This post was compiled from angling reports shared on The VDE Baggers AC Facebook page:
The VDE Baggers fished the second round of their Spring League on the River Blackwater over the weekend, and while the sun shone, and the river looked idyllic, the fishing was far from historic, as the skimmers were in short supply, and anglers had to scratch around to make the numbers.
Top rod on the day was Aaron Hutchman with 25 fish on the pole from peg 1 to weigh 1.480kg, followed by Daniel Singleton with 1.120kg and Nick Seddon with 930g, Jack Tisdall was 4th and won C section with 840g and leads the league with 2 points.
In full summer atire…Aaron won with flying colours
A full report and more photos can be viewed on The VDE Baggers ACFacebook Page.
The Kilbride Anglers fished the Des Johnston Cup 2026 last Saturday, held in memory of much-missed friend Des, and it once again proved to be one of the highlights of the angling calendar. The event attracted an excellent turnout of 35 anglers, with many new participants joining and adding to the strong sense of community around the competition.
Conditions were generally favourable, with warm weather and good winds for wet fly and dry fly fishing, although nymph fishing proved difficult. A barbecue break at 2pm, organised by Ben, gave anglers the chance to relax and exchange stories. At that stage, however, catches had been scarce, with only one fish landed before lunch.
The afternoon session remained challenging, producing just one additional fish despite plenty of missed opportunities and tales of “the one that got away.” As always, the competition followed a catch-photo-release format.
Final results:
1st – Conor Graham (20.8-inch trout)
2nd – Denis Goulding (19-inch trout)
Many anglers stayed into the evening for the famous spent gnat rise. Calm conditions and excellent dry-fly opportunities created memorable fishing, with some outstanding catches possible only on Irish loughs such as Sheelin. The day ended with renewed appreciation for protecting this exceptional fishery for future generations.
The Dodder Anglers are one of the most active angling clubs in the country, and regularly host introductory and youth days to encourage people to go fishing. They are forming a WhatsApp group to keep people informed of any upcoming events, and details are available in the graphic below:
This great report from the organisers of this year’s edition of the Nations Cup:
On Sunday, 24 May, the annual Nations Cup Ireland event took place on the beautiful waters of Lough Ree, during the hottest day of the year so far.
Anglers representing Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, the UK, and Brazil competed in teams of two from boats across the lake. All participants gathered early in the morning at the slipway, where a short captains’ meeting was held before the official start at 9:00am. Fishing continued until 5:00pm.
Nations Cup
A total of 84 skilled anglers gave their best efforts, each hoping to help their nation reach the top of the leaderboard. However, the conditions proved extremely challenging. Blue skies and scorching sunshine made fishing difficult, as predator fish were largely inactive throughout the lake.
At 5:00pm, all teams returned to the slipway and retrieved their boats from the water. After photographs and catch-and-release videos were checked, the final leaderboard was revealed at the Lough Ree Inn. Special thanks go to the venue for accommodating such a large group on a busy Sunday.
Individual Team Results
1st Place – Jacek Gorny – Wioleta Hejna
2nd Place – Daniel Nesbitt – Stephen Gibbons
3rd Place – Olegas Orlovas – Mindaugas Naujokas
Longest Fish Award – Maciej Dukacz – Nikodem Bienkowski
Top 3 boats
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First place
Nations Cup Ireland 2026 – Nation Results
1st Place – Poland – 13 penalty points
2nd Place – Ireland – 13 penalty points
3rd Place – Romania – 22 penalty points
4th Place – Latvia – 23 penalty points
5th Place – Lithuania – 25 penalty points
6th Place – United Kingdom – 29 penalty points
7th Place – Brazil – 39 penalty points
According to the competition rules, in the case of a tie between two nations, the longest fish determined the winner – giving Poland the top honour for 2026.
Poland finish in first place
Well done to all involved in this year’s edition – well done to the winners of the team & individual – well done to Poland for winning the 2026 edition, and well done to the runner-up nations!!
Thank you for your patience and support over the years.
Special mention to The Lough Ree Inn for accommodating us for the Prize Giving.
Next on the list will be Lough Derg Perch Bonanza follow Perch Master Ireland for more info!
Special thanks to all team captains; without them, this event wouldn’t happen
Simon McLarnon was out fishing for tope from Portsalon, Co. Donegal on Saturday. They were hoping to fish the grounds off Dunaff Head, Lough Swilly, but unfortunately the southerly breeze was stronger than expected resulting in a choppy sea and a very strong drift. This made angling difficult and uncomfortable in a confused sea. Given the conditions they decided to try some of the reefs inside Lough Swilly instead to get a bit of shelter.
It was on one of these reefs that Simon hit what he thought was full trace of coalfish, which the boat was catching plenty of, but after a hard scrap it was a big “Kelp Donkey” of a Ballan Wrasse that came to the surface.
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It looks the part, but was it a specimen? As Simon says "I suppose I will just have to go back and catch it again!"
Chompers
Kelp Donkey!
The fish was photographed but released it without getting proper measurements. At the time they didn’t realise that it could have been a specimen wrasse. Simon tells us that is was certainly the biggest wrasse he has ever caught. He estimated the wrasse to measure between 45 and 50cm which could put it up at 4.5 and 5lb.
Charter boat skippers out of Shannon Estuary are getting out more, now that winds and sea conditions have improved…
Anglers fishing with Sean Maguire aboard charter boat Isle of Aran Good enjoyed catches of pollack and coalfish over the last few trips with a few other species in the mix. Sean tells us that mackerel are still hit and miss although they are getting good sized fish when they meet a shoal.
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Luke Aston of the Clare Dragoon tells us that he is back out doing a few day charters after the poor weather from the previous week. Luke is also seeing some nice sized mackerel around, which is good to hear, and he is getting plenty of coalfish and pollack.
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Luke took a crew up the estuary at the weekend to try for a Tope. They had a run or 2 but no hook up. The big news though, and a real bonus fish, was a lovely Angel Shark. Nice to think they are making their way back up the estuary.
We offer deep sea fishing trips for everyone from the experienced Sea Angler to the fishing novice, whether it is for a Day Charter or a complete Fishing, Accommodation and Food package.
Clare Dragoon
LOCHIN 366, 650HP. Skipper: Luke Aston Licence: 1110 Base: Carrigaholt Operational Area: 30 miles from base.
Authorised blue fin tuna boat 2025
Notes: With Luke’s knowledge of the ground he can bring you to places that most skippers only dream about. Places that have never been fished with rod and line until now! Here you can catch large skate over 200 pounds in 100 meters of water! Spots of sand where a large selection of flat fish lurk, including Turbot, Brill and Large Place. Rock peaks with the chance of catching that Big Cod, Pollock or Ling to make this a fishing trip that you will always remember.
Twin engine 10 meter Lochin 333 Skipper:Séan Maguire Licence:1629 Base: Carrigaholt Operational Area:15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush
Notes: Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire. With state of the art electronics, quality fishing gear, and large deck space, the Lady Gwen II is a stable and comfortable boat to fish.
The Skate fishing season got underway in Courtmacsherry on Wednesday last week. Our first female Flapper skate of 1.22m was caught by Dutch angler Marnix (tagged and released) aboard the Lady Patricia skippered by Chris O’Connell. The group are regular visitors to Courtmacsherry and the tour is led by Dirk-Jan whose been fishing in Courtmacsherry for over 20 years.
Other fish caught included pollack, coalfish, cod, pouting, cuckoo wrasse, Ballan wrasse and Dogfish. The conditions were improving and it was great to be able to get to sea after the poor conditions of late.
We have full charters available and individual seats will be available later in the summer. Our self drive boats are also available for inshore and estuary fishing.
Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre offers charter boat fishing and inshore small boat hire.
Lady Patricia
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Skipper: Mark Gannon Licence: 819 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Lady Louise
Aquastar 38′. 370 HP Caterpillar Skipper: Sean Maxwell Licence: 818 Base: Courtmacsherry Operational Area: 30 miles out from Courtmacsherry
Authorised blue fin tuna boat 2026
Notes: Mark has two Aquastar 38’s, Lady Patricia and
Lady Louise. Specialising in wreck fishing, Mark’s boats have consistently provided specimen fish over the years. Shark, reef and general inshore angling also on offer.
Inshore small boat hire
With our Self Drive boats several different activities can be enjoyed. Our self drive 16′ Boats are equipped with 8 HP Yamaha 4 stroke engines. Equipment includes:
• Set of oars
• Life-Jackets
• Anchors
• Charts of local area
Des Bridgette reports on the second round of the Athy & District Anglers Summer League which was fished on Sunday…
Athy Anglers held the second leg of their Summer League on the canal. Fishing was hard to say the least. Willian Coughlan was the eventual winner, in his first canal match in over 40 years.
Results are as follows
1st William Coughlan 3lb 15ozs
2nd Bao 3lb.3ozs
3rd Chris Lawlor
4th Dave Locke 1lb 4ozs
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Well done to everyone that competed.
Anglers are Reminded that the Marina will be closed for fishing this Saturday 30th of May for a Tri Athy event. Please respect this, thank you.
Go fishing…
Our next match will be Sunday the 7th of June 3pm to 8pm meeting at 1pm Stradbally lock.
Athy and District Anglers
If you’d like to fish the Marina Club Grounds or get involved with the club and fish matches like these, then click the links below!
Athy & District Anglers Club was formed in 1959 and to this day they continue to pursue their goals of protecting, maintaining and encouraging the sport of angling in the greater Athy area. The club works with local authorities to improve and maintain local fishing areas as well as organizing events and matches for local and national anglers. Athy & District Anglers Club welcomes all new members and all age groups to the sport! If you’d like to get involved, please check out the Getting Involved section of their website.
A new byelaw, signed earlier this year, updates the regulations on the River Dodder. The new regulations apply to the part of the river from Clonskeagh Road bridge to the River Liffey at Ringsend.
Fly only fishing
River Dodder Bye-law No. 1021 of 2025 provides for fly fishing only, single barbless hook from Clonskeagh Road bridge to the River Liffey at Ringsend during the period 01 June to 30 September in any year. All legitimate methods are allowed at other times (subject to salmon regulations).
Catch and release
River Dodder Bye-law No. 1021 of 2025 provides for catch and release for all fish species downstream of the Clonskeagh Road bridge to the River Liffey at Ringsend during the period 01 June to 30 September in any year.
No salmon, or seatrout over 40cm
A person shall not have in his or her possession any wild salmon or sea trout (over 40cm).
Angling Limitation River Dodder Bye-law No. 1021 of 2025
A very popular carp fishery. Popular with competition anglers and novices alike. Alway a great chance of a bumper bag here. Friendly staff more than happy to advise beginner anglers. Caters to all sorts of clubs and groups.
Clare Dragoon
Isle of Aran
Lady Patricia
Lady Louise
