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IFI opens new draw for anglers to apply for brown fish tags for Cork’s River Lee

By
Sadhbh O'Neill
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River Lee

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has today opened a new draw for anglers who wish to catch and keep wild salmon and sea trout greater than 40cm from the Lower River Lee in Cork this year.

The pool system allocates brown labels to anglers who are successful in the lottery system.  The tags are placed on fish along with a blue tag as proof it was lawfully caught and may be retained for private use.

These essential indentification rules for salmon angling are in force until the season closes on September 30th, 2023.

On Monday 22nd May, 45 ‘brown tags’ will be allocated for salmon on the Lower River Lee.

Up to a quarter of the available number of tags can be issued at one time, under the Wild Salmon and Seatrout Tagging Scheme Regulations.

A total of 180 brown tags will be available for the season, and are being distributed to anglers with a 2023 rod licence through a series of online lotteries.

Anglers with a 2023 rod licence not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon and sea trout greater than 40cm on a ‘catch and release’ basis on the Lower River Lee, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.

A previous online draw took place in March, and a total of 90 brown tags have been issued to anglers to date.

The brown tag measures are included in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations, signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD.

Application details for brown fish tags for Cork’s River Lee

Full application details are available via www.fisheriesireland.ie/2023-online-draw-for-brown-tags-on-lower-river-lee-in-cork?referral=1353 , by phoning IFI’s Macroom office on (026) 41221, or by emailing [email protected].

Anglers must provide their Name, Contact Address, Telephone Number and 2023 Salmon Licence number. This is the only method to apply for a brown tag.

Anglers may only fish one brown tag over the full season. Multiple applications will disqualify. Salmon Licences are available online at: https://store.fishinginireland.info

Salmon anglers not in possession of a brown tag must fish using catch and release methods using single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms is not permitted.

A salmon cannot be taken unless the angler is in possession of a brown tag. If a salmon is taken both a blue and brown tag must be affixed to the fish. Failure to do so may result in penalties.  Catch details must be recorded on the Anglers Logbook promptly.

IFI will email all applicants their entry number for the lottery by close of business on 19th May 2023 for the draw which will take place on Monday 22nd May 2023. No personal information will be shared.

A total of 10 reserve licence numbers will be drawn in case the initial offer of a brown tag is not taken up. Tags will be issued to successful applicants by post and late or early applications will be instantly excluded.

Information about angling quotas

Quotas for how many fish an angler can catch and keep (harvested) are set by Fisheries Managers every year, on the basis of scientific advice.

These quotas reflect the ‘exploitable surplus’ in any river, as follows:

  1. In cases where the exploitable surplus cannot sustain angling, that particular fishery is closed for the season.
  1. Where it can sustain angling, but not exploitation (harvesting the fish), the river is opened on a ‘catch and release only’ basis where the fish is returned safely to the same waterbody.
  1. Where there is a modest harvestable surplus with a risk of over exploitation, a brown gill tag system is introduced where it is considered necessary in the interests of conserving stocks to closely monitor the angling quotas.
  2. This is to ensure that river-based quotas are not exceeded.  Where these restrictions apply, anglers must be in possession of a brown tag specific to that river to harvest salmon, to be used in conjunction with a blue tag.  Similar to blue tags, brown tags issued contain a unique serial number specific to that licence holder and are not transferable between licence holders.
  1. Where there is an adequate exploitable surplus, the river is opened with the standard 10 tag allocation issued in lots of three or four.

 

Newbridge Pike Anglers make up for lost time with double session

By
IFI Staff
-

The Newbridge District Pike Anglers were forced to call off their March competition due to bad weather, so rather than lose a day off their fishing calendar, they decided to make their April competition a back-to-back event, running consecutive competitions last Saturday and Sunday.

They chose a couple of river venues, and with reasonable weather promised and the water at both venues running high but clear, they had great expectations for the weekend’s fishing.

And they weren’t disappointed as a total of 181 fish were caught and released over the weekend with fish up to 21lb including 14 doubles. Saturday saw a lot of big bags landed with father and son duo Stephen and Ollie Whitley landing over 90lb between them.

Sunday was an early start, and it was just as well they decided to haul themselves out of bed good and early as most of the fish were caught between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Full results are as follows
Saturday competition
1st Alan mc evoy 16.12 hf 42.13 bag
2nd Dave Murphy 15.15hf 59.14 bag
3rd Tommy Winder 9.7hf 54.06 bag
Sundays competition results
1st Paul Moran 21.07 new pb
2nd Ray Collopy 5.4hf 60.07 bag
3rd Brian Hunter 10.10hf 51.15 bag

Salmon fishing continues to be slow on the Boyne

By
David Byrne
-
Fishing in Ireland - river boyne

Water conditions were settling down nicely on the Boyne when the rain arrived again. The resulting rise in water levels was small but it did colour up slightly. However, some anglers did try their luck over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Blackcastle Weir, River Boyne, Co. Meath, Ireland
Blackcastle Weir on the River Boyne at Navan.

A few fish have been reported caught around the Navan area, all thought to be roughly in the same size bracket, circa 12lbs and all described as bars of silver. Two fish were reported on the fly on Monday and a single fish was reported yesterday Tuesday 2nd May.

Water levels are dropping back again and it is hoped that more fish will be reported in the coming days. We will keep you posted!

Go Fishing …………

Information on salmon fishing in the north-east can be found at the following link https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/east/ 

Irish Angling Update 🎣 28 April 2023

By
IFI Staff
-
Uwe with one his nice Pike.

It was a decidedly cool week and felt a lot colder with that persistent easterly wind. The nights got as low as -3.4°C, so it’s no surprise that there were a few frosty mornings had. At times it was very wet in the north and north midlands, while Munster was a little drier than normal, but it was still cloudy and dull across most of Ireland. It will be interesting to see what effect all this weather has on the catches at sea, fly hatches and spawning runs…

Last weekend saw a major achievement in coarse angling sport as VDE Lurgan CAC were crowned World Feeder Club Champions at the 6th World Feeder Fishing Championships for Clubs. It was a fantastic win for the club, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2022. Just one point behind were Germany’s Hansetipper Club who took Silver with a great performance on day two. But it was to be a double celebration and a first for Ireland with two podium spots as the CM Lakelands VDE Club team became Bronze Medallists.

In other coarse angling news, anglers fishing the festival season events at Inniscarra have been getting great fishing, with catches averaging 10kg an angler a day. There’s not many wild venues that can match this level of fishing.

Salmon fishing on the Moy is slowly improving, as water levels are dropping and becoming more suitable to angling. A few fish were reported by anglers on East Mayo Anglers’ waters and by the Ballina Anglers. There were also a few fish landed on Lough Currane. Effort has been light so far, but the anglers were getting the odd salmon through the week. The Munster Blackwater is also quiet enough, though that may change now that a few more fish have been reported and water conditions are just about perfect.

We have a couple of reports in from the Nore this week where visiting anglers have enjoyed getting a few trout while getting to grips with a variety of methods and conditions changing from day to day. So far, there are not many fly hatching, but as water temperatures rise, this should change. There was also some good fishing reported on the Maigue. Once again there were not too many fly hatching so it was traditional early season wet fly tactics that produced the goods. The Ireland on the Fly podcast talks to Darius Simkus this week. Darius only started fly fishing after he moved to Ireland from Lithuania, and within a few years he was fishing for Ireland, winning national titles and is the 2023 captain of the ITFFA Irish rivers team.

A 21 inch trout from Corrib, landed on a dry Olive in torrential rain

Anglers on Corrib may be done with the Duckfly but the Olives were coming off in good numbers last week and more than a few anglers enjoyed good sport. Success was dictated by the weather, with wind (or the lack of it) and rain getting in the way of a good day at times. Anglers on both Loughs Conn and Cullin reported seeing more fly life during the week than previously seen this season, with olives hatching in good numbers on some days, buzzers hatching, and even the odd mayfly starting to appear. Most of the fish caught were on dabblers. Lough Arrow saw decent hatches of Olives but very little angling, so there’s no catch report. Finally, on Sheelin there were some smashing trout to 7lb reported from a week where the easterlies lashed the lake at times. Buzzers did best and their hatches were more or less right on cue.

Pike to 116cm were caught on Lough Ree

German anglers fishing in the Longford area had some fine pike fishing. The biggest fish measured came in at 107cm, and they caught on all methods. Over in Boyle it was fly only and some great fish to just under 100cm were landed.  River venues also produced but unfortunately the Leinster Pike Anglers found the bright conditions on their venue produced red faces rather than a red letter day. On Lough Ree the first Nations Cup was contested by 50 anglers from Ireland, Romania, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Pike to 116cm were landed, but there was only one winner, and it was Poland who took the honours on the day.

bass
Tralee Bay SAC had a good day at Cappagh

Anglers from Menapia Sea Angling Club fished a venue known as The Rope last weekend. On a day when everyone was catching, it was those that managed consistent trebles that topped the rankings as both dabs and flounder were there in good numbers. Tralee Bay SAC enjoyed a good day at Cappagh where flounders again put on a good show for the anglers. There was a decent mix of species caught including turbot, bass and wrasse. Charter boats fishing off the Clare coast report that abundant mackerel has meant that fishing has been pretty good for a range of species, including pollack, coalies, wrasse, spurs, whiting and cod. The Killybegs Mariners travelled north and caught 11 different species from the top of Donegal, including a lovely specimen size 3 bearded rockling of 44cm.

IRISH SPRING ANGLING FAIR

IRISH SPRING ANGLING FAIR 2023

After the success of the first Irish Spring Angling Fair in 2022, Ned Maher of Ardaire Springs Angling Centre, Mooncoin, County Kilkenny is once again hosting the IRISH SPRING ANGLING FAIR.

Taking place this May Bank Holiday Weekend, the Fair will open to angling enthusiasts on Saturday 29th April and Sunday the 30th of April 2023 over the bank holiday weekend.

Other News…

There were two significant convictions in Donegal for illegal salmon fishing last week. One saw fines and costs totalling €6,000 for the possession of 16 illegal salmon nets near the River Drowes and the other fines and costs of €2,050 for the possession of 13 salmon.

Last year IFI constructed a rock ramp at Ballinacarrig Weir on the River Burren to ease fish passge for all species on the river. Salmon, trout, lamprey and eel can now freely access 30km of spawning and nursery habitat in the River Burren and a further 80km of spawning and nursery habitat in the tributaries connected to this river. Click the link to watch a video all about it.

And now the weather…

The weather forecast for the next few days predicts sunny spells and scattered showers, with heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will range from 15 to 19°C, and the lowest temperatures will be between 8 to 11°C. On Sunday, there will be showery rain in the morning, which will clear eastwards, leaving a day of sunny spells and widespread showers, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 18°C. Monday will have scattered showers, and most areas will become dry by evening, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 18°C. Tuesday will be rather cloudy at times, with some sunny spells in the south, and it will continue to be mostly dry and sunny through to midweek. Temperatures will remain in the mid to high teens with light winds. That’s a pretty good bank holiday forecast for anyone thinking of getting out there and wetting a line…

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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Eastern promises for Sheelin anglers

By
Brenda Montgomery
-

Lough Sheelin angling report April 21st – April 28th 2023

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”

Benjamin Franklin

Nothing compares to you

This week’s fishing on Lough Sheelin was dogged by east winds with south and north easterlies whipping across the water, cooling the surface and putting an unwelcome chilly edge to the trout fishing here. But our eastern winds brought eastern promise in the form of beautiful slabs of Sheelin spotted magic with the heaviest catch tipping the scales at almost 7lbs.

A handful of happiness

Last Monday, April 24th I am told is the ‘kick off’ date for the buzzer fishing, seemingly nature flicks a piscatorial switch and fishing here, takes off in earnest – a soundless gong heralding the move from lures to fly fishing.

We are now, officially into buzzer season.  Water temperatures are climbing slowly and stand at 11 degrees from top to bottom and the trout are moving upwards.

Buzzer beauty

The weather, of course, is always the stumbling block and thundery showers, battleship grey skies and a dense cold put a halt to some anglers’ gallop.

Regardless of the lingering dregs of winter, spring is pushing ahead, visible in the greening up of shoreline trees, the candy floss bloom of the blackthorn bushes and the return of the swallows, swooping and skimming over the lake’s surface.  Best of all is the loud, clear call of our cuckoo, echoing across the Bog and Finea sections of the lake – the joy of an old friend returning.

Spotted display – Martin Allen

The bulk of this week has been cold but warmth is promised and today, April 28th there is a soft warmth which will encourage the buzzer pupae to rise in the water and to undergo their final metamorphosis. As the pupae rise to hatch, the trout will quickly respond to this upward movement, and follow the ascending pupae up to the surface.  If the surface tension delays the insect’s emergence, so much the better for the waiting angler.  This is why, when fishing the emerger buzzer patterns, a light ripple or calm conditions are ideal as these trap the emerging buzzer and the trout can pounce before the insect escapes in the winged adult form.  This week saw a noticeable move from lures to buzzer patterns and although Minkies, Dabblers and Humungus were there in the catches, the buzzer patterns – epoxy and emergers were high on the agenda. The old tried and tested favourites of Sooty Olives, Connemara Black, Dunkeld, Claret & Mallard and Fiery Brown are also gradually knocking the lures off the top position.

Sheelin perfection

Despite heavy rainfall Saturday April 22nd saw good catches of trout averaging 3 – 4 lbs caught on lures and buzzer patterns. Tuesday April 25th was the pick of the fishing week, with light winds, warmth and excellent buzzer hatches.  Fish were taken mainly on epoxy combinations – black & red, Traffic light and green & black.  The Diawl Bach, Shuttlecock and Nymph patterns as droppers brought in some trout of over 4lbs.  When there was no hatch visible, diawl bachs, Hare’s Ear and Crunchers with their general nymphy profile appealed to the buzzer feeding trout.  Small spent midge patterns, Bob’s Bits or Shipman’s Buzzer proved successful too.

Bobs Bits – Steve Cullen

Anglers targeting the buzzer feeding fish need to stay away from open water and instead head for the sheltered areas of the bays and the lee side of the islands. Areas fishing well were Chambers, Orangefield, at the back of Church Island, Ross, Rusheen, Goreport, the Stony Islands, Sailors Garden and Corru.  Anglers using large lures were more successful around the western shore and mid lake.  When the water clarity wasn’t good after rain and gusty winds brightly coloured lures and flies with a bit of bling in them were a better choice.

Camera shy – Ciaran Flynn’s Buzzer fish

Trout do move around, to quote the late Lough Sheelin angling  legend, Sean McIntyre –  ‘they are like cattle grazing, they don’t stay in the same spot’.

The boat numbers on this lake remained steadily in the double figures on most days. Lough Sheelin is a big lake, the aim of each fly angler is to seek out a quiet undisturbed spot where hopefully there will be a pod of feeding fish.

Lough Sheelin is wonderful stretch of trout water and will, undoubtedly be inflicting both pain and joy on all its anglers in the coming months.

Victoria Sakowicz releases her trout
Unreal verses the real
Crover line up
Martin Allen conquering the waves
Sheelin’s Buzzer
A Sheelin classic

 

Spotted glory
Nearly there

Please remember anglers to abide by BYE-LAW 949 which strictly prohibits from June 14th, 2017 onwards:

  • The taking of any brown trout of less than 36 centimeters.
  • For a person to fish with more than 2 rods at any one time.
  • To fish with more than 4 rods at any one time when there is more than one person on board the boat concerned.
  • For a person to take more than 2 trout per day.
  • All trolling on the lake from March 1st to June 16th (inclusive).
  • To fish or to attempt to take or to fish for, fish of any kind other than during the period from March 1st to October 12th in any year.
Finea, Lough Sheelin

 

Lough Sheelin Guiding Services (www.loughsheelinguidingservices.com) 087 1245927

 Christopher Defillon 

[email protected] (+33685964369) evasionpecheirlande.net

https://m.facebook.com/christopher.defillon?refid=0&fref=seaperch#

Michael Farrell @ 087 4194156Telephone: +353 43 6681298 Email: [email protected]

Grey Duster Guiding
Kenneth O’Keeffe
Tel: 086 8984172 Email: [email protected]

John Mulvany  [email protected] 086 2490076

Hands on the future

Total Numbers of catches recorded: 67

Heaviest Trout Recorded: a 6.8 lb trout caught by Kildare angler Markus Sakalusas on a Diawl Bach and Nymph set up

Selection of catches:

Darren Maguire, Ballyconnell – 1 trout at 2.5lbs on a Buzzer pattern, April 22nd.

Paul Owens – 1 trout at 4lbs using Buzzers.

Kevin Curran, Drumshambo – 1 trout at 4.5lbs on a Buzzer pattern.

Marc Mulligan, Co. Fermanagh – 1 trout at over 3lbs using Buzzer patterns.

Saulius Rmonas, Lusk – 2 trout, heaviest at 4lbs on lures.

Laimis Pavilionis, Navan – 1 trout at 3.7 lbs using lures at the back of Church island.

Paul Lunney, Northern Ireland – 1 trout at 5.5lbs on an Epoxy Buzzer, April 25th.

David Connors, Tyrone: 1 trout at 4lbs on a Cruncher fishing a Buzzer pattern, Bog Bay, April 23rd.

Alan Murray, Swords – 1 trout at over 3lbs Buzzer fishing in Rusheen, April 23rd.

Luke Walpole, Navan – 1 trout at 4lbs, Buzzer fishing in Corru Bay.

Eamonn Ross, Ballyconnell – 6 trout up to 2lbs (all released).

Dominic Kerrigan, Belcoo – 1 trout at 3lbs plus, Buzzer fishing in Corru.

Ciaran Flynn – 1 trout at 3.8lbs on a Buzzer pattern, April 27th

Reflecting at Ross

 

Quiet week on Lough Arrow

By
IFI
-
Lake Olives make an appearance on Lough Arrow

Lough Arrow Anglers report…

There are no reports of fish caught this week as there weren’t many boats out. Fishing conditions were fair but it did get very cold come evening.

Don’t get too excited! Only the odd mayfly is beginning to appear but get the dapping rods and mayfly boxes ready

There are decent hatches of olives in various parts of the lake, however there weren’t many trout taking them on the surface. Monday is the 1st of May so surely there will be a better catch report next week.

The Diamond, one of the many beautiful features of the lake. The old doors have been replaced…

Great trip for Mariners Crew to North Donegal!

By
IFI
-

Killybegs Mariners report…

A great road trip to North Donegal for Gavin, Noel and Daragh fishing a range of venues providing some stunning scenery and 11 different species of fish including a lovely specimen size 3 bearded rockling of 44cm and also a new club record for Daragh.

An Irish specimen length 3 bearded rockling of 44cm for Daragh McGuinness which is also a new club record fish
Plaice
Long spined sea scorpion
Gavin on the flatties

Also some nice plaice, flounders and turbot from the piers and beaches…

Please fish in a sustainable manner

Some nice pike fishing for German anglers at Melview Fishing Lodge

By
IFI Staff
-
Uwe with one his nice Pike.

Anglers from Germany Uwe, Christian, Thomas and Chris were over once again for one of their annual fishing trips to Ireland. Melview Fishing Lodge host Kevin said ‘they are experienced anglers and have been here before and now know the water well’.

Chris with his 107cm

Their methods included hard and soft lures, a little trolling, along with some deadbaiting. All methods produced pike, with the biggest fish of the week landed by Chris, measuring in at 107cm.

A great Pike for Thomas and a nice catch & release photo.
Christian with this one from shallow water.

ALL FISH RELEASED UNHARMED.

Please fish in a sustainable manner

Go Fishing

Kevin Lyons – Melview Lodge

Drumlish Road, Clonrollagh, Longford, Co. Longford
Tel:+353(0)43-33-45061 Mobile:+353(0)87-268-7441
E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.melviewlodge.com

Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.

Plenty of mackerel brings fishing on for Clare charter boats

By
IFI Staff
-

Sean Maguire of Fishingadventures.ie and Luke Aston of Fishandstay.com both report that mackerel have been plentiful off the Clare coast over the past week.

The abundant mackerel has meant that fishing has been pretty good for a range of species, including pollack, coalies, wrasse, spurs, whiting and cod.

 

Go Fishing

Lady Gwen II

Fishing Adventures on Séan Maguire’s Lady Gwen II, a Lochin 33  M265Ti Perkins charterboat which operates 15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush.

Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire.
Telephone: +353 (0) 877508758 or +353 (0) 894431182
Email: [email protected] Web: www.fishingadventures.ie

 

Clare Dragoon

Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine, skippered by Luke Aston and operating out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare…

I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke.
Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544
Email: [email protected] Web: www.fishandstay.com

Great turn out for Corr Na Mona Anglers Hospice Cup

By
IFI Staff
-

The Corr Na Mona & District Angling Association held their 2023 Hospice Competition at the weekend where 32 teams of two anglers turned out to compete for the Hospice Cup. The competition is held on a catch-and-release basis, with each fish being measured before being returned to the water. They were faced with tough conditions, as some bright sunshine meant that the olive hatches, which had been plentiful in the preceding days, were pretty sparse on the day. The lack of fly on the water meant that fish were hard to get, but that didn’t stop Mark Gibbons and Barry Molloy, who had a great catch of 6 fish for 16lb including a 59cm trout for Barry. That catch put them top of the rankings for the second year running and Barry’s fish was the biggest of the day. While the sun was a curse for the fishing, at least it allowed all competitors to relax on the shore with a cup of tea while they waited for the results.

Barry & Mark retained the Hospice Cup for 2023
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