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Specimen sea bass for Craig in Kerry!

By
IFI staff
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Craig Murphy with his 76cm sea bass before release

We received a great report from Craig Murphy, who caught his fish of a lifetime in Kerry.

Read his report below…

I haven’t shared a report in some time but this fish is a special one for me. Stephen Gibson and myself drove from Dublin  to Tralee Bay for the day’s ray fishing. Crazy I know, and it’s not the first time either.  Fishing wasn’t great in the ray front so we moved to plan B and went exploring with the lure rods. I’d  a schoolie early on and thought we might get a few fish here but after an hour it wasn’t happening . We were nearly ready to throw in the towel and hit the road when I made a long cast to a patch of reef in the distance. Two flicks of the rod and this beast took the lure. She came in easy at first before waking up and taking a few big runs. Nothing my Trusty Tidrift bass rod couldn’t handle.  After a few moments of dogged fighting around the weed she gave up and I was able to walk her back to shore.  When she landed on the beach we both stud over it in awe.

A quick Measure, weight, photo and she was on her way. Coming in at 76cm and 10lb 6oz on the scales!

I’ve been after a specimen bass on the lure for a number of years now. Not taking it too seriously but squeezing in some sessions into my yearly angling regimen. Fishing in the right areas at the right times,  I’ve managed to witness and photograph 3 doubles for friends. I’ve hooked and played two such fish to my feet but lost both. Finally get to tick this one off my bucket list. A fish of a lifetime for a casual bass angler. Still Buzzing…

Please fish in a sustainable manner

Bandon gets a good run of grilse as river rises a little following rains

By
IFI Staff
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salmon
A sea liced 8lber taking a rest before being returned

Eileen Carroll Murphy tells us that salmon anglers on the Bandon had some productive days on the water last week. By all accounts there were lots of grilse in the lower river to Pat O’Driscoll’s bridge following a small rise in water levels, and there was a healthy 40+ fish Caught.  Best  of these was a 12lbs salmon at Daisy Lohan’s by a club angler on prawn.

Go fishing…

Bandon Angling Association have set up a guiding service in conjunction with Jason Nash, Peter Aspinwall and Phil Dewey. Details of the guiding service are provided on the website and they are looking forward to making memories and enhancing people’s fishing experiences on the river Bandon. Day tickets and club membership are also available.
Web: https://bandonangling.com/

Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association have 10 miles of fishing between Togher Castle and Manch Bridge (Fly Only). Day / Season tickets from Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association +353 (0)23-8855196

Ballineen and Enniskeane Anglers have 4 miles of fishing and day tickets are available for visiting anglers. Day tickets available from Tom Fehily grocers in Bridge Street, Ballineen. Tel:  +353 23 47173

River Bandon

Over 40 salmon reported from the Lee last week

By
IFI Staff
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Kingsley Weir - River Lee, Cork
Kingsley Weir - River Lee, Cork

Eileen Carroll Murphy in our Macroom office reports that last week’s rain saw a more than a few grilse running the Lee. For the week ended 25 June there were over 40 salmon reported. Amongst them were some better fish and one angler had a 15lb salmon at Inniscarra weir on a Flying C.

Go Fishing…

River Lee

Ireland on the Fly Podcast book club edition – Kirk Wallace Johnson

By
IFI Staff
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book cover
The Feather Thief

It’s a special book club episode this week on Ireland on the Fly as Tom & Daire speak to Kirk Wallace Johnson, author of the acclaimed, best seller, The Feather Thief…

Book Club Ep #5: Kirk Wallace Johnson & The Feather Thief Pt 1

For those of you not aware of the story or the book, it’s a story about a crime heist involving the fly tying world, and specifically those tiers wanting to get their hands on extremely rare feathers from the 19th century.

As for the Irish angle?  Well, there is of course the Irish influence on fly tying in the 1800s, and in the context of the crime investigation, it was an undercover PSNI officer who first became aware of the stolen swag that was being offered to the fly tying world.

Prior to becoming obsessed with the story and writing the book, Kirk Wallace Johnson had discovered fly fishing as a therapeutic sport that helped him recover from PTSD after time spent in Iraq.

And it was while standing in a river in the US that he first heard about the fly tying robbery of the British Natural Museum and the thread of the Feather Thief began to unwind…..

*Listen & Follow on Apple/Spotify*
https://pod.fo/e/188260

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book cover
The Feather Thief

Ollie Flynn wins Match 3 to take the Athy Summer League

By
IFI Staff
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Athy

Ryan from Athy & District Anglers reports on the third and last match of their 2023 summer league…

Crazy winds made this match particularly challenging! The wind rarely let up throughout the match, forcing most anglers to stay close to the bank with their poles. With little hope of getting to the middle, deeper parts of the canal most anglers would take to the margins in an effort to lure out any larger fish hiding. One such angler struck into a beautiful tench on a silverfish top kit, with a super-light elastic the tench had the run of the swim and promptly made it’s escape!

Not all was lost though, a few anglers had some exceptional fish in their pegs and went about expertly retrieving them. Peg 5 surprised most with a fantastic showing of tench, while peg 24 kept its reputation of being a very strong peg delivering a confident 2nd place. Peg 15 also delivering well on roach as well as tench, giving a strong 3rd place! Elsewhere, hard days were had with pegs 9, 14, 16 and 22 delivering less than a pound in weight.

Overall a hard fished match, and a tight finish to the summer league. Let’s check out the results!

  1. Ollie Flynn – 9lb 10ozs
  2. Chris – 7lb 14ozs
  3. Colin – 6lb 12ozs

Huge well done to Ollie Flynn our winner and to our framers too. A hard match well fished lads, great stuff!

League results

The totals are tallied, the weights are in, and the draws resolved by combat. It’s time for the overall Athy & District Anglers Summer League results!

The tie for 2nd place was resolved on overall weights, with Ollie Doyle coming out on top at 18lb 15ozs total vs Chris’ 16lb 12ozs total. Well fished lads!

  1. Colin Oliver – 6pts
  2. Ollie Doyle – 13pts
  3. Chris – 13 pts
  4. Ciaran – 19pts
  5. Hugh – 21pts
  6. Ollie Flynn – 22pts

Well done all!

Thank you

First a huge thank you to the Clanard Court hotel of Athy for sponsoring us with a spot prize of a free meal for 2! And also a huge thank you to Athy Plant Hire for sponsoring the match as well! Greatly appreciated by the club.

If you are interested in  getting involved with the club? Fishing the Marina club grounds in Athy? Then click this link and become a member!

Go fishing

Join the Club…

Athy & District Anglers Club was formed in 1959 and to this day they continue to pursue their goals of protecting, maintaining and encouraging the sport of angling in the greater Athy area. The club works with local authorities to improve and maintain local fishing areas as well as organizing events and matches for local and national anglers. Athy & District Anglers Club welcomes all new members and all age groups to the sport! If you’d like to get involved, please check out the Getting Involved section of their website.

Athy Town Coarse Angling Centre on the Barrow

A handful of salmon and sea trout report by Currane anglers

By
IFI Staff
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Lough Currane

Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane…

22/6/2023 Straight back to yesterday’s manipulations and I quote Local gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com

“Vincent, you’re failing in your duties, you didn’t mention my clients catch in yesterday’s report.”

Well I have to say I’m guilty as charged because I failed to read his text. So let’s put the record straight and my apologies to UK Currane angler Mr. Graham Elswood who caught a fine 3 lbs. Sea Trout on the drift. Now back to today’s action Local Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea reports that nothing happened today. Wind light to fresh South and veered SSW followed by reasonable cloud at times and very warm and humid.

23/6/2023 We start with rainfall ? well going by the Inny this afternoon I can say it wasn’t a lot but on that negative note we head out on to the lake where UK Currane angler Mr. Graham Elswood was in great form again while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com caught a fine 5 lbs. Salmon on the fly. As Brod’s Father Mr. jack O’Sullivan once said to me 46 years ago even the smallest bit of rain can activate Salmon, all I can say, so true. Wind fresh SSW and variable and overcast followed by misty rain.

24/6/2023 Straight to the Sea Trout department, Luxemburg Currane angler, Bob caught a fine 2 lbs. Sea Trout while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com. Also in good form was Cork Currane fly angler Mr. Sean Kennedy who caught 1 Sea Trout in the 2 lbs. class while fishing with his gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and for the rest of the Currane anglers it was all quiet. Wind South Fresh followed by strong gusts up to 38 mph and overcast followed by rain showers.

25/6/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet today and in the words of one Currane angler and I quote, I had a day off. Well that may well be true but going by the Inny secret service the Currane anglers had their Inny hats on today. Now we head for www.thevillawaterville.com I Would like to thank all the management and all the staff at the Villa, especially to a young gentleman and his friends who found my phone and I can tell you it was greatly appreciated. Wind West fresh followed by good cloud cover followed by showers.

26/6/2023 Cork angler Mr. Martin Coveney caught one Sea trout while fishing with his gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and for the rest of the Currane anglers there was no comment. Wind W and veered SW light to fresh followed by cloud cover.

27/6/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet again in all departments. Wind light to fresh SW and veered WSW and overcast all day.

28/6/2023 UK Currane angler Mr. Harris caught a fine 6 lbs. Grilse/Salmon while trolling with his gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com on the weather front, wind light WNW and veered NW.

Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry.
Telephone: +353 (0) 87 207 4882
E-mail:[email protected]
Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com

Sea Trout – Catch and release only

Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to remind anglers that the Conservation of Sea Trout (No.7 or Kerry District) Waterville Area Bye-Law No. 971 of 2019 remains in effect. This Bye-law prohibits the retention and possession of any sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) taken by any fishing engine or by rod and line in the Waterville area i.e. that part of the sea eastward of a line drawn from the most westerly point of Bolus Head to the most westerly point of Lamb’s Head and to all the waters discharging in to it.

The Bye-Law mainly affects seatrout fishing on :-

  • the river Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
  • the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
  • the waters of Ballinskelligs Bay

FLEKSI

A new online survey has been developed by IFI for the Currane catchment to gather anglers’ knowledge – the survey method called FLEKSI was developed by IFI to help give an insight into the status of the fishery. Currane Anglers are needed for Citizen Science survey to examine fish stocks

Go fishing…

Find out more about Lough Currane…

The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see:

Waterville lakes and river system

Guides and boat hire

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/
More information
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Fly Fishing on Lough Currane

Address Termons Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353(0) 87 922 8659 Phone: +353(0) 66 9474146 Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com
More information
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Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Website: lakelandshouse.com
More information
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Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Website: oshealoughcurrane.com
More information
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Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie
Find on Map | Return to top.

Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Website: salmonandseatrout.com
More information
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Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800
Find on Map | Return to top.

Hound hunting holiday hits all the highs

By
IFI Staff
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Shane Nugent with a smoothhound

Shane Nugent reports on a week of smoothhound fishing at a Wexford venue…

Myself and my stepson, Eoin Doyle, along with his friend Ciaran McCabe (both 13) spent a week in Wexford for a fishing trip in search of some nice smoothhounds. We were full of hope after a couple of friends of mine put me on a mark that holds decent fish. On arriving at the house in Wexford we decided we would chill for the first day and start fishing for Hounds the following day, after getting a bit of well deserved rest to charge the batteries for the days ahead.

We loaded the car up the next day and hit the road. About 40km from where we were staying we got to the location and set up the rods ,Tronixpro Aphex TT and Tronixpro Blaze CXIII with 2 pulley pennel rigs baited with fresh peeler crab and it didn’t take long until we hit the hounds!

smoothhound

One rod would go and the other would go not long after it.  Straight away I knew this was the spot we needed to focus on to get the Hounds we were after. Throughout the week I watched the winds, the times, the tides and it fell into place that to be on the fish in that spot all 3 factors had to play in sync for the chances of catching some fish.

Believe it or not some days when all 3 factors were against each other we didn’t get into as much fish as anticipated, but we kept going regardless, hunting for double figure Hounds.

I didn’t get mine in the end but it didn’t stop me from trying until the holiday was over. Eoin Doyle did manage to get himself a nice 10.6lb Smoothhound, so with that landed I was happy.

smooth hound

Between the 3 of us we landed numerous fish and we all got a couple of PB hounds each. All in all it was a super few days on the fish and look forward to give it a bash again.

Go fishing…

Wicklow to Wexford sea fishing

Inland Fisheries Ireland seeks to hook young Dubliners on angling

By
Sadhbh O'Neill
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  • Over 600 young people took part in the Dublin Angling Initiative in 2022

Inland Fisheries Ireland has today launched an open call for youth clubs, community groups, and schools in the greater Dublin area to take part in its fishing programme- the Dublin Angling Initiative.

The project aims to promote, develop and improve angling among children and young people. In 2023 Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is once again looking for interested parties for the summer, autumn and winter months to learn how to fish.

Girl fishing on a rock
One of the participants of the DAI programme fishing

Speaking about the call Brian Beckett, Director of the Eastern River Basin District at IFI said: “In 2022 we took over 600 young people from the Dublin area out fishing. We are asking youth clubs, community groups as well as national and secondary schools to get in touch if they would like to try out a new hobby and learn skills for life.

“As well as learning a new skill there are the additional health and wellbeing benefits of taking part in an outdoor activity and disconnecting from the online world. The initiative introduces young people to the pursuit, giving access to fishing equipment, guidance around how and where to fish, and builds awareness about the importance of protecting and conserving our fisheries resource and its wonderful biodiversity.”

Two people holding fish and the sea in the background
Two participants in the DAI programme with their catch on a fishing trip

The project offers children and young people of all abilities an opportunity to take fishing lessons, participate in fishing trips, and enjoy family fishing days.

Interested clubs, schools or groups can contact IFI’s DAI co-ordinator, Rory Keatinge, by email [email protected] or by calling 087 6142906.

Ireland on the Fly talks water quality and what it means for angling

By
IFI Staff
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water quality

Last week saw the release of the EPA’s Water Quality report which provides an update on the water quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal, and groundwaters for 2022.

With nitrogen levels increasing in rivers, what will it mean for our fishing?

The main headline from it was the fact that there has been no improvement in water quality of rivers or lakes with nitrogen levels increasing in rivers overall and to find out more, this week’s Ireland on the Fly podcast spoke to Mary Gurrie, Programme Manager with the EPA.

There has been a steady decline since 2012 she told Daire & Tom, which has been somewhat arrested in the last two years, however, farming and waste water are the key issues in the problem of water quality which must be addressed in the coming years.

water quality

Rate, review and follow the show to keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify at:
https://podfollow.com/ireland-on-the-fly

You can read the EPA report at:
https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/freshwater–marine/water-quality-in-2022-indicator-report.php

Irish angling Update – 23 June 2023

By
IFI Staff
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While the hotter and sunnier than normal weather continued all last week, it was frequently interrupted by impressive displays of thunder and lightning. There was a lot of rain, but so localised that it did little to improve angling in most places and led to severe flooding where the water was not wanted. Not surprisingly, the majority of our reports this week are from the shore, or further out to sea, as anglers on our lakes and rivers struggled with bright days and low water conditions.

It was a quiet week for salmon anglers as low water and bright sunshine combined with thundery conditions. The Moy saw some salmon caught despite the unsuitable conditions and there was some fine sea trout fishing reported on the estuary, but elsewhere there was little to report.

Mick and his savage trout – Catch of the Week

The conditions were not best suited to trout anglers on our rivers or lakes either. Few were minded to hit Lough Conn or Cullin, and not many fish were reported for the week. On Lough Ree, a day of zero action was rescued by a single savage take which saw a super trout landed, but then the heavens suddenly opened, and it was all off the lake, and fast. There was just enough time to photo and release the 74cm trout before the weather hit. It makes a great Catch of the Week. In Co. Limerick, the Maigue and Deel did well from the rain, and both rivers were well up and coloured, but still fishable and a visiting angler from the USA had good sport fishing with Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling. Finally, we have a review of the Mayfly season on Lough Arrow from Jackie Mahon.

This bream helped Sid to the top of the leaderboard

The River Barrow fished well for the Athy Anglers who enjoyed catching some great tench, bream and hybrids in the second leg of their Summer League. Royal Enfield Coarse Angling Club held a two-day festival on the Royal Canal recently. Fishing was tough, particularly on day one. Congratulations to Sid Baldock from Leigh in the UK for toughing it out to take the win. Congratulations also go to Mark Theedom for his second day win at the Roslea Lakes festival. His catch of 17kg saw him weigh in over 26kg overall to win the 2-day event.

Good tope fishing was had off Wicklow

Two brothers from The Netherlands fishing with Wicklow Boat Charters enjoyed some top class tope fishing recently including a specimen. South Shore Sea Angling Club fished the latest round of their master angler at a Wicklow venue. The night-time event saw fish being caught from the get-go.  The Irish Kayak Angling Club recently held the second leg of their All-Ireland Kayak Angling Championships in Cahore, Co. Wexford. Tope also featured in their catches and a super time was had by all. Staying in Wexford the Menapia club had excellent wrasse fishing with the best catches coming from rocky ground and kelp beds. West Cork and district SAC also fished a night competition last week. They were on a Kinsale beach and had to make the most of the blustery conditions, but some bass, flounder and more showed up. Before the winds picked up David Norman was enjoying good bass fishing from the Kayak in West Cork, as water temperatures climbed in the area. Anglers on bigger boats are also doing well as the increased water temperatures have seen blue sharks, and all sorts of other marine visitors flock to the waters in the area. Bass fishing in Kerry is also reported to have picked up in the last couple of weeks. Guests at Thatch Cottage near Caherciveen have been enjoying great fishing with bass to 73cm landed.

Ballan Wrasse
Ballan wrasse – one of our most colourful fish

Charter boats fishing off the Clare coast have seen some great mixed fishing reported by the Clare Dragoon and anglers on Lady Gwen have also made the most superb weather and fishing on offer. Skipper John Brittain out of Clifden fished with a trio who have been visiting him since the early 1990s. They had great results, particularly over the deeper marks where well-fed pollack and cod were caught. Good pollack also featured in catches for anglers on board Ewings Sea Angling and Boat Charters fishing out of Rosses Point. Killybegs Mariners have been mixing it up with a wide range of species from shore and boat. From the shore, catches included smoothhounds, from the boats they had 18 species on Deep Blue and 15 species on Killybegs Fishing Trips.

And now the weather…

Going into the weekend we have a small boats warning on all coasts, and further warnings tomorrow and Sunday as Southerly and then Westerly winds will reach force 6 or higher. The weather is to stay warm, but unsettled with scattered showers. The rain will become more persistent on Monday and it will be a cooler day. Tuesday will see temperatures return to the low 20s and it should be mostly dry. Not a great forecast for anglers hoping to go afloat but there’s plenty of fishing to be done all the same…

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update, please send it to [email protected].

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