Insane Pike Action! Last Hour Heroics with Steve…

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March 4, 2026

In his latest episode on the Fishing with Steve YouTube channel, Steve McDonagh features a Co. Meath venue he has fished many times before.

In Steve’s own words:

It’s another day, another jetty… but this one nearly didn’t happen. After weeks of flooding, I finally managed to squeeze onto the platform with just an inch or two of water under the pod. Add to that a freezer disaster that left all my bait defrosted for TWO days… and it wasn’t exactly shaping up to be a classic session. Deadbaiting over a known patrol route, long casts with the bait boat, and a whole lot of patience. Hours went by with barely a sign… and I started wondering if I’d made the trip for nothing.

Then… the final hour arrived. What happened next completely flipped the session on its head.

💥 Multiple runs

🐊 Proper doubles

😲 Absolute chaos at the net

This one proves why you always stay until dark on this venue… If you enjoy proper pike fishing action, bait boat tactics, and honest sessions where things don’t always go to plan — you’ll love this episode.

If you like Steve’s videos, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe to the channel.

Piscari Fly Newsletter fishing round up

By

IFI Staff

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March 3, 2026

The Piscari-Fly team discuss all things fly-fishing in their latest newsletter:

How’s the Fishing?

We saw another blast of our country’s fishing open up over the weekend on the 1st March. Those of you who were lucky enough to get out, I hope you enjoyed it. A cool windy day but plenty of reports of fish being caught across the rivers and lakes of Ireland on social media. Here’s a picture of Peter’s Dad with his first fish of the season, he was out in Roundwood in Co Wicklow with Brendan Driver. They got out for a few hours, earlier in the morning, before the wind took up. He was delighted with himself and great to see him get another season under way. He is looking forward to a lot of fishing this year. And well done to Brendan too on a lovely start to his season.

The TAFI All Ireland Banks took place Saturday in Laois Angling Centre. The competition went really well. A huge thanks to Johnno and Enda for allowing TAFI to hold the event there again. Well done to all the organisers and to everyone who competed on the day. The fishing was a mixed bag as usual but Kevin Lafford did really well and took first place. Followed by Brian Kerr and Gary Crothers in 2nd and 3rd place.

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Up Next

The lads head to the The North West Angling Fair on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March 2026! Whether you’re a seasoned fly-fisher, a passionate beginner, or simply love the outdoors, the North West Angling Fair brings together top exhibitors, expert demonstrations, workshops, and family-friendly activities.

Peter and Mark will both be there with Peter doing demonstrations on Euro Nymphing and Euro Dinking and Dry Dropper on both the Saturday and Sunday. Mark will be showing off our gear and you can have a look at some of our rods there too. If you are interested in any of this make sure you check it out. https://www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/angling-fair

Really looking forward to the weekend and catching up with friends and customers up there.

Irish Spring Angling Fair

Peter has been hard at work over the weekend preparing the first prize for the Irish Spring Angling draw — a stunning custom fly-tying table. It’s a fantastic piece, and there are plenty of other brilliant prizes up for grabs throughout the weekend, including fishing trips with Senan Stanley.

You can purchase tickets online or simply purchase on the day. Peter and the Piscari-Fly team will be there with the full shop setup, joined by a wide range of exhibitors and demonstrators — it’s shaping up to be a great weekend.

If you’re free over the May Bank Holiday weekend, make sure to head along to Ardaire Springs. Bring the family, have a go at fly fishing or fly tying, browse the stands, and enjoy everything the fair has to offer. There really is something for everyone.

https://www.facebook.com/irishspringanglingfair/

https://irishspringanglingfair.com/

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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.

As a small business we depend on the satisfaction of our customers and their word of mouth, google reviews are important to our online presence and we sure would appreciate your review. Just head over to this link and give us a quick review.

Thanks for the support it’s greatly appreciated

Piscari Fly

Address Woolengrange Thomastown Kilkenny Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9787040 Email: [email protected] Website: piscari-fly.com

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Irish Angling Update 🎣 27 February 2026

By

Myles Kelly

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February 27, 2026

Bent into a salmon on Lough Currane — First salmon of the season on

Temperatures rose a little in the last week and at times it was almost like Spring was building up to something but the rain still fell, and many parts of the country endured what seems like endless wet, dull weather. The milder conditions were welcomed by most anglers, though, and there are a few good days on the water to report…

First stop this week is Lough Currane in Co. Kerry, where Dominic McGillicuddy caught the lake’s first salmon of the season. By all accounts the fish gave a great account of itself, and after it was given a chance to recover, Dominic safely released the fish.

First currane salmon of 2026 — Currane’s first salmon of the season ready for release by Dominic

Peter Driver and the team at PiscariFly report that with all the rain we’ve had, the rivers have been high and trout fishing has not been great. It’s early days yet, though, and the majority of the rivers have yet to open this year. Peter also has details of the North West Angling Fair, which is on this week in Strabane, and the Irish Spring Angling Fair, which takes place from 2nd-3rd May.

To coarse angling now, and CM Lakelands Feeder Club fished the latest round of their winter league on Lough Muckno. First place went to Rimantas Kondrackas, who fished a brilliant match to weigh 8.730 kg, made up of 100-plus roach on Yellow Island.

Mick Flanagan reports from the midlands, where he was out fishing with young anglers Conor McIntyre and his pal Eoin Duncan. Highlight of the day was Eoin catching his first ever pike, which measured 101 cm.

A fine first pike for Eoin and Catch of the Week

We also have a pike report in from the Erne system, where jacks abounded and there were signs of early spawning activity. On the River Shannon, Camlin and District Anglers held their Ray Gill / Blessing of the Boats competition in Lanesborough at the weekend. Water levels were high, the weather was wet and blustery, and fishing was slow. Jacek Gorny did well though and took the win with 264cm. Meanwhile, YouTube angler Steve McDonagh returned to his favourite Monaghan lough for one last roll of the dice in his final attempt to catch a Monaghan monster – tune in to see did he catch his fish…

We finish this week’s Irish Angling Update on the beaches of Ireland. Ballybrack SAC kicked off their 2026 Master Angler Series on 15th February at Kiltennel Beach, where Paul Tyndall’s consistent approach and ability to pick off better-sized fish at range earned him first place. The Ulster Krakens Master Angler Qualifying League returned on 21st February. Ryan McAtee topped Zone A with 34 fish and claimed the overall win on his debut. In Donegal the Killybegs Mariners were making the most of what bright evenings were on offer, enjoying the fishing and the changing seasons. Also out on the 21st were Ardmore SAC and Clashmore SAC, who fished an inter-club competition on Ardmore Beach. Clashmore’s Aidan O’Halloran secured victory there with an impressive 25-fish haul. Rebel County SAC were out too, fishing their 1st match of 2026 at Monatrae Bay, Co. Waterford. The club had a good night, but no one enjoyed it more than Danny O’Shea, who caught 15 fish for 414 points and the win. Finally, West Cork and District SAC fished on Saturday, this time at Ballymoa near Ballycotton. There was steady action early on, with bites coming right from the first few casts, setting the tone for an enjoyable and competitive session. Troy Francis finished up a string of good fish with a cracking 77cm thornback ray to win the flatfish pool, rounding off a great night’s fishing and giving him 1st place.

And now the weather

You can expect a sunny and crisp start to Saturday with frost clearing. Cloud and showery outbreaks of rain will move into western parts through the morning and slowly extend eastwards through the afternoon and evening. It’ll hold dry for much of the day in the east, while a clearance will follow in to the west later. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10°C, with winds increasing moderate to fresh southerly, stronger for a time along the coasts. A wet and rather windy start to meteorological spring with outbreaks of rain, turning heavy at times, especially in the southwest and west, with some spot flooding possible. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12°C in fresh to strong southerly winds, reaching near gale to gale force in coastal parts of the west and south. Our weather will turn more mixed as we move into next week, with temperatures around average or slightly above for the first week in March.

Don’t forget to double-check the forecast before heading off, and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.

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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Sea Angling Reports

Troy Francis wins West Cork and District competition on Ballymona

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 27, 2026

West Cork and District SAC fished a competition at Ballymona on Saturday…

On Saturday evening we held our latest competition. With strong winds and heavy weed making our original venue, Ardnahinch, unfishable, a late call was made to move across the stream to Ballymona in Ballycotton Bay. The move worked out well and gave us a fishable stretch of beach for the evening.

Match time was 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and fish showed from the get-go. There was steady action early on, with bites coming right from the first few casts, setting the tone for an enjoyable and competitive session.

Richie Gormley got the evening off to a flyer on peg six, starting in fine style with a cracking 72cm thornback ray. Bradley Kirwin and Troy Francis soon followed with rays of their own, with Bradley landing a fine painted ray.

Some nice fish showed in the daylight hours early on. Bass were also present, along with flounder and dogfish, keeping rods busy and adding a nice mix of species to the cards.
Just before darkness set in, Colin O’Sullivan landed a fine 68cm conger eel, which would eventually go on to win the round fish pool. Well done, Colin.

As darkness set in, lads began to change tactics and started fishing in tight. This brought a burst of rockling all along the match stretch, followed by a few flounder. Notably, Erin Furlong landed a cracking 42cm flounder.

As the tide began to drop it produced the best hour of fishing of the match, with dogfish showing in numbers. Brendan Wall took full advantage, adding several dogfish to his card by the end of the evening, as did Barry O’Rourke who also made the most of the improving conditions.

Into the last hour and Troy Francis on peg three kept the dogfish coming while others began to slow up, which would eventually seal the match win for him. Troy also landed a cracking 77cm thornback ray to win the flatfish pool, rounding off a great night’s fishing. Well done, Troy.

The battle for second place was between Brendan and Barry, with both anglers finishing on 12 fish. It was a tight one, but Brendan eventually pipped Barry, finishing on 573 points to Barry’s 539. Well done, lads.

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We’d also like to welcome our three new members — Brendan Wall, Bradley Kirwin and Erin Furlong. Great to have ye onboard.

A good night’s fishing all round for us on a new venue.

Up next for us is Leg Two of the Ultima Munster Shore League in Cheekpoint — always a great venue and one we’re really looking forward to.

Go fishing…

All about West Cork and District SAC…

The club was formed on march 19th 2009, in the small picturesque harbour town of Kinsale County Cork. We’re an inclusive club, this can be seen in our membership profile; from anglers who are new to match fishing all the way up to members of the Irish World Shore Team 2010, two of which are in the club! The club holds circa 10 competitions per year, members are encouraged to practice a catch and release policy in the interests of conservation. Anybody wishing to join our club is always welcome, just use the contact us page and we will give prospective members full details.
Web: http://westcorkanddistrict.webs.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/West-Cork-and-District-SAC/

Downpours on Derravaragh with rewards upriver for piking apprentices

By

Paul O'Reilly

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February 27, 2026

Mick Flanagan of Midland Angling and Shooting headed for Derravaragh early last weekend to meet young anglers Conor McIntyre & his pal Eoin Duncan. Conor is already big into his fishing, & Eoin is keen to get started.

Mick reports:

We fished one long drift on Derravaragh and I copped the black clouds heading our way; it was rods in and head for shelter! The heavens opened with heavy rain & hailstones, another lovely soaking for Mick The Fish.

We just went with the flow downriver & and never got a touch all morning. I had a few big paddle tail shads rigged up, which got a few small pike the day before, and I knew by the action of these shads trolling back upriver we would get a few hits. Sure enough, we had a small feeding window and landed 4 pike, with Eoin catching his first ever pike, which measured 101 cm.

I reckon he is hooked on angling for life! The lads are back to school after mid-term break, and on the way back upriver, they were planning ahead for next weekend’s angling adventure!

Midland Angling

Address Mullingar Westmeath Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2797270 Mobile Phone: +353 (0)44 9348969 Email: [email protected] Website: midlandangling.com

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Dominic McGillicuddy catches and releases Lough Currane’s first salmon of the season

By

Myles Kelly

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February 27, 2026

Vincent Applbey, our Lough Currane correspondent, reports on the last few days of fishing…

20 February 2026 – Opening Salmon Success on Lough Currane! Renowned Currane angler Dominic McGillicuddy broke the Currane ice in fine style today, landing and safely releasing a superb fresh wild Atlantic salmon weighing over 9 lbs.

The fish provided an exhilarating battle, taking Mr. McGillicuddy a full 20 minutes to bring his noble opponent to the net. This memorable catch marks the first Currane catch-and-release salmon of the 2026 season — a fitting start to the year. Congratulations to Dominic on this notable achievement.

There have been a few boats out since but conditions have been wild at times and apart from an odd kelt no further salmon has been caught…

For more information on the daily conditions on Lough Currane, all the craic and news be sure to check out Vincent Appleby’s Salmon and Sea Trout blog for regular reports with back dates, petitions, public consultation notices, readers letters and videos and more of what’s happening in Waterville and beyond

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

Go fishing….

Guides and boat hire

Fishing with Dom

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2051515 Email: [email protected] Website: https://fishingwithdom.com/

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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 Email: [email protected] Website: flyfishingatloughcurrane.com

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Lakelands Farm

Address Lake Road Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 4160200 Email: [email protected] Website: lakelandshouse.com

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Neil O’Shea

Address Caherbarna Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 9942792 Phone: +353 66 9474527 Email: [email protected] Website: oshealoughcurrane.com

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Old Daly’s Supermarket & Filling Station

Address Murreigh Waterville V23 X459 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353669474842 Website: dalysfoodstore.ie

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Salmon & Sea Trout Fishing

Address Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West Waterville Kerry V23 XD63 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 87 2074882 Email: [email protected] Website: salmonandseatrout.com

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Waterville Boats

Address Spunkane Waterville Kerry Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 (0)87 2202355 Phone: +353 (0)66 9474800 Email: [email protected]

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One last chance for Fishing with Steve

By

Paul O'Reilly

-

February 27, 2026

In his latest episode on the Fishing with Steve YouTube channel, Steve McDonagh returns to his favourite Monaghan lough for one last roll of the dice in his final attempt to catch a Monaghan monster. On this particular fishery, the pike season ends as the trout season begins – which will happen on Sunday, March 1st.

As ever, Steve has some good tips and tricks to share throughout the video, but will he get to land that fish he has been searching for…

If you like Steve’s videos, don’t forget to hit the like button and subscribe to the channel.

Pike Fishing around Castleblaney

Mixed tactics work well for Rebel anglers at Monatrae

By

Myles Kelly

-

February 27, 2026

REBEL COUNTY SAC fished their 1st match of 2026 on 21 February at Monatrae Bay, west Waterford. Shane Olden reports…

Saturday 21st February, the REBELS headed for Monatrae Bay after a quick venue change from the Front Strand, Youghal because of high winds and surf which also held a lot of weed. There was a turn out of 25 anglers out of a scheduled 26 on the day which took up the full length of the bay.

On arrival the wind was coming from our right hand side being a westerly which is our favoured wind direction for the venue. The wind along with good tides meant it was shaping up to be an excellent session. Until a very heavy sea faring fog which has a history of dampening or switching fish activity off, if not to a very sparce pace of catch rate was awaiting us.

Not to be deterred the REBELS took to the challenge and the cards that we were dealt and got down to business. First out of the traps and on the fish was BEN HAMMIL with a flounder of 31cm. Close behind him was DAVID DINEEN with a sea trout that if bigger goes well on the pan but unfortunately not a counter for the score cards.

Next inline was myself with a flounder and things slowly but surely started to pick up pace along the line up of 25 anglers. As usual, for those short on tactics we had tic tacs !! TYRONE LOONEY went along to all anglers handing out boxes of tic tacs in multiple flavours to keep lads mouths on the move in case their rod tips weren’t.

As darkness crept in the activity picked up and size of fish was also improving. There was even the appearance of a few small codling which are like hens teeth these days. As the night pushed on it was clear which pegs were at favour and some lads were heading for double figures on their score cards while the rest were at a foggy pace but it kept us on the move.

Lines up at 10pm and a few guys thought they were up with a chance until the cards with and approaching double figures were handed in which is great to see on such a foggy night but it was possible and it was done.

PLACINGS ON THE DAY:

1ST PLACE DANNY O SHEA 15 FISH 414 POINTS
2ND JACOB MURPHY 283 POINTS
3RD BEN HAMMIL 281 POINTS
4TH PLACE JOHN O MAHONY 271 POINTS
5TH PLACE GEORGE O HARA 196 POINTS

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JUNIORS :

1ST PLACE CALLUM LOONEY 183 POINTS
BIGGEST ROUND FISH JACOB MURPHY 41CM COALIE
BIGGEST FLAT FISH BEN HAMMIL 31CM FLOUNDER

WINNER OF OUR BONUS BALL DRAW WAS GEORGE O HARA

BAITS USED ON THE DAY :

CRAB, LUG, BLACK LUG, RAG WORM, SANDEEL MACKEREL, RAZOR CLAM AND MUSSEL

SPECIES CAUGHT

ROCKLING 16
WHITING 14
COAL FISH 44
CODLING 7
DOGFISH 3
BASS 3
FLOUNDER 11
TOTAL CATCH 98 FISH !!

All in all it was a great comp as usual and plenty of banter to be had, even the dodgy backs withstood the 5 hours fishing on the large stones better than we normally do lol. Also a big welcome to our newest members who turned out on the day….. JOHN MARTIN , PAUL FORDE , KENNETH BARRY , CHRISTOPHER WHELAN and NOEL LANE …. WELCOME ABOARD LADS

Thanks to all our sponsors and followers ….. Catch you on the next one …. UP THE REBELS!

Next outing…

Our next comp is scheduled for Ballynamona on the 7th of March and hopefully it’s fruitful in fish and report ,

Join the club

Rebels SAC are based in Cork and are are always happy to welcome new members.

The REBEL COUNTY SEA ANGLERS will be open for membership through out the year and we can be contacted on mobile 083 0198017, what’s app, messenger, facebook and Instagram. Catch you on the next one ……… UP THE REBELS

Get in touch via their Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/rebelcountyseaanglingclub/

Camlin Anglers fish Blessing of the Boats

By

Paul O'Reilly

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February 26, 2026

This report from the Camlin and District Anglers:

22 Feb: We held the Ray Gill / Blessing of the Boats competition in Lanesborough today. We had 13 boats fish the competition on what was a very wet and blustery day. Conditions were tough with the water well high from the past few weeks, and fishing was slow. The results were as follows:

1st – Jacek Gorny – 264cm – €400
2nd – Joe McDermott – 204cm – €300
3rd – Ollie & Matthew Fallon – 150 cm – €200
4th – Shane Gill & Wayne Cheshire – 149.5 cm – €100

Thanks to all who fished today. Our next competition will be a trout competition. Keep an eye on our socials for details.

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Pike fishing around Lanesboro Angling Centre

Muckno fishing well for match anglers

By

Paul O'Reilly

-

February 26, 2026

The CM Lakelands Feeder Club had eighteen anglers fishing the latest round of their highly competitive winter league on what turned out to be a good fishing day on Lough Muckno.

1st overall was Rimantas Kondrackas, who fished a brilliant match to weigh 8.730 kg, made up of 100-plus roach on Yellow Island.
2nd overall with another roach bag was Welsh Michael, who weighed 8.330 kg on Yellow Island.
3rd overall was Steven Whyte, who fished for skimmers and caught 7.380 kg at distance also on Yellow.

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A mixed net of 3.650 kg took the section on Black Island, and this was won by Alan Larkin.

Piotr Horbiński won the South Lodge section with 3.345 kg. It was great to see Lough Muckno fishing so well at this time of the year.

Lough Muckno

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