Damien Culliney from Anglers Paradise reports on some recent good fishing on Lough Derg:
I had Bjorn and Juan out from Argentina for their first pike fishing experience recently, so after a bit of discussion we decided to fish lough Derg. The day was a typical Irish day of 4 seasons, but the fishing was fantastic, with fourteen takes through the day showing that the fish are definitely becoming active again after the summer months. Juan’s first Irish pike was 87cm, then Bjorn had a 91 cm too. Both were PB’s for the lads so they were over the moon. And the fish just kept coming with a run of 90cm + fish and we finished the day with a beautiful fish of 106 cm. Great fishing, and the lads are already looking forward too our next trip.
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Go fishing…
Anglers Paradise Ireland
Trout and Pike Guide
Anglers Paradise Ireland is owned and managed by Damien Culliney, a well known angler and chef in the Clare region and a man passionate about the inland waterways and natural history of County Clare. At Angler’s Paradise, we love the thrill of Game fishing and Pike fishing in equal measure and can take our clients to some of Europe’s most unspoilt rivers and lakes in search of trophy predators and the realisation of their angling dreams.
A host of junior anglers turned up to fish the Johnny Cunningham Memorial Competition 2023 on the Grand Canal near Tullamore last week.
Fishing was challenging with a few showers, but our anglers still managed to catch some nice weights. First place went to Jake Gilligan with a weight of 1lb 3oz. Second place went to Eisvinas with a bag of 14oz. Third place went to 3rd AJ Keeley with a weight of 12oz.
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1st place – Jake Gilligan 1lb 3oz
2nd place – Eisvinas 14oz
3rd place -AJ Keeley 12oz
The group enjoyed some soft drinks and refreshments at our weigh-in and announced the winners of the Canal Summer League 2023.
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The Quinn trophy for the heaviest bag of the league which was 5lb 14oz went to Caoimhe Carroll. This is her 2nd year in a row to win the trophy.
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Caoimhe with Quinn Trophy
Caoimhe also won the Canal Cup as the Canal champion of 2023 for a second year running with a total score of 79 points.
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Caoimhe with the Canal Cup
Our best Newcomer award, the “Coyne Cup”, went to Muireann Carroll, who caught fish stead over the 4 weeks in the Competitions and came 2nd on our point system with a score of 67 points.
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Muireann with the Coyne Cup
Our award for our most improved angler, who showed a great improvement since our last junior league, went to Lauren Keilly, who ended up with a score of 42pts this year, where she had 33pts last summer.
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Lauren Keilly – Most improved angler
Aoibhinn Carroll with a prize
A huge thank you to all the members who assisted with coaching and swim clearing.
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We also remembered Johnny Cunnigham on this day who was a great angler and supported the club for many years.
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This competition was also a fundraiser Competition and we are raising funds for Jigsaw.
Ger Power was fishing at Belturbet on the weekend when he caught some lovely bream. He had been fishing over a bed of strawberry groundbait with mixed results. But when he switched to chocolate this seem to get the swim fishing really well. He was fishing the feeder, out on his own, enjoying the peace and quiet when he hooked in to this fine fish. The bream took a size 18 hook on a long 2lb hook length. It took a while to land so no weight was taken, instead it was a quick photo and let the fish recover before releasing it.
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Ger with one of his big Belturbet bream
Ger tells us Sunday was even better. He had another 2 large bream and caught over 20 smaller roach, as well as perch, rudd and some nice hybrids.
All Ireland Feeder Club championships, Plus Qualifiers…
A fantastic performance over both days of the event saw the team finish with 23 points with a 1st and 2nd individually too. The fishing on the Blackwater was tough with all sections harder on day two but it was Lurgan BLUE who stepped up their game keen to make this year’s club champions, winning day 2 with 10.5 points but who had to settle for 2nd place with 25.5 points. Browning Fishing Ireland finished in 3rd with 39 points with just one point between Baggers GREEN and Munster CAC holding their 4th and 5th positions.
Results
Club Champions
CM Lakelands 23pts
Lurgan BLUE 5pts
Browning 39pts
Baggers GREEN 41pts
Munster CAC 42pts
Lurgan WHITE 5pts
Baggers YELLOW 57pts
Individual
Piotr Horbiński 2pts
David Herron 4pts
Darren Fairhurst 4pts
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CM Lakelands
Piotr Horbinski
David Herron
Individual winners
A brilliant display from CM Lakelands’ Piotr Horbiński who wins individually with a perfect 2 point score and top match weight each day finishing with 16.100kg. Lurgan’s David Herron takes second place with 4 points on weight with 10.950kg ahead of CM Lakeland’s Darren Fairhurst in third with 4points, 9.400kg.
CM Lakelands now qualify for a place at the World Championships in Portugal and will accompany the current World Champions to the event! With the possibility of the chance to travel for the 3rd placed Browning Team to be confirmed by FIPSed.
Congratulations to CM Lakelands and thanks to all the club teams for participating in this enjoyable weekend on the stunning River Blackwater courtesy of the Ulster Council.
World Feeder Club Championships
This event also doubles up as the qualifiers to select the team to attend the World Feeder Club Championships to take place in Portugal in 2024. This is the championships the NCFFI proudly hosted at Lough Muckno in April 2023. It was a great achievement for feeder angling in Ireland when Lurgan Coarse Angling Club were gold medallists, a first club medal for Ireland, and as a result they automatically go through to the next championships. So five teams battled it out to qualify for a place (and possibly two places) and CM Lakelands, bronze medalists from the event in April are 2023 Club Champions and also the top qualifier for 2024.
The River Blackwater
In late 2021 the Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation took on a long-term lease with the National Trust Mid Ulster for fishing rights on the River Blackwater at Argory. This was a welcome initiative by all parties to bring sustainable angling practices and protection to a beautiful site. The lease includes the well-established stretch of water at Bonds Bridge with 20 existing swims and a further previously inaccessible stretch of the river.
Since this time NGB funding through the NCFFI from Sport Northern Ireland has seen us develop the river, with the support of DAERA Inland Fisheries to provide 20 new swims to the new Argory stretch. While the Bonds Bridge pegs are currently open to all, the new section is reserved for organised events by our member clubs for a small fee.
In recent months our members have enjoyed some excellent river fishing in match conditions with double figure weights with bonus bags reaching 43kg during the Lower Bann CAA summer league. The site has also been party to several coaching sessions for young anglers. Works continue at the venue as we engage with our clubs and the community in our aim to provide a sustainable angling hub on the river.
Despite torrential rain in some areas around the country over the last week, water levels have continued their downward trajectory on the River Boyne.
There was a super fish landed on the river last week at the Ramparts. It was estimated to be around 18lbs. The salmon was a resident male fish that fell to a fly being fished by Noel Rafferty from Dublin. Well done Noel!
In addition to Noels’ super fish there were 5 salmon caught on the river on Saturday and one further fish caught on Sunday.
Kit Dunne from Wicklow Boat Charters reports on good fishing for bullhuss, smoothhounds and tope:
Friday saw John Kirwan’s crew boat 16 Tope with 14 good Huss.
On Saturday John Ó Brien and Sons managed 7 Tope, 3 Huss and Hounds to 1 meter any time they dropped a crab bait. An evening trip with Dan Finlay saw 3 Huss to the boat but no big tope. The deeps are producing small numbers of Tope but big when you do get one.
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Ken got this smoothhound on squid
A wee tope for the O'Brien family
On of John O'Brien's group with a lovely smoothhound
On of John O'Brien's crew with a nice huss
Darren with a 110cm huss
Darren Gray’s group had 10 Tope by 2pm, and 5 Huss, longest 110cm. The day was topped by a 40lb specimen for Robbie.
Specimen Tope of 40lb for Robbie
We’re gearing up for the big Tope now, and hopefully a few Spur.
East coast waters are home to some of the best fishing in Ireland, with Wicklow boasting record catches of Tope, Bull-Huss, Ray and Spurdog in recent years. Catch Gurnard, Pollock and Codling on the inshore rough patches or on the offshore banks. Target your Specimen Tope, Spurdog, and Bull-Huss with Kit your local experienced skipper and accomplished Irish International Angler.
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 – Manannan Mac Lir 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.
Rod and tackle hire available, coaching and Bait supply on request.
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.
Castle Maiden
Offshore 105, 370 Hp Iveco
Skipper: Kit Dunne Licence: P5 Base: Wicklow Harbour Operational area: Wicklow, Arklow, Bray, Dun Laoghaire, and Courtown – 30 miles from ports of departure.
Manannan Mac Lir
Swiftcat 11.4m, 2 x 420hp Iveco
The new vessel, called “Manannan” for short, is an 11.4m, (37.5’), x 4.4m, Swiftcat, a state-of-the-art Charter Boat with great speed, safety, stability & comfort. She has a very spacious flush deck with walk around wheelhouse giving ample flush deck space all-round. With today’s high level of design options, she is well fitted out with all mod cons. She is a twin-engine shaft driven Catamaran, fitted with 2 x 420hp Iveco FPT NEF67 engines, she cruises at 18-20 Knots, with a top speed of 28 knots.
Michael McDermott, Councillor Tony Waldron invited guest presenting (Heaviest fish) winner Billy Thomas, Ronan Baggott, Mark Malone,John Gaffey
Joe Fitzharris reports on a well contested Donnellan Cup in blustery conditions on O’Flynn last week…
Over 32 anglers competed to win the much coveted Donnellan Cup on Sunday in reasonable but windy angling conditions.
We had an unusual first timer in both Club Chairperson Ronan Baggott & Club Secretary Daniel McDermott returned the heaviest boat catch to a resounding applause as very popular winners.
Results were as follows,
1st place Donnellan Cup winners (2023), Ronan Baggott & Daniel McDermott
6 – Fish for 13lb 12.8 oz.
2nd place Peter Corcoran & Michael Cunningham,
5- Fish for 9lb 06.2oz.
3rd place Mark Malone & Michael McDermott,
5 – Fish for 7lb 10.2 oz.
4th place John Finn & Damien Macklin,
4 – Fish for 6lb 05.6 oz.
Heaviest Fish winner
Billy Thomas – 2 lb 06.4 oz.
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Ryan Cummins, Mike McDermott, Dan McDermott, (winner) Michael Donnellan (presenting) Ronan Baggott, (winner) Mark Malone, John Gaffey
Daniel McDermott, Mike McDermott & Mark Malone (Third place) winners, Ronan Baggott
Ryan, Michael,Dan,Peter Corcoran (second place) winner, Michael Cunningham (second place) winner, Mark, Ronan, John
Michael McDermott, Councillor Tony Waldron invited guest presenting (Heaviest fish) winner Billy Thomas, Ronan Baggott, Mark Malone,John Gaffey
Go fishing…
Next Club event is the Maloney/Keady cup which will be held on Sunday 10th September
Adrian Browne from Oaklands starts our week with a report from Oaklands Junior Summer League final…
Two great performances from young anglers in the final round of the Oaklands Junior Summer League. An impressive 52kg from secured John Mulligan the top position in the league with Charlie Upton’s 30kg bagging him the novice section. The league which saw the talented youths improve their angling skills as they fished a series of four three hour matches over the summer months.
Second in the advanced section was Conor Fitzharris and in third place was Jack Norris who was also awarded the prize for the best angler under 12. In fourth position was Michael Urbanski and fifth Jessica Ryan. Novices Arbandas Zibas and Shane Holligan finished up in second and third position.
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Charlie Upton
Jack Norris
Jessica Ryan
John Mulligan
Oaklands Lake in New Ross, Co. Wexford is an excellent managed fishery with facilities and a shop on-site with access for all. Open year round daily junior anglers can fish free alongside a paying adult, daily and annual permits are available with concessions for the disabled and senior citizens.
Oaklands Coarse Angling club are members of the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland www.ncffi.ie who keep a regularly updated list events available specifically for young anglers on their website – link https://www.ncffi.ie/competition-calendar/
Go fishing…
Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling.Tthe 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. 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.
Oaklands remaining Fixtures 2023
September 3rd Open Match
September 17th Open Match
October 8th Open Match
October 29th & 30th
2 Day Feeder only.
November 5th Open Match
November 12th & 13th
2 Day Silver fish Only.
December 3rd Open Match
That’s another wet and warm week of the summer ticked off the calendar. Unsurprisingly Storm Betty saw some really heavy rainfall in places and many rivers are still high as more rain followed this week. Winds were often pretty strong leading to difficult conditions for anglers inland and at sea. But as ever, for those able to get on the water when the conditions suited, there was some excellent fishing to be had, particularly for coarse anglers in Co. Cork…
Constant floods on the Moy have not suited anglers, and put the salmon off the take at times too. With the heavier water, spinning is getting most of the fish. Rivers in Cork and Kerry have similar reports. There are a few salmon about, but not a whole lot getting caught, as anglers on the Roughty, Lough Currane, Laune, Bandon and Munster Blackwater have found. There were reports of a good run of grilse on the Lee last week and in between floods on the Boyne, some anglers found their fish.
Tisse with a magnificent six-pounder from Arrow
Trout anglers are getting better fishing and good sport is still being had on Loughs Conn and Cullin. Several parties had enjoyable sessions and even half days or shorter outings saw anglers catch a decent number of trout last week. Lough Arrow has been hit by high water levels and the Green Peter fishing hasn’t been great, but anglers are still meeting fish on wetfly. Our Catch of the Week goes to Tisse Siriwardena, Sligo, for his beautiful trout of 6lb.
This week, the Ireland on the Fly podcast talks to Dec Conlon, Irish Team Captain, about the upcoming World Championships in a great interview that should be required listening for anyone thinking of entering the world of competition angling.
Catches to over 37kg were weighed in at the Coachford Festival
The Angler’s Rest Feeder Festival was held over five days last week and a top-class field of 45 anglers lined the banks on Garadice Lough, Brackley Lough, and Kiltybarton Lough. High water played its part but in what was a very competitive match Tony Green emerged the winner. Staying with festivals, Marco Hoffman won the 3 day Coachford Festival fished on Inniscarra. Marco had an incredible 37.330kg on the last day for a total of 64.060kg. It was a big weekend on the Erne for the BSI Sensas club squad who qualified for a place at the FIPSed World Club Championships to take place in Slovenia in 2024. The developed river sections on Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh produced mixed bags of roach, bream, hybrids and perch for the five-man teams. Finally Dutch anglers visiting Longford are getting some great fishing for bream, tench, roach and rudd.
These returns provide vital information regarding the status and management of our wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout stocks into the future.
Clare River Bye-Law Consultation
A public consultation is now open on a proposed new bye-law for the Clare River and tributaries in Co. Galway, which involves a new bag limit for angling of 2 trout per day. Find out about it and how to make a submission here.
Clare River and floodplain looking south from Anbally
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme Funding
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is now open for funding applications, which angling clubs can apply for. The focus of ORIS is to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland that not only provide an outlet for the communities in which they are situated, but that also deliver added value from a tourism perspective. Read our post about it here.
And now the weather…
Generally cloudy on Saturday with widespread showers, a few possibly heavy in the east. A fresh northerly breeze will persist with highest temperatures of 15 to 19°C, warmest in the south. There’ll be a rather wet and blustery start to Sunday as bands of rain move across the country during the morning with some heavy falls at times. The rain will gradually clear away to the east followed by scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20°C in fresh and blustery westerly winds. Monday will be much the same but cooler and the unsettled weather will continue on Tuesday.
On last Sunday in swelly conditions fishing with a group led by Kees Martijn we landed 2 common skate from the Lady Louise one an Irish Specimen a male of 181 cm.
24 August: Great end to the day for the anglers on the “Lady Louise”. they got 2 Bluefin Tuna, a Porbeagle shark and 5 Blue Shark all tagged and released. The first Tuna tagged off Courtmacsherry this season and to catch Porbeagle, blue shark and Bluefin tuna on the same day is a feat in itself. Great fishing for Tom Cullen and the lads from Wicklow and well done Sean.
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25 August: More Bluefin action from the Lady Louise a fish of 87 inches tagged and released for Felix.
Go Fishing
Charter boats and self drive boats in Courtmacsherry
Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre offers charter boat fishing and inshore small boat hire.
Lady Patricia
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Skipper: Mark Gannon Licence: 819 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Lady Louise
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Caterpillar Skipper: Sean Maxwell Licence: 818 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Authorised blue fin tuna boat 2026
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and
Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Inshore small boat hire
With our Self Drive boats several different activities can be enjoyed. Our self drive 16′ Boats are equipped with 8 HP Yamaha 4 stroke engines. Equipment includes:
• Set of oars
• Life-Jackets
• Anchors
• Charts of local area
Castle Maiden
Manannan Mac Lir
Lady Patricia
Lady Louise
