It’s summer and while brown trout anglers might be taking a hiatus and salmon anglers complain of low rivers, these summer months are an opportunity to escape to the ocean in pursuit of a different type of silver – that of the sea bass.
Jason O’Riordan is a well known Dungarvan-based angler and guide who throws a fly at pretty much anything that swims, including bass around the famous Copper Coast, and he joins Ireland on the Fly on this week’s show to tell them more about the bass and how to catch them.
Damien Culliney of anglersparadise.ie reports on a great day’s fishing for a father and son team…
Had young David out for a days perching with his Dad Ivan. It was David’s 9th birthday lately and he is very keen on fishing. The young angler is only used too fishing canals and was very keen to get out on a boat.
We started the day well landing a few perch. He hooked in a nice pike of of 83.5 cm – he was over the moon his biggest pike he has ever caught. We continued fishing for perch and the best of the day was a lovely 35 cm perch – another PB.
35cm perch
As the Day ended young David hooked in too one more fish. The way his rod bent over and started stripping line we new it was not a perch. Young David took it in his stride and played the fish like an old hand. When the fish got close too the net I knew he was into a very special fish. A new PB too the boat for David a beautiful fin perfect pike of a 112 cm. The young man was over the moon and is hooked for life.
112cm pike for the young angler
All fish were released and swam back great.
Go fishing…
Anglers Paradise Ireland
Trout and Pike Guide
Anglers Paradise Ireland is owned and managed by Damien Culliney, a well-known angler and chef in the Clare region and a man passionate about the inland waterways and natural history of County Clare. At Angler’s Paradise, we love the thrill of Game fishing and Pike fishing in equal measure and can take our clients to some of Europe’s most unspoilt rivers and lakes in search of trophy predators and the realisation of their angling dreams.
From the Bandon River Jason Nash reports that three was some excellent fishing last week…
After a rise of a nearly a metre in water levels early in the week, some excellent fishing was experienced on the Bandon River. In all, there were at least 70 salmon reported caught with many also lost. Fly and spinner were the preferred methods for the week with some anglers reporting days of 3 fish to their own rod.
It was encouraging to see many salmon also being returned, especially those which were in the river for a while.
The size of fish has also been impressive, with a few more caught in the mid teens. The best of all though was a fresh hen salmon caught and released by a vey experienced club member which was estimated to weigh around 22lb.
Water levels have now dropped back and it is inevitable catches will also slow down as a result until we get more rain again. Hopefully we also see the main run of grilse come in shortly.
Bandon Angling Association have set up a guiding service in conjunction with Jason Nash, Peter Aspinwall and Phil Dewey. Details of the guiding service are provided on the website and they are looking forward to making memories and enhancing people’s fishing experiences on the river Bandon. Day tickets and club membership are also available. Web: https://bandonangling.com/
Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association have 10 miles of fishing between Togher Castle and Manch Bridge (Fly Only). Day / Season tickets from Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association +353 (0)23-8855196
Ballineen and Enniskeane Anglers have 4 miles of fishing and day tickets are available for visiting anglers. Day tickets available from Tom Fehily grocers in Bridge Street, Ballineen. Tel:+353 23 47173
Vincent Appleby reports on the week’s fishing on the Waterville System:
29/6/2022 All the Salmon/Grilse headlines were in the fly department this day and the facts are as follows. Renowned US Currane fly angler Mr. Doug Kramp from Dallas, Texas, caught his first Salmon on the fly while fishing with his Gillie and all I can say may it be the first of many. Wind NW light to fresh followed by the odd few showers.
Doug Cramp
30/6/2022 The Currane anglers were all quiet on the day shift and as of yet no reports on the Currane night manipulators. Wind WNW light with reasonable cloud cover.
1/7/2022 There was some good fishing on the Waterville Fishery today. We start on Lough Currane and in the trolling department. There were two Grilse caught on the troll, now we head for the Sea Trout department. There were a few nice Sea Trout caught on the drift up to 2 lbs. Now we head up stream to the Commeragh and a couple of Cork anglers caught a few Grilse and a few Trout for their efforts.
On that note we head across the Valley to the C&R River Inny where there was some good action with two Salmon caught in the 7 to 8 lbs class. Wind W fresh to strong with reasonable cloud over and followed by the odd shower. Just for the record there were six boats out this day.
Miss. Katie Lynam caught a fine Grilse on the troll
2/7/2022 All the Salmon headlines go to Miss. Katie Lynam and for good reason, while fishing with her Dad Mr. Colin Lynam and their Gillie The Shy Man, caught a fine Grilse on the troll as you can see by the picture and their day’s manipulations didn’t end there because Katie’s Father is a renowned Currane fly angler and it didn’t take long for Colin to rise and Catch and release a fine Grilse. Wind NW light to fresh followed by a good few showers.
3/7/2022. There was some good action on Lough Currane today so straight to the rod benders department and angler of the day goes to Master Robbie Lynam and for good reason and why, well we let Robbie’s Dad Mr. Colin Lynam have his say on his fishing weekend with his two children Katie and Robbie and their Gillie the Shy Man. so take it away Colin.
Robbie caught a 5lbs grilse today on the troll
Hi Vincent, Robbie caught a 5lbs grilse today on the troll. Great couple of days with the Shy Man. Thanks for the reports. Colin. Staying in the Salmon department Mr. john Wilson fishing out of [email protected] caught a 5lb grilse caught on the troll and finished his day off with a fine 3lb Sea Trout on the fly, staying with the Sea Trout there were a few caught by other Currane drifters. Wind NW light with reasonable cloud cover.
4/7/2022 The Currane anglers were all quiet on all fronts on this 4th of July so on that note to all our US Currane Anglers and readers, hope you all had a great independence Day. Wind NNW light with reasonable cloud cover.
5/7/2022 Currane Anglers were all quiet in all departments and just for the record there were only four boats out. Wind NNW light with reasonable cloud cover at times.
6/7/2022 World famous Butlers Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie take all the Salmon headlines and for good reason, Kevin, from Boston Massachusetts USA caught a fine Grilse on the fly this morning while flyfishing with his Gillie. Now we head upstream to Lough Currane, going by the post and Telegraphs the Currane anglers were all quiet in all departments this day. Wind NW light to fresh with reasonable cloud cover.
7/7/2022 It was blazing saddles on Waterville lake this day, but this didn’t deter top Salmon and Sea Trout guide Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com taking his client out and catching a fine 5 lbs. Grilse on the troll. Wind NNW light and variable.
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:
As water levels continue to fall and temperatures continue to rise many salmon anglers on the Boyne have decided to limit their fishing activity due to the conditions.
However, at the end of June there was some good fishing on the lower Boyne. With the last rise in water levels reports were received of circa 20 salmon downstream of Navan. Many of the fish averaged 8 to 10lbs. The best fish reported was in the mid-teens and a few grilse 4 to 5lbs were also in the mix.
A beautiful wild brown trout from the Dublin District
Some very nice catches have been reported from the Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare areas over the last few weeks. Water levels were reported as generally low throughout the District.
Game angling was moderate throughout the month with good catches of brown trout up to 1lb weight caught and released on the Rivers Liffey, Rye and Dodder.
A beautiful wild brown trout from the Dublin District (photo Sean Dempsey)
Sea fishing was difficult due to very weedy conditions on North Wicklow coast. Bass fishing was good in the Vartry estuary, Brittas Bay and Kilmichael Point.
A nice East coast Bass
Boat fishing produced some Tope off the Wicklow coastline along with some smoothounds too. The numbers fishing the Grand and Royal Canals were good with the warm weather producing hybrids and roach with occasional bream at Kilcock. Leixlip Reservoir fished well during the evenings on the feeder. Some very good carp fishing at Ballymount Lake in South Dublin.
Over 36,000 patrols undertaken by Inland Fisheries Ireland officers in 2021, boosted by new Mobile Support Unit and sea-going fleet
Inland Fisheries Ireland were able to carry out 3,000 more patrols in 2021, boosted by its new Mobile Support Unit and Delta sea-going fleet.
As a result of 36, 379 patrols, the agency initiated 103 prosecutions for fisheries-related offences last year and seized 1,261 illegal fishing items, including nearly 14 kilometres of illegal nets. Officers also issued 293 fixed charge penalty notices and gave 715 cautions under fisheries legislation.
The agency’s new Mobile Support Unit (MSU) started patrols in June last year and is made up of specially selected crews who travel across the country in response to incidents. Its role is to support protection and enforcement along rivers, lakes and coastlines where the threat of illegal fishing is deemed high, based on local intelligence and reports from the public. The MSU undertook 127 patrols in its first six months, seizing over 2 kilometres of illegal nets.
The agency’s new Delta sea-going fleet undertook 232 patrols along Ireland’s coastlines last year and is credited with an increase in illegal nets being seized at sea (60 sea nets seized in 2021, compared with 45 sea nets seized in 2020). To enable the Delta fleet to be deployed for more night-time patrols, nearly 40 Fisheries Officers have been trained as coxswains.
In line with other years, the peak months for seizure of illegal nets were June, July and August. Crucially, this coincides with peak salmon runs as they enter rivers and start to move upstream during the summer months.
Wild Atlantic salmon continues to be the most ‘poached’ fish in the country and Inland Fisheries Ireland is concerned at the persistently high level of illegal fishing activity, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Francis O’ Donnell. He said: “We’re in the middle of a biodiversity crisis and Ireland’s freshwater fish are in real danger from illegal fishing activity. To combat this, Inland Fisheries Ireland has increased the number of enforcement patrols in the last year, boosted by our new Mobile Support Unit and Delta sea-going fleet. Our protection programme protects stocks of vulnerable fish species, such as wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout, as well as promoting biodiversity and sustainable angling for the benefit of future generations.”
Officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland undertook 36, 379 patrols of different types last year, an increase of ten per cent over the previous year (33,055 patrols in 2021). The agency credits higher patrol figures with the introduction of its specialist Mobile Response Unit, the increased use of its Delta sea-going fleet as well as the relaxation of travel restrictions following the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Jose Perez and Andrew Crosbie of Inland Fisheries Ireland on patrol
The most common methods for patrolling riverbanks, rivers, lakes and coastlines in 2021 were:
Vehicle and foot patrols (33,409 patrols)
Bicycle patrols (1,564 patrols)
Boat patrols (797 patrols)
Drone patrols (406 patrols)
Kayak patrols (161 patrols)
Personal watercraft patrols (33 patrols)
Quad patrols (5 patrols)
Irish Air Corps patrols (4 patrols)
Meanwhile, members of the public are being encouraged to continue reporting any suspicions of illegal fishing activity directly to Inland Fisheries Ireland by telephoning its new 24-hour confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24.
James Quinn reports from the Galway Fishery, where suitable water for the month made for perfect conditions for fishing.
Around 400 fish were recorded for the month of June, average weight over 4lbs.
Fly accounted for approx. 75% of fish, rest on shrimp, no spinning as water was too low.
We had 9 springers averaging 9.5lbs
Recent catches
John McCarthy had 2 fish on fly of 5 and 4lbs. Seamus Nee from the midlands released 4 fish all around 3.5lbs.
Jim Stafford of Erriff fame had 3 fish on fly, 4 and 5lbs and released a small 3lbs fish.
Declan Tuffy had 2 fish to 6lbs on fly. Michael Browne from the Banner county had 2 for 10.5lbs and 3.5lbs on shrimp (to make up for the hammering by Kilkenny!).
Pat Smith and JJ Sullivan had 2 each to fly and shrimp from 3 to 5lbs. Brian Howard from Dublin had 3 fish on fly and released 2 around 4lbs. Sean McManmon had a nice 6lbs grilse on fly and his buddy, Paddy Murray, had 2 on shrimp in Jimmy’s Pool.
Margaret Downes had 2 fish from the high bank for 4 and 4.5lbs. Werner Meckle from Germany had 2 for 3&5.5 on fly.
Dave O’Reilly did it again on his cascade with a cracking 10lbs bar of silver.
Father and daughter team Jim and Sarah Doody from Dublin had 4 fish for their trip.
Reliable Liam Gilsenan had a nice brace of 5 pounders for his session.
Go Fishing
To enquire about availability, contact the fishery at 091 562388 or email [email protected]
Donavin Brinklow gives us a round up of the season so far, with the Erriff swinging into peak season now as grilse start running in earnest.
May
May was a tough month with little to no rain making conditions difficult. There were 8 salmon and 1 Sea trout caught.
On the 7th Seamus Nee landed the first salmon of the year, weighing 12lbs in Poleen on Beat 4 using a McDermott’s Bagger (no, we don’t know it either!). Peter Coyne was next on the 11th, when he landed a 9lbs salmon in the Bridge Pool on Beat 9 .
On the 19th David Hunt landed an 11lbs salmon in the Garden Pool on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn and Gregory Hornsby landed a 8lbs ranched salmon on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn.
Martin Witort landed a 6lbs salmon on Beat 6 on the 21st. On the 23rd Peter Coyne landed a 10lbs salmon on Beat 9 using an Ally’s shrimp. On the 26th Conor O’Leary landed a 10lbs salmon in the Garden Pool on Beat 9 using a Cascade.
And finally, on the 27th May Lars Friebergshauser landed a 7lbs salmon and a 2lbs sea trout in the Garden Pool on Beat 9 using a Sunray pattern.
June
A better month with 55 salmon and 31 sea trout caught.
Des Chew kicked June off on the 3rd when he landed a 5lbs salmon in the Garden Pool on Beat 9.
The next day John Ryan landed a 2.5lbs salmon on Beat 9 using a Cascade and John Phelan landed 5 sea trout between 1lbs and 2.5lbs also on a Cascade.
On the 5th June Matthew Brinklow landed 2 sea trout around 1lbs on a black and silver shrimp pattern and John Phelan landed 4 sea trout between 0.5lbs and 1lb.
Amenda Sebastian landed a 5lbs salmon on the 8th in the Garden Pool on Beat 9 using a Sunray, and Peter Coyne landed a 12.5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn.
On the 10th Declan Convery landed a 10 lbs salmon in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8 using a Sunray. The day after, Seamus O’Neill landed a 10.25lbs salmon in the Bridge Pool on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn and Donavin Brinklow landed a 12lbs salmon in the Garden Pool and a 9lbs salmon in the Sea Pool using a Posh Tosh. Conor O’Leary also landed a 4.5lbs salmon in the Sea Pool 9 using a Collie Dog. Conor Reynolds landed a 2.5lbs salmon in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8.
Michael Wade landed a 4lbs salmon on the 12th in the Sea Pool on Beat 9. On the 13th, John Phelan landed a 12lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 and Peter Murphy landed a 4lbs salmon in the Sea Pool using a Cascade.
More sport on the 14th, with Jake Delany landing a 4lbs and a 10lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 and John Phelan landed a 4 lbs salmon, also on Beat 9. On the 16th Robin Keady landed a 4lbs salmon on Beat 9 using a Cascade, and the next day Seamus O’Neill landed a 12lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9.
18th June Jim Ryan landed two 3lbs salmon on a Cascade in the Garden Pool and a 5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool using an orange shrimp pattern. Michael Wade landed a 3.5lbs salmon on Beat 5 using a small Sunray . On the 19th John Ryan landed a 3lbs salmon in the Falls Pool and 5 sea trout between 1lbs and 1.5lbs on Beat 9.Peter Coyne landed a 5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool using a Cascade.
23rd June Ken Livingstone landed a 3.5lbs and a 5.5lbs salmon, and 2 sea trout, in the Garden Pool using a Connemara Black, and Lucy Livingstone landed a 5lbs salmon in the Garden Pool and 3 sea trout. Donal Chambers landed a 3.5lbs and a 4.5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool.
Next day Ken Livingstone landed a 3.5lbs and a 4lbs salmon in the Lower Garden Pool and Lucy Livingstone landed a 1.5lbs salmon in the Garden Pool, all on a Cascade. Alistair Purdy landed 3.5lbs and 4lbs salmon in the Middle Garden Pool and a 1.5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9. Niall Lynch landed a 1.5lbs salmon and 5 Sea trout between 1lbs and 0.5lbs in the Sea Pool.
26 June Niall Lynch landed a 7lbs salmon in the Garden Pool and a 3.5lbs salmon in the Gauge Pool on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn. Alistair Purdy landed a 3lbs salmon in the Garden Pool using a Willie Gunn and Declan Muckian landed an 8lbs salmon on Beat 5. C O’Leary landed a 4lbs salmon in the Falls Pool using a Cascade.
On the 28th June Niall Lynch landed a 4lbs salmon and 3 sea trout around 0.5lbs on Beat 9 using a Willie Gunn. Kevin Mitchell landed a 4.5lbs, 4lbs and a 2lbs salmon and a 2lbs sea trout on Beat 9 using a McCormick shrimp.
29 June Benni Weltz landed a 2.5lbs salmon on Beat 5 using a Collie Dog , Michael Wade landed a 3.5lbs salmon on Beat 8 also using a Collie Dog. Gerry Merrick landed a 6.5lbs salmon on Beat 9 using a Posh Tosh. James McGuire landed a 4.5lbs salmon on Beat 9 using a Collie Dog and Jim Stafford landed a 4lbs salmon on Beat 3.
Finally on the 30th June Mark Helmore landed 3 salmon ofd= 3lbs, 5lbs and a big fish estimated at close to 20lbs on Beat 9 using a silver tube.
Water levels have improved recently with the arrival of rain, and grilse are running the river in good numbers at the moment. The good fishing has continued over the weekend, and given the right conditions, prospects for the next few weeks are excellent.
Broken Bridge Pool
Go Fishing
The Erriff System is comprised of the Erriff River and the two small loughs of Tawnyard and Derrintin. The River Erriff is one of the premier salmon fishing rivers in Ireland. A spate river, it is characterised by lively streams and deep fish-holding pools. It has 8 miles of prime angling water, divided into 9 beats. Beats are un-crowded with only two rods on most and a maximum of 3 sometimes. Angling is rotated on a daily basis.
Watching a CDC dry gently flow down a food line and a trout just sip it gently didn’t get old and the more we saw it the more we craved it and hunted the feeling.
Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the River Nore…
With recent rains the river went up and down quite a bit. A slight colour also came on the river with the higher water. Tactics had to be adjusted accordingly which was no trouble for my guests over the weekend. One thing I love about guiding is meeting new people and also learning their approach to different angling situations. This helps to give you every chance of a fish in even the most harsh conditions.
My guests this week were full of stories about the fish I can only dream of fly fishing for like permit, bonefish and yellowfish. The inquisitive side of me asked many questions which they happily answered about these species. Getting back to business it was up to me to get us in a position where we would have our best chance at a trout. Starting out with dry dropper we managed a few trout some of which were a nice size and gave a great account of themselves in the slightly heavier current. As the evening went on hatches of sedges danced closely behind over hanging trees. Every now and again an eager trout would lash out at them catching our eye in excitement.
1 of 4
Dean Burmester
George Coetzee
Justin Walters
Ryan fox
Olives also hatched as the evening went on. During these hatches we had multiple trout on the dry. This was a relief to me as i really wanted to show my guests the magic of a River Nore dry fly evening. Watching a CDC dry gently flow down a food line and a trout just sip it gently didn’t get old and the more we saw it the more we craved it and hunted the feeling.
As the evening went on we hit trout after trout, some big, some small. My guests were amazed by their beauty which made me take a second look at these fish and realise I was very lucky to have such a wonderful river with a good population of trout so close to me. Hearing that confirmed by the lads was just eye opening. Being able to pass on some hints and tips to them made my weekend.
All in all a great weekend with some excellent company, looking forward to seeing these guys in the future.
Water Level and Temperature at time of fishing Water Level 0.45m (lowest)-0.67m (at highest)
Water Temp 14.8-15.5°C
Guided fishing
Taking bookings now for guided trips on the River Nore. Anyone wishing to practice a particular technique for trout or learn more about leader setups etc. Full and Half days available, contact me for more information.
Dan O’Neill Mount Juliet
Go Fishing
Mount Juliet has trout and salmon fishing available on site over 2.5 miles of the river Nore. Classes also available for every skill level – learn or improve on your chosen technique. coarse fish ponds also available on the hotel grounds.
Dan O’Neill, Fishery Manager, Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
The river Nore is a beautiful river that meanders it way through counties Laois and Kilkenny before joining with its sister river the Barrow just upstream of New Ross on its way to the sea. For further information on the Nore please visit:
