Tom Collins reports on a night of shark fishing which gave pause for thought…
“With fine weatherand high water temperatures we decided to do a night shark trip on Sunday night into Monday morning (27 July) with the hope of something different turning up.
I started shark fishing over 20 years ago in West Cork an in the early days most of our shark fishing was done on private boats with my brother in law Lee and it was great to have him and his son back out for an adventure on this trip.
Mike also joined the trip and was well kitted out for the larger species in the event of them making a show. Mike has had shark over 1000 lb and porbeagle well towards the 500lb mark but on this trip he finally got one that he could hold himself.
While this trip was another good adventure we only managed 1 Porbeagle and 11 blues which is below average for the effort we put in and highlights the effects that the commercial shark longline fleet are having on blue shark stocks.
Our boat has been adapted with a stern ramp to boat shark and large common skate. Some people are of the opinion that shark should be released at the side of the boat but that is not always the best outcome for the shark. A lot of times it is important for the welfare of the shark to boat them to remove hooks and tangled lines and we have had many tagged shark recaptured which proves that they are a hardy species and that we are doing things right.
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Sunsets, but the fishing is only geting started
Porbeagle shark
Blue shark
Blue shark
I would also like to congratulate Dan Lynch on successfully catching and releasing the largest thresher shark ever caught in Irish waters, a dream for every shark angler
Make a booking…
Tom Collins, Sea Angling Charters Loch and Iasc
Operates 12 months of the year and specialise in shark fishing. With experienced skipper Tom Collins the Loch an Iasc is a modern charter company which offers a comprehensive range of services to customers and aims to cater for your every need be it Mackerel, Reef, Wreck, Specimen or Shark fishing.
Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet is back again with more news from the Nore…
I was away for a couple of weeks so I’ve been spending a couple of days at the vice after ringing a few friends to see what the patterns of choice were. With the new flies tied it was time to head to the river.
Water temperatures over the hot weather went up to 22.5°C, now there back down to between 16°C and 18°C.
Once I got to the river I headed for the flat water where I knew there would be a few fish feeding by the over hanging Sally’s. I decided to use small nymphs in the size 20 / 22 range matched with a delicate klink.
A Nore trout swims off after release
Slipping into the river and taking a look at the chosen area it was time for a few casts. I realised how much I missed watching the post of a klink floating down stream when suddenly down it shot. Lifting into the potential take my initial thought was I was stuck in bottom until I felt a couple of head shakes. Turning downstream the fish took line and did its best to dart to freedom. After a strong battle I had my first brown trout since returning and what a beautiful fish it was too; a pleasant welcoming back gift the river Nore gave me. After a picture and release I had a few more casts which showed some lovely trout all in plump condition.
A fat river Nore trout
Fly life is strong in the evenings and around mid – day there was a good hatch of sedges , great to see the river and fly life in full swing.
Classes and guiding
Introduction to fly fishing classes for the month of august now starting, call for more information.
Guided evening fishing also available for august from beginner to advanced anglers.
For information on day tickets or memberships please call me on 0857652751 or email Doneill@mountjuliet.ie
Mount Juliet House is set on a large estate, which offers private fishing on 2.5 miles of the middle to lower reaches of the River Nore. Mount Juliet Estate offers fishing of the highest quality, just a short stroll away from the Manor House. There is a fishing room on site in the Manor House for your convenience i.e. for storage and drying of fishing equipment. Mount Juliet Estate can also provide the necessary equipment on site if needed.
30/7/21 Just two boats out and they had nothing to report for their efforts this day. Wind NW light to fresh with reasonable cloud cover. Just for the record there were heavy showers this morning.
31/7/21 Well the last day of the month and the Currane anglers reels were allegedly all quiet this day, you could say their flies are landing on the dry ledges, normally where the Salmon and Sea Trout would be roaming around, in normal conditions the Currane Angler and his Gillie would be manipulating their flies for that rise but sadly the Currane anglers and the wild Salmon and Sea Trout are all on strike due to the lack of water. That sums up this Month, all I can say is no comment.
1/8/21 A new day and a new month and sadly there isn’t refreshing news as we all know the Currane Anglers waiting patiently for the Waterville Fishery to be refreshed and if there were fish caught this day it would not surprise me because there is rain on the horizon, how much that’s another story and you can see for yourself by going to Met Éireann, put in Waterville. Wind North light with reasonable cloud cover.
A very calm Ballinaskelligs Bay
2/8/21 August Bank holiday Monday was all quiet in all departments. Wind was light to calm as you can see by the photo of Ballinskelligs Bay.
3/8/21 In the words of one Currane Angler, 6 boats out and I can tell you the water is very warm, it’s like being in a bath. That sums up today’s body odours, a heavy shower would be far better if you get my drift. Wind South and variable with reasonable cloud cover.
4/8/21 Lough Currane Anglers were all quiet in all departments going by mobile technology. Wind SSW light and variable with good cloud cover and very humid and thunder storm are forecasted plus the whole of Ireland is on a yellow thunder storm warning followed of flash floods, a possibility but if you go by the rainfall forecasted for Lough Currane it’s not looking good ?
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
On July 30th skipper Adrian Molloy of tuna.ie had the first bluefin tuna of the 2021 season on “Deep Blue”. A very fine fish estimated at over 700 lbs.! Since then some more fish were caught on “Deep Blue” including another great tuna with an estimated weight of over 650 lbs. and a straight length to fork of tail of 267cm (101 inches).
Bluefin success on “Deep Blue”
Skipper Michael Callaghan of Wildatlanticwayangling also reported the first fish of the season with three fine bluefin to the boat on August 1st followed by more tuna on the following days.
Great bluefin for “Wildatlanticwayangling”Happy angler on “Leah C”
Killybegs Fishing Trips also kicked off the 2021 tuna season with a cracking fish for Anietra Hamper who’s done exceptionally well in bringing a fine 630 lbs. to the boat in what only could be described as terrible conditions. Well done Anietra!
Anietra playing her big bluefin in tough conditions……but always a smile on the face!Finally brought to the boat…Anietra’s 630 lbs. bluefin!
Further information on bluefin tuna fishing is available here.
Go fishing…
Fiona Tee
33′ Interceptor. 300HP Caterpillar Skipper: Michael McGettigan Licence: 961 Base: Mullaghmore Operational area: Donegal Bay. Within 30 miles of land.
Authorised bluefin tuna boat
Notes: With over 40 years experience in Sea Angling in Donegal Bay, we bring you to the best locations and guarantee the best that angling in Donegal Bay has to offer. The MV Fiona Tee is equipped with all the latest technology ensuring all our fishing charters are monitored and offer real time tracking. We are also fully equipped with the latest in onboard safety equipment.
Skipper: Adrian Molloy Base: Killybegs Operational area: Up to a 30 mile radius from the point of departure.
Authorised bluefin tuna boat
Notes:We can also offer you some of the finest Sea Angling in Ireland, inshore and offshore on the best boats and with the best skippers.
Whatever your angling interests from ultra light tackle and fly fishing for big reef pollack to trolling and stand-up tackle for fast fighting Tuna – we aim to please ! Dolphin and whale watching, scenic tours and wildlife trips available along some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. Shark fishing! Skate fishing! Tuna fishing! Donegal has it all.
Killybegs Mariners member, Cormac Burke, had a lovely sea trout from the beach which put up a great fight jumping out of the water with the rod arched over trying to land it. After a few quick photos the fish was safely released and a new club record was set! Well done Cormac!
The sea trout was safely released
Previously, Pat Byrne won the latest Mariners’ summer league outing on a lovely night in Rossnowlagh. Pat went from last to first in the last hour with a nice run of 6 counting flounders.
Pat Byrne winning the latest Mariners’ summer league outing
2nd on the night prize was won by Brian Smith and longest flattie prize was won by Cormac Burke.
Mariners sea angling club Killybegs Co Donegal. The club runs a shore league and boat competitions and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love. Get in touch at www.facebook.com/mariner.sac
Fishing improved on the River Easkey Angling Association water during the week with at least eight fish caught, including grilse for French anglers Paul Savall, Vincent Piriou and Jacques Boyko. Sligo angler, Ben Breslin also had a grilse from the Bridge Pool with another fish lost.
There is more heavy rain promised for the next few days which should improve fishing further on this great Sligo spate river.
Further information on fishing the Easkey River is available here.
Cormac Walsh, one of Ireland’s top bass anglers, reports of some bank holiday bonanza bass fishing down in Wexford. Read his report below…
July had started of quite slowly with the period of high pressure not doing the bass fishing any favours. However over the last week the full moon spring tides really kicked things off. Large numbers of bass entered the estuaries and started feeding hard on sandeels.
Some good numbers of fish landed with some decent sized fish over the 6 lbs. mark showing. The bass were fat and healthy and were hitting sandeel type lures very hard. The evobass sabre lure retrieved very slowly in the flow proving to be very effective.
Periods around the start of the flood or fall of the tide in the estuaries were the most productive.
With another new moon on the way next weekend bringing big tides again,things are looking promising. This is when the bass season really kicks in with a really good chance of some big bass.
After a couple of good weeks for sun worshippers, the warm spell finally broke this week and not a moment too soon for our freshwater fish. Just when our freshwater oxygen and water levels were becoming too low, while their temperatures were too high, our weather returned to the usual summer fare of cloud, rain, breeze and thermometers struggling to touch 20°C.
The lower temperatures and showers that came this week should improve fishing for many species over the bank holiday weekend. If you do plan to get out on the water, make sure you bring both the wet gear and the sun cream, you’ll definitely need one and may need both!
Thankfully our saltwater species are less affected by spells of prolonged heat and, while many freshwater anglers left their rods and poles in the shed until the end of the hot spell, the saltwater fishers hit the coasts and offshore marks for some really super fishing. Warm weather always brings the sharks in and we’ve seen good fishing for a variety of our usual shark species this week, as well as some exotic visitors, particularly off the west and south coasts.
All sharks were released after measuring and tagging
Mariners sea angling club from Killybegs caught a wide variety of species including chunky ballan wrasse, bass, scad and flatties from the shore and some fine cod, pollack and thornback rays from afloat while, over in Mayo, MV Leah had some good cod and ling. One species that doesn’t mind a bit of hot weather is the grey mullet and, wearing the standard T-shirts, caps and sunglasses, the guys over at Irish Mullet Fishing caught some beauties before the weather broke. In other sea fishing news, EU regulations for recreational bass fishing will remain in place until the end of the year (i.e. 2 fish bag limit, minimum size limit of 42cm).
Sun, sea and silvery greys
Back to the freshwater and some of our smaller salmon and sea trout spate rivers, like the beautiful Owenmore in County Kerry, were badly in need of rain and cooler temperatures this week and the few drops we did get probably helped. Some of the bigger systems were slightly less affected by the residual heat, like the Moy and the Munster Blackwater, and they still managed to produce a few salmon and sea trout for determined anglers. No such luck was had on Currane or the Bandon though, where rainfall is also badly needed. Over on the Erriff there was some great fishing just before the heatwave, hopefully things will pick up again now that normal weather has resumed.
James Barton with his first salmon – caught on the Erriff
Trout anglers have been keeping a low profile lately, so we have no reports from them, nor do we have any reports from the pike angling scene – other than to say that the Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub are proud to announce that they will be able to use their wheelie boat to cater for anglers with disability for this year’s Ree International Pike Classic; the event will take place on September 11th and 12th out of Ballyleague.
In coarse angling, the Irish Feedermasters Round 4 was held on Lough Muckno just as things began to heat up and a bag of 24kgs was enough for Rory Dunne to take the honours. On the canals, the Belmont Anglers had a club match for 10 of their anglers and some lovely canal tench featured in their catches.
Belmont Anglers
In other news…
In 2020, Inland Fisheries Ireland protection staff around the country seized over 250 illegal fishing nets measuring some 13 kilometres long; these nets are mainly used in our rivers, estuaries and around our coasts to illegally intercept our salmon, sea trout and bass stocks. As well as these 250 illegal fishing nets, our staff seized 1,287 items including spear guns, hand lines, traps, illegally caught fish and stroke hauls.
An example of an illegal fishing net, seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Inisdooey Island in Co. Donegal in 2020.
As well as carrying out routine patrols, we rely on intelligence from anglers and members of the public to assist us with our fisheries protection work. We have lots of ground (and water) to cover and too few pairs of feet to cover it. To report suspicions of illegal fishing, or sightings of illegal nets, anglers and members of the public are encouraged to promptly call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential 24 hour hotline number on 0818 34 74 24. It’s no good telling us a week later.
Finally, a post-Brexit note for British anglers planning to travel across the Irish Sea in future to fish. It is no longer possible for anglers from Great Britain (and other Third Countries) to bring live baits (maggots, worms etc) in a personal capacity. All future importation must be done in accordance with the DAFM protocols: Import procedures for live invertebrates for fishing bait.
For non-live fishing bait (i.e. an Animal By-Product product), the permitted weight allowance per passenger is 2kg.
And now the weather…
Friday night will be showery, lowest temps 10°C to 14°C. Misty overnight in light to moderate NW breezes, fresher on southern coasts.
Saturday will begin mostly cloudy with bright spells and light showers becoming more frequent in the afternoon, sunny spells developing later. Highs 15°C to 21°C, light breezes. Dry and cool Saturday night, lows 9°C to 12°C.
A mainly dry cloudy day for Sunday with scattered showers. Sunnier spells will develop. Highs 15°C to 19°C, light to moderate NW winds. Dry and clear overnight. Lows 7°C to 11°C.
Mainly dry on Monday with scattered showers, sunny spells in the morning, becoming cloudy, then clearing for evening sunshine. Highs 16°C to 19°C in light variable breezes.
The further outlook is unsettled with rain and showers, breezy also with temperatures staying around average for the time of year.
Salmon fishing suffered greatly last week on the Bandon due to a combination of low water and high-water temperature. There were a few fish caught just above the tide on shrimp and worm. Overall, there was very little angling pressure as conditions were not favourable.
Salmon fishing effort has slowed down due to the extremely hot weather of late. Some anglers are getting out early in the day before the temperatures are at peak figures, but conditions are challenging, and catches are also varied as the system is at drought low levels especially above Fermoy. Large amounts of fish are in the system, but more rain is badly required at this stage to get them moving and freshen things up.
A lot of Salmon fishermen have diversified presently going over to some night-time trout fishing targeting both Brown and in some cases Sea Trout in the main Blackwater and recognised tributaries with good results reported to staff in the field. The forecast is for some more unsettled weather than we currently enjoy moving in across the region during the coming week with some spells of heavy showers and even thundery downpours predicted possibly causing localised spot flooding. The catchment needs water, but we can only wait and see to what extent we get some.
