West Cork and District SAC and Tralee Bay SAC are collaborating to host the Kerry Pairs competition.
One pair will fish on the same peg and work together, something new on the match scene.
The competition will be fishing on 29 July 2023. For more details and to book your place contact Stephen on 087 2041183
Get your entries in!
Limited to 30 pairs.
West Cork and District got their 2023 season underway on the Slob Bank on Sunday with a fine turnout of 21 anglers including several new faces.
Some nice fish were caught, with fine codling, bass and flounder making an appearance. It may well have been a New Year but the end result on the bank was the same, JP Molloy winning.
We can all be thankful that for the fish-offs in 2 weeks time the bold Molloy will be stewarding as opposed to fishing….
Longest Flat Sean Healy
Longest Round Troy Francis
Our next outing is on Ballybrannigan Beach, East Cork weather permitting, May 21st, 5pm – 9pm.
We are open for new members, please contact Stephen O’Donovan via our Facebook page
Charter skipper, Des O’Connell, who fishes out of Caherciveen, tells us he had a brilliant first day back at sea this past weekend.
His crew for the day had great fishing with large numbers of pollack, ling, coalie, pouting and wrasse landed.
But best of all was a specimen pollock!
Still two spaces available this coming Easter Sunday, phone Des on 0872843283 for details
South Shore SAC held the fourth round of their master series on Tinnebearna Beach last weekend. Conditions looked good, and there was a nice surf, but the fishing wasn’t up to scratch in the early part of the session. The flounder quickly disappeared with the receding tide, and while some rockling put in a show, it was slow enough going. But as the session entered the final hour, things really picked up as the dogs moved in on the flooding tide. This meant a flurry of action as anglers made up for the slack going earlier. Alby Allan made the most of the opportunity with a triple shot of dogs followed quickly by a double to seal his position as winner of Zone A and overall winner. Michael O’Sullivan was close behind, winning Zone B with 15 fish. Full report on the South Shore SAC Facebook page.
Menapia Sea Angling Club held the first two rounds of their yearly club competitions recently, with widely differing outcomes at each event. Their first event was held on Rooney Point, and all anglers were into fish from the off. The fish kept on coming, and there were respectable catches all round with Sean Carley coming out on top with 30 fish.
The second competition was an entirely different affair… Held at the backup venue of Dodds Rock, anglers faced into a fresh easterly which hampered the scoring considerably. The overall winner on the night, James Duffy, had just seven fish on his card, albeit including a handy 45cm bass. A full report of the competitions is on Menapia SAC Facebook page.
During the past two weeks Carrowmore Lake produced some more spring salmon. At times the lake was unfishable due to high winds which resulted in an increase of suspended solids leading to some discoloration of the water. However, during calmer intervals a number of anglers who where persistent enough were rewarded with some nice catches.
One of the lucky anglers was Will Taylor from Dungannon who caught and released a fine spring salmon estimated at 10 lbs. The fish took one of Will’s favorite patterns, a late Gerry Deane’s Claret Bumble variant.
Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the River Nore…
With rain being the star of the Irish forecast in recent times most of us have had to adapt or adjust to the given conditions. A very enthusiastic American angler who usually fishes streams in Montana was my accomplice this weekend. With the water level being extremely north of what would be classed as good conditions it was time to try and get my guest his first Irish trout. As a guide I get thrown all kinds of challenges which I accept and mostly get through, mostly.
Looking at the hydro data app the river was running at 1.8m so bank fishing was a certainty. Meeting my soon to be new angling buddy in the fishing room I refrained from speaking about the many excuses that sprang to mind when looking at the angry Nore.
As we walked to George’s wall I spoke a little to my guest about his experience, fishing styles and most things fishing. Looking at the river there was a slight pool formed at the back of the George’s wall island. Was this to be our spot? Lining up with euro nymphing in mind I took a look in my fly box and plucked out a 4mm black PTN and a 3mm olive nymph with a slight bit of flash under the tail. Luckily my guest had experience in tight line nymphing and walking up and down the bank studying the chosen area we made a plan of how to maximise our fishing space and give ourselves the best chance.
Slipping into position we began raking the river bed with the two chosen nymphs. When the two nymphs hit the water for the first time I didn’t hold much hope I would ever see them again. Seeing them being recast several times after the first cast was quite surprising but not as surprising as watching the indicator line stop dead just off the seam we were fishing. The indicator line stopping was followed by a lift and a sight that surprised me further, a beautiful Nore trout leaping for freedom. Putting on a strong fight and explosive show in the strong current the trout came to the net, not a very big trout but a trout none the less and more importantly my guests first Irish Brown Trout.
Some more trout did follow and our total was 10 trout landed with 3 or 4 dropped fish, not a bad result given the hand we were dealt weather-wise,
Taking bookings now for guided trips on the River Nore. Anyone wishing to practice a particular technique for trout or learn more about leader setups etc. Full and Half days available, contact me for more information.
Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet has trout and salmon fishing available on site over 2.5 miles of the river Nore. Classes also available for every skill level – learn or improve on your chosen technique. coarse fish ponds also available on the hotel grounds.
Killybegs Mariners report…
Holidays from school loom in places this week and the weather sure is fine along with the lengthening hours of daylight now making for more and more pleasure time on the shore.
Some nice trout and flatties going for those venturing and we may get the shore league up and running again soon so watch this space…
Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters reports on a great day out after spurdogs…
After a 7 week spell of wind and cancellations at last we got out to the deep water NE of Wicklow for the Big Spurs. After a flying start with the first Spur for visiting German student Luk, we had steady catches for 3 hours. After a review we estimated more than 30 Specimens out of 100 plus Spurdogs, all over 1m, there were a lot of tired arms today.
Longest Spur went to Joey Gough for his 119cm fish, he also boasted many double hauls with 2 specimen at one time. Warren Doyle made an exceptional haul of 3 Spurdogs 2 of which were over 12lb specimen weight. Joe Byrne wasnt going to be left out as he landed his specimens.
Well done to Paul Kavanagh and his visitors from Eirlingua Langauage School, they landed the first Spur and 3 Specimens, new to angling they were in awe and took a rest with 1/2 hour to go. This was my chance to drop a line or 2, and claimed 3 specimens to end my day and start my tally for 2023.
It was great to see such numbers as it has been building for a number of years now, such a shame our government have opened the commercial fishery for them again.
Paul McGonagle at Saoire Mara charters in Donegal reports on the first trip of the new season…
Kincasslagh is ideally located for deep sea angling with various types of fishing grounds with many species only a short distance from the harbour.
Caitlin Marie is a fast modern charter boat licensed to carry up to 12 passengers. Facilities include sheltered seating with table for 4 in heated cabin, complimentary tea and coffee, microwave oven, spacious deck with filleting table, rod holders and toilet access.
Address: Gortnasade, Kincasslagh, Co. Donegal.
Telephone: +353 87 9870266
Email: info@saoiremara.com Web: www.saoiremara.com
Fuego
Castle Maiden
Manannan Mac Lir
