Good piking in the midlands
Mick Flanagan was out again and caught a few more nice pike in the midlands, reports are that fish are feeding well at the moment and that many midland lakes and rivers are in good condition for pike fishing.
5lb sea trout rasies hopes on Currane
Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane…
22/4/21 Just two boats manipulating this day and by all accounts there was a few good Smolts on the take, as they there were yesterday. On the Salmon front all quiet, just a few good Brown Trout caught. Wind SE strong and bright sunshine all day.
23/4/21 Just two boats out and all quiet on all fronts. Wind ESE light to fresh and bright and sunny all day.
24/4/21 Just one boat out and nothing to report except for bright sky’s and Salmonless, wind ESE light to fresh.
25/4/21 Again it was all quiet on all fronts and as you can see by the picture it wasn’t an ideal day for the manipulations of producing a Wild Atlantic Salmon and for good reason, considering the draught conditions you could say the Currane Anglers are well Browned off. Wind ESE light to fresh and hardly a cloud in the sky.
26/4/21 Just in and just two out manipulating their lures this bright and sunny day, they’re all talking of a pink moon tonight, so hopefully they will be talking of a Salmon tomorrow. Wind was all over the place and light.
27/4/21 Three boats out and all members of the Brown tag hand be me down club, but there’s only one member of this exclusive club that takes all the headlines and for good reason, that’s the one and only, Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com while out trolling, caught and released a fine 5 lbs. Sea Trout. In the Salmon department all quiet on all fronts. Wind NNE light to fresh and variable, followed by April showers.
Vincent Appleby
www.salmonandseatrout.com
Go fishing…
Vincent Appleby
Eureka Lodge, Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry.
Telephone: +353 (0)66 9475248
E-mail: salmonandseatrout@eircom.net
Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com
Find out more about Lough Currane…
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
31/3/21 Just two Brown hand me down tag boats out on this calm and foggy day. Wind was light to calm and variable. Now to all you pessimistic anglers who were complaining that in the 2020 Season there were no Salmon in the Lake? We will put the record straight, to the best of my knowledge there were 160 Salmon caught and a good few more not reported. Now let us head for the 2020 Hatchery Brood, just for the record the Salmon Brood was got with one swipe and I can tell you when the Currane system was fishing a lot better there was many occasions it was a dam site more difficult and took a lot more than one swipe. Now we head down stream into Lough Currane for 2021 Kelt Season just for the record there were 260 Kelts caught up to 22nd of March and counting and on average four boats fishing.
Spring salmon arrive in Galway
The Galway Fishery reopened on Monday the 18th of April for anglers living in Co. Galway. Water levels had been high, at 4 gates, but dropped to 2 gates last week, ideal for spinning. Local angler Sean O’Toole was on the morning shift that day, and it took him just 4 casts with the spinning rod to find the first salmon of 2021. A fine springer of 11.75lbs was the prize, and Sean was a very happy man, despite having a very short morning fishing!
Over the days since, more salmon have been landed, nearly all of a very good size, averaging over 10lbs, and mostly caught on the spinner. Among the anglers to land fish were Jon Menzies from Loughrea and Fergal Cormican from Rosscahill. Sean O’Toole had another fish, almost identical in size to his first, and Phil Donoghue also landed a springer. While conditions were tough for fly fishing, Declan Tuffy landed the first fish on fly last Sunday, a nice 7.5lbs fish.
As we await news of the country reopening, fishing remains open to anglers living in Co. Galway for the moment, but as soon as inter-country travel is permitted, anglers from further afield will be welcome. To inquire about fishing availability, contact the fishery at 091 562388, or email seamus.hartigan@fisheriesireland.ie
Monster trout from Corrib!
Ferox Trout
Lough Corrib has always been noted for a stock of big ferox trout. Packed with prey, the lough provides rich feeding for these carnivorous trout, and they grow to impressive size. And if there’s one man who knows how to catch these monsters, it’s fishing guide Tomi Kurman (www.facebook.com/tomi.guidedfishing), who has been targeting them of late. Although not taking bookings until June due to Covid restrictions, Tomi has been out with friends lately, and they have landed some amazing fish.
Bernard McMahon was one who scored the fish of a lifetime, with a mindboggling 91cm fish, estimated at well over 20lbs weight. The scales stopped working at 18lbs with the fish still partly supported!
Tomi and his boat partners practise catch-and-release for all their fish, and the big fish went back strongly after a quick photo.
No Weight Watchers Here!
Tomi was also out with good friend Colin Rickard, and Colin managed just about the fattest trout any of us will ever see. Although “only” 85cm, this one weighed in at 18lbs 12oz. Look at the hand in the second photo for scale!
Family Time
Elsewhere, Robert Moloney has been enjoying good fishing with family of late, with duckfly and olives on the menu for trout. Robert has had some nice trout, as seen in the photos. He has also been introducing the next generation to fishing. As can be seen, sometimes lunch in an island fishing hut can be the best part of the day!
The weather has not been conducive to flyfishing over the last week, with bright sunshine and an east wind. The slight change and more showery conditions should hopefully see some good fishing over the bank holiday weekend. With May just a couple of days away, many anglers will be eagerly looking forward to the main hatches of mayfly, and there should be plenty of good news over the coming weeks.
Big fish catches by anglers during 2020- Irish Specimen Fish Committee
Irish Specimen Fish Committee Report 2020
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic anglers fishing in Irish waters in 2020 caught hundreds of large fish according to the just-published Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) report. One new record was set and over 300 exceptionally large fish of different species were caught by anglers from venues throughout Ireland. The main species were shark species like Smooth-hound and Spurdog and, in freshwater, Pike and Brown Trout dominated. All fish were caught, weighed, measured and released.
Details of all these fish and current Irish record fish are in the Irish Specimen Fish Committee Report 2020, which has just been released. The Irish Specimen Fish Committee, which is supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland, is an independent all-Ireland voluntary body which verifies and records the capture of large fish caught on rod by anglers in freshwater and marine waters.
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee report is available on the ISFC website www.specimenfish.ie or from the Inland Fisheries Ireland website here. Hard copies of the report will be available in mid-May.
Anglers both at home and abroad will be reading the report carefully to plan future angling trips to catch the big fish in Ireland.
For further information contact:
William Roche, ISFC Secretary at 01-8842600
Email: william.roche@fisheriesireland.ie
Issued by Irish Specimen Fish Committee, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, D24 CK66.
About the Irish Specimen Fish Committee
Founded in 1955, the Irish Specimen Fish Committee, is an independent voluntary body, representative of angling interests in Ireland, whose principal function is to verify, record and publicise the capture of large (i.e. specimen) fish caught on rod and line by anglers in Ireland, both in freshwater and marine waters. The Committee also ratifies Irish record rod caught fish. The ISFC coordinates and administers the unique specimen awards scheme which is designed to recognize any angler who catches a specimen fish and to publicise the angling venue. Successful anglers are awarded a certificate and a commemorative badge. Specially commissioned silver medals are presented to captors of record fish and special awards are also made to captors of multiple specimen fish (on a cumulative basis). This report is a detailed listing of all particulars relating to specimen and record fish captures in Irish waters in 2020. Over 30,000 claims have been received by the ISFC over the past 65 years. This dataset is one of the most valuable and long-running time-series of its type. The service is free, and anglers catching a specimen or record fish can check the ISFC website for details on how to claim their specimen.
ISFC is funded primarily by Inland Fisheries Ireland and DAERA, some angling federations, individual anglers and its activities are also supported by representatives from the various agencies that serve on the Committee.
Irish Specimen Fish Committee Members 2020
Dr. Robert Rosell (AFBI), Chairman, Dr. William Roche, Secretary, Shane O’Reilly,Treasurer, Myles Kelly and Micheál Hennessy (Inland Fisheries Ireland), Alan McGurdy, Stewart McGrane (Game Angling), Dr. Edward Fahy, Der Casey (Coarse Angling) and Brian Cooke (Sea Angling).
Anglers enjoy the weather on Killarney Lakes, catch a few salmon
Water levels were low and fishing conditions were good on the Killarney Lakes. The good weather brought out a lot of anglers, with different focuses (coarse, trout and salmon).
There were three salmon caught on the lakes by locals trolling. The fish were reported to weigh between 6 and 10lbs. Trout being caught on the fly on Lough Leane and from shore.
Go Fishing
Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and the Upper Lake, Killarney, Co. Kerry are part of the River Laune catchment. Fishing is free on these lakes. A reasonable number of salmon are taken mainly on the troll with some big spring salmon annually accounted for.
Boat hire and guiding is available
All quiet on the Lee, rain needed
No salmon reported for the last two weeks – water conditions at summer lowest levels on the River Lee.
Go fishing…
The River Lee drains a catchment of 484 square miles of which much is taken up by two large reservoirs. Salmon Angling is confined to an 8 mile stretch from Inniscarra dam to Cork city.
Lee Salmon Anglers Club
The Lee Salmon Anglers club was established in 1967. It was formed by a group of anglers interested in protecting and promoting the sport of salmon and trout angling on the river Lee. Day tickets available: http://www.leesalmonanglers.ie/
Inniscarra Fishery
This salmon fishery is located between Cork City and the dam at Inniscarra (9 miles). The fishery is run by the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) and an ESB permit is required. There is a fair run of fish with a very good grilse run dependent on water. Permits can be purchased on site from Dan O’Riordan, ESB Inniscarra; 087-9983879.
Low water conditions continue on the Bandon
Low water is contiuing to impact fishing on the Bandon. There was 1 salmon reported last week on the river, the fish was caught on shrimp. There was another reported lost.
The fish pass has now been repaired; prospects are much brighter again.
Go Fishing…
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/
Kilcoleman Fishery, Enniskeane, is renowned for its hospitality. The owners David and Patricia Lamb make a particular effort to make their guests feel at home. Past visitors have described the atmosphere as ‘laid back’ and the accommodations as ‘cosy’. Kilcoleman is “fly only” throughout the entire season. However, in certain water conditions, spinning is permitted for salmon. Trout angling is “fly only” at all times.
web: http://flyfishing-ireland.com
Low water impacts angling on Blackwater
River levels have dropped off over the last week and fishing conditions on the main channel were more challenging and subsequently the effort also dropped off on some beats. Fish are in all parts of the system but elusive enough.
Go fishing…
Blackwater Salmon Fishery
Blackwater Salmon Fishery has 3 beats downstream of the weir and 2 upstream of the weir. Blackwater Salmon Fishery offers fishing on approximately 5 miles of the river Blackwater. The fishing is spread throughout the middle section of the river to offer good sport throughout the fishing season. Due to the location of the beats, fishing can still usually be offered in low or high water.
Contact Glenda Powell: Lismore, Co Waterford,
Email: info@blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929
Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Fortwilliam Fishery & Self-Catering Cottages
Fortwilliam Fishery offers two miles of double bank salmon and trout fishing over five beats on the river Blackwater.
Our salmon include – Springers, May Salmon, Grilse, Back End Salmon, and in Summer sea trout.
Our beats provide a wide variety of water, suitable for both beginners and the more experienced fishermen.
Fortwilliam Fishery, Glencairn, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland
Web: www.fortwilliamfishing.ie Email: fishing@fortwilliamireland.com
Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery control a number of beats of the Munster Blackwater. The Ballyduff Bridge beat is almost a mile long offering a huge variety of water and is particularly suited to fly fishing. Upstream near the village of Ballyhooley (a few miles outside the town of Fermoy, Cork) we have two beats. The Ballincurrig Beat is one of the most beautiful locations along the river and has an excellent piece of fly water flowing into a deep pool. Just downstream on the opposite bank we have a short but productive beat, called Magners. This beat fishes also well in high water.
Contact Jason Corcoran:
Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.
Tel: +353 (0)586 0146
Mobile: +353 (0)87 720 5690
Web: www.blackwatertroutandsalmon.ie
Careysville Fishery
Careysville Fishery offers some of the best salmon fly fishing in Ireland and includes 26 named pools. It is considered by many to be one of premier beats for salmon fishing in Ireland. Wading is excellent and among the numerous streams, pools and glides there is a great variety of fly fishing to suit both complete novice and challenge the most competent of fly casters.
Careysville, Clondulane, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
Email: fishing@careysville.com Mobile: +353 (0)86 2378788
Web: http://careysville.com/careysville-fishery/
Blackwater Salmon Anglers, Mallow
We provide Day Tickets for some prime Salmon fishing in Mallow Co. Cork. We have excellent fly water, shrimping worming and spinning also. We also have very competitive Day rates and we have very recently upgraded our fishing.
Tickets available from “The Bridge House” and “Vincent Downes Menswear” Mallow.
Facebook: Blackwater Salmon Anglers
Upper Bridgetown Salmon Fishery
Located on the Munster Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Situated mid river between the towns of Fermoy and Mallow. A productive left bank beat in stunning surroundings.
For bookings contact Conor Arnold: +353 87 755 4682
Facebook: Upper Bridgetown Salmon Fishery
Loungueville House Salmon Fishery
For details on availability and conditions of fishing for salmon and trout on the Longueville House waters please contact them at
Contact : Longueville House Hotel, William O’Callaghan
Address : Mallow, Co. Cork.
Telephone : 00 353 22 47156
Email: info@longuevillehouse.ie
Website: www.longuevillehouse.ie
Sinking lines do the trick on Conn!
Kevin O’Boyle reports from Lough Conn…
Bright sunshine all week on the lake put some anglers off while the few that did wet a line had some good results. There was a notable absence of fly life, but some early hatches of mayfly were seen in Tolan’s Bay and Cloghans Bay. Most trout were caught on sinking lines.
Peter Roche had 7 trout to the boat all released, between 1.5 lbs. and 2 lbs. mostly to sedge patterns in Cloghans Bay and old Schoolhouse Bay. Gary Binley had 5 trout, best of which weighed 2 lbs.
Thirty-one trout were reported overall with most fish returned alive. The best trout reported caught was from Tolan’s Bay, North Conn from local angler Pawel Jasnikowski for 2.2 lbs. with 2 more trout returned alive. Padraig Traynor had 3 to the boat, the best of which weighed 1.5 lbs., all taken on dabblers.
