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Spring Fishing Report From Delphi

By
IFI Staff
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Fishery manager David McEvoy has updated us with news from Delphi on the season to date… 

 

Apologies to all for not updating you sooner. We’ve been flat out here between one thing and another and when you’re in this business it’s not easy for me to get some quiet time to put my writing cap on; I almost need to lock myself away from all outside distractions.

Well, it’s good to be able to report that our off season this year passed off peacefully from a weather perspective, in that there were no massive floods or storms. October, November and December proved to be wet, but nothing out of the ordinary for Delphi. 2025 was a wet one here, with 3056.9mms(120.35”); so, there was plenty of water for fish and particularly Sea Trout to spawn. Despite the poor angling season, our brood stock collection was more productive than expected with just under 400 fish caught, including some lovely MSW females, so thankfully we were able to strip enough 1SW and MSW fish to keep us going. Stripping the fish normally starts the first week in December and continues right up to Christmas Eve and sometimes into the New Year. Once that’s over the process of counting them and minding them begins. We also clip our pre-smolts in January and there are 4 woodcock shoots thrown in just to keep us on our toes.

And then, before we know it the 1st of February is upon us and we’re fishing again. The wet weather from last year has continued into 2026 and we have had plenty of water so far. We had good fishing pressure in February, all on the River, with a few trying the Stream on Finlough. Our first fish was landed on the 12th of February by Westport’s Champion Angler and one of our Ghillies, Toby Gibbons. The fish was approx. 9lbs and was taken in the Waterfall on a Tosh tube. Needless to say Toby was delighted to have landed the first of the Delphi season; well done Toby. There were one or two other fish met but no more landed. Our February total was 1, which was disappointing, given the water conditions but bearing in mind last year’s poor Grilse returns, not totally unexpected.

March turned out to be more productive with 11 landed. Werner had two in the first week, the first of approx. 9lbs from the Meadow on a Night Star and the second From the Rock of approx. 7.5lbs, again on a Night Star. Alan Molloy had  one of approx. 10.5lbs from the Waterfall on the 11th on a Tosh and Russell Whiteman followed this up on the 12th with a fish of approx. 8lbs from the Rock on an Elverine. There was a lull then for 11days till a very experienced group returned in week 13. There were 6 landed for the week, with Werner first on the score sheet on the 23rd with a fish of approx. 14lbs from the Whin Pool on a Nightstar. Heidi had one the following day from the New Island of approx. 9lbs on a Willie Gunn and followed up on the 25th with another of approx. 9.5 from Cooleens on the Willie Gunn. Heinz also had one from the Rock Pool of approx. 8.5lbs on a Collie Dog. Urs landed the first off Finlough on the 27th of apptox 7.5lbs on a Red Francis. Werner finished the week off the following day with another of approx. 8.5lbs on a Delphi Collie.

David Swaine had the 2nd fish off Finlough on the 31st of approx. 10.5lbs from the Stream on a Gary Dog. That brought our March total to 11. We have 2 landed so far in April, with Colin Lynam having the first, of approx. 10.5lbs from the Rock Pool on a Posh Tosh on the 2nd and Mauricio Gordillo had a fish off the Stream on Finlough on the 5th of approx. 5.5lbs on Delphi Collie. We have great water at the moment after Storm Dave, which wind wise didn’t really materialise to anything much here, although rainfall amounted to 50.5mms(1.98”), which has topped the system well up. There’s bits of availability here and there so if anyone is interested just give us a call. Take care all and I’m sure I’ll be updating you in the next few weeks when the Cuckoo arrives.

D.McEvoy

 

Go fishing…

At Delphi Lodge, with many years of experience with the timing of the best runs of fish, we have in place a price system that offers both great value fishing and lets our anglers know when they have the best chance to catch a fresh run spring salmon or a summer grilse or Delphi sea trout.

Delphi Fishery
Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95-42222 Email: [email protected]
Web: www.delphilodge.ie

Delphi

 

Irish Angling Update 🎣 10 April 2026

By
IFI staff
-

The past week gave some of us a taste of the more pleasant side of an Irish spring, as temperatures managed to climb to between 16°C and 18°C on Tuesday and Wednesday in parts of the midlands and east. Light southerly winds and overcast skies completed the mix, making for good fishing conditions for those anglers who could get to the water. Unfortunately, blustery conditions are to return this weekend, as the cold, wet April showers resume once again to hopefully bring us May flowers…

We start with pike fishing this week, where we have some nice reports from around the country. April is normally a fine month for pike fishing, as the water warms up and fish are feeding again after spawning. On Blessington Lakes, lure crafting enthusiast Artem Novikov landed a good pike on one of his many home-made lures. His YouTube channel is well worth a visit to see how to make a makeshift pike lure! Regular visitors to Melview Fishing Lodge enjoyed their pike fishing trips, with water levels finally returning to near normal in Longford and a lot of mid-doubles landed to both deadbaits and lures.

Newbridge District Pike Anglers held their second competition of the year, with 13 fish landed, including two impressive river specimens weighing 21lb 4oz and 21lb 11oz. Bigger again was the super pike landed by Artur Pike Seeker at 112 cm on the measuring mat. In the midlands, Mick Flanagan welcomed regular visitor Stefano back along with his pal, Antonio. The fish were feeding hard, and Stefano’s colourful fly selection was too tempting for any pike to resist!

Coarse clubs fishing their matches found the going tough with the cold, windy weather. The seventh outing of the Leinster Qualifiers 2025/26 took place on Sunday, the venue changing to Daingean due to weather warnings. In Cavan, the CM Lakelands club also found the going tough, but there were some decent skimmers caught in a number of the pegs on Annaghhierin.

In trout fishing news, returning swallows greeted the Lough Arrow Anglers as they departed from Flynn’s Pier on their opening day of April 1st. Conditions were generally favourable during the first half of the day, with several trout caught before the afternoon brought a drop in temperatures. The Loughanure Anglers in Donegal will be hosting their first event of the season this Sunday. The event will be an open competition, with an entry fee of €25, and new members are very welcome to join on the day.

In salmon news, the Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, has signed the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, setting out the rivers on which salmon and sea trout angling may take place for the 2026 season. This legislation came into effect on Friday, 3 April 2026. While we did hear that a salmon or two have been landed on the Munster Blackwater, there have been no more reports of fish caught from Lough Currane.

In saltwater, Killala B&S held the Connaught Open Gold Medal Shore at Lacken Strand, Co Sligo. Eighteen anglers travelled from around the country for the day, but it was Fionn O’Higgins who took the honours after a slow start. In other competition news, Howth Sea Angling Club are hosting the second leg of the Leinster Shore League on Portmarnock Beach on Saturday, 18th April.

Colin Reilly – longest fish

Offshore, young angler and citizen scientist Darragh Wilson caught a Mulroy Bay monster that he surely wasn’t expecting. While fishing for thornback rays as part of the Marine Sportfish Tagging Programme, Darragh managed to land a massive 8 lb 6 oz lobster off Kerrykeel. This fine specimen was returned to the sea alive and Darragh wins our Catch of the Week for this unusual catch!

In other news…

The Munster Fly Fishing Fair will be held this weekend, April 10 & 11, at Clonanav Fly Fishing in Co. Waterford. Fly anglers are invited to come and see fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations from world-renowned anglers and fly tyers.

And now the weather…

The weather will be unsettled over the weekend into early next week, with frequent rain, showers, and strong winds. Friday will be wet and windy with heavy rain at times and a risk of flooding, especially in the south, with cool temperatures of 6 to 10°C. Rain will clear overnight, followed by colder conditions with lows of 0 to 4°C.

Saturday will be windy again, starting bright in the east before turning showery nationwide, with some heavy showers bringing hail, thunder, and possible wintry falls on higher ground and temperatures of 7 to 10°C. Similar blustery conditions will continue through the weekend, with a mix of sunny spells and heavy showers. Sunday night will turn colder with frost and icy patches.

Monday will start mostly dry and bright, but showers will move in from the west before easing later in the day. Overall, it will remain cool, windy, and changeable.

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]. 

All the angling news

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Pike Fishing Reports

Sea Angling Reports

2026 salmon regulations published

By
IFI staff
-
Wild Atlantic Salmon being released
A Wild Atlantic Salmon being released

The Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley, has signed the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, setting out the rivers on which salmon and sea trout angling may take place for the 2026 season. This legislation came into effect on Friday, 3 April 2026.

Announcing the Regulations, Minister Dooley said:

“In line with the scientific advice, 72 rivers will be available for salmon and sea trout fishing in 2026 – 32 of these rivers will be open, with a further 40 open to ‘catch and release’ angling. The Regulations have also been informed by two public consultations, ensuring that stakeholder views were carefully considered alongside the scientific advice.”

A total of 72 rivers will be open for salmon angling in 2026, in line with scientific advice provided by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS), on the status of individual stocks. The TEGOS Report for 2026 shows that wild Atlantic salmon stocks continue to experience a significant and sustained decline, with many rivers below their conservation limits. The development of the regulations was also informed by two public consultations.

For more information, see the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment website. 

Mick does Italian job on midlands pike

By
Paul O'Reilly
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Mick ‘the Fish’ Flanagan of Midland Angling has had some old friends return this week for more great fishing in the midlands. We’ll let him tell the tale:

Great to spend a day with my good friend Stefano Belisario and his pal Antonio Candidi of Abruzzo, Italy.

I have been fishing with Stefano for years, and yesterday with J.J. they struggled on the pike scene on a fantastic lake that Stefano caught many doubles on the fly during previous trips. Today was a different kettle of fish, and the pike were locked on to Stefanos’s colourful flies.

Antonio was spinning lures and actually got the first fish, but we put a pike fly on his spinning rod, and as they say, the rest is history! Antonio had the best pike at 102cm.

Lunch was priceless, and Stefano brought me over his famous Italian homemade sausages, pigs he breeds and olive oil he makes at home in Abruzzo. We had what he calls normal sausages, liver sausages & crazy sausages; Sylvia better mind herself when the crazy sausages kick in!

Marty will be back tomorrow for a few days after trout & he’ll sample a few of Stefano’s Abruzzo sausages in the coming days. Stefano and Antonio will be back at the pike with Damian Grifferty – let’s hope the weather is not too bad!

Earlier in the week I wanted to fish Derravaragh, but it got choppy and I headed for the River Inny. I had planned to troll & spin small lures for trout, but that was knocked on the head. I just had one small paddle tail lure in the box & a few 2-3 inch hard baits and they did the business on the Inny. The perch-coloured paddle tail accounted for 4 pike, one nice double.

Paradise

Midland Angling

Address Mullingar Westmeath Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2797270 Mobile Phone: +353 (0)44 9348969 Website: midlandangling.com
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Pike fishing around Mullingar Angling Centre

Annaghierin tough going for match men

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

The CM Lakelands Feeder Fishing Club held a match last Sunday on a breezy Annaghierin Lough in Cavan, with 11 anglers competing.

Fishing was tough, but there were some decent skimmers caught in a number of the pegs.

  • 1st overall was Niall McKitterick with a weight of 4.140 kg; Niall caught roach first, and then he caught 10 skimmers later into the match.
  • 2nd was Adrian Van Der Heever with a weight of 3.260 kg; Adrian caught nearly all skimmers at distance.
  • 3rd overall was Bruce Zhou with a weight of 2.150 kg; Bruce had a mixed bag of roach and skimmers.

Section winners were:

  • Darren Fairhurst 1.890 kg
  • Philip Reynolds 1.830 kg

 

Shercock coarse angling centre

Munster Fly Fishing Fair 10 & 11 April

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

The Munster Fly Fishing Fair will be held this weekend, April 10 & 11, at Clonanav Fly Fishing in Co. Waterford. Fly anglers are invited to come and see fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations from world-renowned anglers and fly tyers including Darryl Mooney, Jim Curry, Jim Fearn, Martyn Robinson, Steve Peterson, Marc Petitjean, Shane Hickey, Kevin Sheridan, John Maduro and more!

This is an event not to be missed!

  • Fly Tying Demonstrations
  • Casting Demonstrations
  • Top Brands on Display
  • Great Atmosphere all weekend!

Some of the amazing ranges of fly tying also available on the weekend will include: Whiting, Veniard, Metz, Partridge, Semperfli, Gulff, Ahrex, Fulling Mill, C&F Design, Regal, Anvil, Stonfo, Loon, Hends, Fulling Mill, Kamasan, Hanak, Dr Slick, Swiss CDC, Polish Quills, Future Fly and lots more!

Fly Fishing gear will be on display from the following brands: Simms, Guideline, Hardy, Greys, Sage, Patagonia, RIO, Airflo, Scientific Anglers, Yeti, Umpqua, Fishpond, Vision, Cortland, Lamson, Vosseler and lots more!

MUNSTER FLY FISHING FAIR 10 & 11 April

  • Friday 10am to 6 pm
  • Saturday – 10am to 4pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS, CLICK THIS LINK: MUNSTER FLY FISHING FAIR

Connaught Open Shore Gold Medal match report

By
Paul O'Reilly
-
Colin Reilly - longest fish

This report courtesy of the IFSA Connaught Council:

On the 29th of March, Killala B&S held the Connaught Open Gold Medal Shore at Lacken Strand, Co Sligo – a change of location from the original venue due to weather and beach conditions. Eighteen anglers travelled from around the country for the day. They had a 5-hour match, with just over an hour on the drop and the rest on the incoming tide.

As expected, anglers caught only a few fish 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 up evenly across the beach, with Billy Gilvarry on a center peg and 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.

The latecomer to the match, Eoin Gilvarry, got in the mix with a decent flounder. The sight of a fish being landed provided the anglers with the much-needed motivation to resume their fishing, with only two hours remaining. Colin Reilly from Lough Foyle Sea Angling Club landed a fine turbot, which would put him in front, although he had 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, he 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.) – 26 cm Turbot
Fionn O’Higgins – 1st Overall

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.

Sea Fishing in Killala

 

Super 112cm River Pike for Artur Pike Seeker

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

Pike specialist Artur ‘Pike Seeker’ was in touch to tell us of a super river pike he caught recently:

Last weekend I went fishing. I got up early and headed to the Inny River. Now is a good time to target a big pike, and that was my plan. I started casting near the bank because there was nothing happening in the open water. As it turned out, I didn’t have to wait long for a bite. The fish hit my lure with tremendous force. The fight was epic. The fish was incredibly strong and fought hard. Fortunately, I managed to win the fight, and the beautiful 112-centimetre female landed in the landing net. An incredible day.

Go Fishing…

Pike fishing on the River Shannon, Lakes and Tributaries

 

 

All quiet on the South Western Front

By
Shane O'Reilly
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Vincent Appleby reports on the latest difficult week in South West Kerry:
1/4/2026. Just two Currane boats out, in the words of one gillie, no good, and just for the record I’ve left out the effing and blinding. On that note, we head for the Currane weather chart: wind moderate, fresh SW veered WNW, followed by good sunshine and clouds. Yesterday’s weather rainfall 0.4mm, maximum air temperature 12.1⁰C, amount of sunshine none.
 
2/4/2026. The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments this day, so on that note we head for the Currane anglers weather chart. The wind was moderate to fresh from the southwest, veering to south-southwest, accompanied by rain on and off throughout the day. Yesterday’s weather recorded 0.5mm of rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 12.1°C, and 6 hours and 8 minutes of sunshine.
 
3/4/2026. Happy Easter to all the Currane anglers and the Good people of Waterville, Caherdaniel and the Island of Ireland.
So, picture this Good Friday: just two hardy souls out on the water, and let me tell you, the fish were having none of it. You could practically hear them laughing from the lake bed. Wind danced from West to WNW, clouds gave us a good cover story, and we got a sprinkle of showers here and there.
And yesterday? Well, the sky drizzled 15 mm of rain on us, the max temp gave us a polite 11.6°C, and sunshine? We got a whole 60 seconds of it—just enough time to blink.
 
4/4/2026. All Salmon and Sea Trout stations were closed for good reason; it was wild out there. If a Currane boat did venture out, no comment. On that note, we head for the Currane anglers weather chart: Wind: South 42 km/h, gusts 64 km/h, 1pm: 54 km/h ,4pm: 72 km/h. Followed by heavy showers throughout the day, then sunny spells late this afternoon. Yesterday’s weather: Amount of rainfall: 2.0 mm. Maximum air temperature: 12.1°C. Amount of sunshine: 5 hours and 1 minute
 
5/4/2026. Six Currane boats were out on this Easter Sunday, all working on their skills. By all accounts, their lines stayed slack throughout the day. I was talking to a UK Currane angler and mentioned it would be nice to see a few more Currane boats out there. He politely opined, “Vincent, I don’t think it would make a scrap of difference.” After today’s lack of action, I have to concur.
Currane Weather Report. Wind: Moderate to gentle Sky: A good mixture of cloud and sunshine. Yesterday’s rainfall: 11.5mm Maximum air temperature: 12°C
Amount of sunshine: 1 hour and 9 minutes
 
 

For more information on the daily conditions on Lough Currane, all the craic and news be sure to check out Vincent Appleby’s Salmon and Sea Trout blog for regular reports with back dates, petitions, public consultation notices, readers letters and videos and more of what’s happening in Waterville and beyond

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 waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

Go fishing….

Guides and boat hire

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/
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Fly Fishing on Lough Currane

Address Termons Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353(0) 87 922 8659 Phone: +353(0) 66 9474146 Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com
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Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Website: lakelandshouse.com
More information
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Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Website: oshealoughcurrane.com
More information
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Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie
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Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Website: salmonandseatrout.com
More information
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Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800
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Makeshift lure makes the difference on Blessington

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

Artem Novikov was in touch with us about a recent trip to fish for pike on Blessington Lakes. Artem likes to make his own lures and caught a fine pike on one of his own creations. If you’d like to try and make your own lures for pike fishing, Artem will show you how on his Makeshift Lures YouTube channel! We’ll let Artem tell his story:

I was out fishing in the middle of the week before Storm Dave came. I went to Blessington Lakes, where the river flows into it. I was using a big bucktail spinner that I made, with a copper blade and an articulated tail at the back, dressed with feathers, bucktail, and flash.

I managed to catch one pike that measured 82 cm. I am estimating the fish to be 3 to 4 kg or 8 to 9 lbs. That fish chased the spinner a couple of times at the mouth of the river. And then, by staying persistent, I tempted the pike to bite toward the evening, when it was getting dark. Fishing was surprisingly hard, as that pike was the only fish to show interest in my lure. Maybe the upcoming storm had something to do with it!

After a short fight and few photos and measurements, the fish went back to the water. I’ve made a video showing how to make and fish with that spinner, in case it’s of any interest. It is out on the Makeshift Lures YouTube channel.

 

 

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