Junior Killybegs Mariners member Cormac enjoyed some great beach fishing together with senior members Cormac Burke and Gavin Dorrian during the week. Cormac caught some nice turbot and flounder together with some coleys.Well done Cormac!
Nice flounderColey for CormacTurbot
In other news… the next Mariners league outing will take place this Friday 4th November on Dooey Beach with fishing from 19.30 – 23.30pm.
Go fishing…
Join the club
Killybegs Mariners sea angling club, Co Donegal runs a shore league, boat competitions and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love.
What a crazy week with our guest Michael Hackenberg from Germany it was! Michael who is a repeat visitor had 6 pike over the meter, biggest 10kg+ plus many 90+ fish.
Happy days for MichaelMichael in “Pike Heaven”Nice reward in challenging conditions for guide Bodo -104cm!Another 1m plus pike for Bodo
It’s been insane big pike action every day!
We finished the week with a “Big10” measuring 1016cm in total!!! And this in atrocious conditions at times!!
Go Fishing
Bodo Funke, Angling Services, Ireland
Pike, Game and Coarse fishing Guide
Notes: Angling Services Ireland provides the very best in angling and angling tourism. We are based in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, in the North-West of Ireland, an area with many superb angling opportunities.
The Proprietor Bodo Funke holds the Marine and Countryside Guiding Certificate (achieved with distinction) and his expertise and local knowledge will be to your avail when you go on a guided angling trip or angling holiday with Angling Services Ireland. Pike fishing, Fly-fishing for Pike, Game fishing for wild Brown Trout, Float- tubing, Coarse fishing. Salmon fishing and Sea-angling can be organised.
The team from Guided Predator Angling report on some decent piking in difficult conditions on the Erne System…
This weekend was really quality over quantity as again the high dirty water made fishing very difficult. Three bites all weekend produced 3 fish all over 1 meter with the biggest being 110cm.
Really hoping the rain subsides for a few days to try and get the water clarity back to normal but unfortunately we can’t always have it the way we want!
Long hard weekend but very enjoyable in good company.
A happy Jacques Bronkhorst with a fine fly-caught pollack
Cork Harbour flyfishing guide Richie Ryan was in touch with a look back to a visit from two long-time friends over the summer, when they enjoyed spectacular fishing for pollack. We could extol the virtues of this hard-fighting fish, but we’ll let Richie tell it in his own words…
Richie takes up the story … Sometimes in your fishing life a guy comes along who influences your angling destination in a major way. Two guys meet on a beach in Africa and become best friends through that chance encounter Then one moves away to another country, in this case Ireland, which could hinder their angling plans. Fly fishing together in really productive waters is the goal. Thus Dr. Jacques Bronkhorst and Louwrens Badenhorst ( Bads ) infatuation with pollack on the fly in Ireland was initiated.
As a novice saltwater guide I entered into this amazing experience through an Irish Navy connection. I consider myself very lucky to happen upon these two South African fluff chuckers when I set up my business Eire Bass. Another stroke of luck was meeting the famous bass guide Jim Hendrick who gave of his time to help the me set up my business. Through their endeavours I continue to operate my guiding business in Cork Harbour.
Every other year the two South Africans and myself meet up to fly fish for that most underrated fly fishing species , pollack.
Louwrens Badenhorst with a nice pollack on the fly
Between Cork and Connemara we are in thrall with the sheer quantity and fighting quality of this species. And let’s face it , these guys have great fishing on their doorstep. Jacques asks his friends back home how many fish they catch on the fly in the salt each year and they say 20-30. And then the doc bursts their bubble that the 3 anglers can land and release over 120 pollock on the fly in a 4-5 hour session on his or my boat.
A happy Jacques Bronkhorst with a fine fly-caught pollack
The fly fishing this summer in particular was the best angling they’ve had anywhere in the world they said (and the Connemara trip was even cancelled, sorry guys). It dawns on all three of us that we have something really special here on our doorstep extolling the virtues of this undervalued sport. We have to pinch ourselves at times the fly fishing is so good. As mentioned in my previous article , I didn’t have a blank day on the boat this summer. Let’s hope it’s as good next year.
And sometimes the guide gets to fish too. Richie himself with a fantastic fy-caught coalfish
Kevin Lyons of Melview Lodge sent in this summary report of the various angling guests he has hosted recently:
Enjoyable weekend despite the weather.
Jack with a nice Pike as Dad looks on.
Ruairi, Jack and father Mickey were up at Melview Fishing Lodge for a long weekend of Pike fishing for their first time. Despite some bad weather conditions, they fished on and manged to catch a few for their troubles, using both trolling and dead baiting methods, over the three days, the best fish went to Jack.
Belgium anglers brave the weather conditions and have a good week.
J.P with a good Pike.
Jean-Pierre and his friend Alain were here for their 39th visit to Melview Fishing Lodge, in that time, they have fished in the many different weather conditions that Ireland can throw at them, including Rain, Wind, Snow, Ice and not forgetting very hot weather. Using both dead bait and lures, they did manage 3 or 4 days out on the boat, and when things turned for the worse, they fished from the bank but still managed to catch fish to 103cm. Well done, guys see you again soon.
Alain with one of his Pike.
Dutch anglers have an enjoyable week.
Paul with one of his Pike.
Paul, Martin and Roel decided once again to choose Melview Fishing Lodge for their annual fishing trip, on arrival it was off fishing for the few hours of daylight that was remaining. It would give them an idea of how high the water levels were after days of rain falling, despite the weather, they managed some nice fish over the week, with pike to 102cm and some nice perch as a bonus. Thanks guys for a nice fun week and hope to see you all again soon.
Martin catches one at close range using dead bait.
Roel had some nice Perch on Lures.
Waterford anglers do well at Melview Fishing Lodge.
Double hook up for Wayne and John.
Regular anglers John and Wayne from Waterford, who have fished this area on many occasions, were here for another pike session and were not put off by the weather conditions and high water levels, static and drifting dead baits were the preferred method and it proved to be a good choice. They managed to catch some nice pike and even had a double hook up, well done guys see you again soon.
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.
Seán Woods is obviously an angler who gets to do a fair bit of fishing judging by the video he has put together of his 2022 salmon angling season. By the looks of it he manages to fish a few different venues and has put together a nice collage of the many places he has wet a line during the year. Now that the rods are all stored for the closed season, it’s great to get something like this to keep us going over the long winter months…
It’s officially winter and that means, for many fly anglers, the longer nights will see the vice dusted down and plans made for new flies to be tied for next season.
On this latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, Daire and Tom hear from one of Ireland’s finest fly-tyers, Jackie Mahon, to get some of the secrets to his fly-tying success – and he tells us the extent he will go to for just the right shade of magenta!
It’s been an odd week weather wise. I heard someone say we were going to have an Indian summer. And though the mild temperatures and heavy rain were quite like the summers I remember growing up, I don’t think that’s what he meant. Temperatures were very mild, well up into the teens. The rain though, has been really heavy, with parts of the country getting 3 times more than normal for the time of year. Unsurprisingly, associated floods didn’t do coarse and pike anglers many favours but there were still some good catches to be had as fish remained active over the weekend. Sea anglers did much better with the conditions on offer. Many dodged the worst of the wind and got out on charter boats and along our shores for some really good results…
Inniscarra reservoir’s Feederfest Ireland saw contestants from The Netherlands, Sweden and England compete alongside expert feeder anglers from across the island last weekend. In what was a tough competition the Dutch took all the podium places with an incredible 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Winner Willem VD Helm won the competition with an impressive 59.230kg.
Catch of the Week goes to Richard and Katia. Richard is pictured here with a lovely pike of 1.14m
In other pike fishing news Mikey Mooney and members of the Bluebell Angling Club enjoyed some decent piking on Lough Ramor at the weekend. Well done to Mikey who caught his new PB, a solid double figure pike weighing in at 12lb 9oz. Finally, catch of the week goes to French Anglers Richard and Katia who had some good pike on Lough Derg over a couple of the days fishing with TJ’s Angling Centre in Killaloe. Their biggest pikewere 114cm and 108cm.
The Slob Bank, Youghal
On to sea angling now and the return of the Munster Open Gold competition, the first fished since 2019. The competition was held at the Slob Bank in Youghal and the fishing was considered to be excellent with plenty of flounder and some decent bass in the catches, and anglers carding as many as 7 species. When the score cards were tallied Aidan O’Halloran took the gold medal with a fine bag of 27 fish for 716 points. Staying in Cork, angling guide Richie Ryan gives an overview of his season on Cork Harbour where anglers had some good pollack on fly and better bass fishing this year.
A fine ling
Moving up the coast to Co. Clare we check in with Luke Aston, skipper of the Clare Dragoon. It looks like his season may well be done for the year but if so he finished it well with some good catches in the estuary and further out on the reefs. Further up the coast anglers in Galway report that the mackerel finally made it to Nimmo’s Pier and the Prom at Salthill last week. It’s as good a time as any for anyone in Galway who’s interested in angling to give it a go with the local sea angling club, Galway Bay SAC holding a few evening fishing sessions for members over the next few weeks. New members are always welcome…
Ballynanich Castle is looking for a Fly fishing ghilllie for next season. As their Fly Fishing Ghillie, you would be responsible for the overall fishing experience their anglers receive when they make a booking. It sounds like a really exciting opportunity to work on an iconic salmon fishery. Find out more at Ever wanted to be a Ghillie on a famous fishery?
Trout and about…
Anyone missing their trout fishing can relive the 2022 Lough season with Daire Whelan and Tom Doc Sullivan at the Ireland on the Fly Podcast. In other trout fishing news Vartry Angling Club are holding a Ladies Open Day on Sunday the 6th of November, from 10am to 3.30pm, open to ladies and girls only. This is a great opportunity to take up fly fishing, or just give it a try, in the company of fellow lady anglers and instructors. At this time of years many fly anglers turn to their vices for solace and Peter Driver is here to help with another great live broadcast scheduled for Saturday at 8.30pm – this week is all about wings.
And now the weather
There’s a Small Craft warning for all coasts of Ireland over the long weekend as southerly winds will reach force 6 or higher at times on all Irish coasts. This warning is in place until Monday afternoon.
Saturday morning will be wet and blustery with rain extending northwards to all areas early in the morning. The rain will clear northwards through the late morning and afternoon with showers following from the south, some heavy. Fresh southeasterly winds will become southerly later. Highest temperatures of 13°C to 16°C.
Sunday sees mix of sunny spells and frequent showers, in moderate to fresh southwest breezes. Many showers will be heavy. Showers will become confined to western and southern areas in the evening. Highest temperatures of 12°C to 15°C.
The bank holiday will be wet with widespread heavy rain expected. Drier and brighter weather will likely develop in the west and south later, but with rain continuing in eastern parts into the early night. Moderate to fresh southerly winds will ease to light westerly breezes. Highest temperatures of 13°C to 15°C.
Peter Driver of Piscari Fly is back with his live fly tying broadcast this weekend…
LIVE FLY TYING this Saturday night, 28th of October at 8.30pm right here on our facebook page.
One of the most common requests I get is about tying wings, so tomorrow night we will cover as much as we can in relation to wings, materials, uses, how to tie and lots more.
Make sure and drop by from 8.30pm right here on our facebook page don’t miss a night of fly tying, chat, top tips andgiveaways.
Catch this seasons previous episodes
As ever you can catch up on past episodes at the PiscariFly YouTube channel where all our episodes can be watched at your leisure.
For all your fly tying and fly fishing needs. Stocking rods, reels, clothing water etc
Guiding
Want to improve or learn any aspects of your fly fishing? Then why not give us a shout and we will look after you. Fishing available locally on the River Nore at Thomastown and other club water by arrangement. We have also teamed up with Blackwater Trout and Salmon fishery to offer you an amazing fishing experience with over 8km of amazing river to be discovered.
Full & Half Guided days
One to one coaching
Master classes
Groups and Clubs welcome
Nymphing. Dry Fly. Wet Fly. Streamer. Dry Dropper
Instruction
Peter Driver is a qualified casting instructor with APAGI, and advanced qualified fly dresser with APAGI. He specialises in competition nymphs and fishing, Irish lake flies, streamers and lures.
As a qualified casting instructor with APAGI I Peter offers casting clinic’s and lessons, to suit your desires. Being able to cast correctly and have a good understanding of the mechanics of casting is a solid foundation in fly fishing that will pay off in your fishing, be it rivers or lakes.
Tulla and District Angling Club are inviting all pike anglers to the John Punch Memorial which will be fished this weekend on October 30th from 11:30 to 16:30 on Lough Graney.
The competition promises to be an entertaining event with prizes and refreshments in Shortts bar afterwards – a great night and for a very good cause.
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.
