Belmont Anglers is a Coarse Angling club based in the Irish midlands. Competitions are held regularly on the Grand canal and river Shannon. All are welcome to participate.
Dan O’Neill angling guide and casting instructor at South East Casting reports from the Nore…
With temperatures rising in recent days hatches have become stronger and more frequent along the Nore. We have had some rain which pushed the water level up from .40 Saturday morning to .75 by midday Monday. I did fish over the weekend and had some nice trout at the top end of the fishery. I chose to mix things up a little trying some dry dropper, wet fly and even a little bit of dry fly fishing. Griffiths gnat was by far the most popular dry pattern I used with some lovely head and tail sips on the slower moving parts of the river.
I have tried many tapered leaders over the past few years and find that the Rio Powerflex leaders are superb. I was using a 6x tapered leader today for my dry fly fishing. If the leader gets knotted near the end I re-tippet to the leftover leader and use it for dry dropper, wet fly and dry.
Trying dry dropper for a while paid off. I had a couple of better fish on a 2.5mm Hares Ear with a blue hot spot. I fished perhaps 3 rod lengths from myself as I slowly moved upstream. I find people try to cast to far at times which leads to poor presentations, spooking of fish and bad hook sets.
Switching to wet fly for a short time was enjoyable and probably my favorite style of fishing Some lovely takes on the swing, fishing upstream just above the water breaks also; where trout like to hide out, keeping the rod high to take as much fly line out of the water as I could; again fishing close and accurately to put my fly in the right position and where I wanted it each time. Catching fish this way is very exciting and you really get caught up in the moment as you gently lift into your cast then place it as discreetly as possible back to you chosen position on the water, watching the loop slowly unfold, leader straightening then all to be lowered onto the water with finesse which is hopefully followed by your line stopping/a rod lift and a beautiful trout leaping into the air shocked at the power of the little insect which the fish thought was dinner or lunch.
Go fishing…
I am now taking bookings for fly fishing classes and guided trips on the River Nore. The classes are a great way to gather more information on your chosen discipline, tackle information and casting, no matter where you are on your fly fishing journey. One thing I did learn and it was most valuble to me was gather all the information you can. In fly fishing you can never know too much.
For a full list of classes contact me on the below details,
Growing up in the countryside of Gowran, Co.Kilkenny, I started my fishing journey on the River Barrow with my dad, which is where I caught my first fish, a lovely brown trout. The Gowran River was also a short walk from my homeplace, and on the days my dad couldn’t fish, I would walk through the fields and fish the Gowran River. My love for fishing grew and took me to Mount Juliet Estate, where I began guiding at 13. I went on to become fisheries manager at Mount Juliet Estate and, to this day, enjoy taking out hundreds of clients every year fishing on the River Nore. I enjoy all types of fishing and guide all over Ireland. I am an Apgai Ireland-qualified casting instructor and have Ambassador roles with Cadence and Yeti. I joined Fulling Mill as an endorsed pro guide and am part of the Patagonia pro team. My angling journey has been an exciting one and hopefully will continue to be.
I take out all levels of anglers, from beginner to experienced. I enjoy what I do and count myself very lucky to be able to meet and guide new people to what might be their first Irish fish.
4/5/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet this day. So on that note we reach for the skies for the White Tail Eagle video. Wind ESE veered SE fresh, followed by strong gusts at times and overcast, followed by the odd heavy shower.
5/5/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments except for their effing and blinding at the end of their day. Wind SSW light and overcast.
6/5/2023 Great to see the Hampshire Hogs back in action and fishing out of Waterville Boats and [email protected]. It wasn’t long before the Hampshire Hogs and Currane angler Mr Peter Ruffle while fly fishing with the Flyman and of www.fishingwithdom.com caught a fine 8 lbs salmon. Staying with the Hampshire Hogs, Trevor and fellow Hampshire Hog caught a few Trout with the Shy man. Now we head for the trolling department. Currane Cork angler Mr. Dave Holmes while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught a fine 8 lb salmon. Weather reasonable cloud cover, wind light and variable.
7/5/2023 We start today’s manipulations at the Bungalow. Cork Currane angler Mr. Dave Homes was in great form again today while fishing with his gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught a 9 ½ lbs salmon on the troll. Staying in the trolling department the Hampshire Hogs were also in good form especially Hampshire Hog and Currane angler Mr. Trevor Dewberry who caught a fine 11 ½ lb salmon on the troll. Trevor also reported that his fellow Hampshire Hog Peter Ruffle caught seven Brown trout on the lake and finished his day off with 3 Sea Trout on the World Famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie. Just for the record The Hampshire Hogs are fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com and fishing with Waterville Boats and at [email protected]. Wind South light to fresh and overcast and followed by a fair bit of rain, will give the amount of rainfall in tomorrow’s note.
8/5/2023 Hampshire Hog and Currane fly angler Mr. Ruffle takes all the headlines in the fly department and for good reason, he caught a fine 9 lbs salmon while fishing with his gillie from Waterville Boats and at [email protected] and fishing out of www.cliffordbandb.com and just for the record Mr. Ruffle got into another battle but sadly the Currane Salmon won on the day and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet. Wind SW light and overcast and as promised, amount of rainfall yesterday was 21.4mm.
9/5/2023 The Hampshire Hogs were all quiet in the Salmon department, in the words of one Hampshire Hog and I quote, useless today except Pete caught a Sea trout on the troll in the 2lbs class, and I had a few Brownies. Wind WSW veered NW and veered again West light with reasonable cloud cover.
10/5/2023 Straight to the Hampshire Hogs report, Just a few Trout but that’s all we managed today. For the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet in all departments going by my WhatsApp. Wind WNW light to fresh and overcast. 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 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:
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.
The Irish Kayak Angling Club are a welcoming, and very active bunch of individuals, promoting kayak fishing in fresh and saltwater. You can check them out on Facebook here and they will be more than willing to advise on getting started in kayak fishing.
The club also runs a season-long competition – the Irish Kayak Angling Championship – featuring a range of venues on lakes and open coastline, covering the length and breadth of the country. Camping and sharing the fun for a weekend, as well as fishing, sounds like a great time to us! The competition is generously sponsored by a number of sponsors, and the club would like to thank Navionics,Ursuit,Darrens Kayaks,RAILBLAZASM GROUP Europe Ltd with a special thanks to Maureen in Palmerston Stores, Garry Kenny “who always goes out of her way to look after us and sponsors some prizes for the day in Portumna”.
The championship kicks off this weekend, the 13th May, with members camp[ing and fishing out of Portumna, on the River Shannon. Fishing for predators lie pike and perch, as well as coarse fish like bream, roach, rudd or tench, and the chance of a trout too.
We look forward to seeing how they get on, and anyone who is interested in taking part can probably still join the fun by getting in touch with the club here.
The NCFFI report that the All Ireland Canal Championships were held on the Grand Canal at Sallins over the May bank holiday weekend. 24 anglers turned out for the two-day event where, despite the fishing conditions looking favourable, they found the roach largely absent, which presented problems to solve for the anglers.
Roach were scarce for the competition
The solution to that problem was switching tactics to target tench, and luckily there were enough tench to keep things interesting.
The Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs held its 1st Qualifier of the 2023/2024 season on a midlands river last weekend. There was a great turnout of sixty anglers for the event and the fishing was very good, with over two hundred fish caught between the sixty competitors. Among the 200+ fish were five double figure fish, the largest being a whopping 19lb 04oz caught by Eddie the Queen (now promoted to “The King”).
David O’Hagan with a lovely Slaney springer from Ballycarney Fisheries
Peter Wadding from Ballycarney Fisheries on the the Slaney reports…
After what can only be described as a mixed bag of conditions for the season so far, Ballycarney Fisheries are finally off the mark for the 2023 salmon season on the Slaney.
Our first fish was caught and released on Saturday the 6th of May 2023.
The fish weighed in at circa 15lbs and was promptly released back into the water. A sparkling bar of silver with sea lice. The lucky angler was David O’Hagan using a Willie Gunn pattern.
There have also been reports of a few shoals of fresh fish making their way into the lower reaches of the Slaney.
Hopefully this is a positive sign for the remainder of the season.
Peter Wadding
Fishery Manager Ballycarney Fisheries
Go fishing…
Ballycarney Fisheries consists of 4 beats in the lower River Slaney system. These 4 beats are Moyeady, Monfin, Glass Door and Ballycarney Bridge.
For Ballycarney Fisheries, day permits are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The remainder of the week is reserved for yearly members.
For more information, contact fishery manager Peter Wadding on [email protected]
A Cork fisherman has been found guilty of three breaches of fisheries legislation for illegal netting.
Mr Paul O’Connell of Youghal Co. Cork had fixed a 336m net close to the mouth of the Munster Blackwater River which was detected by a Fisheries Officer in the early hours of 4th July 2022.
He was convicted at Youghal District Court on Wednesday 12th April, 2023.
An operation involving local Fisheries Officers and a Delta rib craft crewed by Fisheries Officers from the South Eastern River Basin District recovered the net.
Welcoming the conviction Sean Long, Director of the South-Western River Basin District at (IFI) said: “I would like to acknowledge the vigilance and swift efforts of our Fisheries Officers in recovering the net, and preventing it from doing further damage to salmon, seatrout, and seabass stocks.
“It is one less barrier to migration on the Munster Blackwater and is significant for conservation-minded anglers and the communities the length of the Blackwater relying on angling generated income.
“Members of the public can report instances of such illegal fishing, water pollution, or fish kills by calling Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24.”
Mr O’Connell pleaded guilty to three breaches of the 1959 Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and Bye Law No. 857 of 2009 and three other charges were withdrawn.
The court imposed fines totalling €4,000 and the net was forfeited.
Mr O’Connell, who had a previous conviction for illegal netting in the same area in 2013, also received a two month custodial sentence and was ordered to pay costs of €500 for the offence of placing a fixed engine at the mouth of any river.
Mr O’Connell was granted leave to appeal the penalty.
The court heard that Mr O’Connell contacted IFI to enquire if officers had seized the net and to request its return.
He then met Fisheries Inspector Michael Fanning the following day to identify the net as his property while under caution.
Fly angler Gintaras Vosylius from Longford got more than he bargained for last week as he fished his euro nymph in fast water on the River Inny in search of trout. While wading carefully and working his flies through a pool, he detected the take of a fish and struck into something that was solid and fought well, staying deep in the strong current. Taking great care not to lose the good fish, Gintaras eased it into calmer waters and readied his net. When the fish finally came to the surface he got a great surprise when, instead of a golden trout, he saw a bronze bream which was 50cm long!
After a quick photo of his unusual catch, Gintaras helped the fish to recover, released it back into the flow and carried on in search of golden trout, although he’d have been just as happy with more of these bronze beauties.
Traditionally, the 1st of May signalled the start of summer, and while meteorological seasons may have changed, May still signals long days and warmer weather. As I write, the cuckoo is calling nearby, and the house martins have returned to their nest in the eaves; the arrival of these seasonal visitors always a welcome sign of summer. It has been a relatively dry and mild week, the easterly winds of recent weeks replaced by an Atlantic airflow bringing milder temperatures.
Trout
And with May comes the mayfly. Hatches of this aquatic insect will be getting into full swing over the next week or two on our big loughs, hopefully bringing the trout into surface feeding mode. Olives and mayfly have been hatching on Conn but trout were keeping their heads down for the most part. Lough Sheelin is ramed for the spent mayfly fishing, but that will come soon enough. In the meantime, Sheelin anglers have been fishing buzzers and landing some fantastic trout to 8lbs.
Fishing was quiet on Arrow as anglers awaited the arrival of the mayfly, with hatches reported from Lough Key down the road. While on Currane, better noted for silver sea trout, brown trout to 4lbs were reported this week.
Salmon
Salmon fishing appears to be picking up in several locations around the country. On the Blackwater, fishing has improved significantly from Fermoy upstream to Kanturk with reports of the first “few” fish having been taken along this section (in any significant numbers) since the season opened. High water levels on the Galway Fishery are finally dropping, with a few fish reported this week and more lost.
Action was also reported to be picking up on the Moy, with 21 fish reported for the week.
Great salmon for Marko who was guided by Paddy McDonnell on the River Moy
Many pike anglers take a break over the summer months, and Limerick Pike Anglers brought the first half of their competition season to a close with 12 anglers enjoying great sport once the fish started feeding.
Newbridge Pike Anglers also held a double session outing over the weekend, fishing two river venues and landing some fantastic fish. 181 pike to 21lbs were landed, including 14 doubles!
Coarse
Roach in many fisheries are off on their spawning run at the moment, but CM Lakelands enjoyed good sport with skimmers and hybrids when they got back in action at Annaherrin at the weekend. Good bags were reported from a club match at Portumna, with the top weight of 25lbs and another 20lbs bag showing how well this area is fishing.
The Connacht Match Group festival held at Donamon also produced some good bags, with Rory Dunne taking the win over 3 days with 17.700kgs.
In Co. Longford, a group of UK anglers were over to stay and fish at Melview Lodge, and they enjoyed tremendous fishing, with bream to 6lbs 6oz and tench to 6lbs among their catch.
Chris with a couple of nice Tench
Sea
May sees the sea warming up further, and sea anglers are starting to enjoy really good sport now. Some west coast shore anglers have been catching plenty of species from rock and beach marks around Corrane.
Cork SAC enjoyed great fishing at Piltown, with plenty of bass and flounder caught, including a specimen flounder of 46.5cm. John Quinlan is back guiding visitors, and on his first day back guided UK visitor Rob to a fine bass of 69cm. Neville Broad also enjoyed a great day, with 5 taken on the fly. Unfortunately the biggest fish (or so they though!) turned out to be a foul-hooked mullet. We’ve all been there!
Boat anglers are also enjoying better conditions at sea, and great mixed species fishing has been reported from several areas along the coast. Mackerel are showing in good numbers now, and pollack fishing was very good in Donegal. In Clare, basking sharks provided entertainment as anglers enjoyed great sport on the Lady Gwen. In Galway Bay, fishing on the reefs was very good for guests on the Brazen Hussy, while anglers on the Leaca Rua had similar good sport.
Ding-a-ling!
With sea temperatures warming significantly over the coming weeks, expect to see plenty more reports of good sea fishing.
Anthony with his huge trout that was landed by Glenda Powell at the Spring Angling Fair
The Ireland On The Fly podcast goes to the far side of the world this week – but with an Irish twist – as the lads chat to Irish fishing guide Ronan Creane, who has been guiding trout anglers in New Zealand for quite a few years now. I spent a day with Ronan on a river in NZ a few years ago, and it was a very enjoyable education in river trout fishing, so I’m looking forward to listening to this one. Many Irish trout anglers will also know Ronan’s father, Joe, a well-known angler and guide on Lough Inagh and Corrib, who has also featured on the podcast.
Another podcast we’ve become a fan of is Cormac Walsh’s Lure Fishing Podcast, and this week he chats about saltwater lure and fly fishing for bass, pollack and mullet with David Norman from Angling Adventures West Cork.
East Wicklow Rivers Trust are hosting a talk by Ken Whelan titled “Trout in Strange Places” on the 12th of May in Ashford Heritage Centre, all welcome. Check here for details
And now the weather…
With the Atlantic airmass in controlm the outlook for the coming days is unsettled with rain or showers most days. Mild or warm, especially in sunny spells. Saturday will bring a mix of cloud and sunny spells with widespread slow moving showers, heaviest into the afternoon and evening with possible thundery downpours. Highest temperatures will generally range 15 to 18 degrees, in light to moderate southerly winds.
Sunday will see sunny spells and showers during the morning and early afternoon, followed later by rain and drizzle gradually extending countrywide. Highest temperatures will range 14 to 19 degrees, warmest in the east, in moderate south to southwest winds.
The further outlook is for similar, with plenty of showers and breezy conditions, but continuing mild or warm. Sure what’s a bit of rain once you have your wet gear, right?
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
