A Kiernan treble tops the table at IFPAC final

By

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April 25, 2024

The Irish Federation of Pike Anglers held their 2024 final at a venue in the Longford area last week. 52 anglers turned out for the yearly event, which sees the foremost pike anglers in the country compete for top honours and a place on the Irish team.

There were plenty of fish active on the day, as evidenced by the final tally of 496 caught. With nine bags in excess of 40lb, some anglers were kept pretty busy during the day. But as the numbers mounted up, it was some familiar faces that emerged at the top of the leaderboard, namely Mark, Jody & Alex Kiernan. It was a super-tight struggle for the top prize, with Jody’s 81lb, 9oz (25 fish) being just bettered by Mark’s 82lb, 1oz (26) fish. There was only a tiny jack between them…! Alex finished third with 59lb (17 fish).

The top 10 anglers on the day, who also qualify for the Irish team, were as follows:

1st Mark Kiernan 82Ib 01oz, 26 fish.

2nd Jody Kiernan 81Ib 9oz, 25 fish.

3rd Alex Kiernan 59Ib 17 fish.

4th Mick O’ Connor 52Ib 1oz, 11 fish.

5th Keelan Cunningham 47Ib 3oz, 13 fish.

6th Ray Callopy 43Ib 8oz, 13 fish.

7th John Sheenan 43Ib, 14 fish.

8th Marty Lawlor 41Ib 7oz, 12 fish.

9th Gerald Dimbylow 40Ib 9oz, 17 fish.

10th Ian Church 38Ib 5oz, 17 fish.

Sub 1 Wally Geoghan 37Ib 4oz, 14 fish.

Sub 2 Kevin Foley 36Ib 1oz, 14 fish.

Sub 3 Keith Ren 33Ib 7oz, 14 fish.

King of the Lake 2024 International Pike Festival – Lough Ree

By

Paul O'Reilly

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April 25, 2024

Boats preparing to fish the King of the Lake on Lough Ree in 2023

The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub are thrilled to announce that the King Of The Lake 2024 International Pike Festival is open for entries.

The event will be run over two days of fishing on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th of September 2024 – it is a boat fishing competition and anglers must be in a boat while fishing. Lure fishing, fly fishing and dead baits are the only methods allowed. Anglers may only use two rods. There must be at least two people in each boat and a maximum of three anglers and a maximum of four rods fishing at a time.

Day 1: Prizes for the longest cumulative 3 fish caught on day 1.
Day 2: Prizes for the longest cumulative 3 fish caught on day 2.
Overall: Winners will be decided based on the cumulative length of the longest three fish caught, over both days.

Interested anglers can enter by completing the form at the competition link on the Lough Ree Lanesborough Facebook page.

Gavin Dorrian continues to pull ahead in Killybegs Mariners league

By

Myles Kelly

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April 25, 2024

Killybegs Mariners report on the second last leg of their 2023/24 league…

The penultimate outing of the Mariners SAC 2023/24 league took place at Mullaghmore beach (near side) on Friday night as 18 anglers lined out, many with the ambition of getting into those much coveted top spots going into the last leg.

With just eight league points covering the top group of anglers in the table, it was definitely a case of ‘all to play for’ – – however, the light northerly breeze and flat calm seas offered very little in the first two hours aside from a few small flounders, one turbot and a dab spread out amongst the competitors.

As darkness fell and the tide reached its lowest, things began to kick into life and headlights could be seen up and down the beach as anglers unhooked their catch, measured & recorded and released them back to the watery darkness.

It was hard to know who, if anyone, had taken a commanding lead on the night as most people seemed to be catching a fish or two during this hour at the ebb when the feed was on.

But, as ever, the cream rises to the top and it was current league table topper Gavin Dorrian who pulled out a big last hour to add two flounders, three dabs and a dog to add to the fine beefy flounder he had caught earlier in the session.

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Winning on the night will extend Gavin’s lead in the table even further going into the final outing (which, although unconfirmed as yet, is expected to be Rossnowlagh north side Friday 3rd May).

Finishing in second place, with a great fishing of 8 dabs mostly all caught in the last hour, was Robert Malin Snr, and the longest flattie prize went to Daragh McGuinness for a flounder of 35cm. Lucky peg winner on the night was Shane Cunningham.

As always, the Mariners league is competitive and scores are generally close right up to the end – – all eyes will now be on the league table once the scores are calculated and tallied so those directly behind the leader can study the permutations prior to the final outing and see if there’s still a chance of catching Gavin Dorrian, and even if that’s not possible, then the fight is still on for the overall prize places for second and third, all sponsored by Mooney Boats.

Go fishing…

Join the club

Mariners sea angling club, Killybegs Co Donegal. The club runs a shore league and boat competitions and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love. Get in touch at www.facebook.com/mariner.sac

New anglers always welcome to join.

Sea angling in Donegal

Arrow Anglers raise €800 for charity

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 25, 2024

Members of the Lough Arrow Anglers Club were faced with tricky conditions for their Martin Carr Perpetual Cup competition at the weekend. Instead of the usual wind and rain we’ve been having in 2024, they were faced with a flat cam and a hot, bright sun. The sun didn’t help catches, and anglers had to try every trick up their sleeves to tempt a trout or two. One angler seemed to have more tricks than most, as Mark Deavin managed three trout to give him the trophy on the day. The event also raised €800, to be divided between The Irish Heart Foundation and The North West Hospice.

Mark receiving the Martin Carr Perpetual Trophy

Full results were:

1. Mark Deavin 3 fish

2. Francis McSharry 2

3. Thomas O’Donovan 1 (heaviest)

4. Pat Gallagher 1

5. Brian Connolly 1

Of interest to anglers, a few mayfly were spotted during the day, meaning it won’t be too long before things are in full swing…

Great conditions on the Blackwater and salmon moving

By

Eileen Carroll Murphy

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April 25, 2024

River levels on the main channel of the Munster Blackwater and its tributaries came right last week, after a long wait, and while it remains slightly high for the time of year the clarity is ideal for salmon angling.

Reports have been received of salmon being taken throughout the system from Millstreet, Co. Cork down to Ballyduff in Co. Waterford. All indications are that there could very well have been 30 Salmon caught since the opening of the season, which is very positive given the atrocious river conditions that prevailed for most of the season.

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.

Contact Jason Corcoran:
Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.

Tel: +353 (0)586 0146
Mobile: +353 (0)87 720 5690
Web: www.blackwatertroutandsalmon.ie

Blackwater Valley Fishery

Salmon, Sea trout and Brown trout fishing on prime fishing beats River Blackwater Co. Cork and Co. Waterford Ireland.

Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +353 (0) 87 690 5467
Web: facebook.com/Corkwaterfordfishery

Blackwater Salmon Fishery

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.ie Email: [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.

Careysville, Clondulane, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
Email: [email protected] Mobile: +353 (0)86 2378788
Web: http://careysville.com/careysville-fishery/

Lismore Castle Fishery

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]

Website: www.lismorecastlefishery.com

Blackwater Salmon Anglers, Mallow

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.

Facebook: Blackwater Salmon Anglers

Upper Bridgetown Salmon Fishery

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

Facebook: Upper Bridgetown Salmon Fishery

Loungueville House Salmon Fishery

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

Plenty of action in Donegal Bay for Killybegs Fishing Trips

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 25, 2024

Donegal Bay was a hive of activity last weekend for anglers fishing with Killybegs Fishing Trips. Firstly they were treated to a fine display of basking shark activity, who like the rest of us, were basking in the sunny weather.

Plenty of basking to be done in calm seas and warm sun

But what the anglers really came for was the fishing, and that didn’t disappoint either, as the quality pollock that have been a feature this year were still providing plenty of sport.

A few cod showed up in the catches, and they are always welcome on any angler’s species list. Mackerel also made an appearance, which is always a good sign, meaning bait is easier to get and more time can be spent on target species.

Sea angling in Donegal

Laune system at summer levels following dry weather

By

Eileen Carroll Murphy

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April 25, 2024

For the Week ended 21 April 1 salmon weighing 7lbs was reported from the Flesk, caught on worms.

For the same period there were 2 salmon reported for the Killarney Lakes weighing 9lbs and 8lbs, trolling, and 1 salmon from Beat 1 of the Laune weighing 7.5lbs on worms.

Water levels have dropped to summer levels on the Laune system.

Go fishing…

https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/southwest/laune.htm

Mariners tick off some tricky species on their first boat outing

By

Shane O'Reilly

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April 25, 2024

438059710_829351492560849_5677648330705190839_n — Bluemouth

The Killybegs Mariners were afloat for the first time this year as they made their first charter boat foray of 2024 with Tuna.ie. The original plan was to target some porbeagle, but with no bites materialising and the weather proving better than expected, they decided to head for deep water to try for a few of the rarer species.

And their decision paid off, as a bluemouth, megrim and haddock were all landed alongside some of the more regular species, giving the anglers a boost on their species lists for 2024.

Haddock, a welcome addition to the species list

Sea angling in Donegal

Stephen O’Donovan win West Cork and District’s Midweek League

By

Myles Kelly

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April 25, 2024

West Cork and District SAC fished the last leg of their midweek league last Wednesday…

We held the last leg of our midweek bait supplied league in Monkstown on 17 April evening, fishing from 7:30-10:30pm

The first cast of the evening produced fish for most anglers and this continued for the first hour. Derek Kenrick on peg 5 was the early leader with 7 fish in the first hour followed closely by David Kennedy and Colin O Sullivan.

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In the remaining two hours of the match the lead changed numerous times and there was no clear winner until the match cards were counted up. Derek Kenrick got the win on the night with 12 fish and David Kennedy coming runner up with 10 fish. Barry O Rourke would go on to win the big fish pool with a 31cm Whiting which was worth €71:50 on the night , well done lad’s

1st- Derek Kenrick – 12 fish – 316pts
2nd- David Kennedy – 10 fish – 303pts
3rd- Colin O’Sullivan – 11 fish – 299pts
4th- Stephen O’Donovan – 9 fish -298pts
5th- Vladimirs Nosov – 10 fish – 283pts

Overall results

The midweek league was won by Stephen O’Donovan with Barry O’Rourke finished in second place and Danny O Shea taking third place.

A big thank you to our sponsors Noel Kavanagh of The Tackle Shop, James O’Connor and Sean Healy from SeaMax Tackle and Troy Francis for all kindly donating a prize for each leg.

Finally thanks to all the angler’s that supported the league over the last couple of months.

Go fishing…

All about West Cork and District SAC…

The club was formed on march 19th 2009, in the small picturesque harbour town of Kinsale County Cork. We’re an inclusive club, this can be seen in our membership profile; from anglers who are new to match fishing all the way up to members of the Irish World Shore Team 2010, two of which are in the club! The club holds circa 10 competitions per year, members are encouraged to practice a catch and release policy in the interests of conservation. Anybody wishing to join our club is always welcome, just use the contact us page and we will give prospective members full details.
Web: http://westcorkanddistrict.webs.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/West-Cork-and-District-SAC/

Sea angling in Cork Harbour

Long evenings give a chance of a late salmon on Currane

By

Myles Kelly

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April 25, 2024

Vincent Appleby reports from the shore of Lough Currane…

18/4/2024. Straight to the action, Currane angler Mr. Michael McCormack caught a fine Salmon on the troll while fishing with his gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com , for the rest of the Currane anglers, their reels were quiet as there lines were slack. Wind light NE and variable. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.3mm, amount of sunshine 1.1, maximum air temperature 11°C. Amount of rainfall for April so far 70.8mm.

19/4/2024. Straight to the action there was one Salmon caught this day on the troll and one sadly lost By Currane angler Mr. Michael McCormack. Wind light NE, bright sunshine for most of the day. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.1mm, amount of sunshine 0.9, maximum temperature 12.7°C.

Currane flat calm — A calm day on the lake

20/4/2024. www.fishingwithdom.com Reports on today’s efforts, for starters there were 12 boats out and all their lines were slack on this calm and bright sunny day as you can see by the pictures. Wind light SSE veered SW light to calm. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.2mm, amount of sunshine 3.9, maximum air temperature 13.4°C.

21/4/2024. There were 10 boats out on this calm and bright sunny clear day, there were no reports of any rod benders. Now to the weather, wind, calm to light East and variable, when I say light, I mean light or put it this way, if you were a fan of Elton John, you would be singing candle in the wind. Sadly Currane anglers reels were certainly not singing. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0, amount of sunshine 8.7, maximum air temperature 15.6°C.

22/4/2024. The Currane anglers put their sombrero hats on this day and for good reason, it was like blazing saddles out there, on this bright and sunny day with hardly a cloud in sight. But against all the odds there was one Salmon caught on the fly. Wind NE variable light to calm, as you can see by the pictures it was like a milk pond. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 13.1, maximum air temperature 14.3°C.

23/4/2024. Another blazing saddles day for the Currane sombrero anglers, as of yet there are no reports of any rod benders, but don’t be surprised if there is some breaking news especially now with the long evenings. Wind light East to fresh and variable. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall, 0.0, amount of sunshine 13.1, maximum air temperature 16.1°C.

24/4/2024. No reports of any rod benders, so you could say the Currane anglers were all quiet this day. Wind, North light to calm, followed by reasonable cloud cover. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.0mm, amount of sunshine 5.0, maximum air temperature 13.6°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 waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

FLEKSI

A new online survey has been developed by IFI for the Currane catchment to gather anglers’ knowledge – the survey method called FLEKSI was developed by IFI to help give an insight into the status of the fishery. Currane Anglers are needed for Citizen Science survey to examine fish stocks

Go fishing…

Find out more about Lough Currane…

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: