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Salmon news and more from Glenda Powell

Glenda Powell from the Blackwater Salmon Fishery writes his in her latest newsletter…

”If you don’t know where you are going, any road will lead you there.”
Lewis Carroll

As I read this quote from Lewis Carroll, it reminds me of a childhood game my sisters and I would play.  I don’t remember how old we were, but I’m guessing we were in our early teenage years.  We would arrive to Newtownards bus depot with a few coins in our pockets and we would board the first bus going anywhere.  We would purposely not look at the front of the bus to see where it was going to, this was all part of the adventure.  You can imagine that we saw many towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland playing this childhood game, what fun days out we had on our mystery tours.

Today due to heavy rain the River Blackwater has risen and I find myself in the office writing, reflecting on the past season and looking towards the next.  Without doubt our Atlantic Salmon are in trouble all over the world, our beautiful River Blackwater has also seen the effects of this in the past seasons. I believe it is time now for the angling authorities/community, along with everyone else involved in angling tourism to come together, as one voice, to try to make a difference before it is too late for our rivers to recover.  We have caught salmon this season, and many people have experienced some wonderful days on the Blackwater again this year, yet it is evident that the numbers of salmon returning to our rivers have dramatically diminished over the years, and this year is notably the worst year for salmon numbers that I can remember…

Read Glenda’s full newsletter here: If you don’t know where you are going any road will lead you there

Fish-Live-Learn

Fish-Live-Learn with Glenda Powell is an online monthly newsletter consisting of both video and written content.  We hold gatherings to help people learn to fly fish and improving their skills, offer advice, have fun, and many of our members are starting to send us content for our newsletter.  We cover game angling with the fly, and we have members from all around the world. We started Fish-Live-Learn in March 2021 and our membership is growing.

Find out more about Fish-Live-Learn at https://glendapowellfishing.com/products/

Go fishing…

Blackwater Salmon Fishery

Address Upper Kilmurry Cork Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 235 1260 Website: blackwatersalmonfishery.com

New book Angling Around Ireland is a fishy delight

Colin McLean is a Scotsman who upped sticks and moved to Ireland mamny years ago. Primarily because of the fishing he enjoyed on numerous trips here while still working in the UK. Over the years he has fished in many places around Ireland, but for a new book, he decided to take on a 32 county challenge. Colin set out to catch a fish in each of the 32 counties in Ireland, and to document the highs and lows along the way.

The author, Colin McLean

From fishing the mayfly on Galway’s Lough Corrib, to small rudd in small Clare lakes, and from his perpetual quest to catch a bream, Colin takes us on a journey around Ireland. The delightful prose captures not just the thrills (and frustrations!) of fishing, but also the joy of the journey to each place, and the trials and tribulations of weather, car troubles and just life getting in the way. Fished, and written, during the Covid pandemic, it is also an illustration of the escape fishing provided for many during that time. Colin also captures the myriad possibilities of angling in Ireland – finding a likely spot on a map, figuring out a plan, getting some bait and just getting stuck in. Most of the time his efforts are rewarded.

Angling Around Ireland is a fishy delight. It is not a book to sit and read in one go. Each chapter is a self-contained story in itself, and the reader can dip in and read a chapter or two at their leisure. Each is perfect to go with a cup of tea, and put the book down again until the next break.

Angling Around Ireland is published by Austin Macauley Publishers, and is available from the publishers, or in paperback and Kindle versions from Amazon. The Fishing in Ireland team recommend this one!

Red legged mullet catches bluefin tuna on Donegal Bay

Gavin Mannix and a willing crew headed out on the Kiwi Girl to chase tuna at the weekend. They ended their day with 2 tuna, both of which were measured, tagged and released as part of the TunaChart programme. Based on the lengths the first one was about 340lb, the other, a beautifully coloured fish, about 210lb.

Joining the crew this time was junior angler Matthew Mannix. The youngster used every bit of his strength and stamina honed by years of rugby training to to convert his hook up into a catch.

As if the high adrenline and exertion of hooking and playing the tuna wasn’t enough the anglers saw plenty of busts, whales – minkie, fin and humpbacks and dolphins to keep them entertained for their big day on the sea.

Go fishing…

Kiwi Girl

Address Mullaghmore Sligo Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 6100111 Website: offshore.ie
The fight took it out of him!!
The fight took it out of him!!

Big weights at Arvagh International and King of Clubs festivals

Both the Arvagh international Festival and the Arvagh King of Clubs are over 40 years in existence and both events have seen good times and bad; thankfully, after a rough few years, hosts and organisers at the Breffni Arms Hotel saw a lot of positives emerge from the 2023 event.

According to the organisers, most of the anglers who participated this year have rebooked for 2024 and, with with some good promotion in England, Irish angling tourism can be saved. Reports are that there haven’t been so many happy anglers in a number of years – both Pleasure and Match.

To the festivals themselves and there were some big weights recorded in the in the Arvagh September festival series, with the overall winner of both, Kevin Rowles, bagging up over 200lbs at the Arvagh International.

Day one got of to a flier with Philippe Ringot from France weighing in 37.450kg from Hollybank, followed by Andrew Lightbown from Manchester on 33.00kg and Mark Williams on 30kg.

On day two, John Price, who was fishing Kevin’s Shore, had a 25.050kg haul, also on Kevin’s Shore, Peter Rambo had 22.630kg. Andy Leathers finished with 22.550kg from Glasshouse.

To day three, once again on Hollybank, Kevin Rowles had 34.500kg, Andrew Lightbown Gulladoo and Steve Canty both had 24.450kg and Karl Heptonstall landed 24.250kg, while Mike Burrows weighed in at 23.800kg.

Kevin Green had 27.340kg on Hollybank on day Four, Willem Van-der-heln had 26.900kg Hollybank, Tony McGregor had 24.050kg and Chris Gowlin got 23.900kg,

On the final day, Andy Leathers weighed in with 26.750kg at Hollybank, Wayne Easter got 20.700kg and the overall winner weighed in with 20.600kg from Gulladoo.

  • 1st    Kevin Rowles          90.600kg
  • 2nd  Andrew Lightbown    82.800kg
  • 3rd  Andy Leathers           81.830kg
  • 4th  Kevin Green              76.340kg
  • 5th Willem-Van-Der-Heln 76.160kg
  • 6th Philippe Ringot          75.650kg

Arvagh

At the King of Clubs there was another great week’s fishing in Arvagh in very difficult wet and windy conditions. Once again, it was Kevin Rowles with an overall weight of 72.480kg who came out as the overall winner for the 2nd week in a row and his 3rd time to lift the King of Clubs perpetual Trophy.

Day one saw Kevin Rowles continue as he finished the previous week with a weight of 20.480kg from Hollybank. Kevin Johnson landed 15.140kg from Gulladoo, while Ian Germaney caught 13.930kg and Simon Godfrey weighed 13.880kg in at Gulladoo.

The best weight on day two was Tony McGregor’s on Hollybank with 17.700kg, Kevin Rowles 17.300kg at Glasshouse and Steve Richardson landed 15.100kg on Hollybank.

On day three, Wayne Easter had 16.700kg on Hollybank, Kevin Rowles had 16.450kg, Robert Holt got 15.00kg and Andrew Lightbown had 14.400kg.

Simon Godfrey was best weight on day four with 24.200kg on Hollybank, with Kevin Johnson weighing 16.830kg also on Hollybank. Robert Holt caught 14.100kg on Glasshouse and Peter Riley landed 12.500kg on Gulladoo.

On the final day, John Price took 14.240kg on Glasshouse, Ian Germaney landed 11.790kg, Steve Ryan had 11.700k and overall champ Kevin Rowles landed 11.450kg on Kevin’s Shore.

ARVAGH

Please fish in a sustainable manner

Ireland on the Fly talks to Denis Goulding

September 30th might be the end of the season for most of our loughs and rivers around the country, but don’t forget there’s another twelve days before it closes on Currane and the midland lakes.

Denis Goulding

Denis Goulding & the 12 Fly Fishing Days of October

And so for this week’s episode of Ireland on the Fly, we’re joined by international angler, Denis Goulding, for his tips and advice on where to fish if you are looking to extend your season into October.

Plus he gives us a report on how Ireland fared at the recent Home International on the lake of Menteith in Scotland.

Listen & follow on Apple or Spotify:

https://pod.fo/e/1f06a3

trout

Mixed weather but good fishing on the Clare Dragoon

Bull huss (greater spotted dogfish)

It’s been very mixed weather this week, with a calm start followed by the remnants of an Atlantic storm bringing some very windy conditions. Skipper Luke Aston has a group of Dutch anglers in for the week, and they took advantage of calm weather on their first day to get offshore. Almost flat conditions and a lovely drift on the reefs produced good fishing, with a nice mix of fine fish.

Spurs!
Nice pollack
Whiting
A chunky ling

With the windy weather came a change of venue, sheltering in the Shannon estuary. Some fine thornback ray were caught, and even some big mackerel taking fish baits on the bottom! Some nice tope and huss were also caught, along with a steady trickle of the ever-present dogfish.

Tope
Thornback ray
Tub gurnard
Bull huss (greater spotted dogfish)

Go fishing…

Clare Dragoon

Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine, skippered by Luke Aston and operating out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare…

I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke.
Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544
Email: [email protected] Web: www.fishandstay.com

Piscari-Fly Newsletter – 19th September 2023

How’s the Fishing?

Is this a wrap?

River Nore level is up at 0.863 m and weather forecast is rain and a possible storm predicted for the weekend. So is our goose cooked? Fishing hasn’t been very productive on the Nore in the last few days

Brown Trout from the River Nore

Mark Driver was out with the youths again. T.A.F.I. Leinster held the All Ireland Youth 2023 River Championships on the River Blackwater in Kells Co. Meath. 19 youths competed from Leinster, Munster & Ulster. There was 249 fish caught in total over 2 sessions. With some great sized fish being caught on Nymphs, Dry dropper and Dry Fly methods. Along with some big fish being reported to have been lost. Ulster were the winning province with 9 youths catching 155 fish. Thomas Grew and Charlie Nesbitt from Ulster had combined longest fish of 35cm. Big congratulations to Adam Adcock from Munster on achieving the National Youth River Champion Title, a great up & coming angler. A fantastic day was had and all youths reported to have really enjoyed their day on the River for the competition.

 

Went to Slade after last week folks, had a fantastic evening. Great sport off the rocks with a 10 foot 7 weight and fast intermediate…lots of sporting mackerel and pollack to be had..simple but deadly flies…really good fun. Definitely one to add to the diary for next year folks.

​

For more information and details about where to fish and get permits drop me a line [email protected].

What’s new

 

Piscari Travels

Peter is back on the road. So the Irish Team has arrived in Kamloops BC. They have 6 days practice on both rivers and lakes. Today they toured around some of the competition venues to see what’s ahead of them for the competition. The lake venues are Sullivan Lake, Tunka and Bathstone. All three lakes are very unique to themselves and will provide a good test for the lads. Water temps are lowering and this will mean the fish will come up from the depths to feed. For daily updates check out our facebook or other social media platforms. This is the official website if you want to keep an eye on results https://2023wffc.ca/

Fips Mouche World fly fishing championship in Slovakia has finished and well done to the lads and lady. Never easy events to compete in. A lot has to go your way. For results click here https://www.wffc2023.com/results/

 

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.

Thanks again.

Peter Driver.

Piscari-Fly, Woolengrange, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 Y860, Ireland, 0879787040

Lough Conn angling report week ending 17/09/23

Steve Schreck reports from Loughs Conn & Cullin…

The Kieran Lynn Cup, sponsored by Murphy’s Bar and Murphy’s Boat Hire, took place last Saturday,16th September.

It was a very successful day for the 39 anglers who participated with 15 trout over 13 inches weighed in.

Bryan Kennedy won the competition for the heaviest fish, weighing 2.3lbs.

Kieran Lynn presenting the Kieran Lynn Cup to Bryan Kennedy who won the competition

Second place for the heaviest bag went to Tommie Timoney from Crossmolina with two trout weighing 2.7lbs.

Third place went to Paul Ruane and fourth place went to Michael Tiernan.

All 10 anglers who weighed in fish were presented with a prize.

In addition to this, Frank Murray from Castlebar caught an amazing 6lbs 12oz trout dapping on the day.

Frank Murray, Castlebar with his 6lbs 12oz trout caught dapping on Lough Conn

Castlebar Anglers Association held the Jackson Cup on Lough Conn on Sunday 17th September. Sixteen anglers participated but conditions were poor and as a result, no fish were weighed in. The club intend to re-run the competition this Sunday 24th September, weather permitting.  For further information contact Tony Baynes, Chairman on +353 (0)87 3128263.

Kelly’s Boat Hire report:

Padraic Kelly and Denis Michaels fished Brackwansha and Victoria Bay for two hours last Friday. Within this small window they managed to catch and release four measuring fish, 2 of which were around the 2lbs mark.

On the same day, Brian Creedon fished Cloghans Bay and managed to catch three measuring fish.

Low water levels and low angling pressure on the Moy

 

Steve Schreck reports from the River Moy…

Angling Report week ending 17/09/23

Despite low water levels and low angling pressure the Moy catchment recorded a slight improvement in catch numbers. Water levels at Ballylahan Bridge hovered around 0.35m all week long. In total, 104 salmon have been reported caught for the week. 

Ballina Salmon Anglers reported 7 salmon mainly caught on the fly and the prawn.

Mount Falcon recorded 4 fish, 2 of which were caught on the fly and released. The best fish weighed 6lbs.

Knockmore Salmon Anglers reported 17 salmon for the week, 7 of which were released. The most successful methods were spinning, fly-fishing and prawning.

Attymass Angling Club recorded 2 fish for the week.

Coolcronan Fishery reported 8 salmon. Most of them were caught on the prawn and two double figure fish were released.

Byrne’s Fishery recorded 9 salmon for the week caught on the spinner and the prawn.

Gannon’s Fishery reported 5 salmon caught, mostly on bubble and fly. The best fish weighed 7lbs.

The Foxford Fishery recorded 15 fish, 12 of which were released. Successful methods were bubble and fly and the prawn. The best fish weighed 8lbs.

Foxford Salmon Anglers reported 22 salmon for the week, of which 17 were caught at Rinnaney and 5 at Baker’s.

Local reports suggest that 3 salmon have been caught at the Foxford Rocks Fishery.

Cloongee Fishery recorded 1 salmon of 4lbs caught on bubble and fly.

East Mayo Anglers reported 11 salmon for the week, of which 5 were released.  9 fish were caught on the fly and 2 on the worm.

Young rods compete for All Ireland boat titles

 

The Irish Federation of Sea Anglers reported that the All Ireland under 21 and under 16 boat angling championships held in Rathmullen Co. Donegal and hosted by Lough Swilly Junior Angling Club was a great success. This years under 21 Champion is Kevin Roche and this years under 16 champion is Jack Walsh.

This was Jack’s 2nd year in a row winning the title!
Well done to all the anglers that took part it was a great day with lots of fish.
This competition is also the Qualification for Under 21 World boat championship for 2024 which will be held in Rathmullen Co. Donegal in Late August 2024 .
We will have 2 teams again next year (one team Pre qualified) so the top 5 under 21s from yesterday’s competition will represent Ireland in the World Boat Championships 2024 are
Kevin Roche, Denis Breetveld, Alex Matthews, Hanna John and James Donaghey
Our pre Qualified Team from Last year is Sarah Lynch, Orlagh McLean, Patrick Donaghey, Cormac O Brien and Shaun McLean.
Big well done to the Lough Swilly Junior angling Club committee!
Also a massive thanks to the Inland Fisheries Ireland and Angling Council of Ireland for the support in the future of Irish Boat angling