Twenty-six anglers from the Naas & District Angling Club headed to the River Barrow in Carlow last weekend for their John Prescott Memorial competition. It was a match of two halves, as the fish came on strong straight from the ‘all in’, and it looked like whopping bags were on the cards. But some inclement windy weather rolled in a couple of hours into the match, and the fish hit the brakes, meaning that the rest of the day was a bit of a struggle.
Jon Codin Jurj with his trophy
Jon Codin Jurj, with 8.8kg, was the angler at top of the pile after all were weighed in. Trev Campbell came in second with 8.3kg, followed by Austin Conway in third.
The VDE baggers kicked off their 10-match winter league on the Newry Canal last weekend, and it proved to be a windy one… It all started so well, with quality roach coming on strong in the first couple of hours, but then something akin to a hurricane ripped along the canal, throwing both anglers and fish into disarray.
But everyone persisted through the weather bomb, and while the catches weren’t as exceptional as they first hoped, they were still happy to get their winter season off to a start with some decent bags.
The top rod on the day was Philip Walton, with 10.4kg, followed by Edgaras Griskaitis, with 10.1kg; in 3rd place was Aaron Nabc Hutchman, with 8.5kg.
Judging by the photos, they did well to stick it out…
The Irish Fly Fair will be held this November 18th and 19th at the Killyhevlin Hotel in County Fermanagh. The event will see over 70 fly dressers from around the world – the highest number ever assembled at an Irish Fly Fair – and thirty five exhibitors from Ireland, Britain and North America.
As well as the fly tying demonstrators, there will be a huge range of tackle and trade stands, fly casting demos, fly dressing competitions, talks, presentations and much more.
Dates, times, location, exhibitor info and floor plan below, more to follow…
The rules of this unique event mean that anglers can fish on any waters on the island of Ireland once they download the scoring app and adhere to the competition rules.
A breakdown of how the event is run is given below by the organising team – if you are interested in taking part, please contact them @ email to pikemasterireland@gmail.com or WhatsApp 0877926935. Entry fee is €70 per boat.
Requirements are:
anglers have to fish from a boat as a team
must have a smartphone android or IOS
must download an app (free on Play store [android] or app store [iPhone])
anglers must decide where they fish on the day and inform the organisers before the competition day.
at least one hard plastic measuring board NO roll up measuring mats.
anglers must have knowledge of the rules for safe boating in Ireland.
A WhatsApp group will be available to all registered anglers where all details explained.
Prizes include:
€1300 First place
€950 Second place
€650 Third place
€150 Longest Pike
Prize breakdown based on 50 BOATS / 100 ANGLERS and guaranteed by Baracuda Fishing Tackle Shop.
Also some Salmo lures sponsored by Ewan Reed area manager for Fox and Salmo in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Prize giving location will be agreed with all official winners. We can only accept pictures taken with the app! A selfie picture a few minutes before the competition with GPS location ON will be the first picture on the app with 0cm (we will ask that on WhatsApp group in the competition morning when you need to upload the selfie)
When your team catch a fish:
First picture has to be done with the fish in landing net with the lure clearly visible (on the app).
Second picture on the hard plastic measuring board where we need to see total length of the Pike, nose of the fish has to touch 0 mark on the measuring board. (On the app)
A card with team number has to be put somewhere that will be visible for any scoring fish. Team number will be provided before competition.
Short video 2-3 seconds with release (on the app calling the length of the Pike. Example “Pike 98cm going back“.
For 2023 we will use an application for getting the picture’s in real time. The app can be downloaded from app store or play store, it works on android or iPhone. Very easy to use once you downloaded!
The app requires
access to camera ON
access to photo gallery (will save your pictures on the phone)
mobile data ON
GPS location On(no one can see the map except the developer)
Please send your details at pikemasterireland@gmail.com
Pike only, minimum 60cm length. Anglers catch as many as they can but 5 biggest fish of the day will show the Winners
Rules for this competition:
Anglers fish in pairs on a boat max 2 anglers.
Boats must be in suitable condition and checked for any pollution discharge.
All fish are measured, recorded and returned to the water immediately.
Hooks on lures must not be baited in any way.
Only artificial lures!
No DeadBait
Ground baiting is prohibited.
Fish finders may be used.
Foul hooked fish may not be measured.
Boats shall remain a minimum distance of 50 metres apart From another competitor boat and 100 m distance from other boats (local boats)
Only pike minimum 60cm
Measurement will be in cm.
Trolling is permitted.
Each competitor must have a landing net and unhooking pliers/ forceps.
Competitors may carry and assemble as many rods as they wish, but they are allowed to use only one rod at the time.
All fishing starting/finishing times must be strictly followed.
Anglers are not allowed to enter the water.
Fish played after the ending signal sounds don’t count even if it’s hooked before signal.
In the event of adverse weather conditions the competition must be cancelled or moved to a safer location. If deemed suitable then the anglers are responsible for their own personal safety.
Lifejackets must be worn by all onboard at all times
Only hard plastic measuring board allowed in this competition, No roll up measuring mat. If a team has no measuring board we can provide one.
All vessels should include a minimum of one experienced boatman.
All competitors must be made aware of the ‘14 steps to safe boating’ www.iws.ie
To protect our waterways and ensure the prevention of the spread of invasive species boats, trailers and equipment should be inspected and cleaned.
Peadar O’Brien of Irish Fishing guides had an excellent weekend of fishing with Mark and the gang who over from Belgium on their annual pike trip. Fishing on lakes in the north east in some very mixed conditions, the guys managed to land 64 pike on lures, with plenty of 85cm+ fish and one or two which topped the metre mark.
With all kinds of weather thrown at them, it was a case of wrapping up well and keeping casting and the perseverance paid off well. Thankfully the fish weren’t too fussy and a combination of jerkbaits, pig shads and mid-sized lures did the damage. Hopefully the guys will be back again next year for another shot at it.
Come and do some fishing in this wonderful country Ireland with your friends to be Peader and Tom. If anyone would like to book a fishing tour with us, contact details in our contact info!
We are both qualified fishing guides and coaches with an abundance of knowledge of all the hotspots for coarse fishing, pike, salmon, trout and sea fishing.
Our qualifications include Angling Guides Cert, NOCN, Sports Coach UK, National
Powerboat Cert., and First 4 Sport Game Angling Coach. We can put together for you any fishing package, corporate or groups of any numbers whether it is two or twenty two.
We always do our best to make your trip a wonderful adventure.
The Daiwa Irish Pairs is a sea angling festival held in Dingle every September. Attracting many visitors from the UK and around Ireland, last week was the 40th running of the event. The festival is generously sponsored by Daiwa with additional support from Bassboots.
Inch beach
The festival consists of a number of pegged matches on venues around the peninsula, including Ventry, Cappa, Brandon and Inch. The remnants of a storm that brought some wild weather midweek forced the organisers to move competition times around, but luckily the weather settled and they were able to complete the programme.
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Sophie McGowan with her long awaited double-shot of gars
Top junior at Cappa, Chris Sanbak 6 fish for 60 points
Fiona Ryan was top lady at Cappa with 7 gars for 91 points
During the week, there is also a competition for the best specimens of various species, including bull huss, bass, pollack, conger eel and more. Anglers can fish anywhere they like during the week to target these species, so it’s a nice mix of pegged competitions and more relaxed pleasure fishing. And we believe, plenty of pints and craic too!
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Ian O’Grady with a double shot of painted rays
After a week of intense but friendly competition, the pairs competition was won out by Dave Falk and Brett Cotter with a combined score of 22 points, just ahead of Tom Wells and Mick Tapsell on 23 points. Paul Stevens and Mick Webb took third place with 26 points (A zone win is 1 point, 2nd is 2, etc.)
2024 Winners: Dave Falk and Brett Cotter
The top individual angler was Kerryman David O’Sullivan, with 6 points and 22 fish for 504 points.
Specimen Fish
We are always interested in these results, as it shows off some of the great fish available to anglers on the Dingle Peninsula.
James Raymond won the Top Fish of the Week with a fantastic bull huss of 109cm, which was actually caught in a pegged match early in the week! We’d love to get a fish like that in one of our matches!!
James Raymond with his 109cm huss
Runner-Up Specimen of the Week was won by Gary Hazelgrove with a mullet of 57cm
Some of the species winners were as follows:
Bull Huss (next best after Fish of the Week) – David O’Sullivan 102cm
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.
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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 piscarifly@gmail.com.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
