Cobh SAC report on their Irish team fundraiser held on Sunday…
What a fantastic day was had by all at the Annual Fundraising Event for our international boat Angling Team. Thanks has to be given to Leonardo’s for providing free Tea/Coffee’s to the eager anglers. Thanks also to the skippers who provided their boats, and to the Anglers who travelled the length and breath of the County to get to this event.
The overall winner was Jay O’Halloran with the biggest edible, a Cod of 44cm
Brendan O’Dwyer with winning the most fish caught.
1 of 6
Results
1st Jay O’Halloran junior, 44cm cod
2nd Jack Walsh junior, 39cm whiting
3rd Keith Murphy, Graham Walsh. 38 whiting
Smallest fish 9cm Poor Cod Evan Collins.
Longest Ray Tom Collins 84cm Thornback
2nd longest Ray, Conor Purcell 83cm.
Longest Huss Ger Flaherty.
Longest Dog John Griffin
Join the Club
Cobh SAC is a very active club with a great series of competitions across the year.
The club is very welcoming to new members.
If you are interested in joining the club or fishing any of their competitions contact them via Facebook.
John Browne reports on Round 5 of Oakland’s winter league which was fished on Sunday…
Good fishing on Sunday at Oaklands for the 5th round of the Ger Hennessy Winter league. With a freezing fog on the lake all day the weights where good considering the conditions.
Top weight on the day went to Andrei Pirchio bagging 25.520 kg from peg 8.
Big thanks to the lads who travelled today in the bad conditions.
Next round Sunday 21st.
Today’s Results
Section A Shop Bank
1st Andrei Pirchio 52.520kg
2nd Kirean Reeves 19.420 kg
3rd Kirstov Hristov 17.660 kg
Section B River Bank
1st Leo Lynch 23.420 kg
2nd Ivkov Benov 17.690 kg
3rd Sion Pritchard 16.860 kg
1 of 7
Go fishing…
Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling. It offers a wide selection of fish. The lake can be fished by people of every level of experience from beginners to professionals.
A very popular carp fishery. Popular with competition anglers and novices alike. Alway a great chance of a bumper bag here. Friendly staff more than happy to advise beginner anglers. Caters to all sorts of clubs and groups.
‘Brown tag’ regulations come into force on the river from February 1st 2024, and will remain in place until September 30th 2024, when the salmon fishing season ends.
Commenting on the requirements, Sean Long South-Western River Basin District Director at IFI, stated:
“The numbers of wild Atlantic salmon returning to our rivers is declining. The risk of over-fishing puts stocks in further jeopardy.
Brown tag measures for salmon and sea trout are required on the Lower River Lee to conserve stocks and avoid accidental over-harvesting.
Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over exploitation, this brown gill tag system is introduced to closely monitor the angling quotas.”
A total of 218 brown tags will be available. They will be distributed to anglers with a rod licence via four draws through the 2024 angling season.
Up to a quarter of the available number of brown tags can be issued at one time.
Therefore, 55 brown tags will be selected through the first online lottery on January 26th 2024.
The measures are part of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023, recently signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, TD.
Interested anglers in entering the January 26th draw can apply through IFI’s online link between January 10th and January 24th 2024 only.
Successful anglers who receive the tags, via the lottery system, place them on the fish – along with a blue tag as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.
Anglers not allocated a brown tag are permitted to fish for salmon on a catch-and-release basis on the Lower River Lee, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.
Anglers must use catch-and-release methods only, involving single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms as bait is not permitted.
Full application details are available online through fisheriesireland.ie, by phoning IFI’s Macroom office on (026) 41221, or by mailing [email protected]
After last week’s first specimen spur of the season, things have kicked on a bit, and it’s fair to say that the spurdog season is in full flow for Wicklow Boat Charters.
Clyde, with one of his two specimens
In recent days, another four specimens were landed, falling to Clyde McElwaine (2), Bert McGregor and Brian Cooke, none of them strangers to specimen fish.
Bert’s specimen spur
But there are plenty of smaller fish around, too, with circa 30 coming to the boat on the day, with plenty of them over the metre mark.
Brian wrapped up well against the elements
Go Fishing
Angling Charters are offered on a full-day, half-day and evening trip basis and can be tailored to suit your needs. Two boats are available – Lisin and Castle Maiden. All levels of anglers are catered for. Anglers will benefit from your skipper’s angling experience and local knowledge with advice and guidance on-hand at all times.
SPECIALIST ANGLING CHARTERS
Specialist Angling Charters are offered for those who wish to target specific species, specimen fish or try new angling methods.
ANGLING COACHING
Whether you’re a Club, Individual, School or Junior, you can have an angling coaching session or programme tailored to suit your needs.
Irish streamer fishing guru Ketih McDonnell features in the latest issue of the Fly Culture Podcast, where he shares his thought process on this method of fishing. From the patterns he uses, how to approach the water and discussions on how to cast heavier flies, there is a lot of information to pick up if you’re streamer curious and want to try it in the coming season.
They also talk about practice casting drills and a shared love of the Fender Rhodes electric piano for a few moments too…
Just click link to listen or find via your usual podcast provider.
No, it’s not a misprint or mistake… Dave Edwards of West Cork Charters has bagged the first porbeagle of the year… in early January. Seeing a gap in the weather, he headed offshore to see if he could rustle up a blue shark or two and was rewarded with a very early-season porbeagle. He was on his own, so he decided to release the fish at the side of the boat as it was in the 80-100lb zone, and still pretty lively, and bringing it onboard may have injured it. But he did take some video that captured the moment of the take. It’s great to see shark active around the coast this early in the year. Hopefully, we will hear of a few more of them in the coming weeks.
Go fishing…
West Cork Charters operates the Silver Dawn, a 41′ Rodman 1250 with twin 430 HP Engines out of Courtmacsherry. The range of fishing found within close range of Courtmacsherry is superb, with trips producing anything between 6 and 15 different species as a norm and in excess of 20 is possible if anglers are prepared to change methods and use different baits and lures throughout their trip. As a rule mackerel, pollock, cod and ling are usually encountered but several species of wrasse along with whiting, pouting, coalfish, bull huss, conger and many more are often added to the catch.
If you do choose to head offshore to sample the superb shark fishing available within 10 miles of Courtmacsherry, there is a very strong chance of encountering blue sharks and an increasing chance of bringing a porbeagle shark to the boat.
Dan O’Neill reports on a weekend trip to Ardaire Springs trip with son Anthony
It was an extremely cold weekend and few days really. Did it stop the anglers from hitting the banks? Certainly not. This is a weekend I have been looking forward to from the day it was planned. Saturday, I had arranged to meet Glenda Powell at Blackwater Lodge for some very much needed practice and to speak about the upcoming Cadence event at Careysville. Sunday, I had planned to meet George McGrath at Ardaire Springs to talk about what is now his new fly rod. Of course, when Ardaire Springs was mentioned in the household, Anthony immediately became very interested.
My first trip was to see Glenda in what is a wonderful part of Ireland. As I made my way down the lane to the fishing hut i spotted Glenda in the usual spot just by the river and practicing. Once Glenda did come up to the hut, we had a cup of coffee and a catch-up. I always enjoy my time with other anglers as there is always something new to learn and stories to hear. I very much look forward to meeting with Glenda for the start of the Blackwater salmon season which is the 1st of February.
My next trip this weekend was to Ardaire Springs, where I was going to meet George McGrath. George had an interest in a new wet fly rod, and the characteristics of the Cadence 10ft 5wt I felt would suit him perfectly. Some of you may know George from his YouTube channel Gundog and Fly. I also had my senior Apprentice or maybe he had me I should say. I am his private guide now among other things. Anthony immediately recognised George from the channel as he watches it with me quite often. On the way to Ardaire, I explained to Anthony about the cold and how the fishing may be a bit slow. He didn’t seem very fazed by it and seemed to accept the challenge. Arriving at Ardaire a little after 9am there were quite a few cars and silhouettes around the lake. Heading into see Ned to wish him a happy new year while Anthony watched through the window to ensure I wasn’t avoiding ghillie work on the clock. I must say it was very hard for me to drag myself away from the stove and cup of tea to head out to –1 °C.
The concentration…
Setting up the rods to the methods that had been working the day before for my good friend Darius, it was time to hit the water. I handed the rod to Anthony and let him cast to where he thought the fish might be lying. As i set up the second rod i heard Anthony say “yep” , I looked up and saw the rod bent over and Anthony into a trout. Yes, it happened that quickly. Delighted with his catch, Anthony quickly called on me to net the fish. A lovely rainbow, about 1.5 – 2 pounds.
The hookup…
We did see some larger fish breaking out in the middle of the lake, which we tried for. It became quite cold after a little while, so we headed to the stove to have a cup of tea and a sandwich. When at the stove we met Dean Gates who gave Anthony a fly that he will never forget. You now have a lifelong fan Dean. There were lots of anglers who spoke words of encouragement to Anthony that made him smile and really gave him confidence. Heading out after our sandwich, we went to the larger lake with Anthony’s new fly. After about 10-15mins everything tightened up, and Anthony lifted into what was a lovely trout, really powerful, with quick spurts of energy making the rod and reel work together to protect the tippet.
The prize…
There was another young angler out and about in the cold conditions. I have met this angler before at the Irish spring angling fair and saw various pictures of him with some lovely pike. Martin O Neill like I said was no stranger to me, he never stopped for a second in harsh conditions and it paid off when he landed a beautiful rainbow and many more after it. I look forward to taking this young man out on the R.Nore for some brown trout this season.
Another young angler strikes gold.
A very productive weekend for both Anthony and I. A lovely rabbit stew with apple tart and custard for dessert when we got home sealed the deal.
One of the things that really hit me at the weekend was how hard the anglers I met tried to encourage kids. Not one angler at Ardaire walked past Anthony without making a comment to boost his confidence and it really did help him, so thanks everyone.
Munster Coarse Anglers are back for 2024 with angling reports from across the province. They started the year with the 5th round of their Winter League fished at a foggy Twomilegate. Kevin Leahy reports…
Twomilegate on the Mighty Lough Derg
With all our usual venue flooded out, a gamble on Lough Derg was suggested. So with nothing to lose, the extremely shallow bay at Twomilegate was our home for Sunday. Normally it’s a venue for a nice summer’s day not a minus three foggy day in January.
Again the draw was all important. Pegs 1 to 4 produced the best weights, all coming to the feeder at long range (60 to 80m). It was almost impossible to see the feeders land with the fog.
Some really nice roach made their presence felt and one wonders if the weather was not so cold and dire could it have been a proper bagging session. Well that’s a question for another day and another visit…
Munster Coarse Angling Club are affiliated to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI the National Governing body for coarse and predator fishing and casting. www.ncffi.ie
So long 2023, how’s it going 2024? Well, up until yesterday it’s been pretty wet and mild enough for the middle of winter. There’s a decidedly chilly feel to things now. Most rivers are high, the ground is fairly saturated and in many places fully waterlogged. Even if we get a bit of dry weather, levels will stay high for another bit. Sea anglers have a had a real mixed bag of wind to deal with, some beaches were badly weeded, not many decent days for getting on the water. But it wouldn’t be an Irish Angling Update without me telling you that for those who could get out and fish when the conditions were right, there were some good fish to be caught…
We’ll open with salmon angling. In our last update of the year we shared the news that 81 rivers would be open in 2024. The season duly opened on January 1st on a number of rivers. Water levels were up, but of course there were anglers out to mark the day. Now, if you’ve not heard already, James Kenny caught the first salmon of the season on opening day. Fishing a Flying-C James hooked a 69cm salmon from the Watts Pool on the Leannan at about 1.30pm. It was safely released and is our Catch of the Week. Hopefully it’s a good sign for the season to come. For those of you who enjoy a podcast, Daire and Tom of Ireland on the Fly talk to Shane Gallagher of the Drowes fishery about the opening days of the salmon season and more. And lastly in salmon news Glenda Powell has confirmed all the details for the the FISH-LIVE-LEARN with Glenda Powell Irish Salmon Challenge. This is an exciting venture with some top classes prizes and it’s open to anyone who catches and releases a salmon on fly this season, the winner will be the one who catches the biggest fish.
The first specimen of the 2024 has already been reported. It comes as no surprise to hear the lucky angler was fishing with Wicklow Boat Charters. The spurdog, clocking in at 114cm, was caught by well-known specimen hunter Derek Greene. Staying on the east coast Ciaran Fogarty from Southshore SAC won the 2023 Leinster League. The final match was fished at Kilcoole last Saturday. Christmas gales had postponed the Killybegs Mariners charity beach competition, but they eventually got to fish it at the weekend. Rossnowlagh was the only beach big enough for the 70 or so anglers taking part. Fishing was tough but it was a big success for the R.N.L.I at Bundoran and Donegal to Galway cancer bus.
The Romanian Catch & Release Angling Association is taking new members for 2024. This is a vibrant coarse and pike club with a diverse membership from all across Ireland and organises some top class events like the Pike Master Ireland, the Perch League, Lough Derg Predator Challenge and Lough Ree Predator Challenge every year.
Don’t forget that angling clubs, groups and associations planning to apply for sponsorship funding need to do so before the January 19th deadline. In 2024, the €30,000 fund will have a particular focus on promoting sustainable angling tourism in rural areas while also supporting initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers.
And now, the weather…
There’s a change afoot. The mild, wet, windy weather we been giving out about is giving way to settled conditions and colder conditions will dominate for the next week. More frost tonight as temperatures dip as low as -3°C and then mainly dry and sunny on Saturday after any lingering mist clears, though there will be some isolated light showers, mainly in the north. Highest temperatures 5 to 8°C generally in light variable breezes. Cold and frosty on Sunday with fog lingering inland, sunny otherwise. Highest temperatures 3 to 6°C, lower where fog lingers. Cold, foggy and frosty again on Sunday night. Lowest temperatures of -3 to 0°C. A cold but mainly dry day on Monday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells once any fog clears. Highest temperatures of 2 to 4°C in fresh southeast winds. You can expect more of the same for the rest of the week. There’s a small craft warning for all coasts today, so as ever make sure to check the forecast before going afloat and if you’re going to sea, don’t forget to check the tides.
That’s it for this week’s Irish angling Update, safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected] and don’t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicated Angling Ireland Facebook page.
The first week in January is a slow week for most things, fishing reports included, but it gives us a chance to step back from the bank and look at podcasts, gear reviews and YouTube or Facebook clips – just like this one from Daiwa UK (reposted by Lurgan Coarse Angling Club). In it we get some great insight and a recap from Philip Jackson on the World Club Feeder Championships on Lough Muckno when the Lurgan Coarse Angling Club won Team Gold in April.
Also giving us a round up the fourteenth successive year where he has won a festival was Galway’s Cathal Hughes who, along with his Sensas Ireland team mates, is looking forward to representing Ireland at the club world championships in Slovakia (or maybe Slovenia…). Cathal can tell us more.
