Ian Wise from Cloonamoyne Fishery had a group of Swiss anglers out on Lough Conn this week catching nine trout on the fly, with four over 2 lbs being kept and five released. All fish were caught in the Castlehill area while Ian himself landed a sea trout on a Gosling wet fly. Ian was also out on Friday with two Northern Ireland anglers, one of whom caught and kept a 2 lb trout measuring over 14 inches.
Crossmolina Angling Club held the annual fly competition for the Aidan Connor Cup on Lough Conn over the weekend. Twenty-nine anglers kept 12 trout over the competition limit of 13 inches. Padraig Traynor came out the winner with the heaviest bag of two trout weighing 1.11 kg. Second place and heaviest fish went to Peter Roche, with one trout weighing 1.05 kg, giving him the Michael Benson Shield for heaviest fish. Martin Kenny came third with two fish for 1.025 kg. In fourth place with two fish weighing 0.925 kg was a young local angler, Adam Brennan, giving him a cash prize of €100.
Peter Roche’s trout, which won him the Michael Benson Shield for heaviest fish
Lough Cullin reportedly fished well midweek with a 40.2cm caught on Wednesday on a dry Mayfly golden Wulff pattern and safely returned to the water by Peter.
Ballylahan water levels showed a slight drop this week from 0.466 m on Monday 6th to 0.336 m as of 11.15 am on Monday 13th of May.
Ballina Salmon Anglers Ballina Salmon Anglers reported two salmon taken on the worm this week on their waters. The first came in at 7 lbs and the second a very fine salmon of 11.5 lbs.
The Foxford Fishery The first fish off the single bank this season was caught on Friday 10th May, a brilliant 12 pounder taken by Jim Mc Allister from Moran’s Rocks. The second followed closely on Sunday, another fine salmon of 12.5lbs taken by John Chambers on the worm.
Jim Mc Allister with his first salmon of the year on Foxford Fishery weighing 12lbs.
Foxford Salmon Anglers Foxford Salmon Anglers reported six salmon taken on the worm this week. Three from Rinnaney and the remaining three being taken at Bakers.
Cloongee Fishery An improvement in Cloongee this week with a total of four fish reported caught. All fish were got on the fly with two taken and two released with weights ranging from 9 lbs to 11 lbs.
East Mayo Anglers Kathleen reports five salmon caught this week, all on the fly with weights ranging from 8 lbs to 10.5 lbs. Three were taken and two were released.
French anglers Michel, Jean and Pierre had a nice week’s pike fishing with Kevin at Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. Michel, who has been here a number of times, decided that on this occasion, he would bring two new friends with him for this trip.
Michel with one of his nice Pike.
Using both lures and deadbaits, they managed to produce some lovely pike to 103 cm. Host Kevin said that the guys had to manage the different kinds of weather that was thrown at them during the week, but they just kept going, and all their experience paid off for them.
Pierre’s Pike from the shallow waters.
Well done, guy’s, thanks for the company, and I hope to see you again next year.
Jean Mertens with a nice Pike caught on a jerk bait.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
Galway Bay SAC PRO Tom Keal is back with a great report of last weekend’s Master Angler competition at Fanore. Tom isn’t too shabby at the fishing either, apparently…
For the second leg of the Master Angler, the club travelled to Fanore in Co Clare with high hopes after the fruitful leg 1 at Lettergesh, Co Galway.
6 seniors and 3 juniors made the scenic drive down to north Clare, where they were met with good surf and tens of beachgoers enjoying the water and the sun. The decision was made to fish on the further two strands to avoid the beach’s busier sections. Pegs 1-5 were positioned on the nearer strand, and the remaining 6-9 were located at the further away section of the beach.
Fishing started off slow, with the sun still bright, and nothing was caught until the 45-minute mark when Tom Keal on peg 1 got the competition going with a decent 36cm flounder.
Conor Murray caught a weaverfish on the other section of the beach on peg 8, which he was sharing with his son Liam. Thinking fishing would be slow, he measured it at 13cm, just undersize. Still recovering from the Leg 1 report, Conor decided not to take a photo of this impressive catch for fear that he would make another appearance!
Just after the turn of the tide, Tom landed another flounder to keep himself ahead of the pack. Fishing continued to be disappointingly slow at both ends, which gave the Hartnett family a chance to sit back, catch up and enjoy the sunset.
To finish the competition and put the final nail in the coffin, Tom landed a lively Bass measuring 43cm, winning himself leg 2 of the Master Angler.
Leg 2 Results
Senior
1st – Tom Keal 3 fish (120 Points)
2nd – Conor Murray 1 fish (10 Points)
Our next outing is Leg 3 Master Angler at White Strand on June 15/16, the exact date and time TBC.
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
Piscarifly’s Mark headed across to Lough Corrib last Tuesday evening with Roger our good fishing friend. Gearing themselves for 5 days of Campto Buzzer fishing.
Mark & Roger based themselves out of Annaghadown, launching from the pier there for the 5 days. Mark has gathered some great marks over the last few years for some top buzzer & campto fishing. Buzzer fishing can be great in all areas of Corrib but some of the better waters for the Campto are never too far from Annaghadown.
Mark & Roger had some good fishing on their first day reporting fish up to 5lbs. Still trying to work out water & flys fully. The guys hit the water again Thursday and this time went to a old location they had spotted lot of boats day before heading to. Straight into fish on long open water drifts, before going into shallower water approx 9foot, to fish showing. Buzzer getting attention of some fish, but mainly emerging buzzers & olives were best to intice a hookup. So a chnage for short period to dries helped the guys land a few nice sized fish. Guys finished up heading up the lake from Annaghdown after lunch and finding a vacant spot in a small area, known as “PigAlley” . Straight away into some fine fish.
Guys heading back to their digs to set up for Friday. Heading straight back to this small bay near a popular spot they met alot of fish for the day, breaking off in 2 great fish they didnt get to see, along with dropping other great fish. Ending up with 9 fish to the boat for the day with 8 lost/dropped. Saturday they had a decision to make regarding the stronger forcasted winds, whether to go up the lake to go Mayfly fishing or stick it out on buzzers. Roger wanting to hook some bigger fish, they decided to stick with buzzers and revisit a few spots. Straight away hooking into some fine fish up to 3.5lbs. Having another great day with good numbers. Winds were difficult so finding small deep bays or channels was best. Sunday the winds had dropped right down to perfect buzzer conditions, near flat calm. They headed to a spot south of Annaghdown, first, and by the end of first drift Roger was in a fine fish just under 4lbs. Followed by 5 more fish by the lads before other boats came into the area and winds picked up. They headed up the lake after a shoreline fry-up. Heading back to Pig Alley with no success only spotting a few fish. They resorted to Keekill bay for their last hour both landing fish 4lb+ in their final 2 drfits. To end a great 5 days on the Mighty Corrib.
Best setup for the guys was a 10ft 6wt Medium action rod. With a 19foot leader. Fishing 7 foot to their first fly and 4 foot between droppers with a 4-fly setup. The buzzers in below picture were by far the best for them. Information obtained was that all flys had to have Red holographic by some means in the flies. Fishing all size 10s, with some drifts putting a size 8 buzzer on the point if in deeper water or stronger winds to help get flys down and hold the drift of flys. The pearly black buzzer was best on top dropper and point fly with others inbetween.
And Now Peter has headed off. Himself and Declan are on Lough Corrib with Tom Doc for the mayfly…a very wet start to the day the lads were pulling wets and met some fish. Declan had the best of the fishing in the morning. Peter switched to drys in the afternoon and stirred some nice fish and a detached body mayfly. The lads had 6 fish to the boat for the day and could of have a few more. Nice to see a good hatch of fly on the lake through out the day.
For all your fly tying and fly fishing needs. Stocking rods, reels, clothing water etc
Guiding
Want to improve or learn any aspects of your fly fishing? Then why not give us a shout and we will look after you. Fishing available locally on the River Nore at Thomastown and other club water by arrangement. We have also teamed up with Blackwater Trout and Salmon fishery to offer you an amazing fishing experience with over 8km of amazing river to be discovered.
Full & Half Guided days
One to one coaching
Master classes
Groups and Clubs welcome
Nymphing. Dry Fly. Wet Fly. Streamer. Dry Dropper
Instruction
Peter Driver is a qualified casting instructor with APAGI, and advanced qualified fly dresser with APAGI. He specialises in competition nymphs and fishing, Irish lake flies, streamers and lures.
As a qualified casting instructor with APAGI I Peter offers casting clinic’s and lessons, to suit your desires. Being able to cast correctly and have a good understanding of the mechanics of casting is a solid foundation in fly fishing that will pay off in your fishing, be it rivers or lakes.
Charter skipper Adrian Nowotynski out of Glandore and Union Hall in West Cork tells us he’s getting plenty nice fish on the reefs at the moment. Not only that but his anglers have also seen basking sharks on every trip so far. They met five of them on the way out Sunday morning.
Skipper: Adrian Nowotynski Licence:1779 Base: Union Hall Operational area:30 miles from Union Hall and Baltimore
Authorised blue fin tuna boat 2025
Notes: Wreck, reef, shark and ground fishing. Also half day trips available and individuals catered for when possible. Regular updates on Facebook at IrishdeepseaCharter. Second boat available
Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling reports from the Maigue:
Tom O’Shea made the short drive on Friday last week from Kilmorna which is not far from Abbeyfeale, and is just a good stone’s throw from the river Feale. He never really fly-fished and at the ripe old age of 51 is taking to steps to address that by spending a good session on the Maigue at Adare with me. The vast majority of outsiders underestimate fly-fishing, suffice it to say that done properly, in every aspect it’s on a far superior level to other forms of fishing… Golf is a good comparison.
Tom appreciates this and was an enthusiastic and quick learner. There’s still a lot of salmon smolts amassing at Adare, readying for their arduous journey to the North Atlantic, most just fingerlings donning their new silver coats which helps them adapt to saltwater, good luck to them. Tom met plenty, and small browns as well so all augurs well for his journey too. Nice to see some Mayfly emerging also.
Badged Fly-fishing Guide and Instructor for wild brown trout on Co. Limerick’s rivers Deel and Maigue.
Notes: Based near the picturesque village of Adare(Ireland’s Prettiest Village)
Paddy has been delivering personal guiding for wild brown trout on local streams and rivers for 25 years now. He is a qualified Marine and Countryside Guide and offers Fly-casting tuition for beginners and improvers.
Paddy replies promptly to all queries, email best so I have reference record of details in the event of a follow-up booking. Deposit not usually required as advice of accommodation suffices in lieu.
Tackle and gear hire
Full fly outfit/waders etc. on hire also for those wishing to go alone.
There was good fishing on Saturday for angler on the Lady Louise skippered by Sean Maxwell. They were mostly catching pollack, but there were some good sized fish in it, up to 9lbs.
1 of 3
Anglers taking the self-drive boats are getting plenty of Bass in the Estuary. It’s all schoolies less than 40cm at the minute but good sport on light tackle.
Go fishing…
Charter boats and self drive boats in Courtmacsherry
Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre offers charter boat fishing and inshore small boat hire.
Lady Patricia
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Skipper: Mark Gannon Licence: 819 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Lady Louise
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Caterpillar Skipper: Sean Maxwell Licence: 818 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Authorised blue fin tuna boat 2026
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and
Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Inshore small boat hire
With our Self Drive boats several different activities can be enjoyed. Our self drive 16′ Boats are equipped with 8 HP Yamaha 4 stroke engines. Equipment includes:
• Set of oars
• Life-Jackets
• Anchors
• Charts of local area
Damien Lawless 3 rd cast Thursday morning at Blackwater Salmon
Conditions throughout the Munster Blackwater improved all last week with levels dropping and excellent clarity – good conditions for Salmon and Trout angling overall. Having said this, salmon and salmon anglers are scarce outside of the weekends and catch reports were in short supply.
Thursday 9 May saw a lovely fish early in the morning for Damian Lawless, 3 cast on the Blackwater Salmon Fishery.
On Friday, 10 May, UK angler Alan fishing the Cable Island beat at Blackwater Trout and Salmon Fishery caught and released a fine fish.
Alan’s Salmon
This week’s rain saw the river rise a couple of feet on Thursday (16 May), with a bit of luck there’ll be some good fishing at the weekend.
Go fishing…
Guided fishing, clubs, private fisheries etc
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery control a number of beats of the Munster Blackwater. The Ballyduff Bridge beat is almost a mile long offering a huge variety of water and is particularly suited to fly fishing. Upstream near the village of Ballyhooley (a few miles outside the town of Fermoy, Cork) we have two beats. The Ballincurrig Beat is one of the most beautiful locations along the river and has an excellent piece of fly water flowing into a deep pool. Just downstream on the opposite bank we have a short but productive beat, called Magners. This beat fishes also well in high water.
Blackwater Salmon Fishery has 3 beats downstream of the weir and 2 upstream of the weir. Blackwater Salmon Fishery offers fishing on approximately 5 miles of the river Blackwater. The fishing is spread throughout the middle section of the river to offer good sport throughout the fishing season. Due to the location of the beats, fishing can still usually be offered in low or high water. Contact Glenda Powell: Lismore, Co Waterford, Email:[email protected] Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929 Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Fortwilliam Fishery & Self-Catering Cottages
Fortwilliam Fishery offers two miles of double bank salmon and trout fishing over five beats on the river Blackwater.
Our salmon include – Springers, May Salmon, Grilse, Back End Salmon, and in Summer sea trout.
Our beats provide a wide variety of water, suitable for both beginners and the more experienced fishermen.
Fortwilliam Fishery, Glencairn, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland Web: www.fortwilliamfishing.ieEmail: [email protected] Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Careysville Fishery
Careysville Fishery offers some of the best salmon fly fishing in Ireland and includes 26 named pools. It is considered by many to be one of premier beats for salmon fishing in Ireland. Wading is excellent and among the numerous streams, pools and glides there is a great variety of fly fishing to suit both complete novice and challenge the most competent of fly casters.
At Lismore Castle & Golf Course Fishery, we offer nearly two miles of two inter-linked beats, the Castle Beat & the Golf Course Beat.
The legendary Castle Beat consistently ranks as one of the top Salmon beats on the River Blackwater, for the number of Atlantic Salmon caught per rod. The Golf Course Beat offers about 1.5 miles of fishable water through meandering majestic countryside. The Golf Course beat offers a number of bewildering pools suitable for unmatched spinning and bait fishing.
For bookings contact Joe Willoughby on Mobile no. 00353 87 8295449 or Email: [email protected]
We provide Day Tickets for some prime Salmon fishing in Mallow Co. Cork. We have excellent fly water, shrimping worming and spinning also. We also have very competitive Day rates and we have very recently upgraded our fishing.
Tickets available from “The Bridge House” and “Vincent Downes Menswear” Mallow.
Located on the Munster Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Situated mid river between the towns of Fermoy and Mallow. A productive left bank beat in stunning surroundings.
For bookings contact Conor Arnold: +353 87 755 4682
For details on availability and conditions of fishing for salmon and trout on the Longueville House waters please contact them at Contact : Longueville House Hotel, William O’Callaghan Address : Mallow, Co. Cork. Telephone : 00 353 22 47156 Email:[email protected] Website: www.longuevillehouse.ie
Vincent Appleby reports from the shore of Lough Currane where in addition to the fish he notes below two salmon of 12lbs and 14lbs were caught and a few sea trout starting to show.…
8/5/2024. Inny Farmer saw just 4 boats out today. A few brown trout caught on the troll and fly, but one good fish seen landed was either a salmon or a very good seatrout, caught on the fly. Wind SSW light to fresh, followed by reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0, amount of sunshine 4.8, maximum air temperature 15.5°C.
9/5/2024. All quiet on the Southwest front. Wind SSE light to fresh, followed by reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 3.2, maximum air temperature 15.6°C.
10/5/2024. It was blazing saddles for the Currane anglers today and for good reason, there was hardly a cloud in site and that’s the reason for my WhatsApple being all quiet in all departments? Wind South light to fresh. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0 mm, amount of sunshine 3.8, maximum air temperature 19.3°C.
11/5/2024. There was an Aurora in the Currane anglers today, all I can say is, there was no Aurora in their reels, so much for the Northern high lights. Wind SE veered S. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 12.9, maximum air temperature 20.5°C.
12/5/2024. The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments on this bright and sunny day, as you can see by the picture, it tells the story. Wind light and variable NNW. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0 mm, amount of sunshine 10.6, maximum air temperature 19.9°C. Staying with the weather, there’s heavy rain forecast for tomorrow with approximately 20.6mm of rainfall expected?
13/5/2024.The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments. So straight to the weather, wind SW veered SSW light to fresh, followed by good cloud cover this morning and reasonable cloud cover in the afternoon. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 2.0mm, just for the record the majority of rainfall fell early this morning, so will have the full facts in tomorrow’s report, amount of sunshine 5.8, maximum air temperature 14.8°C.
14/5/2024. The Hampshire Hogs take all the Salmon headlines today and for good reason and here’s their report from Hampshire Hog Mr. Trevor Dewberry and I quote,
Hi Vincent, an 11lb salmon caught on the troll by Pete Ruffle today, with his ghillie, for the rest of us Hampshire Hogs the less said soonest mended! Trevor.
Wind NE light and variable and followed by good cloud cover and light rain at times. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 19.1mm, amount of sunshine 2.2, maximum air temperature 15.9°C.
15/5/2024. The Currane anglers were all quiet on this very humid day, wind light to calm NE, followed by reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 3.7mm, amount of sunshine 0.1, maximum air temperature 13.4°C. Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry. Telephone: +353 (0) 87 207 4882 E-mail:[email protected] Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com
Sea Trout – Catch and release only
Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.
The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-
the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see:
Notes: Located at Lakelands House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation, on Ireland’s best sea trout lake, Lough Currane. Frank is a professional angling guide and boatman.
Sea angling can be arranged with local operators.
Boat Hire
Boats for hire. All boats and engines are moored on the farm, 300 metres from the house, with easy access from the road with car park and boat shed.
Notes: Having ghillied on Lough Currane for over 30 years Vincent is a great choice for those looking for a guided service or flyfishing instruction on the Lake. All ages are catered for and even experienced anglers will benefit from the watercraft and fly-lore unique to Lough Currane. All tackle is provided and accommodation can be organised if required.
Chloe Jay
Notes: Based near the picturesque village of Adare (Ireland’s Prettiest Village)
Lady Patricia
Lady Louise
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
