While local shore marks produced some hard fighting chunky ballan wrasse along with more bass, scad and flatties for Killybegs Mariners member Christopher, more members (including Christopher) enjoyed great boat fishing during the week! Read Killybegs Mariners Sac report below…
“Great weather on the bay for the boat fishing and a lovely mix of different species for everyone out enjoying the trips with more dolphins in huge numbers all over the bay swimming with the boats. Fine cod and pollack etc along with thornback rays for John, Callum and Christopher. Bluemouth and rays for Adam and Daragh!”
Nice cod for John
Bluemouth for Adam
Grey gurnard for Daragh
Thornback
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
Good fishing has been reported from Killala Bay. See Donal Kennedy’s report below…
“Fishing trip on Sunday 25th. A group of anglers from Co. Offaly headed out from Killala Harbour for a day’s fishing onboard “Leah”. The weather was good, over cast with light northerly winds. The first stop was to get a few mackerel for bait but as always the skipper brings fresh frozen ones just in case. A couple of dozen mackerel were caught. The fishing was very slow at first but as the day moved on some fine pollack were caught along with cod ,ling and pouting. All in all a good day was enjoyed by the anglers.”
Happy anglers onboard Leah
D. Kennedy Angling is a family run Angling Charter Business operating out of Enniscrone, Co. Sligo and Killala, Co. Mayo. Trips on the MV Leah offer a fantastic fishing experience, from a full day’s shark fishing to a short mackerel fishing trip. As well as catering for the serious angler we offer a range of other services including family trips, pleasure trips and dolphin watching…
To book a day’s fishing in Killala Bay contact Donal Kennedy on +353 (0)86 8174509 or visit www.dkennedyangling.ie.
On Tuesday morning, 27 July 2021, the FINAL virtual draw took place to allocate River Lee Brown Tags to prequalified valid 2021 salmon rod licence holders. A total of 104 entries were received for the 40 available tags.
Entrants were issued numbers ranging from 601 to 704 inclusive and notified of their number by email by Sunday 25th July 2021, in advance of the draw.
IFI used a random generator to draw the numbers. The draw was recorded. A total of 45numbers were drawn in the first instance. The first 40 to be allocated brown tags, with a reserve of 5.
The draw was witnessed by Tom Morrison Cork District Inspector, Myles Kelly, Angling Advisor, Catherine Dwane, Assistant Inspector (Administrator of the Tags) and confirmed by Sean Long, RBD Director.
Numbers selected are laid out below.
639
644
664
646
665
604
689
692
667
686
704
703
625
655
610
633
673
606
637
605
622
620
676
682
697
623
696
677
679
658
685
615
632
659
683
688
651
656
657
653
These are the initial 5 reserve numbers:
635
694
617
603
640
It is envisaged that the Brown Tags will be issued by post by tomorrow afternoon. All anglers are asked to acknowledge receipt of their Brown Tag by email including the tag number to corkleebrowntag2021@fisheriesireland.ie
Please note: This is the final allocation of brown tags for the 2021 season. Good luck to all anglers for the rest of the season.
With 19 blues and porbeagle there were sure to be smiling anglers at the end of the day!
West Cork charter boats are getting some great fishing in the last week or so. Irish Deep Sea Charters out of Glandore and Union Hall have been getting some good quality fish off the reefs. Anglers are also seeing a few nice big mackerel mixed in too. Good fishing to go with the awesome weather.
Good size pollack and cod for West Cork Charters
Families and groups of anglers have been enjoying great fishing in the fabulous weather with Bantry Bay Charters. They have been getting a great mix of species and creating long lasting memories for everyone on board.
Bantry Bay Charters are running full day, half day and evening fishing and tours
Baltimore Angling & Wildlife Tours have been enjoying the shark fishing. They got their season off to a great start with sharks between 170cm and 185cm. There were a more fish caught and tagged last week. One one say the mackerel were hard to find but once they got on them the sharks soon following, even stealing the odd string of mackerel!
All sharks were released after measuring and tagging
Sharks were also the target for West Cork Charters from Courtmacsherry. They ran trips for everyone from scientists from Trinity College working on a research programme to a group of Hens celebrating an upcoming wedding. Everyone caught sharks and they had one of their best day of the season so far last week with 19 Blue Sharks and 1 Porbeagle to the boat.
With 19 blues and porbeagle there were sure to be smiling anglers at the end of the day!
There were more sharks, blue sharks and porbeagles, for anglers young and old with Sea Angling Charters from Union Hall. Regular anglers were thrilled by the antics of the sharks on the run, but there was no matching the excitiment of the kids group skipper Tom brought out last week.
Porbeagles seem to be met most days by Sea Angling
Frank Maunsell from the Owenmore Fishery reports that the change in weather will let a lot of fish up the river…
26/07: Things are looking up again. There is rain forecast for this evening and there is misty rain along the hills for the rest of the week so hopefully we will be fishing by tomorrow or Wednesday There is plenty of fish in the Estuary waiting to come up and that has been helped by the IFI who are sitting in the Area this Year.
Make a booking
There are approximately five miles of fly fishing along the main part of the Owenmore River in Kerry, with 33 named pools and an additional 180 acres of lake fishing in this Kerry beauty spot. The salmon, grilse and sea trout begin to run in April. The runs continue through spring and summer into early October.
Donavin Brinklow reports on fishing on the Erriff for the first half of July, before the heatwave arrived. Fishing was suspended over the last week due to high water temperatures.
Angling report 28 June -15 July
John Ryan had 2 salmon of 3lbs and 4lbs on Beat 9 on the 28 June and another 4lbs fish on the 29th . J.Cormoll had two 3lbs salmon on Beat 9, one in the Garden Pool and one in the Falls Pool. A.Purdy landed a 3.5 lbs and a 3lbs salmon and 3 sea trout in the Falls Pool as well, and Niall Lynch landed a 3lbs salmon on Beat 9 to on the 30th.
On 1 July there were 3 salmon and 2 sea trout caught. Gerry Merrick landed a 4lbs salmon in the Lower Garden Pool. John Phelan landed 4.5lbs and 4lbs salmon – one in the Upper Garden and one in the Falls Pool, as well as two small sea trout.
On the 2nd Peter Kavanagh landed 2 salmon in the Falls Pool with a Collie Dog, both weighing 3lbs.
On the 3rd Noel Clancy landed a 5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on a Silver and Black Shrimp pattern ,and his brother landed 2 salmon in the Falls Pool weighing 4.5lbs and 4lbs on a silver and black tube. Ian Ferris landed salmon of 6lbs and 5lbs in the Falls Pool and 2 sea trout in the Lower Garden pool weighing around 1lbs.
Leenane Anglers Score Well
On the 4th July there were 8 salmon caught on the Leenane Anglers club day. The best salmon was caught by James O’Neill off the Coronation Pool on Beat 8, weighing 9lbs on a Posh Tosh.
Levi Caffrey with a fish off the Falls
On the 5th there were 6 salmon and 3 sea trout caught. Kevin Mitchel landed 3 sea trout between 1-1.5lbs and one 7lbs salmon, all caught in the Garden Pools on Beat 9. Paddy Gargan landed a 8.5lbs salmon in the Lower Garden Pool. Gerry Merrick landed a 6.5lbs grilse on Beat 6. Frank O’Dea landed a 4.5lbs fish on Beat 5, and Brian Miller landed a 9lbs salmon in the Bridge Pool on Beat 9. Declan Convery landed a 4.5lbs salmon in the Falls Pool on a Teal and Silver.
The 6th saw 5 salmon and 1 sea trout caught. James O’Neill landed a 0.5lbs sea trout using a cascade in the Broken Bridge pool on Beat 5, and Mark Helmore had a good day on Beat 9 landing 5 salmon between 4lbs and 5.5lbs, all taken on a Cascade.
James Barton with his first salmon
Good Day
The 7th July was a good day with 9 salmon landed. Jack Mannion landed a 3.5lbs grilse in the Middle Garden on a Posh Tosh. Tom O’Connell landed two 4lbs fish in the Lower and Middle Garden pools weighing 4lbs. James O’Neill landed a 3.5lbs salmon on Beat 3 with a Collie tube. Conor O’Leary landed 2 salmon on Beat 6 on a Silver Stoat. John Doherty landed 2 salmon for 3 and 6lbs in the Middle Garden pool on a Park Shrimp pattern. Peter Coyne landed a salmon in the Lower Holly pool on Beat 8 .
On the 8th July there were 5 salmon reported. Malcolm Fitzell landed a 4lbs grilse in the Holly Pool on a Thunder Stoat, Conor O’Leary landed a 4.5lbs fish in the Lower Garden pool. Brian White landed 2 salmon – 1 on Beat 6 weighing 7lbs and 1 on beat 5 weighing 5lbs. Owen Trill landed a 6lbs salmon on Beat 4 in the Washing Pool.
Eoin Trill with a nice wee grilse from Beat 4
On the 9th 3 salmon and 2 sea trout were entered in the book. John Ryan landed a 4lbs salmon and 2 sea trout around 0.5lbs in the Falls Pool on a Stoats tail. Pat O’Toole landed a 4lbs fish on Beat 6, also on a Stoats Tail. Conor O’Leary landed a 4lbs grilse in the Garden Pool on a black and yellow shrimp pattern.
On the 10th July there were 2 salmon caught. James Barton did well on a tough days fishing landing his first ever salmon weighing 3lbs off the Falls using an Apache Shrimp. Jake Delaney also landed a 4lbs fish on Beat 9 on a Posh Tosh.
On the 11 July there were 5 salmon and 1 sea trout caught. Jake Delaney landed a 0.5lbs sea trout in the Falls Pool. Peter Coyne landed 3 salmon, 2 in the Lower Holly pool on beat 8 and 1 in Altamont’s Dam on Beat 6 weighing between 3.5lbs and 5lbs. Yamil Turcuman and David O’Hagan landed a 3lbs salmon on Beat 9.
On the 12th Levi Caffrey landed a 5lbs salmon in the Humps and Hollows on Beat 6, Peter Hunt landed a 5lbs grilse and Frank O’Dea landed a 3.5lbs fish on beat 9.
On the 13th Kevin Mitchell landed 3 salmon around 4lbs, 2 in the Falls Pool and 1 in the Garden Pool.
Levi Caffrey again with a nice fish off Beat 6
On the 14 July there were 5 salmon landed. John Monahan landed a 2lbs fish on Beat 6. John Phelan landed 3 salmon of 4-6lbs n the Bridge Pool, Garden Pool and Falls Pools. Declan Roberts landed a 4.5lbs grilse in the Falls Pool on a yellow shrimp pattern.
Finally, on the 15th July there were 6 salmon caught. John Phelan landed a 6lbs salmon in the Bridge Pool. Eugene McCarthy landed 3 salmon of 4-6lbs, two off Beat 8 and one from Beat 6. Levi Caffrey landed 2 salmon a 5lbs in Doyles Pool on Beat 6 on a Willie Gunn and a 5lbs fish in the Falls Pool on beat 9.
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.
Anglers in Ireland asked to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’ & anglers that practice ‘catch and release’ fishing are asked not to fish until adequate freshwater has fallen and water temperatures have decreased
Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, is concerned that many rivers may be in drought conditions because of the current heatwave.
As a result, anglers are being asked to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’ until conditions become more favourable, as these nets may cause unintentional distress to fish. In addition, anglers that practice ‘catch and release’ fishing are asked not to fish until water temperatures have decreased and adequate levels of freshwater has fallen.
Low water levels at River Dodder in Dublin 24.07.21
Dr Gregory Forde, Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland explains: “It’s a sad reality that low water levels and high water temperatures can lead to fish kills, especially as there is less oxygen in the water to allow fish to breathe. Once the water temperature exceeds 20 degrees centigrade, salmon and trout suffer and are distressed. At present, temperatures are dangerously high and fish kills may be unavoidable. In Lough Sheelin in County Cavan for example, the water temperature recorded by Inland Fisheries Ireland was over 26 degrees centigrade this week. In some instances, moving fish in and out of the water may also prove too stressful. That’s why we’re asking anglers practicing catch and release fishing to consider taking a break from fishing. We’re also asking anglers to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’, until conditions become more favourable.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland is appealing to anglers, the farming community and the general public to report any sightings of fish under distress, which may be caused by higher water temperatures combined with low water levels.
Forde added: “Inland Fisheries Ireland staff are continuously monitoring water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, for any signs of fish under distress in shallow water or drying out rivers and streams. We’re encouraging the public to report any sightings of fish under distress 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.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland is supporting Irish Water’s appeal to reduce water usage as much as possible. As water source levels are dropping, the state agency is reminding landowners that abstraction of water from rivers and lakes should be carried out in a sustainable manner to ensure sufficient levels are available for other water users and to protect the aquatic habitat.
It is also timely to remind all those using pesticides that these should be used only as a last resort, always in accordance with product instructions and always respecting statutory ‘no use’ zones, being mindful at all times of proximity to water bodies such as ditches, streams, ponds, rivers, lakes and springs. Even a very small amount of pesticide can be highly toxic to the aquatic environment, Inland Fisheries Ireland has said.
To report sightings of fish under distress or fish kills, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.
More shark sport to report in Galway Bay over the last few days, with the calm weather and warm water providing ideal conditions. John Fleming, skipper of the Brazen Hussy II, reports quite a few porbeagle and blues to the boat each day. On Thursday they had 4 porbeagles and 1 blue shark, with another 2 blues on Friday. They hit a sudden thunderstorm on the way back in on Friday, providing a nice lightning show and a respite from the heat.
Saturday was another glorious sunny day in the west. Another 2 porbeagles were brought to the boat, while they lost one more at the boat and dropped 3 more runs – great sport!
A nice blue shark for this young man
Fish on! All smiles!
A nice porbeagle is brought to the boat.
Action stations! Another shark on…
The next two months should see plenty more opportunities for spectacular shark fishing, so give John a call if you fancy a go yourself!
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
In a reversal of the norm, while much of continental Europe was hit by a deluge of rain last week causing widespread floods, Ireland sweltered under heatwave conditions which brought temperatures into the high twenties across most of the country. Rainfall was almost non-existent, with the highest measured being 0.7mm in Donegal, which is just 4% of the average for this time of year.
And, as most of us know, prolonged spells of warm, dry weather at this time of year can cause severe complications for freshwater fish, as the increased water temperature often leads to low oxygen levels, which fish find difficult to tolerate. So it is no surprise that the first item in this week’s report is a message from Inland Fisheries Ireland for all freshwater anglers to be mindful of this while fishing under the present conditions. We are asking for anglers to consider refraining from C&R fishing for salmon as many fish are unlikely to survive in the low oxygen water once released. Similarly, coarse fish will likely suffer if kept in keepnets at this time of year, so we are asking all coarse anglers to stop using them until the weather cools. Pike and trout will also struggle to recover in the current conditions, especially the bigger fish, so please bear that in mind if planning to fish over the next few days.
Given the above, it’s no surprise that the weather has severely impacted this week’s angling reports, as fish were generally lethargic, and many anglers preferred to siesta in the shade rather than burn up on the banks. Reports from Lough Currane, the Bandon, and the Lee shared a common theme as the baking conditions and low water saw angling effort and catches plummet. The River Moy fared somewhat better, with some fish being caught in the early part of the week before temperatures really spiked. Similarly, the lower stretches of the River Blackwater were fishing quite well, with plenty of grilse showing, particularly in the mornings before the heat of the day got too intense. Finally, for anglers fishing the River Lee, we would like to remind them that the final round of applications for brown tags closes this evening.
Michael O’ Driscoll releasing a 2.5 lbs. grilse caught on a Willie Gunn tube on the Ridge Pool.
Sea trout fishing in the Moy Estuary was patchy this past week, with the largest fish being a 2.5lber that fell to a mackerel strip fished by Philip Thornton. But local guide Judd Ruane reports that a fresh run of sea trout did enter the system during the week, and he had his young grandson (also Judd) of four years old out with him to take advantage. Young Judd made it look easy as he bagged a couple of nice sea trout on his first-ever try for them.
Four-year-old Judd Ruane on his first outing with granddad Judd
We have no trout or pike reports in for the past week and only have the one coarse report as CM Lakelands Feeder Club fished a knock-up on L. Muckno last weekend. Despite the bright sunshine, the roach were around in decent numbers leading to some double-figure weights for the top three anglers.
Decent bags of roach for CM Lakelands Club
As is usually the case, when the freshwater fishing slows down due to hot weather, the sea angling revs up to fill the gap, and we had plenty of sea angling taking place under fantastic blue skies over the past week. First off, we have the story of young Cassie Bonner from Donegal, who has been taking part in the IFI/Foroige led Go Fishing programme. After spending four sessions online learning the basics of angling, Cassie went for a practical session in Rathmullan, where she beat all comers in managing to land a 35lb Tope. To get a fish like that on your first try is a feat indeed, and it’s well worthy of this week’s Catch of the Week honours. Well done to Cassie and all the IFI & Foroige staff involved in bringing the joys of angling to the next generation.
Cassie Bonner with her super Tope, which wins this week’s Catch of the Week
It wasn’t the only Tope story we had in this week, as they seem to be turning up in good numbers all around the coast right now. Robert Babington had a good session up in Dundalk Bay as he caught and released a total of seven Tope, including a nice one over 40lb. And some lucky Tope anglers were treated to an acrobatic feat as they encountered a massive (and rare for Ireland) Thresher shark, jumping clear of the water four times as they were fishing off the Greystones coast.
Today will remain warm and dry in most parts, but the midlands will see some thunderstorms, which will bring heavy showers in places. These showers will linger in the west and southwest overnight but will clear tomorrow to give a mostly dry and warm day with some isolated showers in Munster and Connacht. The warm weather will continue for the rest of the weekend, but it will become a bit more changeable on Monday and into the early part of next week.
Andy Burnett of IFI’s Education & Outreach team reports on a super catch for one of their angling students:
17 yr old Cassie Bonner had a cracking introduction to fishing recently as she put some of the theory she had learned to the test in Co. Donegal. Cassie has been taking part in the Go Fishing programme, run by IFI and Foroige, which aims to get young people interested in fishing.
Cassie had completed four online sessions over the past two weeks where she was given an introduction to the basics of angling. She was keen to practice the skills she had learned during the online sessions, and Rathmullan Pier, Lough Swilly, Co Donegal was the chosen venue for the practical part of the course.
The session started well, and we quickly had several young anglers fishing the pier under blue skies and blazing sunshine. There were plenty of mackerel around, so it wasn’t long before we were catching. After a while we decided to change tactics, setting up the rods to fish for some larger species. In no time at all, a procession of lovely thornback rays started to find the baits, with several double hookups encountered.
1 of 4
Whilst reeling in one of the ray, I spotted a good tope follow it to the surface, so we decided to set up a tope rig and put out a whole mackerel bait. Fifteen minutes later and the rod nodded, then the spool began to fizz as line stripped off and the fish made a surging run. Cassie took up the rod at this point, and then under guidance, managed to play the tope to the edge of the stairs where it was carefully landed unhooked and released unharmed, swimming off strongly. We estimated the tope to weigh in the region of 35lb. To catch a fish like that on your first try is exceptional and so Cassie wins this weeks Catch of the Week honour.
After speaking with several anglers, it appears tope are around in good numbers this year, and this was the 5th tope taken from the pier this year.
