As expected, water levels are at an all time low throughout the Moy system. This has a huge impact on angling and fish movement.
Water levels recorded at Ballylahan Bridge on the Monday morning were 0.195m (waterlevel.ie) and rose slightly at the weekend after some long awaited rain to 0.352m on Sunday night. Fishery managers are all saying this is not enough to flush out the river and say more rain is needed to “freshen” up the system. Sixteen grilse and one sea trout were reported, with 4 grilse released plus the sea trout.
The Moy Fishery recorded 1 salmon and 1 sea trout for the week, all released.
Byrne’s Fishery reported 3 grilse all caught on the prawn from their water.
The Foxford Fishery reported 5 grilse, all caught on bubble and fly.
Foxford Salmon Anglers reported 2 salmon from their Rinnaney stretch.
Foxford Rocks Fishery reported 2 salmon for the week.
East Mayo Anglers recorded 3 salmon for the week, and all released.
25 anglers took to the banks on the Erne system during the week to battle it out in the 4-day River Erne 100 event. The fishing was tough right from the outset, with only a couple double figure bags of 11.4kg and 12.4kg, with the majority scoring below 5kg for the day. And things didn’t get any better as the week went on, with the average weight per angler per day being a poor 3.3kg. By the final day of the competition, it was tight at the top, with Tony Green’s total of 30.2 just pipping Martin Bendell’s 29.28 to win him the prize money.
A number of bluefin boats based in the northwest enjoyed another great week of tuna action.
Adrian Molloy of tuna.ie reported five bluefin tuna to the boat today (Thursday 9th Sept.). Earlier in the week conditions were a little tougher but tuna also showed up in good numbers.
Smiling faces for customers of tuna.ie
Killybegs Fishing Trips also had a mad day at the bluefin tuna with a total of four hook-ups. One fish of 90 inches and about 435 lbs. was caught, tagged and safely released.
Killybegs Fishing Trips doing well
It has also been a busy time for TunaMick with four groups of customers and the Marine Institute managing 28 fine fish, of a wide range of sizes, to the boat. The fish measured from 180cm to 245cm. The 245cm fish was every bit of 600 lbs. and strong.
Marine Institute tagging a fish
A little further south fishing out of Mullaghmore, Declan Kilgannon, skipper of Kiwi Girl, also reported great tuna action during the past week.
Tuna CHART (CatcHand Release Tagging) utilises authorised vessels to catch, tag and release Atlantic Bluefin Tuna for data collection purposes off the Irish coast. The programme, developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute in partnership with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department for Environment, Climate and Communications, operated on a pilot basis in 2019 and 2020.
Vincent Appleby reports on the week’s fishing on the Waterville Fishery:
7/9/2022 A good flood has a lot to answer for and here are some of yesterday’s and today’s answers. First we go back to yesterday, local C&R Inny angler caught and released 5 salmon. Now for today’s facts, we start on the Commeragh with 4 salmon caught, then we head downstream to Lough Currane where there was some good action, one Salmon caught on the fly and one caught on the troll. In the Sea Trout department there were 8 Sea Trout caught on the fly. Now we head downstream to the World-famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of Waterville Boats and at [email protected] and his clients caught 3 Salmon on the fly. Staying with Waterville Boats and at [email protected] in Michael’s hired-out boat department his client caught a few nice Brown Trout on the drift. Wind SE veered ENE light to fresh at times followed by heavy showers throughout the day.
6/9/2022 We start today’s report on yesterday’s notes and for good reason; as I said yesterday the Currane Anglers were left standing on the shoreline. Well it didn’t take them long to march off to the C&R River Inny where there was some good action with 3 Salmon in the morning, now back to the present, There was some good action on the Waterville Fishery today, we start on Lough Currane in the drifting department, one boat reported that they caught 9 Sea Trout ranging from Juniors up to 2 lb plus a good few Brownies. Now we head for the C&R River Inny, On the morning stint there were 6 Salmon caught, come afternoon there were another 4 Salmon caught and this evening there was one cracker of a Salmon caught and released in the 14lb class. Wind SE fresh and variable with good cloud cover. Yesterday’s amount of rainfall was 31.6 mm.
5/9/2022 The Currane Anglers were left standing on the shore of Lough Currane as a strong SSE blew across the lake with gusts up to 49 mph followed by heavy torrential rain at times, amount of rainfall yesterday was 14.8 mm.
4/9/2022 All quiet in all departments this day, wind SSE fresh and overcast followed by heavy rain this evening. Just for the record, I didn’t have any reports of any rod benders yesterday.
3/9/2022 I have the very sad news to report that Mrs. Mary O’Sullivan RIP, the good wife of Mr. Brod O’Sullivan and Currane angler of Stella Maris, Waterville, sadly passed away. So, on behalf of all the Currane anglers from Ireland to the US to Canada and across the Atlantic to the UK and mainland Europe and from all over the World, we send our Sincere Sympathy’s to her husband Brod, daughters Sadie, Colette, and Mary Denise and all their Family and Friends. On a personal note, well, Mary RIP you may have departed from this World into that Heavenly Bed and Breakfast, and my God, did you do a cracker of a Breakfast and your evening meals were out of this world and the same goes for your picnic baskets and as they say our loss is Heaven’s gain. Mrs. Mary O’Sullivan Rest in Peace.
2/9/2022 Well the picture tells the story as you can see Lough Currane is as silent as the Lambs, even though there was one boat manipulating the Currane waters but as of yet, their fingers aren’t working so I take that as no good? Now to the weather, wind WNW and veered SW light and overcast all day. Kerry is on a yellow rain warning so click and you will see the amount of rainfall up to next Sunday.
1/9/2022 Lough Currane was all quiet in all departments which isn’t surprising the sun was blazing down on the Waterville Fishery. Wind was light and all over the place from the East to the SW and veered into NW at lunchtime.
Jim Clohessy took a look at the weather charts last week and realised he was going to be shorebound for a while so he made the most of a brief weather window to cast a few lures in the vicinity of Cork Harbour. Launching his boat from Paddy’s Point he found the pontoon there to be pretty handy in taking the hassle out of getting the boat on the water. He tried a few drifts close to the shore outside the harbour and managed a bass before the wind and tide put the fish off.
Bass on a soft plastic sandeel imitation
Then he went a bit further offshore to some reefs east of Power Heading search of pollack, and the move paid off as he landed some good pollack to 8lb before the weather turned and he had to head for shore.
West Cork and District SAC were back on the beaches after a long summer break as they hit Garrylucas Beach on the Old Head of Kinsale for an evening match. 12 seniors and 3 juniors turned out, and they got straight into the action with a steady stream of fish coming in for the first half hour or so. Unfortunately, the action slowed down considerably after that, and fish became few and far between. In the end, it came down to the last cast, and it was a close call in the senior section as Pete Davis, on 176 points, pipped Stephen O’Donovan, who ended up on 175 and JP Molloy, who had 171. However, the top angler of the night came from the junior section, as Liam Davis romped home with a smashing 259 points to put the seniors in their places. 11 species were caught on the night LSD, Bass, Flounder, Coalfish, Garfish, Turbot, Conger, Pouting, Whiting, Gilthead Bream and Pollack. See West Cork and District SAC Facebook for a full report.
The Belturbet Festival kicked off on Sunday 4th with an open match to get things warmed up and if the winning net from the open is anything to go by, the festival itself should be a cracker.
David Stewart won the open match with a massive 58kg760 of bream, roach and hybrids – certainly a red letter day for him, the stuff you normally only dream about.
58kg+ of bream, roach and hybrids
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While there were no 58kg hauls on day one of the festival itself, there were several in the 18-30kg bracket. The club put in some serious graft to get Derryvona back on the festival map and four of the top six weights from day one came from there – so the hard work is really paying off!
For the latest episode of Ireland on the Fly, Tom and Daire are focusing on, what some might say is a bit of an esoteric branch of the sport – tenkara – and the art of fishing on mountain streams with minimum line and no reel that first developed in Japan.
So, what is it, how does one do it and most importantly, how relevant is it to Irish waters?
David Anchell is a passionate fly angler in south Tipperary and knowing he was a keen advocate of tenkara, they decided to find out more from him and why it works so well on Irish mountain streams.
Keep up to date with all the latest Ireland on the Fly episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Thomas Moran was the overall winner of the 56th annual Newport SAC Festival and was presented with the Tom Moran Memorial Cup by members of the Moran family, (Bella, Sorcha and Cian)
This slightly overdue report from Newport SAC on their very successful Annual Sea Angling Festival Competition at the end of July:
After a two year absence due to Covid, Newport SAC were back to host the 56th Annual Sea Angling Festival Competition on Sunday 31st of July. Local angler Thomas Moran was announced as the overall winner of the of the competition after a very close contest, particularly amongst the top 3 anglers (who were only separated by 3 fish!).
What made it even more special was the fact that Thomas received the Tom Moran memorial cup which is dedicated to his late father who passed away in 1997.
Thomas had a total of 22 fish and 130 points on the day to secure the top spot. He also received a set of crystal glasses and a voucher for the Westport Hotel Group (kindly sponsored by the Corcoran Family).
Thomas Moran was the overall winner of the 56th annual Newport SAC Festival and was presented with the Tom Moran Memorial Cup by members of the Moran family, (Bella, Sorcha and Cian)
The runner up was Shane Gilvarry with 19 fish and 115 points and 3rd place went to Darragh McGee with 17 fish and 115 points. Killala SAC anglers Peter Coyne (20 fish & 100 points) and Josie Barrett (12 fish & 90 points) were 4th and 5th respectively.
Other prizewinners and presentations
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Shane Gilvarry was runner up at the Newport SAC Festival and received the Tyrell O'Malley cup and prizes from Bella Moran on behalf of the club.
Darragh McGee received the Kilroy Trophy and prize for his 3rd place finish in the recent Newport SAC Festival competition.
Bella Moran was presented with a bouquet of flowers by club secretary Sue Steer on behalf of the Newport Sea Angling Club.
Siobhan Melvin was the best Lady Angler at the 56th annual Newport SAC Festival and was presented with the Jane O'Malley Cup by Martin O'Malley. Siobhan also received a prize for the largest ray caught in the competition.
Josie Barrett (Killala SAC) was 5th overall at the recent Newport SAC Festival and received the Martin O'Grady cup.
Peter Coyne (Killala SAC) received the Carraigahowley Cup for his 4th place finish in the recent Newport SAC Festival competition.
Best lady angler on the day was Siobhan Melvin with 13 fish & 85 points and Siobhan also received a prize for the largest fish (Ray) on the day. Best skipper was Tom Moran (Westport) who skippered the Whitewater II.
As this was the first outing for the club’s Senior anglers (18+) since the outbreak of Covid in early 2020, demand was high and unfortunately the club couldn’t accommodate all who wished to take part on the day. Our thanks to the sponsors (Westport Hotel Group, Bella Moran, Wyatt Hotel, Martin & Mary O’Malley) for their support. Our thanks also to the anglers, the skippers, those who helped out on the day and to Nevins Bar Newport and The Port Chipper for all their help.
The club also made a presentation to long standing committee member, club trophy officer & treasurer Bella Moran following her retirement from the club. Bella held the position of treasurer and trophy officer for many, many years and helped to keep the wheels turning (along with many others) within the club over the years.
Bella was introduced to angling for the first time in 1972 by her husband Tom and it didn’t take her long before becoming club master angler in 1976 & 1977 (2 years in a row). As master angler in ’77 she went on to represent Newport SAC the following year in the 1978 All Ireland Boat Angling Championship. This All Ireland event was hosted by Westport Centurions SAC & run by the IFSA. During the 1978 All Ireland Boat Angling Championship she competed against 87 other club champions from all over the country.
Bella made history by being the first woman in the IFSA’s history to win this competition.
A presentation was made to Bella Moran on behalf of Newport SAC by club chairman Sean Fahy and skipper of the ‘Lady Helen’ Reg Roynon.
When Bella’s name was called out as the overall winner in the 1978 All Ireland Boat Angling Championship, she received a standing ovation and was carried on the shoulders of local skipper Reg Roynon (Snr) of the ‘Lady Helen’ to receive her prize. In keeping with tradition the current skipper Reg Roynon (Jnr) walked Bella to accept a presentation from all at the club.
As Bella was the 1978 All Ireland Angling Champion, she went on to represent Ireland in the International Sea Angling Championships on 19th August 1979. Bella made history again by becoming the first woman to captain the Irish national sea angling team and represented Ireland in the International Sea Angling Championships in ‘79 (fished in Youghal) .Although the Irish team weren’t victorious, it certainly helped to put Newport SAC on the map and in particular brought national attention on women’s participation in sea angling long before many other sports.
Bella finally decided to retire this year and the entire club would like to take the opportunity to thank her for her many years of dedication and hard work for Newport SAC. Thank you Bella from all at the club past & present.
The club would also like to pass on our sympathies to Maureen, Darragh & Fiona, Shane, Christopher, Holly, Colum and extended McGee family on the recent passing of Peter McGee (RIP). Peter was a former chairman of the Newport Sea Angling Club and was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for the club in the late sixties and early seventies. Peter left no stone un-turned in ensuring the club was successful and in later years he skippered many a day’s fishing out the bay when he purchased his own sea angling boat. Peter was always at hand to help anglers in any way he could and was never found wanting when it came to supporting the club or sponsoring prizes. As one of life’s true gentlemen, he will be sadly missed. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The annual Lough Ree International Pike Classic takes place at Ballyleague in Roscommon this coming weekend, September 10th & 11th, 2022.
This event is supported by Roscommon County Council and Inland Fisheries Ireland and will see hundreds of anglers from all over the country and abroad fight it out for the top prize.
Competitors should remember that each boat must collect their pack and measuring board on the Ballyleague side from 8am. There will be a briefing on day one (Saturday 10th) at 9am at the Ballyleague marina. One member of each team MUST attend this.
Each boat must have a DIGITAL CAMERA. Mobile phone pictures WILL NOT be accepted.
The wearing of life jackets is mandatory and will be strictly enforced by the stewards.
The competition area will be closed from the 5th of September from 9:00pm. This means that anyone fishing the competition seen within the competition area on the lake is subject to disqualification – competition map below.
Anybody with queries on the rules or looking to book one of the few places that are left in this lucrative even, call Jason on 087 6742580.
