Irish Angling Update 🎣 27 February 2026
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.
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.
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
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All the angling news
Salmon Fishing Reports
Trout Fishing Reports
Coarse Angling Reports
Pike Fishing Reports
- Downpours on Derravaragh with rewards upriver for piking apprentices
- One last chance for Fishing with Steve
- Camlin Anglers fish Blessing of the Boats
- Jacks active in Enniskillen for Guided Predator Angling
Sea Angling Reports
- Troy Francis wins West Cork and District competition on Ballymona
- Mixed tactics work well for Rebel anglers at Monatrae
- Early season success for Killybegs Mariners
- Clashmore SAC win out in their club match with local rivals Ardmore SAC
- Ryan McAtee wins on his Ulster Krakens debut
- ‘Brackers’ old and new compete in 1st leg of Ballybrack SAC Master Angler
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, 
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
