Richie Ryan of Eire Bass sent a report on his recent forays with clients on Cork Harbour. Richie takes up the story…
“It’s great to see youngsters coming aboard Sea Hawk to try out saltwater fly fishing. As stated many times before, for amateurs there’s no casting involved, the wind and tide do the work. Later on casting lessons can convert an enthusiastic youth into a pure fly fishing addict. Some of you may remember a recent report by me on my grandson’s experience of fly fishing for pollack A visit to Canada last month entailed a fly fishing lesson for Seán, aged 10. Thirty minutes into my lesson he turned to me and said “Granddad, this is so therapeutic”! A few hours later his cast was near perfect. He caught 14 Mountain Whitefish that day, mainly on a fly he tied himself. He’ll never forget that days sport I reckon.
And so it was last week that 2 youngsters tried out saltwater fly fishing for the first time. Xavier Foley joined his dad Jody for a weekend trip. His dad was obviously a keen and experienced angler albeit he had not tried saltwater fly fishing before. The sport was good, even a few fine kelpy cod helped to brighten our outing.
Jody and Xavier Foley with a kelpy cod
A few days later Jim Barry organised a fly fishing trip for his son in law and his grandson. Conditions were difficult but numerous pollack fell to the fly and young Ben and his father Tony were hooked ! Ben’s enthusiasm was obvious and the excitement was palpable.
Ben with his flt caught pollack
I can still see his infectious beaming smile as he enjoyed what he deemed to be the best part of his holiday. In fact both sets of clients vowed to return again as the experience was so gratifying ! It’s nice to see things picking up after Covid and some young anglers happy to try a different type of angling.
Why not try fishing from the first licensed saltwater fly-fishing boat in Ireland in the second largest natural harbour in the world? Your guide, Commander Richie Ryan Retd. , has built up a huge knowledge of bass fishing, over the last 30 years.
Notes: With a purpose built boat he is insured to carry up to 3 anglers. Bass and pollock on the fly are the main target species.
Young and old are welcome and if you have no knowledge of fly-fishing, other methods are available. Richie has been responsible for a vast number of clients catching that elusive first ever bass.
Tjs Angling Centre is a fishing tackle store which stocks a wide range of fishing gear for fishermen. It is also a hub for information regarding fishing.
Tuna food!! Amazing catches on the shore for Gavin and Johnny and a fish that the species hunters all aspire to get, the Atlantic saury. A favourite food of the giant Bluefin tuna that are in Donegal Bay right now and a new species; also a new club record shore saury of 34cm for Gavi.
Double saury for GavinSaury
Last weekend, 14 anglers took to the beach as Mariners and Howth crew had a friendly competition and 52 fish were caught with 5 different species and John Cunningham taking the winners prize with Gavin Dorrian in 2nd and Pat Byrne 3rd. Longest fish was won by Noel Caffery of Howth.
Mariners and Howth pegged comp
Later in the week, Cormac and John managed some fine size wrasse in the great weather.
The put and take rainbow trout lakes Lough Fadda and Barfinnihy are fishing well at the moment despite the bright weather as water temperatures have dropped a bit.
Lough Fadda
Anglers on Fadda are catching on spinners, worm and fly.
Barfinnihy is only 20 minutes from Lough Fadda, not far from Molls Gap. This is a bigger lake and a lot of time can be spent here, wandering the the shore and casting to the often rising fish.
Releasing a trout on Barfinnihy with a view of the Magillacuddy Reeks in the background
Being so close together it would be no trouble to enjoy what each has to offer in a single day.
A view over Ballinaskelligs Bay, 29 august 2022 was not an ideal fishing day on Lough Currane.
Vincent Appleby reports from Waterville…
26/8/2022 The Waterville Fishery was all quiet in all departments this day. Wind NW light and variable followed by bright sunshine all day.
Butler Pool 2022-08-27
27/8/2022 Great to report a bit of action this day, In the Salmon/Grilse department there was 1 Grilse caught on the troll. Now we head for the dry fly department, one boat manipulating their dry flies caught 7 Trout and that’s no mean feat and the same goes to the Salmon/ Grilse department. Wind variable and light from the SE to the SW followed by reasonable cloud cover.
A view over Ballinaskelligs Bay back to Waterville. All calm in this corner.
28/8/2022 Just a few Trout caught this day and yes, yesterday’s catches were Sea Trout as they were today. As you can see by the photo it was fairly calm this day, wind SE light and variable and very warm this afternoon.
A view over Ballinaskelligs Bay, 29 august 2022 was not an ideal fishing day on Lough Currane.
29/8/2022 Two Trout caught on the drift and fair play to them because as you can see by the picture the conditions certainly were not ideal. Wind SE light and variable. Just for the record there was one Butler Pool angler manipulating his flies and as of yet I have no reports of any rod benders.
The Wild Atlantic viewed from Waterville on 2022-08-30
30/8/2022 The Currane Anglers were all quiet in all departments this bright and sunny calm day as you can see by the photo of Ballinskelligs Bay. Wind ESE light to calm.
Curran’s Mace in Waterville has closed
31/8/2022 The Currane Anglers were all quiet on all fronts today and in my opinion this is very appropriate especially to the Currane anglers because today Curran’s Mace Supermarket opened their doors today for the last time and sadly there’ll be no rush in the future to Curran’s Supermarket and tackle shop to get the first Salmon licence or investing in a new Rapala. So on behalf of the Currane anglers and the good people of Waterville, Dromid, Caherdaniel, Ballinskelligs, and all the surrounding areas, we wish all the Curran Family and their staff all the best for the future. I can say you will be missed.
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.
Peter Driver of Piscari Fly stepped out of the Nore to try a bit of Lough fishing on Owel…
Nice day on Lough Owel early this week. Conditions weren’t the greatest with very little wind and high sunshine. But still managed some nice fish to the boat. Olive Dabblers and hopper patterns working best.
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.
Peter’s fly shop is at www.piscari-fly.com for all your fly tying and fly fishing needs.
Or why not check out the PiscariFly YouTube channel where fishing adventures and fly tying and interviews with top Irish anglers make for a great show…
Skipper John Fleming says the reef fishing in Galway has been “on fire” of late, with pollack in particular feeding hard and taking lures eagerly. Plenty of other species have been caught too, including some fine tub gurnard, cod, tope and a good few scad around too.
A lovely pollack for this angler
A fine tub gurnardAmazing technicolour pectoral finsPollack
Another fine gurnard
CodScad
Go fishing…
To book fishing with John aboard the Brazen Hussy II, give him a call on 087 7571320
A regular day is between 9am- 6pm from either Rossaveal, Spiddal or Galway depending on species being sought after. Fishing on the inshore reefs for pollock, cod, ling, wrasse, conger eel and mackerel can be reached in 10 minutes from departure, while our offshore reef marks are within 45 minutes of departure. Our ground fishing for tope, spurdog, ray, bullhuss, turbot, plaice and the giant common skate can all be reached within the hour which ensures the most amount of time is spent fishing.
The shark season usually starts at the end of June and runs into late October, this is the ultimate angling adrenaline rush with these hard fighting blue and porbeagle sharks all being tagged and released safely.
Package deals available
Belmont Anglers Open was fished on the Grand Canal at Shannon Harbour last Sunday. The weather was ideal with plenty of cloud cover and a good turnout on the day. Everyone enjoyed the day and even better – there were plenty of fish caught
Winners were:
1-Eugene Cahill
2-William c Martin
3-John Howell
4-John Mulligan
Belmont Anglers is a Coarse Angling club based in the Irish midlands. Competitions are held regularly on the Grand canal and river Shannon. All are welcome to participate.
Notes: We specialise in seatrout fishing and the Moy estuary is our hunting ground. We offer an excellent choice of sea trout fishing which caters for all levels… from complete beginner to the experienced angler and all tackle is provided if required.
Notes: The angling boat Pegasus is equipped with the latest technology, fishing tackle and safety equipment. Licenced for a maximum of 4 rods skipper Judd Ruane specialises in catching sea trout on the beautiful Moy Estuary. Daily charter departs Ballina Quay and booking is essential. A salmon licence is required.
Joe Fitzharris reports that anglers enjoyed improved catches in the McCarthy Cup event held on Sunday 21st August…
Lake O’Flynn & District Anglers ran the McCarthy Cup on Sunday in difficult angling conditions. Surprisingly most boats caught fish on the day. This was due to a much welcomed drop in water temperature. 11 Boats competed in what was a Heaviest fish event. Winner on the day was well known and popular Sligo angler Feichin McMorrow with a trout of 2lb 14.6oz.
Boat Hire
Salmon and Sea-Trout fishing Guide
Pegasus II
