbot and flounder began to show evenly across the beach with Billy Gilvarry, on a centre peg, and with Fionn O’Higgins and Sammy Sterling both on the end pegs. Tensions were high with all knowing that there was only a fish was needed to be in the lead and with the added bonus of the optional longest pool at stake.

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The late comer to the match, Eoin Gilvarry, got in the mix with a decent flounder. Seeing a fish being landed gave the anglers some well needed motivation to get back at the fish with only two hours left. Colin Reilly from Lough Foyle Sea Angling Club landed a fine Turbot which would put him in front, although with a lead of only a few centimetres. Fionn O’Higgins from Galway Bay complimented his earlier Turbot with another fish, and on the very next cast landed a decent flounder.

Sammy Sterling from White Wave Sea Angling Club fought back with a second fish to put him in the lead of zone A and local Shane Gilvarry also made his day worthwhile with a turbot.

Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal final results!

1st overall – Fionn O’Higgins (Galway Bay S.A.C) – 3 fish (70 points)

1st Zone A – Sammy Sterling (White Wave S.A.C) – 2 fish (50 points)

2nd Zone A – Billy Gilvarry (Killala Boat & Shore) – 1 fish (27 points)

1st Zone B – Colin Reilly (Lough Foyle S.A.C) – 1 fish (31 points)

2nd Zone B – Shane Gilvarry (Corrane S.A.C) – 1 fish (25 points)

Longest fish – Colin Reilly (Lough Foyle S.A.C) – 26cm Turbot

Connaught Council would like to thank all at Killala boat & shore angling club for organising this years Open Shore Gold Medal, a great job was done. We also thank all anglers who travelled from near and far who took part in this years competition.

We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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Rainbows on Lene despite the dry weather!

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 16, 2026

This week, Mick ‘the Fish’ Flanagan enjoyed some fishing in pleasant conditions for a change!

It was magical to get a lovely, dry day on Lough Lene and we had a bit of fun with good-quality rainbow trout on the lures. The fish were feeding in tight to the reedbeds, so that’s where we focused our efforts.

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Lately, we haven’t been fortunate with the weather. I have had quite a few rough days in recent weeks, fishing with high winds and plenty of rain. Today helped to recharge the batteries and hopefully that’ll keep me going for the next few days!

I am told there will be more rain and wind in the coming days; we’ll just have to take what we get!