The Leinster Pike Anglers were on a river venue last weekend as they fished the latest leg of their competition schedule. And, some welcome spring sunshine meant that a few anglers had red faces by the end of the day. Fishing was a bit of a struggle, with plenty of jacks showing, but bigger fish were few and far between. Simon Rosbotham managed the biggest fish of the day with a pike of 13.3 lbs, and Fran Crosbie had another decent fish of just over 9.5lbs.
Seizure of nets and other items by Fisheries Officers
Two men have been convicted of possessing 16 illegal salmon nets near the River Drowes in Co. Donegal.
Philip and Eoghan McCluskey of Bundoran, Donegal, received fines and costs totalling €6,000 in relation to the offence, which occurred on the 25th July 2021 on the Drowes River, Magheracar, Bundoran.
Among the items in the father and sons’ possession on the night were two large holdall bags, which contained 16 nets, wooden pegs, 20 empty coal sacks, balaclavas, a knife, a throw line, binoculars, and a camouflage jacket which was covered in wild salmon scales.
The case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, the 21st April 2023.
The IFI Mobile Support Unit (MSU) for fisheries protection, and local fisheries staff, discovered evidence of possible illegal activity taking place on the lower Drowes River.
The MSU, working together with local Fisheries Officers, carried out covert surveillance of the river which led to the defendants being apprehended.
It’s been a topsy-turvy Spring, with a very wet March followed by some pleasant days in April, but even at this late date morning frost can mean a cold start and slower fly hatches.
Larry McCarthy from Corrib View Lodge says the bad weather in March badly hampered any chance of good duck fly fishing. Catch returns were low with most days producing an average of 2 fish to the boat. Some exceptions when the weather settled produced good fishing, like when Gareth Jones (Airflo) caught 11 good trout averaging 2lbs, all on buzzer for one day in late March. Malcolm Patrick (UK) caught 8 nice trout on small size 14 traditional wet duck fly patterns on Saturday the 8th drifting over duck fly holes where the hatch had finished but the fish were still in these areas.
With the duckfly over olives started hatching in good numbers, and on the 11th Larry reported 8 fish to the boat on dry olives in torrential rain! This fish measured 21 inches, but weighed an incredible 5.5lbs!
Since then we have had some very bright weather, making for tricky conditions with sparser hatches. Cong Angling Club held a wetfly competition on Sunday in tough brightconditions with very little breeze, but Barry Molloy managed 4 trout with 14lbs 2oz to take top spot. Dan O’Donovan was 2nd witrh 3 fish for 6lbs 6opz, and Stephen Lydon was 3rd with 3 fish for 5lbs 6oz.
Barry Molloy receiving the Ashford Castle Cup from Mark Gibbons, with Stephen Lydon on left and Dan O’Donovan on right.
We recently featured Cong AC on these pages, and their newly upgraded angling facility at Lisloughrey, which got a good response, and the club still have some moorings available for new members. Check out their contact details here for more information.
The previous week Corr na Mona and District Anglers held the annual Hospice Catch & Release competition, with proceeds going to the Galway Hospice. Again, a bright day provided less than ideal fishing conditions, but that man Barry Molloy proved his good form, taking top honours in this pairs competition with his partner Mark Gibbons. When converted to weight, the team’s combined catch equalled 16lbs, including the biggest fish, Barry’s 59cm trout which earned him 4.59lbs and the largest fish prize.
In 2nd place were Richie Willis and Darren Curran with 5 trout for 6.5lbs, and Mary and Paul Miller from Clydagh were 3rd with 4 trout for 6.25lbs.
1st place, Mark Gibbons Centre left and Barry Molloy Centre right receive the trophy and their prize from Tom Doc Sullivan left and Eamon Gavin right
With May upon us, the imminent arrival of the mayfly hatch will see a big upsurge in angling on Corrib, and we hope to have a lot more reports to bring you soon. Photos and reports are always welcome to [email protected]
Chris O’Sullivan reports for Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club and their latest competition fished at Cappagh strand last weekend…
Twenty-five anglers made the trip to Delis/Cappa for our 4th outing of the year. Originally we had intended to fish the pier in Fenit for dogs and rays so there was a bit of tactics tweaking required for the change.
Alison was first out of the blocks with a flounder despite her late arrival to the beach. John Oz then landed a fine Bass of 52cm to give everyone a burst of excitement. Unfortunately for most the dogs never showed despite being so plentiful 2 weeks previously.
Flounders made up the majority of the catch until Mick Connie picked up some Turbot and Chris a couple of wrasse. Then Darren confused the whole situation with a doggie followed by Martin with one while Sophie picked away at the flounders.
Mateusz and Paddy picked off a couple as the tide neared low and despite David having a mild breakdown at distance he was doing well on the flounders when he came in.
Low water lead to a lull for some but John Oz, Alison and David kept at the flounders.
Results
Longest round John Oz 52cm bass
Longest flat David Griffin 26cm flat
Tralee Bay SAC is a thriving community of enthusiastic anglers – young and old, experienced and newcomers – with new members joining all of the time. We have a busy schedule of shore and boat competitions and lots of social events planned throughout the year. Tralee Bay is a family friendly, welcoming club with a reputation for promoting angling and encouraging newcomers to the sport.
Joining could not be easier – simply get in touch with us via our Contact us page leave your address and we will send you out an application form. Please also let us have your email address – especially if you have any queries for us. We are especially eager to hear from junior anglers who want to take advantage of club membership. For more information on joining see here – Joining Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club.
This report from the Romanian Angling Association Ireland:
First edition of Nation’s Cup Ireland had place yesterday on one of the biggest lakes in Ireland “Lough Ree”
This edition we had 5 Nation’s living in Ireland early on Sunday morning in Coosan Point, with each of five boats from each nation carrying two of their best anglers!
Team Ireland
Team Romania
Team Poland
Team Latvia
Team Lithuania
The fifty anglers gathered to fish and socialise and “fight” for the title of the “Best Nation” in Ireland in Predator Fishing boat edition!
After a short briefing with captains, all anglers were instructed with the final touches and they head to the boats waiting for the start at 9am.
After the start all boats scattered on the lake trying to catch Pike and Perch and the fish responded very fast for some teams!
At 5pm competition finished and all boats came back with an impressive amount of fish caught, ranging from 60cm to 116cm. After checking and double checking the results we had the winners of this edition Nation’s Cup 2023
Some of Ree's finest
1 of 3
First place on Nation’s
Team Poland 🇵🇱 9 points
Team Ireland 🇮🇪 12 points
Team Lithuania 🇱🇹 16 points
Team Latvia 🇱🇻 16 points
Team Romania 🇷🇴 22 points
1 of 8
Everyone's a winner
We also had prizes for individual result, and the winners are
First place – Daniel Nesbitt & Danny Colleran, Team Ireland 🇮🇪
Second place – Jacek Gorny & Tomasz Kurman, Team Poland 🇵🇱
Third place – Marek Sekula & Jarek Sekuła, Team Poland 🇵🇱
Longest fish – Marek Sekula & Jarek Sekuła, 116cm Pike, Team Poland 🇵🇱
I want to say Thank you to everyone who fished this event (the only one in this format in Ireland) also I need to say Thank you to all Captains who made this possible, they are:
Shane Nugent Ireland 🇮🇪
Tomasz Kurman Poland 🇵🇱
Rolands Jekabsons Latvia 🇱🇻
Andrius Bikelis Lithuania 🇱🇹
Petru Pop Romania 🇷🇴
The first event like this it’s now history but we will have another one in this format next year maybe some other nations will join!
I would like to Thank to Lough Ree Inn for their hospitality and finger food they served us at the prize giving (delicious after a day on the lake) that was offered by Baracuda fishing tackle shop.
Special thanks to Inland Fisheries Ireland for disinfectant they send us to spray the boats to prevent spreading of zebra mussels.
Importance of C&R was paramount in this event and all anglers had to record a video of releasing all fish caught and measured on the measuring boards!
I like to see so many beautiful boats and skilled anglers more often in events like this across the island!
Angling guide Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling reports from the Maigue…
Although I’ve had a few guiding sessions already today was my first opportunity to wet a line myself. Traditional across and downstream wet fly-fishing is where most of us began our fly-fishing journey and I look forward to this time of year every season as it enables us to reconnect with our boyhood.
The photographed fish was my first take of the season and was a lovely 1lb+ specimen who didn’t give up easy. I released another couple just under 1/2lb and as is the nature of this approach, had a lot of snatches and plucks that did not connect. Paddy Dunworth Celtic Angling
Badged Fly-fishing Guide and Instructor for wild brown trout on Co. Limerick’s rivers Deel and Maigue.
Notes: Based near the picturesque village of Adare(Ireland’s Prettiest Village)
Paddy has been delivering personal guiding for wild brown trout on local streams and rivers for 25 years now. He is a qualified Marine and Countryside Guide and offers Fly-casting tuition for beginners and improvers.
Paddy replies promptly to all queries, email best so I have reference record of details in the event of a follow-up booking. Deposit not usually required as advice of accommodation suffices in lieu.
Tackle and gear hire
Full fly outfit/waders etc. on hire also for those wishing to go alone.
Dan O’Neill, fishery Manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the River Nore:
With the season now well underway the water level on the River Nore is just touching the level where I like it to be. This week I had quite a few clients out which I mostly set up for wet fly fishing, nymphing rigs and streamers. There are two pools that fish quite well during higher water levels, so away we went. The leader set up I prefer to use for wet flies is overall 10ft. I use a 6ft butt section of 6x tapered leader, which is connected using a blood knot to blood knot connection to 4ft of .12 Stroft ABR. I then tie on my point fly. coming up 2ft from my point fly I put on a dropper, usually about 6-8inches of line in case I decide to change the dropper during the trip. If there are brighter conditions or lower water levels I will keep 2 flies but add 5ft of Stroft to my tapered butt section instead of 4ft.
As the anglers spread themselves out I alternated between helping them understand more about the technique and what they were replicating with their wet fly. On the first few swings we decided to slow the fly down a little by adding some upstream mends into the line. This proved to be the right move as a nice trout hit our dropper fly. Very exciting times as this angler’s first trout came to hand. It was some weight off my shoulders, but not all as I had two more anglers that needed their first brown trout also. Making my way to the other anglers I repeated the advice and told them a little about what they were doing. I find it is very important for beginners of any age to know what’s happening and get a visual image of what their fly is doing in the water as it swings, slows and dangles. Luckily today the trout played their part and it wasn’t too long before there was more excitement as our line tightened, rod bowed down followed by some frantic searching for the reel handle, all part of the first time fly fishing.
After saying goodbye to my guests I decided to get my young apprentice and head for a few casts along the Nore, going through set ups and watching closely as Anthony tied on the flies. He knew where he was heading and I’ve taken to asking Anthony why he chose the spots he fishes, to which I get some surprising answers with a couple of smart ones also (Because that’s where the fish are). A nice few trout we had for the evening mostly on Greenwells Glory. Soon enough the chill came in the air and the fish switched off which was our queue to hit the road.
For information on day tickets or memberships please call Dan on 0857652751 or email [email protected]
Mount Juliet House is set on a large estate, which offers private fishing on 2.5 miles of the middle to lower reaches of the River Nore. Mount Juliet Estate offers fishing of the highest quality, just a short stroll away from the Manor House. There is a fishing room on site in the Manor House for your convenience i.e. for storage and drying of fishing equipment. Mount Juliet Estate can also provide the necessary equipment on site if needed.
This press release courtesy of the National Coarse fishing Federation of Ireland:
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 who celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2022 whose dedicated anglers presented a sterling display of consistency throughout the competition to see them finish first for Gold with 37 points ahead of the top feeder angling clubs in the world.
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 who tied for the third position with 41 points taking the Bronze on weight.
Uniquely the competition also awards the Nations cup won by Ireland and Germany with the Dragon Ringerbaits team in 4th position picking up the cup for England.
Johnny McKinley of VDE Lurgan says:- Words cannot describe how the team and the wider club are feeling as World Champions, having achieved the first ever gold medal for Ireland in a team event. The lads hard work paid off for a stunning performance especially when most of the squad have not fished at international level before. I’d like to thank our sponsors Van Den Eynde Ireland, Matrix and Fieldmotion and all those who helped us on the bank.
VDE Lurgan Coarse Angling Club with Hon. President NCFFI Oliver McGauley, NCFFI Chair Jack Tisdall and Les Harris Proprietor of Lakeside Angling, Castleblayney
County Monaghan was host to the 6th edition of the World Feeder fishing Championships for clubs played out on Lough Muckno at Castleblayney. Hosted by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI the event presented the opportunity for two clubs to compete against some of the world’s top feeder anglers on home waters.
Twenty-Eight high profile angling clubs representing eighteen nations and some of the world top feeder anglers arrived to Castleblayney to commence training on Monday 17th of April with the competition played out on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of April.
Feeder action on the superb setting of Lough Muckno with Hope Castle in background
NCFFI Chair, Jack Tisdall says:- This is a fantastic achievement for coarse angling sport in Ireland and my heartfelt congratulations go to our World Championships Team VDE Lurgan, and bronze medallists CM Lakelands VDE. The clubs have presented a superb performance displaying the benefits of club participation in our sport. I’d like to thank our event sponsors Monaghan County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland for their financial contribution and the Lough Muckno community group under the direction of Richard Caplice for the hard work and commitment in the refurbishment of the venue, to make it suitable not only for the Championships but as a legacy for the benefit of anglers in the coming years.
This Championships has given the wider Castleblaney area a substantial economic boost over the past 10 days which was well appreciated by the Mayor Aidan Campbell and others in the local community. I also wish to pay tribute to all our dedicated unpaid NCFFI member volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to the angling cause for the benefit of all anglers on the Island of Ireland. This hard work from our members has in the past few years produced the angling legacy that is very much still visible on Inniscarra Lake and the Lower River Bann. Special thanks goes to Mark Downes and Jan Van Schendel from the FIPSed Technical Committee for their hard work at their first solo championships.
Team Ireland Clubs, VDE Lurgan together with CM Lakelands VDE. CM Lakelands VDE Anglers, Steven Whyte, James O’Doherty, Michael Buchwalder, Robertas Zilaitis, Rimantas Kondrackas. Squad: Captain: Brenton Sweeney, 2nd Captain Paul Leese, Roger Baker. VDE Lurgan CAC Anglers – Johnny McKinley, David Herron, Philip Jackson, Johnny Keith, Jim McAllister, Kevin Maguire. Squad: Captain Geoffrey McKinley, 2nd Captain Philip Hartin, Steven Wright
A warm welcome from the local community met the teams, as they were joined by Castleblayney Faughs GFC, Castleblayney Hurling Club and pupils from Annalitten National School in the ‘Parade of the Nations’ led by pipers representing local pipe bands as they provided for a colourful display along the main street where local businesses had ‘adopted’ the teams, ahead of the official opening of the championships.
Annalitten pupil Ryan Rice leads the paradewith pipers from Aghnamullen Pipe Band, Graham Memorial Pipe Band, Lsinagreeve Pipe Band and ONeill Pipe Band Clontibret
Previous weeks had seen much rainfall leaving the lough with unusually high-water levels. The week started with mild weather reaching warm temperatures on Friday, but the weather broke with a change in wind direction and the first day of the championships was played out in heavy rain. It was clear early on that it would be an exciting competition with the tactical skills of the teams coming into play.
White Island, Lough Muckno from the air
The first day closed with VDE Lurgan leading, followed by Poland and CM Lakelands VDE in third position. Johnny Keith, Lurgan and Steven Whyte, CM Lakelands both won their sections. Day two saw the weather settle and Germany move into second position after a top performance by Jens Koshnick. A brilliant performance by Lurgan’s Johnny Keith saw him win his section for the second time for a perfect 2 points and James O’Doherty win his section for CM Lakelands.
The weeklong competition closed with the awards ceremony at the Iontas Theatre followed by a gala dinner at the Glencarn Hotel. It is estimated the event with over 2000 bed nights for the region has provided a welcome boost to the local economy estimated at €750k, whilst leaving a legacy for coarse angling tourism in the area.
NCFFI Chair, Jack Tisdall Hon. President NCFFI Oliver McGauley, CM Lakelands VDE Brenton Sweeney, Mayor Aidan Campbell, VDE Lurgan Johnny McKinley, Castleblayney Regeneration Annemarie McHugh, Castleblayney Tidy Towns Pat Merrick
A first for international angling in the area renowned for its fishing festivals and warm hospitality, Lough Muckno has been sympathetically developed to offer “parking at your peg” across several locations. The fine angling facility has recently been enhanced with investment from Monaghan County Council under the Outdoor Recreation Scheme, ORIS, supported by the Lough Muckno Festivals Committee. The competition was staged along various sections of Lough Muckno, including Black & White Islands and Concra Wood providing for a stunning setting in this area of natural beauty.
Hungarian Team MAROS Walterland meets their adopted business.
The event was brought to the region by the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI whose volunteers organised the event with support and funding from Monaghan County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The NCFFI wish to express their thanks to all parties involved including Lakeside Angling, Irish Bait & Tackle Services, AJL Drone, The Trailer Café, Paddy Mc Bride, Gregg Boylan and Deidre Power MCC, MJ Flood, Castleblayney Regeneration Committee, Castleblayney Community Enterprise and volunteer stewards from the angling community along with generosity of Coillte and the Concra Wood Golf Club for providing the use of their respective shoreline facilities who all contributed to the magnificent success of the championships.
Reminder issued on the importance of draft net fishing quotas
A former salmon draft net licence holder has been found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation when he was found to be in possession of 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his vehicle.
Liam Whyte of Ardara, Co Donegal was convicted in relation to an illegal fishing incident which occurred on the 10th July 2017.
The case was first heard in Glenties District Court on the 27th February 2019 where Mr Whyte was convicted and fined €1,300 for possession of the salmon, and fined costs of €750.
In light of previous convictions the court imposed a sentence of three months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, on condition that there be no further convictions under the Fisheries Acts during that time.
Mr Whyte appealed the ruling to Donegal Circuit Court and the case was heard on the 14th March 2023.
As Mr Whyte had not come to the attention of the courts in the intervening period the court waived the three months suspended sentence and instead convicted Mr Whyte on two counts of breaches in fisheries legislation with fines amounting to €2,800, and costs of €979.63.
We enjoyed some warmer and drier weather at the weekend and have some great reports to share this week. Since then despite staying bright it became a little more windy and definitely cooler. But having said that there is a real sense of the seasons moving on and the fishing getting better…
Salmon anglers are still working through a slow start to the season. Following a month of floods there were high hopes April would be better but for the majority of anglers it’s been tough. Conditions have been favourable enough, but the catches have not been great on the Munster Blackwater or the Boyne. It’s been slow too on the Moy, but some good spring fish to 15lb have been reported. It’s seems the loughs are fairing better with some good fishing reported from Carrowmore and anglers have had few salmon including one of 15lb, and a sea trout of 9lb, from Currane again this week.
Elaine Caffrey get a photo with her huge Blackwater trout before releasing it
Last week’s trout fishing on Lough Arrow was very tough, with low temperatures, rain and strong winds and it was a similar story on Lough Conn. At Sheelin, over the past ten days, we have been treated to a mixture of just about everything – hail, thundery downpours, a sprinkle of snow, undesirable wind directions and temperatures rising to 20°C and plummeting to -3°C. Nonetheless good fish are being caught on a regular basis regardless of what is being thrown down on us from above. Buzzers are hatching when they can and fish are coming to a mix of buzzer, lure and wet fly. We have a couple of reports from the Nore and again, fish are being caught but it can be hard going. We also have a late report from the Careysville on the Munster Blackwater where a huge trout was caught and released by a visiting salmon angler.
Mark Llewellyn caught good hybrids and big bream during his stay at Carafin Lodge including this whopping double-figure bream
There has been a buzz around Lough Muckno this week as 200+ anglers, coaches, managers and runners from twenty eight teams in eighteen countries descended on Castleblayney to fight for the title of FIPSed Club World Champions for feeder fishing. The good news for the competitors is that conditions should improve since the mostly slow catches reported last week. An exception was the Erne at Carafin Lodge where a double figure bream was caught. This super bin lid wins Catch of the Week.
Pike anglers from Italy, UK and France staying at Melview Lodge have been enjoying great sport. No monsters caught, but plenty of action on bait, lure and fly. Homegrown anglers have also been busy. The Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs held their season final last week as over 50 pike anglers battled it out to make the international team to face the UK later this year. There were 141 fish caught on the day, with the heaviest weighing in at 14lb 15oz.
Taking place on the 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.
It is without doubt a must attend event…
And now the weather…
Saturday night will be cold with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud as showery rain in the east and south clears. Sunday will have scattered showers with some bright spells, but showers may turn heavy and prolonged in the northeast later in the day. Sunday night will have showers continuing in the north and east, but with long dry periods in the south and west. Monday will be fresh and breezy with a mix of cloud and some bright spells, remaining largely dry but with the potential for the odd shower. Tuesday will start cold and mostly sunny with frost in places, but cloud will build up during the day with outbreaks of rain in the southwest towards evening time. Not the worst fishing forecast ever but hopefully we’ll see the back of these easterlies soon enough…
Notes: Based near the picturesque village of Adare (Ireland’s Prettiest Village)
