Frank Maunsell from Owenmore River on the Dingle Peninsula is expecting a some good fishing before the end of the season and with rain forecast he shouldn’t have to wait too long…
We have been very unlucky with the weather for the past few weeks. It has either been too bright or too windy or water too high. Thursday, last week, was very bright but a man took a chance and went out on the White Lake. He didn’t meet a fish all day until it made a shower late in the evening and within a few casts he had a fresh seatrout and lost a grilse at the boat.
On Friday there was a severe wind but the water on the river was perfect.
There was more rain for the weekend but very strong wind also. Hopefully the weather allows some fishing in the last few days we have left…
Go fishing…
Contact Frank Maunsell for up to the minute information on water levels, fishing conditions and runs of fish.
The Nore is still quite high, reading 0.779 at Mount Juliet. Some mountain small streams that are tributaries to the Nore like the Mountrath river and Castletown river closer to Slieve Bloom mountains, where the Nore begins, produced some fish over the weekend as water clarity was better than the lower reaches of the Nore.
Though with incoming storms it looks like the Nore and surrounding rivers in nearby counties and for most of Leinster will see floods take over into the end of the last week of our season.
Some friends have turned to their big fly lures chasing some pike over the past few days having good success on canal ways. Something worth trying out, and we will be out ourselves over the coming weeks to give it a go once again as we transition into the winter months. Beginning to focus on bank fishing for stocked trout, fly fishing for pike, along with refilling our boxes with the fly tying season about to come into full bloom once again. With the hopes of a trip or two across the pond to Wales to fish for the lady of the stream on the famous Welsh Dee for some Grayling.
Some Loughs still producing fish coming to end of their season too with some late friendly competitions and Leinster qualifiers for Irish federations. With some lake seasons not ending till mid October.
For more information and details about where to fish and get permits drop me a line [email protected].
What’s new
Veniard UV Egg Chenille
Translucent Fibres with added UV flash, perfect for full bodied blob type patterns
Fair play to Team Ireland and tight lines for the week. In 3rd place after Day 1. The practice sessions are paying off.
This is the official website if you want to keep an eye on results https://2023wffc.ca/
What’s coming
We’re back live Saturday 21st October, at 8pm for the first one only. Great chat, flytying, giveaways and much more.
About us
Based On the River Nore just outside Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland. Piscari-Fly is a growing Fly Tying and Fly-Fishing business with a vast amount of experience and knowledge. If there is ever anything I can do to make my service better for you please feel free to suggest it to me and I’ll gladly try my best to accommodate your requests.
Beware the weever - a nasty sting in its spiny fin for unsuspecting feet, hands and fingers...
Robert Grennell was in touch with a timely warning regarding venomous weeverfish.
Robert was stung by a weaver a couple of weeks ago on Clones Beach while trying to unhook the accidental catch. The spine was embedded in this thumb and caused excruciating pain as it was removed. The pain diminished after a while but the thumb remained sore for the next 2 weeks.
Anyone who is stung by a weever on a beach can seek assistance from a lifeguard if they are on duty. If not then the best course of action is to take mild painkiller/anti-inflammatory and also bathe the affected area in hot water (40C) to help break down the poison.
The sting of the weever is painful (very painful) but rarely dangerous. If an allergic reaction is suspected, seek immediate medical assistance.
1 of 8
Weever
Mind those spikes! The lesser weever packs quite a venomous punch if not handled correctly.
Close up of a weever - these guys have a nasty sting
Keep an eye out as the weavers are showing in the bay.
Weever fish - beware!
Andy Wolsey with a Weever Fish
Careful now! Kevin O'Hara with a venomous weaver fish.
The weekend saw two great competitions fished at Oaklands. The first was the ever popular KAI charity Shield and the second was the final event in the Oakland’s own Summer League…
Killinardin Angling Initiative Charity Shield
KAI report on their fund raiser…
23 September: Another year, another Charity Shield event. What a day it was as well. The rain held off and the weather stayed mild so everyone could enjoy a day out. Well done to everyone involved, and a huge thank you to everyone who supports the event, without it we wouldn’t be able to host such a fantastic day.
Together we raised €3365 that will be split between the 2 nominated organisations.
Well done to the winners:
Teams – Oaklands – with a combined weight of 143kg.
Individuals – John Thompson – with winning weight off 44kg.
Under 18s – John – with a weight of 19.8kg.
1 of 5
I would like to take this chance to thank each and every person that helped raise money and got involved on the day, your all superhero’s.
I would also like to send a huge shout out to the business that help and support us every year without fail.
Oaklands lake who supports this event every year and always go above and beyond to help.
Hanna & Sons heating and plumbing Who have supported us for the last few years.
Southside Angling who again have support the event since the very beginning and are always there for the community as a whole.
Murphs in Carlow who again has supported the event every year without fail….
Keith Ansel who always goes out of his way to fabricate some weed rakes for us every year. Thank you very much.
Oaklands Summer League finals
John Browne reports on the Summer League final…
24 September: Great finish today to the last round of the 1023 Summer league @ Oaklands. Wet and windy but didn’t put off the great turn out on a terrible day . Ronan Minogue made it look easy in the though conditions bagging a very impressive 111.460 kg from the middle of the section winner the day and the league overall with a perfect 4 points.
Big Congratulations to Ronan.
1 of 4
Winning the other section today was Kirean Reeves with 78.490kg from end peg 58. Big thank you to everyone who fished during the league. Next up Winter league starts 8th October.
Today’s Results
Section A
1st Kirean Reeves 78.490 kg
2nd George Varva 56.550 kg
3rd Sion Pritchard 38.810 kg
Section B
1st Ronan Minoge 111.460 kg
2nd Matija Ivkov 31.880 kg
3rd Johh Thompson 23.010 kg
Summer league top 3
1st Ronan Minogue 4 points
2nd Paul Mansbridge 7 points
3rd Leo Lynch 9 points.
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.
Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Oakland’s Coarse Angling Club is open to new members. The club based in Co. Wexford welcomes senior, ladies and junior members to league and open matches throughout the year fished on a variety of venues.
The club is centred around it’s own water, the magnificent Oaklands lake at New Ross; the 4.5 acre lake stocked with carp, tench, bream and rudd has great facilities including 60 stands which are all wheelchair friendly. This superb facility plays and important role in the introduction to angling for newcomers. Popular events include the NCFFI All-Ireland Commercial Pairs and the Dunbrody Festival.
Dan O’Neill, angling guide and casting instructor in the South East reports from the River Nore…
With the water gauge reading a very high on Friday, .90, and water temps peaking at 13.8C things are changing or have changed rather. Very strange to think that a couple of weeks ago the hunt for a shaded area out of the baking sun was almost an impossible one. The fish are still there though, it’s when the water is like this that we must think outside of the box a little or you might say look further into it. Delicate klinks transform into foam indicators. In my case I dust off the 10ft 3wt and head to my favourite eddy’s that now are not as large meaning my job to find some trout may be a little easier. So, hitting the river with my Cadence 10ft 3wt and 9ft 5wt it was. Arriving at the river it sure was angry. Can I also remind people when the river is like this fish areas that are safe and don’t require you to wade, all my fishing when the river is like this is done from the bank. The fish will be closer also.
So, I did try firstly a foam indicator with a Black PTN with a purple glo brite hotspot. The nymph did work well for me and I had some lovely trout about 25-28cm. In the heavy current the 5wt was able to control them and I did direct them away from the main current when they were hooked. Watching the indicator dip is very exciting and takes me back to childhood when roach was my quarry using small pieces of cooked spaghetti as bait.
Using my nymphing set up for a while to was successful. Dark pheasant tails and some various frenchies worked well for me. I had some trout very similar to the ones I caught using a foam indicator.
So, we have finally reached the dreaded end of the season. The vegetation is looking tired now around the riverbank after putting on a beautiful show over the summer months. Leaves are now falling from the trees like teardrops as if mourning the end of the season just like the anglers. Life through polarized lenses comes to a halt for the winter months for me. With all that said it means there is a new season on the way. I have plenty of happy memories to reminisce over when tying flies over the winter months.
The highlight this winter for me will be the Irish Fly Fair which I was lucky enough to be asked to partake in by Stevie Munn. What a great event it is to break up our off season. Seeing some angling acquaintances that we would normally only see during the fishing season. It gives us something to focus on taking the sting out of the end of the season.
Growing up in the countryside of Gowran, Co.Kilkenny, I started my fishing journey on the River Barrow with my dad, which is where I caught my first fish, a lovely brown trout. The Gowran River was also a short walk from my homeplace, and on the days my dad couldn’t fish, I would walk through the fields and fish the Gowran River. My love for fishing grew and took me to Mount Juliet Estate, where I began guiding at 13. I went on to become fisheries manager at Mount Juliet Estate and, to this day, enjoy taking out hundreds of clients every year fishing on the River Nore. I enjoy all types of fishing and guide all over Ireland. I am an Apgai Ireland-qualified casting instructor and have Ambassador roles with Cadence and Yeti. I joined Fulling Mill as an endorsed pro guide and am part of the Patagonia pro team. My angling journey has been an exciting one and hopefully will continue to be.
I take out all levels of anglers, from beginner to experienced. I enjoy what I do and count myself very lucky to be able to meet and guide new people to what might be their first Irish fish.
It’s been a topsy-turvy week of weather, with beautiful sunshine and calm conditions followed by stormy weather at times. The Atlantic and the jetstream are well and truly in charge now, and high pressure and the recent heatwave are a distant memory. Game anglers are heading into the last week or two of the season on most fisheries, but for other angling disciples Autumn marks some of the best fishing of the year, and there is plenty to look forward to.
Sea temperatures are still very warm at this time of year, with many fish feeding up hard before winter. This time of year sees bluefin tuna fishing really take off in Donegal Bay, and young Matthew Mannix from Fermanagh put his years of rugby training to the test when he hooked up to one of these leviathans. He probably didn’t need to hit the gym after that! Matthew wins our Catch of the Week for his great capture.
A last photo before the release
Breaks in the weather allowed guests on the Lady Gwen to enjoy some great fishing off west Clare, as did guests of Luke Aston on the Clare Dragoon, while they also enjoyed great sport inside the Shannon estuary when the wind got up.
Fine whiting and pollack
Cormac Walsh reported that the bigger tides last week prompted the best bass fishing of the year so far, with high tides coinciding with darkness seeing a lot of fish feeding hard.
There was fierce but friendly competition in Rathmullan, where the young rods battled it out for the u-16 and u-21 All Ireland Boat titles. This years under 21 Champion is Kevin Roche and this years under 16 champion (for the second year in a row!) is Jack Walsh.
Coarse angling is picking up again, with some big festivals and good general coarse angling in the cooler temperatures. Arvagh saw two big competitions – the Arvagh International, and the Arvagh King of Clubs. Both are enjoying a resurgence, with lots of interest from overseas and Irish anglers, and many rebooking for 2024 already. This year saw big weights, with individual daily bags up to 37kgs, and an overall winning total for Kevin Rowles in the International of 90.6kgs. The King of Clubs the following week saw similar weights, and the same winner – Kevin Rowles again!
High water hampered fishing in Longford, but two UK anglers staying at Melview Lodge were rewarded handsomely for their perseverance, with combined daily bags of 80-90lbs.
Phil with one of his nice hybrids
In Monaghan, Dara Finnegan and Craig Ellis eclipsed a formidable field to score another resounding win in the Monaghan Pairs Festival on Lough Muckno. Dara in particular dominated with 4 section wins. Elsewhere, the Connacht team won the NCFFI All-Ireland Provincial Championships.
There was a great turnout for the East Corrib Alliance competition on Lough Corrib, with 120 anglers fishing and contributing to fundraising for instream habitat restoration works around the lake. Although fishing was tough, Gene Haran managed two good fish to take the honours, just ahead of Basil Shields. Meanwhile, ferox fishing on the lough has been good of late – check out the video below from some Polish visitors who very clearly enjoyed their day out with Tomi Kurman.
Lough Conn fished reasonably well when conditions were suitable, with two anglers landing 4 trout in a short session on Friday, and 39 anglers weighing in 15 fish over the limit in the Kieran Lynn Cup on Saturday, won by renowned angler Bryan Kennedy. Castlebar angler Frank Murray also landed a fantastic 6lbs 12oz fish dapping.
Peter Driver of Piscari Flyfishing reports that recent rain has put the Nore out of order, although he probably won’t miss too much as he is away in Canada with the Irish team in the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships. Good luck to the Irish team!
Ireland on the Fly this week talks to Denis Goulding, who reminds us that some lakes are open into October, and gives tips and advice on where to fish if you are looking to extend your season into October.
The salmon season is winding down, although more broken weather this week may give good conditions in many rivers. Despite low water levels last week, the River Moy saw an improvement in catches, with 104 salmon reported for the week.
Autumn brings cooler temperatures, and pike anglers also getting out more as the pike action hots up. Leinster Pike Anglers got their winter league off to a good start, with two fish of 17lbs vying closely for first and second place.
A Belgian visitor stayed with Kevin Lyons at Melview Lodge for a few days during the week and thoroughly enjoyed his holiday, landing 23 pike over 4 days, his best fish a 97cm fish just shy of his 1m dream.
Jozif all smiles with one of his pike
Limerick County Pike Anglers enjoyed a day out up the country, with plenty of small pike taking and a big fish over 20 lost, but a fish of 13lbs 9oz took the prize on the day by a matter of ounces.
Other News…
New book Angling Around Ireland is a fishy delight
A new book on Irish angling has been published. Angling Around Ireland is written by Colin McLean and contains 32 chapters, wherein he tried to catch a fish in each of the 32 counties of Ireland. An epic journey, made even more difficult by the Covid pandemic. Each chapter is a story in itself, and the book makes for a delightful read. Check out our review of it here.
Salmon Angling Logbook Returns
Inland Fisheries Ireland is encouraging salmon and sea trout anglers to return angling logbooks (setting out their fishing and catch record) and any unused gill tags from 2023 if they have ceased fishing for this year or once the season has closed. These returns provide vital information regarding the status and management of our wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout stocks into the future. Angling in the Wexford District is now closed since the 1st of September, and holders of Wexford district licences are asked to return their logbooks now that the season is over.
And now the weather…
Sunny spells and scattered showers today with moderate to fresh winds easing this evening. A dry if chilly start to Saturday, with bright spells being replaced by cloud and drizzle spreading from the southwest as the day goes on. Highest afternoon temperatures of 11 to 16C with mostly fresh and gusty S/SE winds.
Sunday sees scattered outbreaks of rain becoming more widespread and persistent with some very heavy falls, leading to localised flooding. Blustery too in fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds with highest temperatures of 17 to 19 degrees.
The outlook remains unsettled, with Monday seeing blustery showers and sunny spells in fresh SW winds, and Tuesday looking quite wet before clearing to sunny spells and showers later on.
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.
Jozif from Belgium was over for his first ever visit to Ireland to try out some fishing for pike and decided to stay with host and guide Kevin at Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. Jozif managed 23 pike during his 4 days fishing with pike to 97cm just short of his target 1m pike.
Thoroughly enjoyed four great days of fishing and the company and hope to see you again soon to get that 1m + pike for you.
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.
UK anglers Phil, Nigel and Graham were over once again to Melview Fishing Lodge hoping to target some bream fishing. The guys who have been a few times before know what it takes to fish in the large open Loughs. The water levels on their arrival were very high but they were straight out preparing and prebaiting never the less. The roach and small hybrids moved in on the bait overnight and this was pretty much how it was for the week with daily combined weights of between 80lb to 90lb every day.
Nigel with a nice net of roachGraham with part of his catch that day
A few bream and big hybrids turned up but not in any great numbers and I think this was due to the conditions and some pike moving into the swims over the course of the week. Nevertheless, some nice fish caught during their week’s stay and plenty of laughs along the way, thanks guys and always a pleasure.
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.
There was a fantastic turnout for the East Corrib Alliance catch-and-release competition on Sunday, with 120 anglers fishing on the day. All proceeds were going to habitat works and stream restoration, and the huge turnout shows a big interest among anglers in supporting this valuable work.
Fishing conditions on the day were not conducive to good fishing, with bright skies and a very calm lake, but 24 trout were caught and measured. The winner on the day was Gene Haran, no stranger to the winner’s enclosure, closely followed by Basil Shields. Well done to all the competitors and winners, and it is great to see clubs getting together and running a great competition on a catch-and-release basis.
Gene Haran (left) accepting the winner’s trophy from Ted WherrySecond-placed Basil Shields receiving his prize
As said, the money raised goes into stream development, with the work carried out in consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the OPW Drainage Division, who both provide significant resources. The works planned and carried out improve spawning and nursery habitat for young trout and salmon, and will be of great benefit to trout stocks on the lake.
Removing cattle access on the Headford river reduces bank erosion and sediment entering the river
Fishing
Reports from Corrib are of reasonably good fishing in the deeps for Daphnia-feeding trout, as well as patchy but sometimes excellent fishing to dry flies in the shallows. Trolling is also producing some great ferox trout. Top predator guide Tomi Kurman reports:
Some time ago we had a little “sec.ret” mission It was a day’s Ferox fishing which I donated in aid of charity, raising money to help a little boy to undergo a serious operation abroad. 3 gentlemen Maciej Ko, Paweł Wędkarska Zajawa from Scotland and Fin Lawler from Dublin offered the highest bids, so they were the winners of this auction. I have to say I was looking forward to this day, and lucky Corrib didn’t disappoint. I didn’t publish details earlier, because Paweł wanted his You Tube video ready on time too….
Check this out guys! It’s in Polish, but I’m sure you will notice the excitement and emotions accompanying great fish which were caught!
Fin, didn’t got his chance, but…. He will next time. First Pawel landed a lovely conditioned fish of 71cm which was his PB, and then….. (just when we enjoyed lunch ;-)) another rod doubled and it was Maciej’s turn to play the fish (we were laughing because he landed 3 pike before and boys said he’s a “by catch master”!
I knew straight away this wasn’t a pike! After a few minutes I saw it first time- a Beast of a Fish…. Few more moments and it was safely in the net!
The giant Trout measured 87cm and weighed just over 17lbs (estimate)
We didn’t confirmed weight because we wanted to release this magnificent fish as fast as possible!
You can imagine what happened in the boat just after (or just watch it in the video above)
In all aspects it was a great day! We helped a little boy, we caught some great fish and finally met each other!
See you next time guys! Thank you and congratulations on your new PB’s…. The bar is set quite high now
Including those two fish, and couple boated just after, current stand of “The Count” is 94!
Will Tomi make it to 100 ferox for the season? We’ll be keeping an eye on his page to find out!
Go Fishing
Tomi Guided Fishing
To book a trip with Tomi Kurman, give him a call on 085 7318541 or check out his Facebook page here: Tomi Guidedfishing
Skipper Sean Maguire had a group out on Sunday, a lovely day which saw calm conditions and a nice steady drift. Guests aboard enjoyed good fishing, with a great selection of species including some nice whiting and cod.
MegrimHaddockPollack three at a time!Nice whitngCodFine whiting and pollack
Go Fishing
Lady Gwen II
Fishing Adventures on Séan Maguire’s Lady Gwen II, a Lochin 33 M265Ti Perkins charterboat which operates 15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush.
Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire. Telephone: +353 (0) 877508758 or +353 (0) 894431182 Email:[email protected]Web:www.fishingadventures.ie
