“Janey mac, isn’t it powerful weather altogether!” must be the most widely uttered phrase this week in Ireland. Or variations on that theme! A heatwave in Ireland is defined as 5 consecutive days where the temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius in the same location, and we certainly look set to achieve that over much of the country, particularly Munster and Leinster.

High temperature warning

Although the weather is great for kids’ paddling pool sales, ice cream vans and seaside resorts, it is a double-edged sword. Inland Fisheries Ireland has this week issued a warning about a high risk of fish kills, with high water temperatures and low water levels combining to create extremely stressful conditions for freshwater fish stocks. Anglers are asked to bear fish welfare in mind – use of keep nets should be discontinued for the moment, and catch-and-release on salmon rivers is also discouraged, as the chance of survival is much lower. Perhaps leave the rods in the shed for a few days, or head to the coast and enjoy some sea fishing instead…

While freshwater fishing may be difficult at the moment, sea anglers are loving this weather, particularly those venturing afloat on charter boats or small craft. We have reports of great fishing up and down the coastline over the last week, including Tralee Bay, where two Donegal anglers enjoyed fantastic fishing, and James Raymond from Irish Angling Adventures went for a Grand Slam of ray.

Charter boats have been out taking advantage of the lighter winds and great weather. On the east coast, tope, huss and ray have been the star attractions off the Wicklow coast. Further south, blue shark aplenty have been providing great sport off Cork, as well as Galway Bay, where porbeagles were more plentiful. Everywhere seems to be producing good mixed fishing, like West Clare, where anglers had great pollack fishing, as well as lovely ray fishing in the Shannon Estuary.

Shore anglers have also enjoyed the weather. In Clare, the Lisdoonvarna Fanore club held their annual International Week festival, with some great fishing including several tope off the rocks! Pollack and bass were also eager to feed round the corner in Galway Bay.  And finally, up north the great start to the bluefin tuna season continues, with lots of big fish caught and tagged.

Salmon angling may be curtailed this week by low water levels, but last week gave good conditions in a number of rivers. A short flood on the Moy after the Bank Holiday Monday rainfall gave good fishing for a few days, with over 300 salmon recorded for the week. The July report for the Erriff made for good reading, with salmon recorded almost every day, and some great fishing when rain provided better conditions. Last week provided some sport on the Commeragh and Inny rivers in Kerry, as well as the Butler Pool, but Lough Currane itself was quiet. Also in Kerry, there was great sport last week on the Owenmore, but conditions this week are less suitable. Elsewhere, low water and high temperatures are the news this week, with some Blackwater beats closing until the river cools down a bit. For salmon anglers currently on hiatus from the river, you may be interested in the latest edition of the Ireland On The Fly podcast, this week featuring Jason Nash talking about the River Bandon

Trout fishing took a back seat this week, with little to report from the lakes, only Conn and Cullin producing a few small fish. Sea trout fishing in the Moy estuary was productive, even though the trout were gorging on white bait and hard to tempt, but plenty of mackerel were also feeding hard and easier caught.

To coarse angling, there the big news trhis week was the magnificent victory of young Charlie Richards in the under 20 World Championships held in Slovenia. A section win and a third place put him on 4 points, equal with two other anglers, but Charlie’s skill in eking out some of the larger fish in the swims put him ahead on weight, and he took a well-deserved gold medal. Congratulations Charlie!

In other news…

High temperature warning

As mentioned above, we have a warning out for a high risk of fish kills due to high water temperatures and low levels, possibly resulting in low oxygen and thermal stress for fish.

Inland Fisheries Ireland staff are continuously monitoring water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, for any signs of fish suffering thermal stress in shallow water or drying out rivers and streams. We’re encouraging the public to report any sightings of fish suffering thermal stress to our 24-hour confidential hotline on 0818 34 74 24 so we can respond as quickly as possible to help rescue or relocate these fish

Public Consultations

Inland Fisheries Ireland this week launched a 6-week public consultation on the Draft Great Western Lakes Management Plan. Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn, Cullin, Arrow and Sheelin are some of the best wild brown trout fisheries in Europe and are collectively known as the Great Western Lakes. Inland Fisheries Ireland wishes to develop a long term management plan for these lakes to address many of the factors currently impacting on the ecological wellbeing of native fish stocks in their catchments.

For more information, including the draft plan, a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions, and how to participate in the public consultation and have your voice heard, check out the web page here:  Western Lakes Plan

The Annacotty Fish Passage Project is underway and to create greater awareness, Inland Fisheries Ireland is hosting a Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, August 23rd 2022 at 6pm. The venue is the Castletroy Park Hotel on the Dublin Road in Limerick.

The M.C. on the night will be Noel Davidson of The Entrepreneurs Academy and there will be presentations from the project team at Inland Fisheries Ireland followed by a ‘Questions & Answers’ segment with the audience.

Anyone with an interest in this project and all stakeholders are invited to come along. To find out more about the project or to register for the Public Information Meeting on August 23rd, please visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/annacotty

And now the weather…

The hot, sunny weather is to stay with us for most of the weekend. Remaining hot today with temperatures of 25 to 30C, possibly cooler along coasts where sea breezes develop. Much the same tomorrow, even warmer in places with temperatures of 26 to 31C and possibly higher. Some cloud will bubble up in the afternoon and there is a slight chance of an isolated thundershower developing also.

Sunday will be another hot day with highest temperature of 25 to 30C. Cloud will bubble up through the middle of the day, sparking off scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon, which could produce some very heavy downpours and localised flooding.

After Sunday the weather turns cloudier and cooler as the week goes on, freshening as the week goes on and with low pressure bringing some showers at times.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland. If you’re heading to the coast, don’t forget to check the tides. And remember the Factor 50!

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

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