Padraig English, of Louth Pike and Trout, was back on the bank recently as he targeted lough pike in Monaghan on a truly terrible winter’s day in the northeast. Such was the foul forecast that Padraic had to choose a venue where he could park the car within a stone’s throw, just in case he had to beat a hasty retreat. The venue he chose is usually a popular one, but on this day, few other anglers would risk the elements!
Padraig has some nice instructional videos up on his YouTube channel, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for more content once the weather gives us all a chance to get back on the water.
John Paul Baska of Northwest Charters, based out of Burtonport, Donegal, sent us in a brief report from a recent trip. While fishing at the back of Aranmore Island they came across some beautiful cuckoo wrasse – like the one below, caught in 30 metres of water by Cathal McGinley of Falcaragh in Donegal.
The crew also caught plenty of pollack and ballan wrasse in their sheltered spot behind the cliff face.
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The fish were returned to fight another day after helping to bring a bit of colour to an otherwise grey, cold, windy day on the water!
Dreaming of a getaway? Let us make the arrangements for you. North West Charters has been is offering first-class fishing and sight seeing trips and guidance in Donegal. Our skilled skipper are experts at finding the best fishing spots and helping you secure the best days fishing you could find in the North West.
Pick ups at Burtonport, Kincasllagh and Arranmore piers.
Since 1967, Baltimore, Co. Cork, has been home to the Baltimore Deep Sea Angling Festival – a thrilling four-day competition in some of the richest fishing waters in the Atlantic.
Renowned for its great fishing and legendary camaraderie, the festival attracts around 70 anglers each year from across Ireland and abroad, making it one of the longest-running and most respected sea angling events in Europe.
The dates for the 2026 edition of the event have been announced by the organisers – it will take place from Thursday, 27th, to Sunday, 30th of August 2026. Anyone interested in taking part should visit the event’s dedicated website for more information:
Competitors usually experience shark tagging on day one, followed by three days of deep-sea competition for skate, conger, bull huss, ling, pollack, cod, and more. Fishing is aboard licensed charter boats with skilled local skippers, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all. Anglers can enter as individuals or as part of a team, with all levels of expertise welcome.
The first round of the inaugural Ultimate Team League was fished by twelve teams on a challenging Lough Garadice and Town lake, Carrigallen area, over the weekend.
As we all know, the weather has been brutal of late, and the competition day was no different, with extremely difficult conditions facing the competitors. Having said that, the fishing was actually good on some sections, with skimmers showing in some pegs.
1st overall was Adrian Van Der Heever of the Ringers team with an impressive weight of 5.830kg made up of skimmers and roach from Houghton’s shore on Garadice.
2nd overall was Darius Sakalys (East Coast 1) with another good weight from Houghton’s, he had 4.740kg of skimmers and roach.
3rd overall was Nytro’s Richard Pratt with a mixed bag of fish to weigh 3.810kg, also from Houghton’s shore.
As I write this on Friday morning, the news is full of reports of road closures across the country due to more heavy rain overnight. Over the past week, rainfall was as high as 380% of average in some areas, with the eastern part of the country again faring the worst. It’s starting to feel somewhat biblical at this stage, as I’m sure we have surpassed the 40 days and 40 nights of floods that Noah had to deal with. So, it’s no surprise to see that angling reports are still pretty scarce on the ground, as many of us hunker down, hoping that this never-ending gloom finally lifts…
Sunday 15th February is a day many anglers across the country will have been gearing up towards over the past few weeks, and even months, as it will mark the opening day of the trout season on some of our most iconic fisheries. Loughs Corrib, Mask, Conn, Cullin and Melvin, amongst others, will all welcome trout anglers back to their waters after the winter closed season. It’s normally a day of celebration on these loughs, as anglers work the rust out of their systems by having a few drifts and making a few casts before retiring to one of the islands for a bite to eat and a catch-up with other anglers. It’s also a time of year when anglers start to move boats from their winter berths to the water, or from one lake to another, and these movements bring increased risks of transferring invasive species from one water to another. Over the coming months, we’ll be featuring some content from the National Biodiversity Data Centre, aimed at informing anglers of the risks posed by invasive species, and to kick off the series, they have prepared a short video, centred on their mantra: Check, Clean, Dry.
Sea anglers seem to have been the most active over the past week, and we begin our roundup with the Ringsend Irishtown Angling Club, who headed to Duncannon for the first round of their Master Angler 2026 series. After an enforced change of venue due to weather, the 16 anglers finally set up on Duncannon Beach, where they endured a tough enough session, with only 20-odd fish between them. Jamie Forsyth took the win with 80 points, bagging the longest flat as well.
The recent publication of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee Annual Report saw numerous anglers achieve the much-coveted ‘specimen’ across a range of species. An even greater and much rarer feat is to claim a record fish, and there were three new record fish landed in 2025. One fish in particular, Sean Bannon’s Thick-Lipped Mullet, absolutely smashed the old record, and Sean recounts his glory day in his own words here. Although it was caught earlier in the year, we didn’t report it at the time, as the record had to be verified by the ISFC, so Sean’s fish gets a well-deserved, if somewhat late, Catch of the Week.
Sean’s super mullet smashed the Irish record
Competition shore anglers will be delighted to hear the popular Daiwa Pairs competition is returning to a full schedule in 2026, and the dates have been set for September 19th to 25th. The festival consists of a number of pegged matches on beaches around the Dingle Peninsula, as well as a specimen hunt that rewards anglers for the best fish of each species caught during the week.
To coarse angling now, and the VDE Baggers fished the Newry Canal at the weekend in a match that saw them tightly pegged together on the bank. And at rods in, it was tightly contested at the top as well, with the top three anglers separated by just 350g, and Maurice’s 14.8kg sufficient to take the win on the day.
To pike angling news now, and one of Europe’s most high-profile pike angling competitions, ‘Fly vs Jerk’ has been running for 17 years and has a huge following on YouTube. This year, there is a massive Irish interest, as the competition features an Irish team, Team Wildhunter, fishing here in Ireland. Luckily, the filming was done last year, so the competitors didn’t have to contend with the floods we have been experiencing of late… The first episode dropped last Friday, and you can find out more about it right here.
Tune in to see how Team Wildhunter do in Fly vs Jerk
With all the freshwater flooding our river and lake systems, pike angling has been tough going in recent weeks. Steve McDonagh of the Fishing with Steve YouTube channel has certainly struggled since the start of the year, failing to register a fish so far in 2026. He set out on his latest adventure, determined to break the blank, but did the fishing gods smile on him? Check out his latest video to find out.
In salmon angling news, there were a few anglers out on Lough Currane last week, but the slow start to the season down there continued, as nobody managed to boat a fish. We are hearing reports this morning that the Delphi Fishery is off the mark for 2026 with a salmon of 9lbs landed by Toby Gibbons. Let’s hope it’s the first of many for the year. We don’t have a photo of the fish, but we do have this spectacular shot of the fishery which was taken during the week:
Little to report in trout news this week, but we expect that to change over the coming weeks as the loughs open up for fishing. But the Onthewater.ie team were in touch to let us know that they have added Ballymore Eustace Salmon and Trout Anglers Association to their permit listings from 2026.
Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2026
Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, has announced the launch of a second public consultation on the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2026. This consultation provides stakeholders and members of the public with a further opportunity to comment on the draft Regulations before they are finalised. The consultation will be open for 30 days, closing at 5:30pm on Thursday, 5th March 2026
Job Opportunities
Inland Fisheries Ireland has launched a national recruitment campaign to fill several seasonal roles, including Fisheries Officers and Research Assistants, with positions available across the country. The outdoor roles will begin in April and offer opportunities to work in rivers, lakes, and coastal environments. These seasonal opportunities would be well-suited to those with an interest in protecting, managing and conserving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
And now the weather
Cold, wet and unsettled conditions will persist through Friday and into the weekend. Rain and low cloud linger this morning, especially in the south and east, bringing spot flooding and some sleet. Conditions will gradually improve as the rain clears south-eastwards later, with scattered showers developing mainly in the north and west. Temperatures today will remain low at 3–7°C, with brisk northerly winds easing later.
Tonight will be very cold, with widespread frost and icy patches. It will be mostly dry, apart from isolated wintry showers in the northwest. Lows will fall to between 0 and -4°C.
Saturday will start cold, dry and bright. Cloud will thicken from the west as rain spreads across the country during the afternoon and evening. The rain may become heavy at times and briefly fall as sleet or wet snow in western and northern areas before reverting to rain. Afternoon highs will be just 2–5°C, becoming milder from the southwest overnight. Winds will strengthen later, turning gusty.
Saturday night will remain unsettled, with spells of heavy rain and some wintry precipitation in the north and east. Clearer spells and scattered showers will follow from the west. Sunday will see sunny spells and frequent showers, some heavy with hail, and a slight risk of thunder near the coasts; highs of 7–11°C with strengthening westerly winds. It looks like it will remain unsettled for most of the coming week.
Don’t forget to double-check the forecast before heading off, and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.
We told you a few weeks ago that an Irish team would feature in series 17 of the popular pike angling competition ‘Fly vs Jerk’. Fly vs Jerk is one of Europe’s most exciting pike fishing challenges, now running for 17 years. It’s a boat-only competition, fly and lure fishing only, and everything is strictly catch-and-release.
For Fly vs Jerk 17, five teams went head-to-head across Europe:
Team Gator
Team CWC
Team Wild Hunter
Team Decathlon Caperlan
Team Dutch Fly Guys
This season, Brian Connaughton and Daniel Nesbitt represented Team Wild Hunter, fishing in Ireland, while the Dutch Fly Guys fished in Holland. The other teams fished in Scandinavia, with Team CWC taking on their session in Finland.
Find out how the guys got on on Day 1 by viewing the first episode here:
What makes Fly vs Jerk so intense is the points format. In each episode, there are three points up for grabs:
Longest five fish (combined length)
Heaviest fish
Most fish caught
That means a team can score anywhere from 0 to 3 points per episode, so every decision on the water matters.
Like everyone else, the guys won’t know the final overall outcome until the episodes air. They had some updates early on, but after the first part of the season, it went quiet, so they are in the dark on how the other teams finished. Now it’s just a waiting game until the final episode is released.
Vincent Applbey, our Lough Currane correspondent, reports on the last few days of fishing…
5/2/2026. My Noble Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments, so here we go again to the Currane weather chart, wind NE followed by good cloud cover, yesterday’s weather amount of rainfall 1.3mm, maximum air temperature 11.2 °C, amount of sunshine 2 hours 7 minutes.
6/2/2026. Another quiet day on the Currane waters as lines their lines stayed slack throughout the day. Now we head for today’s Currane weather chart, wind gentle breeze followed by reasonable cloud cover and good sunshine at times, yesterday’s weather amount of rainfall 1.0mm, maximum air temperature 1.0 °C, amount of sunshine none
7/2/2026. In the words of one Currane angler and I quote high Vince, today’s facts 6 boats out flat calm nothing to report. On that note, we head for the Currane anglers weather chart. Reasonable cloud cover and good sunshine at times, yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 0.2mm, maximum air temperature 12.1 °C.
8/2/2026. There were two boats out manipulating their skills. Sadly, their lines stayed slack throughout the day, so on that note, we will head for the Currane weather chart. Wind gentle breeze ESE and variable throughout day, followed by good sunshine with the odd shower, yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 3.9mm, maximum air temperature 11.6°C, amount of sun shine 1hour and five minutes.
9/2/202. Just one boat out as far as I know and going by the phone all was quiet. Now for the Currane anglers weather chart, wind variable ESE 28 KM/H veered E 13 km/h, NE.11KM/h, SE 11 km/h followed by good cloud and the sun breaking through at times. Yesterday’s weather, the amount of rainfall 2.0mm, maximum air temperature 11.8°C, amount of sunshine 5 hours 7 minutes.
10/2/2026. No reports rod benders from the Currane anglers, Son on that note, we will head for the Currane anglers weather chart, wind light to moderate and overcast all day. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall. 1.9mm, maximum air temperature 13°C, amount of sunshine 2 hours and 5 minutes. Just for the record, there was a good amount of rainfall this morning.
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
Notes: Located at Lakelands House Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation, on Ireland’s best sea trout lake, Lough Currane. Frank is a professional angling guide and boatman.
Sea angling can be arranged with local operators.
Boat Hire
Boats for hire. All boats and engines are moored on the farm, 300 metres from the house, with easy access from the road with car park and boat shed.
Notes: Having ghillied on Lough Currane for over 30 years Vincent is a great choice for those looking for a guided service or flyfishing instruction on the Lake. All ages are catered for and even experienced anglers will benefit from the watercraft and fly-lore unique to Lough Currane. All tackle is provided and accommodation can be organised if required.
Through the onthewater.ie website Ballymore Eustace Salmon and Trout Anglers Association are offering membership renewals, new membership application and payments, day passes and entries for competitions they will be holding this 2026 season.
All competition entries for TAFI Leinster will now be going through the website also, to help simplify the process for both TAFI Leinster and anglers alike.
The 8th round of the Ger Hennesy Winter league was fished at Oaklands at the weekend. Adrian Browne reports…
Lovely day on Sunday at Oakland’s for the 8th Round of the Ger Hennesy Winter league. Well done Matija Ivkov winning the day with 40.810 kg in the feeder on peg 16. Junior winner on the Day was Finn McCarthy and second on the lake today with 31.340kg from peg 15.
A very popular carp fishery. Popular with competition anglers and novices alike. Alway a great chance of a bumper bag here. Friendly staff more than happy to advise beginner anglers. Caters to all sorts of clubs and groups.
MAY 3RD SUMMER LEAGUE
MAY 16TH COMMERCAIL PAIRS DAY 1 NCFFI
MAY 17TH COMMERCIAL PAIRS DAY 2 NCFFI
MAY 24TH SUMMER LEAGUE
JUNE 7TH SUMMER LEAGUE
JUNE 28TH SUMMER LEAGUE
JULY 4TH DUNBRODY FESTIVAL DAY 1
JULY 5TH DUNBRODY FESTIVAL DAY 2
JULY 11TH METHOD FEEDER QUALIFER NCFFI
JULY 12TH SUMMER LEAGUE
JULY 26TH SUMMER LEAGUE
AUGUST 16TH SUMMER LEAGUE
AUGUST 30TH METHOD FEEDER FINAL NCFFI
SEPTEMBER 6TH SUMMER LEAGUE
SEPTEMBER 12TH AMERICAN PAIRS FUNDRAISER MATCH
SEPTEMBER 20TH SUMMER LEAGUE
In episodes 44 and 45 of the Lure Fishing Podcast, host Cormac Walsh speaks to legend of sea angling in Ireland, Dave Tilly.
Dave is well known throughout the country for his angling exploits and his top-quality bait supply.
In this double-header edition of the podcast, he gives us an amazing insight into how angling has evolved in Dublin and throughout Ireland over the decades from the 60s up until the present day.
Dave talks about all the great anglers, many of whom have since left us, and the knowledge he gained from them along the way.
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify below, but it is also available through all of the usual providers.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
