Fly fishing has been tough on Lough Conn so far this season with cooler conditions hampering any decent movement of fish towards the surface. Despite this a few anglers did have success. Ivor Trimble fishing out of Cloonamoyne Fishery had 1 trout of 13 inches to a sooty olive during the week. Gerry Murphy of Murphy Boat Hire reports 1 angler released 2 trout during the week. Peter Roche fished the south eastern area of Lough Conn on Friday 14th and released 4 trout, the biggest being 13 inches.
Simon Leonard released 2 trout while trolling on Lough Conn.
Keith Sommers, Sligo, was out trolling on Lough Conn and released a 6.5lbs. salmon and 3 trout averaging 1.5lbs all released.
The following angling report is for the period 10th – 16th April.
River Moy
Heavy rain fell during the early part of the week causing water levels to rise to approximately 2.2m at Ballylahan bridge on the night of Wednesday 12th. This left the river high and dirty on Thursday but by Friday the river was down to 1.1m in the morning and fishing looked more promising.
On East Mayo Anglers Association(EMAA) waters 2 salmon were landed on Friday 14th, Brendan O’Shea, Kiltimagh had an 8lbs. salmon on spinner and Liam Langan, Swinford had a 9lbs. salmon also on spinner.
Saturday 15th produced 2 more salmon, Gerry Seck, Crossmolina had a 7.5lbs. salmon on spinner and Pat O’Donovan, Kildare had a 15lbs. salmon also on spinner. Bringing a total of 4 salmon landed for the week on EMAA waters.
Angling pressure is relatively light as of yet on the Moy but with the good weather forecast and river levels dropping we should see more anglers out and into some action.
River Deel
Keith Flaherty had 7.5lbs salmon on a spinner and Joe Burke had a salmon on worm.
Lough Conn
Keith Sommers, Sligo, was out trolling on Lough Conn and released a 6.5lbs. salmon and 3 trout averaging 1.5lbs all released.
There were unconfirmed reports of 2 other salmon caught while trolling on Lough Conn.
Skipper Sean Maguire was out on the water in west Clare at the weekend, getting out early to make the most of a weather window before it got quite fresh from the southwest in the afternoon.
Mackerel back on the menu
Mackerel were showing in good numbers, which is great to see so early in the season. Fresh bait helped the fishing, and a good mix of species were caught, including some nice coalies and pollack, as well as cod and gurnard.
Nice codCoalies in abundance!A colourful red gurnardTwo nice coaliesGood pollackCan’t beat fresh bait!
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
Skipper Luke Asaton is also starting his season this weekend. His boat, the Clare Dragoon has had a lick of paint and is looking nice and shiny for the new season.
Before
After
Luke has a busy season ahead, and the boat if almost fully booked, but there are a few dates in the next couple of weeks free. Get in touch before they’re gone!
Go fishing…
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
With the Nore on the way down and fish starting to rise to olives, I had a busy week of guiding and the first on the water was Dan McNally from the USA. Dan is a bass fisherman back home and he told me all about his fishing club and also a little about the bass competition scene in the USA, really interesting stuff and it was easy to tell that he was as enthusiastic and passionate about angling as I was!
We grabbed a couple of fly rods and made our way to the eel weir just down stream of the manor. Starting out with nymphs, we put on a 3mm grey heron fished under an indicator. Dan picked up the casting quite quickly and had an eye for where the fish may be, it wasn’t long before the indicator dipped to which Dan reacted with a sharp lift – our first Brown Trout was on! After putting on a great display the trout came to hand, a couple of pictures and away went the beautiful fish.
Dan had a couple more after the initial trout and we had discussions about different techniques and little secret tips on both of our styles of fishing. The grey heron nymph was by far the most successful today with some fish falling to olive pattern wet flies. Water level at the time of fishing was .80 with the temperature around 9°C, peak time seemed to be between 10am and 12pm for us.
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.
The picturesque village of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny
Dan O’Neill reports on a coarse angling trip to the River Barrow…
Last week the River Nore was still a little high for Anthony to fly fish so we decided to go to the Barrow for some course fishing. Anthony seemed very interested to fish for roach of a larger size than normal. Luckily late last season I managed to find a little spot on the Barrow that held some nice roach.
Armed with a very roachy homemade ground bait we headed for the Barrow. The water we were fishing was just shy of 14ft deep. The thoughts of what lurked in there kept us keen throughout our session. We began gently groundbaiting the swim with golf ball sized rounds of ground bait. After ten minutes we had our first cast which led to the usual suspects – being small Dace and roach, which were welcome to the net.
After 20-30 minutes of fishing the float slowly held up in the current then disappeared, being taken into the depths. A solid strike indicated a much heavier weight than our previous small face and roach. With the fish trying to move back out into the current the fight was on. Peering into the depths I saw a silver flash followed by Anthony asking “What is it?”. As the fish came to the surface I replied “it’s a beautiful roach”. A nice fish, a PB for Anthony as far as roach go for him. A quick picture and away the roach went to fight another day.
A good roach and a PB for Anthony
The wind wind started to pick up a little, pushing us to change to a ledger rig. I went through the method quickly, explaining it to Anthony. It was time to sit and watch. The rod tip shook a couple of times most likely caused by smaller fish rattling at our worms or maybe larger fish feeding nearby and hitting our line. Eventually the rod tip wrapped and Anthony lifted into the fish. A fight that was a little different this time began. There was less head banging and more swimming around the bottom a bit. Anthony knew this was different and possibly a new species for him, a new species it was indeed as a beautiful hybrid came to the net, a quick picture and examination and away the fish went.
Dan with his hybrid
Of course we couldn’t leave without a couple of casts with the lure rod which resulted in a lovely little jack pike to top off our trip.
Go fishing…
For a full list of classes in various different aspects of fly fishing or guiding please contact Dan 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.
Vincent Appleby reports from Currane where few couple of salmon were caught over the weekend…
12/4/2023 Another Wild day for the Lough Currane Anglers as they could only stand there admiring the Currane waves hitting the shoreline so on that note we head for the meteorological facts of the day. Wind NW Strong wind speed at 10 am 72Km/h gusts of 100 Km/h, wind speed at 11am 70Km/h gusts up to 93Km/h, 12pm Wind NW 65 Km/h gusts up to 89 Km/h 1pm wind speed 61Km/h gusts up to 81 Km/h. 2pm 61Km/h gusts up to 78km/h 3pm wind speed 56Km/h gusts up to 72Km/h 4pm wind speed 54Km/h gusts up to 67 Km/h 5pm 52 Km/h gusts up to 65 Km/h 6pm 43Km/h gusts up to 56Km/h overcast all day followed heavy showers. Yesterday’s weather amount of rainfall 15.6 mm Just for the record the amount of rainfall for April so far is 47.6mm that doesn’t include mountainous rainfall.
13/4/2023 Great to see the Currane anglers back in action today after the wild Southwest storms and to report that their lures were in catching mode today, so straight to the action, first in the striking zone was Currane angler Mr. Noel Clancy of Waterville who caught a fine 10 lbs+ Salmon on the troll and Noel reported to me he had a good battle with his Salmon this morning and in his own words, nothing else after that. Now we head for the North Shore and Vincent’s harbour, Currane angler Tam fishing with his good friend and fellow Currane angler Mr. Éanna de Buis were in good form again today, they caught a fine 11lbs. Salmon on the troll. Now we head for the Salmon C&R department, a Currane fly angler fishing with his good friend caught and released a fine Salmon. In the specimen Sea Trout department local gillie Mr. Bob Priestley caught and released a fine Sea Trout in the 9 lbs class and for the rest of the Currane anglers it was all quiet going by my WhatsApp. Wind NW and veered NNW light average wind speed was about 19Km /h and followed by good cloud cover. Yesterday’s rainfall was 13.2mm.
14/4/2023 A Currane Angler fishing out of the Villa and at thevillawaterville.com caught a cracker of an 11 lbs. salmon on the troll in the hired out boat department of Waterville boats and at [email protected]
Now as we all know today was Mr. Brod O’Sullivan RIP Months Mind Mass and I can say without any fear of contradiction that it was a lovely tribute to Brod, his Brother Paddy wrote a fantastic poem in Brod’s Memory and read by his Grand Niece Laura.
Stroll by the lake and think of me, I’m not that far away, Know I’m where I need to be, I’m just gone fishing for the day, While by the water’s edge you go, Take time a simple prayer to say, And in your heart, I’ll let you know, I’m just gone fishing for the day, The last time you and I were here, A rainbow graced our lake-bound way, A sign that I am always near, I’m just gone fishing for the day.
15/4/2024 The Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments this day. Just for the record there were three boats out. Wind SSE light to fresh and overcast, light and misty rain throughout the day.
16/4/2023 Straight to the fly department, Currane fly angler fishing out of the Villa and at https://thevillawaterville.com/ caught a fine 9lbs. Salmon while flyfishing with his gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com. Another fine Salmon was caught on the troll by young Currane Angler Master Fionan Brain while trolling with his Dad Mr. Sion BrainWind South light and overcast throughout the day.
17/4/2023 To the present and today’s manipulations, there were five boats out and by all accounts it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind South light and overcast.
Jack’s Currane salmon
18/4/2023 The Currane anglers had their Sombrero’s on toady as the sun blazed down on the Currane anglers, you could say it wasn’t a great day for fishing, but I can say that Mr. Jack Madden would totally disagree and for good reason, while trolling with his good friend Dillon, caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon. Wind SE light to fresh.
Dave Ecclestone with his 15lb salmon from Lough Currane
19/4/2023 There were seven boats manipulating their skills on this bright and sunny day and come 3pm the majority of the Currane anglers headed for home early, I believe because of the bright conditions? What-a-mistaka-to-maka and here’s why, UK renowned Currane angler Mr. Dave Ecclestone caught a cracker of a 15 lbs. Salmon on the fly, around 5pm while fly fishing with his gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com Wind ESE light and variable.
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.
Water levels have been all around the houses over the last few weeks. The result has been that there have not been many anglers out fishing over this period.
In the last fortnight or so, only two salmon have been reported caught in and around the Navan area. A nice 12lb fish was caught and released on the Kells Blackwater. A second fish of around 8 pounds was caught on the Boyne on the ramparts fishery.
Thankfully, water levels have started to settle a bit and more anglers are heading out after the unsettled period. Water levels are currently dropping back slowly and should be in great condition in a few days.
A salmon was observed jumping below Blackcastle weir this afternoon raising hopes and expectations of further catches. We look forward to some fish being caught over the next few weeks and will get reports out to you as soon as we hear of anything being caught.
Pat O’Toole trying his luck on the Boyne this afternoon
There has been a buzz around Lough Muckno this week as the 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 scale of this prestigious event will bring a great sustainable angling tourism boost to the local economy in Monaghan, with an estimated 2,000+ bed nights booked by travelling anglers and their associates. In fact, some teams came to Ireland in the weeks coming up to the event to test out the newly upgraded Lough Muckno venue in advance of the competition itself! All in all, great opportunity for B&Bs, pubs, hotels, restaurants and local shops to bring in some welcome business in the tourism off-season!
There is also a great opportunity for people to be part in the event as the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (who are coordinating the event along with officials from FIPSed) are welcoming volunteers to help with stewarding. This would mean watching an angler as they fish and counting the number of fish caught by that angler for each hour of the match on the competition days themselves (Saturday and Sunday, 22nd and 23rd of April, with fishing between 10am and 3pm) – an easy job! Anyone interested in taking part can contact the NCFFI through their Facebook page or by filling in this webform.
The participating clubs arrived at Muckno Gate Lodge to register on Sunday afternoon with late arrivals clocking in at the crack of dawn on Monday morning to sign on and biosecure their equipment before battle could commence.
Biosecurity Station
Wednesday is the third of five days of training for the teams, with compulsory training taking place for all teams on Friday. The official launch of the event will be on Thursday evening, 6pm in Castleblayney, as the teams take part in the parade and flag ceremony which will bring a great spectacle to the Co. Monaghan town.
Some of the action so far
1 of 6
Lough Muckno has looked fantastic with pegs full of anglers and spells of spring sunshine in between light cloud. The fishing has been good so far, with the overcast hours bringing the best of the action. The competition days are forecast to be dull with a bit of a breeze, so that bodes well for Muckno to put her best foot forward for the angling guests.
Magnificent Muckno
Inland Fisheries Ireland are proud to be able to sponsor the event and we’d like to wish the best of luck to the two local teams who are taking part in the event, the CM Lakelands Feeder Club and the Lurgan Coarse Angling Club – may the best team win!
Charter boat fishing is a great way to explore the coast, giving you views of the shore and it’s hidden secrets not available from land. It also gets you out over deeper water, more varied ground and best of all bigger shoals of fish.
For the beginner there can be a lot to learn, but a good skipper and a friendly crew are normally on hand to help you find your way to fish. Even better you don’t need your own gear as everything will be there on board ready to you to use. Families and groups of friends take note!
The improving angler can use the time to test their skills against species they can’t encounter from piers and beaches, or use techniques they’ve only read about in magazines and books. Most of the skippers are pretty accomplished anglers and the knowledge they have to share about the fish, their behaviour and habitat is invaluable.
But best of all is the fun you’ll have on board a charter boat in Ireland. Eamon McGrattan of Malahide Charter Boats sent us in this video he just published on line. It’s hard to watch without wanting to go fishing yourself…
Go fishing…
We have details of nearly 100 charter boats dotted all around the coast of Ireland. To find out more, click a link…
Cygnus Cyfish 36’ Skipper: Eamon McGrattan Licence: 804 Base: Malahide Operational area: Up to 30 miles off Malahide.
Notes: Malahide Charter Boat has three different offerings;
• Summer mackerel fishing trips
• Sea angling for the more experienced / serious angler
• Sightseeing and marine wildlife tours around Lambay Island
Available for group and individual bookings.
Our vessel, Naomi Leigh, is fully licensed and insured to carry twelve passengers and has all the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment.
We’re already halfway through April, and despite time marching on, we seem to still be stuck in the grip of a winter that is doing its very best to hang on till the bitter end. Sure, we’ve swapped dandelions for daffodils at the roadside and blossoms for buds on many of our shrubs, but temperatures have remained a degree cooler than average and rain has been both widespread and abundant, with up to 238% of the normal rainfall in parts of the west last week. The sun has yet to master the skies, and despite giving the odd encouraging blast of warmth, it has more often than not remained shrouded in a thick blanket of cloud.
Luke Drea with a nice Sheelin fish caught immediately after a heavy hail storm
On Lough Derg, the Terryglass Angling & Conservation Club were on the water over the easter weekend as they took part in a club competition. They found both trout and pike to be in biting mood, making it a busy weekend for the competitors. To wrap up our trout news in some style, we have a fine fish caught on Lough Owel. Inguss Kursitis was out at the crack of dawn casting a small Rapala lure when at around 8am, his rod doubled over with a good take. Not long after, he brought a cracking 5.4kg trout aboard, a super fish for Lough Owel and it wins Inguss this week’s Catch of the Week.
Super fish of 113cm for Trevor fishing with Bodo Funke!
Poor weather and high water levels have made it tricky for coarse anglers too in recent weeks, with venues having to be changed at short notice due to flooding. Tulla and District Angling Club have battled against these elements and seen the impact on the fishing as predictions of double figure hauls at their recent match were wide of the mark as the winner, Ian Kelsey, bagged a more prosaic 6lb 11oz. Similarly difficult conditions faced anglers fishing Lough Muckno over the Easter weekend, with the lake barely fishable due to high water and strong winds, but local angler Darren Fairhurst fought off some strong competition to top the festival rankings. And things will be hotting up on L. Muckno this week as anglers from far and wide make a beeline for the lake to fish the FIPSed 6th World Feeder Fishing Championships for Clubs. Teams will be spending the coming week practising, with the competition proper due to be held next weekend.
Today, Friday will see scattered showers extending from the northwest with a chance of hail and thunderstorms in northern areas. The showers will die away overnight and it will be a cool night with temperatures from -1°C to +3°C. Saturday will be dry at first but cloud will gradually move in bringing outbreaks of drizzle to some places. Saturday night will be cloudy and Sunday will start dull with some patchy rain and drizzle but will become dryer later with temperatures rising to 18°C in places. Monday will see a mix of rain and drizzle while Tuesday looks like being mostly dry and sunny with highest temperatures of 15°C to 18°C
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
