Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers who fished during the 2022 season are being reminded to please return their logbooks and any unused gill tags.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is encouraging salmon and sea trout anglers to return angling logbooks (setting out their fishing and catch record) and any unused gill tags from 2022 season.
Under the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, anglers can return these in one of three ways:
Using the postage pre-paid business return envelope that was supplied at the time of licence purchase (preferred option).
Posting the logbook and unused gill tags to the IFI office address that is displayed on their licence or logbook.
Scanning and emailing logbook and licence documents to salmonlogbookreturn@fisheriesireland.ie (please scan all sides of documents, including continuation pages, to ensure that the licence names and number can be correctly linked to the logbook).
These returns provide vital information regarding the status and management of our wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout stocks into the future.
Reminder
In accordance with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, anglers in Ireland are required by law to return their completed logbook (setting out their fishing and catch record) and all unused tags to the issuing office of Inland Fisheries Ireland within 7 days of licence expiry and no later than the 19th of October.
So my self and Noel Cashman decided to head to a new rock mark. I was told it was good for plaice, flounder, bass and the odd ray. The winds were south westerly and the rain was so bad Guy Cotton couldn’t keep it out. Where we fished was well sheltered from the harsh westerly wind. We fished two hours of the out going tide and two hours in and on first cast for Noel, he hooked a nice ray but unfortunately 20 feet out it came off I was gutted.
It wasn’t long when my rod tip on my new fish anywhere rod (thanks James Raymond beautiful rod) bent over and bounced back. I knew I had to get him in otherwise Noel would never have left me forget it. Turned out to be a nice thornback ray.
After that we got a bit hungry so I decided to head up to the local chipper and get two nice cod and chips and just as I was digging into that my rod tip went again this time it was a painted ray. It was getting interesting now.
As the tide started to fill I moved to a rock mark and I ended up with a dog and another thornback and just as we decided to call it and move to a pier, Noel ended up with a really nice painted ray.
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Nice painted ray from Cork
At the end of the session we had 2 painted, 2 thornback, 3 dogs, dab and coalie. The traces used 3 hook flappers and up and over pulleys for the rays, Bait was rag, mackerel and sandeel. Bring on the next session!
Go fishing…
Join the Club
Find out more about Cork Sea Angling Club and their upcoming events at Cork Sea Angling Club
Cork Sea Angling Club are now taking new members to join their great club for 2023. If you’re interested please contact Kevin McGowan on 0852493550
Vincent Appleby reports on another quiet week for anglers fishing Lough Currane…
9/3/2023 Local Guide Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com reports there were only two boats out today, on the Currane Wild Atlantic Salmon run all was quiet on the SW front. Wind ESE then veered SW and veered back into the NE in the afternoon. Followed by sleety rain falls at times.
10/3/2023 All quiet on the Wild Atlantic Salmon run, Just for the record Currane Guide Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com reports that there were 3 boats out today. Wind East Southeast light and variable, followed by good cloud cover.
11/3/2023 The Currane anglers were all quiet on all fronts. Wind WSW and veered W fresh and overcast.
12/3/2023 All the Currane boats were laid up for the day as a strong SSW wind blew down the lake and followed by heavy rain at times throughout the day.
13/3/2023 It’s a very sad day for me to report that the Great Currane Angler Mr. Brod O’Sullivan R.I.P passed away this morning. So on that sad note I will go back 60 years on his skilful manipulations on the Waterville Fishery.
Brod fishing the Butler Pool 1963
In 1963 as you can see by the picture Brod helped me play my first Wild Atlantic Salmon and as you know Brod caught the Salmon and I played it,( great memory’s). Now we head down stream to Lough Currane, as we all know in 1964 Lough Currane got the Salmon disease and the first outboard motor was put on the lake by Mr. Brod O’Sullivan and I can tell the senior boatman were not in favour of the outboard motors but fair play to Brod he kept to his outboard motor and I can tell you it wasn’t long before his fellow Gillie’s put their oars to rest.
Now we head across to the River Inny, the year was August 1965 in those day’s it wasn’t what you were going to catch but it was how many, if the conditions were right and that year they were. Brod and his clients caught 103 Salmon on the Inny in two weeks, a record in my opinion, that will never broken.
Brod O’Sullivan on Lough Currane – 1969
Now we head out onto the Wild Atlantic. In the early seventies there was one hot summer. The lake was rock bottom so Brod headed out into Ballinskelligs Bay with his clients and with their Mackerel feathers they caught 1500 Mackerel and Pollock in 3 hours, another record.
Well Brod, R.I.P. You may have parted from the Waterville Fishery to the Heavenly waters fishing with your Son Anthony/ Tony, R.I.P, and your good wife Mary, R.I.P, making Her fine Soda bread. So on behalf of all the Currane Anglers and the good people of Waterville and all your clients we send our Sincere Sympathies to Sadie, Colette and Mary Denise; sister Mary & Family and his brother Paddy & Family; sons-in-law Pan, James and Mike; grandchildren Stephen, Keith, Kelly, Poppy & Laura; great-grandchild Killian; extended family, friends and neighbours. I would like to finish on a Quote from Brod’s good friend and Currane angler Mr. Gary Humphrey.
14/3/2023 All the salmon C&R headlines go to Local Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com and for good reason, while trolling caught a fine 7 lbs. Salmon as you can see by the picture and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind NNW and overcast followed by the odd shower.
C&R headlines go to Local Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy
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.
Adrian Browne reports from Oaklandswhere thelast round of the Winter League was fished on Sunday…
We had the final round of the Ger Hennesy Winter league on March 12th. Fishing started well on the day and the top spots were still up for grabs. In the end there was only one victor, so, big congratulations to the overall winner Kieran Reeves winning the league for the first time.
On the day top bag went to Andrei Pirchio taking advantage of his end peg and bagging 19.740 kg.
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Nice bags at Oaklands
Results
Section A
1st V Mozart 14.380 kg
2nd Slav B 6.260 kg
3rd S Zamfir 3.940 kg
Section B
1st A Pirchio 19.740 kg
2nd J Foley 11.860 kg
3rd A Browne 11. 320 kg
Overall
1st K Reeves 7 points
2nd J Browne 8 points
3rd M Ivkov A Browne 10 points
Bggest Fish
James Foley 4.6 kg
Biggest silver fish bag
Kieran Reeves 9.860 kg
Big thanks to all the lads who fished the league. Also very big thank you to the Hennesy family for there continued support.
Go fishing…
Any one who’s interested Summer league Starts Sunday 16th April.
Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling. It offers a wide selection of fish. The lake can be fished by people of every level of experience from beginners to professionals.
Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Oakland’s Coarse Angling Club is open to new members. The club based in Co. Wexford welcomes senior, ladies and junior members to league and open matches throughout the year fished on a variety of venues.
The club is centred around it’s own water, the magnificent Oaklands lake at New Ross; the 4.5 acre lake stocked with carp, tench, bream and rudd has great facilities including 60 stands which are all wheelchair friendly. This superb facility plays and important role in the introduction to angling for newcomers. Popular events include the NCFFI All-Ireland Commercial Pairs and the Dunbrody Festival.
Oaklands Fixtures 2023
April 16th Open Match
May 7th Open Match
May 20th & 21st
NCFFI All Ireland Commercial Pairs
Pre Entry Only on NCFFI details to be released asap.
June 3rd, 4th & 5th
South East Classic
3 different venues in 3 days
Pre Entry only (30 peg limit) *
June 11th Open Match
June 25th Open Match
July 8th & 9th
2 Day Dunbrody Festival
(38 peg limit) Pre Entry Only.
Book @ Oaklands *
July 23rd Open Match
August 20th Open Match
September 3rd Open Match
September 17th Open Match
October 8th Open Match
October 29th & 30th
2 Day Feeder only.
November 5th Open Match
November 12th & 13th
2 Day Silver fish Only.
December 3rd Open Match
All Events wich are * this years contestants will have first perchance on
2023 events.
The recent bitterly cold snap and heavy rain meant that conditions weren’t exactly ideal for the Limerick County Pike Anglers as they embarked on their fourth competition of the year last week. 13 hardy anglers turned out, and, as might be expected, the pike were a bit sluggish, with the early fish on the small side. Things started to look up when a 7.5lb fish came to the net, and then, just as that fish was being landed, one of the other rods was nearly pulled off its rest as a good fish made a strong run. That pike turned out to be the best of the day, tipping the scales at just over 18lb. An 11 pounder was the next best fish on the day, and Sam Brown came out as the top weight, with a total of 26lb 4oz. Full report on the Limerick County Pike Anglers Facebook page.
Inland Fisheries Ireland have launched their first #SpotlightSeries of 2023, sharing a little more about the work we do.
“Conservation is not only about enhancing fish populations and improving water quality, it’s about increasing biodiversity,” says Declan Cooke, Habitats Manager at Inland Fisheries Ireland.
“It’s true that we have anglers in mind, and we want to ensure that there are enough fish for them, but we are also absolutely focused on the bigger picture. With climate change and the global biodiversity crisis upon us, we are in the privileged position of being able to use our expertise to actively increase biodiversity and build climate resilience in river catchments.”
Sheelin Angling Report March 6th – March 12th 2023
“Perseverance is not a long race: it is many short races one after the other”
Walter Elliott
Battling the elements – Des McCullough with his piscatorial gold
March came in like the proverbial lamb but metamorphosed into a lion as Met Eireann’s arctic predictions gradually wrapped themselves around this lake as the week progressed. Battleship grey skies coupled with North easterly winds ripping across the water, effectively brought fishing in the later part of the week to a frustrating halt.
Sheelin was showing a consistent representation from the angling fraternity up until Thursday but then the elements took over – snow, sleet and hail along with nightly sub zero drops in temperature effectively put paid to any long angling stays on the lake for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In typical Irish fashion, temperatures took a hike to a positively tropical 13 degrees on Sunday, but heavy rain had stained the waters, making visibility poor and fishing conditions challenging for the fly anglers.
Water temperatures have dropped a full 1.5 degrees from the previous week and remain hovering at just over 5 degrees, from surface to bed.
Water temperature is probably the biggest factor that affects fly fishing in early season and unfortunately sometimes March in Ireland feels more like winter than it does spring.
The lower the water temperature, the less active trout will be. The less active trout are, the less they need to feed and consequently less likely to take that proffered fly. When trout are not feeding they are normally flush with the bed of the lake and are highly unlikely to sprint after a swinging team of those traditional wet flies. 7 degrees is reputed to be that magical figure that anglers hang on to, below this trout are supposed to be slower, holed up near the bottom and feeding less. As the temperature gets past the magic 7, trout become more active and if we can get to 12 degrees then things should kick off properly.
Early season is a frustrating time for the fly angler, all winter they have been hankering to get out on this lake and then all the enthusiasm, excitement and preparation can often result in disappointment when the early season trout refuse to cooperate.
Despite the inclement weather this week, trout catches were recorded, admittedly only on the days when the weather was sort of behaving itself. Days with biting cold winds, drew blanks but the early part of the week and Sunday produced some nice trout of respectable sizes.
Best fishing areas for this week was from Kilnahard down to Merry Point, Walkers Bay, Goreport, Bog Bay, at the back of Church Island and Sailors Garden.
Snowy line up
Gina Tanczos with her early season catchFreezing entrance – visiting Sheelin anglers entering Dublin Port last fridayFlat to the mat
Lithuanian Fishing Club ‘GoandCatch’ from their recently held trout fishing competition on Lough SheelinHands on the gold
Please remember All anglers are required to have a Fishery Permit to fish Lough Sheelin which must be purchased BEFORE going out on the lake.
Braving the weather
The lures are taking centre stage – Humungous, Minkies, Zonkers and Wooly Buggers along with a selection of the ever-popular Dabblers – Green, Claret, Peter Ross and Pearly.
The Humungous is a great fly pattern at the moment, when trout are looking for a big meal without much effort. A chain bead head gives a dipping motion, a brightly coloured body with a palmered hackle gives extra movement and a marabou tail with some tinsel in it, provide an excellent trout searching combination. The Silver Humungous is particularly good on this lake for the fry hitting trout.
Attracted to myself, only by the name, the Wooly Bugger, has recorded a number of successes this week on Lough Sheelin. Believed to have been created by the Pennsylvania angler, Russell Blessing as early as 1967 to resemble a nymph, its precise origin is unknown. Tied in different sizes and colours, this fly can be effective in virtually any fly fishing situation and the trout respond well to it when feeding on either large insects or fry.
It would be lovely to talk about the traditional early season wet flies of Black Pennell, Connemara Black, Sooty Olive, Bumbles and Bibios but it is just too early and we need a rise in temperature. There was a small dusting of buzzer hatches in the sheltered areas of the lake and buzzer fishing with dry and epoxy patterns will feature soon.
Luring the trout
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Lures, Mick McShane
Lures
A Buzzer pattern from Darren Duffy
Ken Kennedy's Shrimp Muddlers
Zonkers
Noel Waddell's Woolly Bugger
A Joe Butler creation
Mick McShane
The Duckfly
The Duckfly
Tempting the trout, Mick McShane
Andy Hutson's Buzzer pattern
Dave Oates Comet Buzzer
Early season selection Mich McShane
Dave Oates fisherman's Blue
Zonker lures
Competitions
The Kilroy Cup will be fished on Friday, March 17th from Kilnahard pier from 11am to 5.00pm. Prizes will be for the heaviest fish and entry is €30. This competition has been set at a 16 inch size limit with a 2 fish bag limit. There will be no permits available for sale on the pier on the morning so please buy your permit online beforehand or from the IFI office at Kilnahard on the morning. Contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033
Andrius Bikelis with his competition troutChambers Bay
Heaviest trout was 6lb caught by Dublin angler, Kryzysztof Wojak using a Silver Humungous at Merry Pt.
Recorded catches : 15
Selection of catches
Aivaras Andzelis, Dublin – 2 trout heaviest at 3lbs on lures.
Mindaugas Naujokas, Dublin – 1 trout at 3lbs.
Danius Vainauskas, Dublin – 1 trout at 3.5lbs using lures.
Aleksandr Kowalska, Kildare – 1 trout at 3lbs on a Zonker lure.
Anthony Weir from Tulla and District Angling Club reports that the club had a hardy day on Clonlea at the weekend when they competed for the Kelly cup.
Overall it was tough fishing all-round, with the only consolation for some that the rain stayed away until about 3pm. There were a few pike caught though with fish to 90cm recoded and anything that was hooked was met in the the bottom 10 foot of the lake.
Results
Aidan came in 3rd with 140cm. Damien Shanahan came in second with 210cm and won the pools with a good 90cm pike. First place went to new member Greg Balicki with 340cm. A great result for Greg – his second competition and second time on the podium.
The club thanked Fishing Tackle Ireland for sponsoring prizes.
Go fishing…
The next match will be fishing on 23rd April from Ducies, Scariff (Lough Derg).
Join the Club
Tulla District Angling Club is a Pike and Coarse fishing club founded over 50 years ago. They are based in East Clare, Munster, Ireland.
Munster Coarse Anglers fished the 9th match of their winter series in O’Briensbridge at the weekend…
“Return of the Magnificent Seven”
The penultimate match in this year’s league saw Munster Coarse Angling Club meet at the bridge on Sunday morning to see whether to go downstream to the rowing course or up to the Dam. After a quick look at the river and the toss of a coin off towards the Dam it was.
No one was holding much hope with river at summer levels but having a dirty colour from the snow and rain earlier in the week. They took their pegs, set up and settled in for what has become their fortnightly penance…
There was false hope at the start as a few early bites were had but they soon disappeared and long waits between fish became the norm. In the end Steve and Richard renewed their tussle for top spot with Steve taking the honours this week.
Steve 2lb 6oz
Richard 2lb
Clive 1lb 15oz
Kevin 1lb 12oz
Ian 12oz
Morgan 10oz
Ray 5oz
Next Match in two weeks time
(Hopefully on a venue where the fish have a bit of an appetite)
Munster Coarse Angling Club are affiliated to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, NCFFI the National Governing body for coarse and predator fishing and casting. www.ncffi.ie
Mr. Frank Sheenan, of Dursey Sound, Co. Cork, and Mr. Denis Healy, of Cahergarriff, Castletownbere, Co. Cork were both convicted of illegal fishing at Bantry District Court on Thursday, 23rd February 2023.
Judge James McNulty heard evidence at an earlier sitting of an extensive operation by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Garnish Bay on June 28, 2022, which resulted in the seizure of an illegal 523 metre long net, 8 eight salmon and a van. Hearing that both men had previously been convicted of illegal fishing and had benefited from a Hardship Scheme introduced to compensate fishers who ceased salmon fishing, Judge McNulty ordered both to come to court with banker’s drafts to the value of €2,000 each.
The court also heard evidence that illegal salmon netting has far reaching consequences for vulnerable salmonid populations migrating along the coast to their spawning grounds.
On finalising the case at the February 23 sitting, Judge McNulty imposed fines of €2,000 each for breaches of Section 285(a) of the Fisheries Act 1959 (as amended) and ordered each to pay €250 by way of contribution to IFI’s expenses. Orders of Forfeiture were made in relation to the salmon and net. Each defendant was also found guilty of a breach of Article 3 of Bye-Law no. 857 of 2009 and Section 182(2) of the 1959 Act, which were taken into consideration.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential 24-hour hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents of water pollution, fish kills and illegal fishing: 0818 34 74 24.
Section 285(a) of the Fisheries Act 1959 (as amended) prohibits the use of a boat or vehicle as an aid to the commission of a (fisheries) offence;
Article 3 of Bye-Law no. 857 of 2009 prohibits the use of a drift net to take, attempt to take, or to fish for salmon or trout or to assist in such taking, fishing or attempt.
Section 182(2) of the 1959 Act prohibits the purchase, sale or possession of any salmon or trout unlawfully captured.
The Salmon Hardship Scheme was established 1 November 2006 to assist salmon commercial fishermen who previously fished in areas closed for conservation purposes and salmon fishermen who cease to fish for salmon.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
