A new season opens shortly on Corrib, and this year anglers will have a new option for accommodation, boat hire and guiding, with the opening of Birchall Guesthouse on the western shore of the lough.
Birchall Guesthouse
The spectacular lodge, owned and run by and Michelle and Padraig Fahy, will offer luxury accommodation for anglers and non-angling guests alike. All rooms are ensuite, with a traditional full irish breakfast served each morning with fresh juices and fruits.
When not fishing, enjoy relaxing in the stunning sunroom taking in the views of the lake and its wildlife, or the games room with puzzles, TV and books to unwind. The gym is available should you like to work out, with a sauna and steam room too.
Michelle and Padraig Fahy
Angling
Padraig is a well-known angler and guide in his own right, and has a great knowledge of both Corrib and nearby fisheries in Connemara. His intimate knowledge of the lake will allow guests to get the most from their visit, and should see plenty of repeat business. Guided and non-guided angling can be booked, with boats and engines provided to guests.
It’s great to see a new business catering for anglers on Lough Corrib, and we wish Padraig and Michelle every success in their new venture!
Living on the shores of a lake made it very straightforward for Greg and Siggy Latour of Tir na Spideog to stay with 5km for their angling adventure…
Just about ready for the net
29 January The 1st Lough Allua Pike of 2021 exceeding the meter mark was caught by Sigi today. 101cm to be exact caught trolling on a DAM Wobbler (trout pattern) in 18 ft. of water
Tir na Spideoga Fishing Lodge is situated on the shores of Lough Allua, about 5km from Inchigeelagh Village, overlooking a narrow but long water system, also called the ‘ Inchigeelagh lakes’. Lough Allua ranks amongst the top pike fishing waters of Ireland, regularly producing pike of 20 and 30 lbs. and still it is one of the least known pike venues on the island .
A guided day on the lake for 2 anglers costs as little as €80 – plus €40 for the boat hire. No permit is required
Vincent Appleby reports from Lough Currane which is still waiting for its first salmon of the season…
28/1/21 The Brown Tag Boats were not manipulating their prized lures and the same goes for the Barbless anglers. Just for the record, yesterday I failed miserably in my duties, I failed to report that there was one Brown tag boat out for an hour or two.
29/1/21 There were five Brown tag boats out today and you could say it was the battle of the tags, but sadly I have to report the Currane Anglers were Browned off by the end of the day. Just for the record there were a few Kelts caught. Bright sunshine all morning, come late afternoon clouded up. Wind light and variable in the morning veered ESE light to calm.
30/1/21 I start with the sad news that Waterville’s great singing voice and entertainer Mrs. Rose Fogarty, RIP, passed away today and on behalf of all the Currane Anglers and the good people of Waterville and Kerry our Sincere Sympathies to her husband Paddy and all the family and friends. On a personal note, I can tell you Rose entertained with Paddy many an anglers’ celebrating their catch of the day in the angling Bars, all I can say is Waterville’s loss is Heavens gain.
Today’s manipulations there wasn’t any action for the first Salmon. Just for the record there were two Brown Tags and one Catch and release Boat out. Wind NE light with reasonable cloud cover.
31/1/21 The Currane Brown tags and the Currane C&R are still waiting for that first Elusive first salmon in 2021 for the record, only one Brown tag boat out and only fished for about two hours? It is sad to see Currane so quiet on a mild day, we need to get those diehards out there with brown tags.
1/2/20 Just two Brown Tag Boats out this first day of February and going by spy gate, both Brown tags were browned off within a couple of hours. Wind West Southwest and veered South Southeast late this afternoon and overcast all day with heavy rain this evening.
2/2/21 No Boats out so I can say No Brown Tag Salmon and No C&R Salmon. Wind SW light and variable and overcast.
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
Fishery manager David McEvoy with the first Delphi salmon of 2021
It was a great opening day of the 2021 season on the Delphi Fishery yesterday. Despite the lack of guests, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, fishery manager David McEvoy and estate manager Michael Wade both managed to hit the river for a few casts once all the hatchery work had been completed.
David had only been fishing 10 minutes when he hooked and landed a fish in the “Waterfall Pool” on a Willie Gunn tube fly. The fish was 65cm, 6lbs 3oz and had fresh sea lice on its back. As the fish was a ranched salmon it was allowed to be killed. All wild fish are released at Delphi, while ranched salmon are removed.
Fishery manager David McEvoy with the first Delphi salmon of 2021
As if one opening day fish was not good enough, estate manager Michael Wade also hit the river for a while in the afternoon, and he caught and released a wild fish of approx. 6lbs in the Rock Pool.
Two opening day salmon is a great result, for two rods and very light fishing pressure! Well done to both David and Michael, and let’s hope this bodes well for a good spring run!
The first wild fish of 2021 is released
Go fishing…
At Delphi Lodge, with many years of experience with the timing of the best runs of fish, we have in place a price system that offers both great value fishing and lets our anglers know when they have the best chance to catch a fresh run spring salmon or a summer grilse or Delphi sea trout.
The river from the hut at Glenda Powel's Blackwater Salmon Fishery
Salmon anglers who were looking forward to getting out on the Munster Blackwater yesterday were disappointed with the floods that put a stop to their plans. Handfuls of anglers who live local the river went to its banks to mark the day, but as well as missing the fishing found they missed the friends and camaraderie of a normal opening day.
The flood through falling rain – Blackwater Trout and Salmon Fishery
It looks like water levels are still rising and there is still some more rain to come. Water levels on the Munster Blackwater at Ballyduff Bridge peaked at 2.17m yesterday before dropping back a little overnight. The river is rising again though and levels are already at back to 2.11m and with continuing rain over the catchment will rise a bit more through the day.
Water levels on the Munster Blackwater at Ballyduff Bridge
Over the last few days we’ve been sharing some of the salmon angling videos from Noel Fitzmaurice from the Blackwater Fishery who has some great advice on tippet.
Noel’s notes: Salmon Fishing Ireland – What tippet do I need ? In this video I give my advice , from the banks of the Munster Blackwater in Ireland, on what tippet you need to get you through the Salmon fishing season.
If you enjoyed the video don’t forget to Like and visit Noel’s YouTube channel to subscribe for more of the same.
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
Blackwater Trout and Salmon Fishery
Blackwater Trout and Salmon Fishery controls 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.
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.ieEmail: fishing@fortwilliamireland.com Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
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.
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.
The Munster Blackwater opens today and Noel Fitzmaurice from the Blackwater Fishery has some great advice knots you’re likely to need. For those of us in lockdown, it’s a chance to practise some of the skills of knot tying at home…
Noels notes: Salmon Fishing Ireland – Join me at Blackwater Salmon Fishery as I share the three knots that’ll get you through the fishing season.
If you enjoyed the video don’t forget to Like and visit Noel’s YouTube channel to subscribe for more of the same.
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
Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery
Ballyduff Bridge fisheries 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.
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.ieEmail: fishing@fortwilliamireland.com Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
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.
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.
On Sunday afternoon, 31st January 2021, a virtual draw took place to allocate 45 River Lee Brown Tags to prequalified salmon licence holders. A total of 180 entries were issued numbers ranging from 1 to 180 inclusive. However, owing to duplication of entries, draw numbers 18 and 172 were disqualified. The holders of these numbers were informed by email on Saturday evening, 30th January 2021.
IFI recorded the draw and used a random generator to draw the numbers, which is evident in the recording. A total of 55 numbers were drawn in the first instance. The first 45 to be allocated brown tags, with a reserve of 10. If numbers 18and 172 were drawn, they would be replaced by the first 2 numbers from reserve and a further 2 numbers would be drawn to bring the reserve back to 10.
The draw was witnessed by Sean Long, RBD Director, Tom Morrission Cork District Inspector and Catherine Dwane, Assistant Inspector (Administrator of the Tags).
Numbers selected are laid out below.
101
30
14
15
10
27
155
131
156
81
174
123
179
12
21
172
79
106
51
36
176
67
34
2
50
86
26
25
161
114
28
105
149
18
134
145
160
69
19
178
62
130
111
118
158
These are the initial 10 reserve numbers:
169
40
115
120
152
7
90
99
166
146
As disqualified numbers 172and 18were drawn in the first 45 numbers, Brown Tags will be issued to 169 and 40 from the reserve list.
The random generator selected a further 2 numbers in order to maintain the reserve of 10. These numbers were
43 and 124.
It is envisaged that the Brown Tags will be issued by post tomorrow afternoon. All anglers are asked to acknowledge receipt of their Brown Tag by email including the tag number to corkleebrowntag2021@fisheriesireland.ie
The Munster Blackwater opens in a few short days. For those lucky enough to live within 5km of this iconic salmon river here’s something to be thinking of ahead of the day. Noel Fitzmaurice from the Blackwater Fishery has some great advice on choosing a salmon fly.
Noel’s notes: Join me as I share my views from Blackwater Salmon Fishery on fly choice for Salmon Fishing in Ireland.
If you enjoyed the video don’t forget to Like and visit Noel’s YouTube channel to subscribe for more of teh same.
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
Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery
Ballyduff Bridge fisheries 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.
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.ieEmail: fishing@fortwilliamireland.com Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
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.
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.
Well, that was another week. It was wetter than normal and drier than normal depending on where you are. And it was milder than normal and colder than normal, again depending on where you are. Our weather will be changeable over the coming week, see-sawing between milder and colder than average conditions – so it’s expected that by the end of next week nationally it will have been an average week of weather for everyone, despite being colder, milder, drier and wetter than normal for about 10 days straight – you get the point. Why all the weather talk? Because in lockdown most of us are not getting in any fishing. The good news is that the longest month of the year is done and the shortest is ahead of us. Then it’s back to the water for all (please God).
Still no salmon to report, but we do have the daily updates from Lough Currane, born of the unique pen of Vincent Appleby. On the subject of salmon angling, we want to remind all the salmon anglers who have not yet returned their logbooks to please get them into us; the information is key to work on conserving salmon. Staying with 2020’s catches why not check out one angler’s biggest hits – ‘The tug is the drug’ – best salmon takes from 2020
For the trout anglers thinking about when they might get to go fishing we have a couple of fly tying videos to share. We are also featuring the video Chasing Caenis and it would be hard to not want to be drifting beside a pod of feeding trout after you’ve watched it.
Norbert Renaud is back again this week tying bunny flies for pike. For any of the anglers reading this who have thought about building their own rods, Norbert will be doing that tonight live on his YouTube channel.
Finally, The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is calling all anglers and everyone else involved in the inland fisheries and sea angling sector to share their views in the development of a new policy for the sector. This new policy framework will be focused, primarily, on conservation and sustainable management as well as realising the true economic potential of the sector. Find out more here: Roadmap Policy Framework launched for Ireland’s inland fisheries
And now the weather…
Over the weekend it will be cold with prolonged spells of rain, turning to sleet and snow at times mainly over northern parts, remaining slightly milder over Munster. Milder conditions will edge further north during the early days of next week, however remaining unsettled with further spells of rain.
Enough talk about lockdown! Here is a video from last summer on Lough Corrib showing what an early morning trip for trout feeding on Caenis is like. Relax for a few minutes and imagine yourself in the boat pushing off before sunrise, anticipation bubbling inside…
Chasing Caenis
A small band of dedicated anglers will know exactly what the title of this video means. Those few who live close enough to Corrib to be on the lake for sunrise, or those who have stayed at a select few guesthouses where Caenis fishing is on the menu.
For the uninitiated masses, Caenis fishing is regarded by those in the know as some of the most exciting dry fly fishing found anywhere. From late May into early July, especially on calm mornings, massive hatches of Caenis, also known as the Fisherman’s Curse, appear from before sunrise on the surface of Lough Corrib. These tiny flies, related to their larger mayfly cousins, swarm in millions, moult quickly, mate and then return to the water to lay their eggs. And the trout love them!
Caenis on a fly reel
Free Risers
I was once challenged by an angler who had endured a tough mayfly season that there were serious problems with the fish stocks. A week later, I invited him out on the lake for an early morning session. It took some persuasion to get him out of bed so early, but once on the lake he could not believe the sheer number and size of trout we saw, rising freely and feeding hard on spent Caenis that morning.
Sunrise on Corrib can be a magical time
Stealthy Approach
What is unusual about the Caenis-feeding trout is that they appear to be social animals, feeding in pods of 5-10 fish, cruising around together seemingly at random and poking their noses above the surface film to sip in drowned insects. But don’t be fooled into thinking their numbers make them easy to catch – these are wary fish, often feeding in shallow water and ready to bolt at the slightest disturbance. Boat handling, a stealthy approach, good casting and presentation are required to have a chance. Long, fine leaders and tiny flies are essential. And they still might turn up their noses and take a natural right beside your fly!
A wary trout splashes as it spots something unusual about this fly..
But being out on the water as the sun breaks the horizon, searching the water for rising fish, then the anticipation and the adrenaline of fish feeding all around your fly makes the experience truly exhilarating. Any lingering thoughts of being back in a cosy bed are banished as soon as the first cast is made. And besides, the fishing rarely goes on past 9 or 10am, so you can head back for a nap later if needs be.
Try It Yourself
Chasing Caenis was filmed on a June morning last year, when Larry McCarthy was kind enough to take me out and show me how he approaches Caenis fishing. Larry, who runs Corrib View Lodge with his wife Michelle, is one of the top guides on the lake, and has a loyal customer base who return year on year to enjoy the hospitality and peerless guiding on offer. The video tries to capture the atmosphere of being on the lake for sunrise, and the highly visual nature of Caenis fishing. For the best view, watch it on Youtube here and select 1080p in the video settings.
If you would like to try Caenis fishing yourself, Larry offers guided fishing and accommodation from Glencorrib, close to the lake. Check out the website at www.corribangling.com
Success! Larry hooks into a fish.
Youtube Channel
Fishing in Ireland has launched a Youtube channel, with Chasing Caenis the first upload. We will be uploading many more videos showcasing the best of Irish angling over the coming months, so why not subscribe here to keep up to date with video content as it lands…
