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Irish Angling Update: Covid-19 restrictions continue #stayathome – 23 April 2020

By
myleskelly
-
aasleagh falls

#Stayathome

Fishing is at a virtual standstill here in Ireland despite the overwhelming urge anglers have to take to the waters and wild. The 2km restriction is part of the reason, and the shared sense of social responsibility makes up most of the rest.

While angling is at a standstill, nature is not. The seasons are moving on and the sights and sounds of spring are already giving glimpses of our summer to come.

Already we have the first wave of African birds returning to our shores, swallows, martins and swifts have all been spotted across the country. These determined travellers time their arrival in Ireland to coincide with the abundant hatches of flies. Food for fish too, particularly our trout. It is no small wonder that so many anglers associate these migrants with the trout season.

The first cuckoos have also been heard. Sitting in a lake boat casting to rising trout while listening to a cuckoo call is one of the most special experiences in angling. It is sad to think that I may have to wait a full year to enjoy it again.

Besides the chirruping and cuckoo calls of these birds, there is a definite hum in the air. Our hedgerows are bursting into life with leaves budding and flowers blooming. The blackthorn, apple and cherry are all out, brightening our every view, even when the sun is hidden in the clouds. The heady scent of coconut from the golden hordes of whins accompanies me on my daily walk around the island. And the bees are feeding greedily. The hum and buzz of these busy workers is as much a mark of the season’s progression as the birds and blooming flowers. Of course there’s more than bees feeding on the flowers, and the flies and beetles that visit each petal strewn ditch all complete the web of life.

In the next few days the hawtorn or whitethorn will come into flower. They bloom across the country in waves, and the timing always seems to mark the best hatches of mayfly in the near by lakes. Lough Derg will be seeing its first hatches of these ephemeral flies by the end of April.

Sea anglers have their own cues. The storm ravaged shores become repopulated by sea weeds, and many coastal birds change their winter plumage to a brighter summer feather. The sea temperature rises above 10 degrees centigrade and suddenly shore angling sees the summer species return. Already mullet can be seen moving in decent shoals. It is easy to imagine the wrasse that must be patrolling the cliff bases and rocky shores. The pollack mixed in amongst them and the bass roving with the tides…

Oh to be free to roam with a rod…

For a little more reflective reading why not join Dan O’Neill, Fishery Manager at Mount Juliet, as he casts an eye back at when he was starting out in the angling world and discovers some even older memories…

Covid-19 updates

Keeping to the theme of last week’s update, here’s a look at how the fishing was going this time 4 years ago…

Irish Angling Update –  21 April 2016

There was a lovely bit of settled weather at the end of last week and many fisheries benefited from the warm, calm days we experienced. Chief amongst these were the charter boats, particularly off the Cork and Clare coasts. Many of the rivers are still not quite back to normal following the last fall of rain and the cold conditions, but things are improving for coarse, pike and game anglers too…

Salmon fishing reports

There were at least 22 salmon caught on the Drowes last week. Amongst the fish were a few in double figures and and an early grilse of 4lb. The Ballisodare Angling Club had some great fishing to mark the opening of their waters and the river conditions meant that fish were taken on fly and spinning. Over 30 fish were caught in the first 10 days of their season. The Moy has seen a small improvement in fishing and as levels continue to drop fishing should continue to get better. Meanwhile, out on the estuary the first sea trout of the season have been reported. One of best performing fisheries last week was Carrowmore where 24 salmon to 16lb were reported, half of which were returned. The Delphi fishery had their most productive week of the year too and 12 fish were caught.  Moving down the west coast to Galway, and at the Galway Fishery itself there were 4 salmon landed to 14lb. There are clearly some good fish in the system as 4 other salmon were lost on Monday alone. The Feale continues to produce a few salmon. After last week’s floods the river came into good order and produced some nice fishing on spinner and fly. Since last Friday, 3 more fish have been caught but the river is running a little low now. Lough Currane had a couple of good days in the last week too and 8 salmon and a couple of good sea trout, one over 6lb, were reported from the lake. The Bandon Salmon Anglers report a steady trickle of salmon scaling the river all the time. Prospects there are great as the water is dropping slowly, tides are building and cloudier conditions are forecast. Water levels on the Lee were high for all of last week and only 5 fish were reported, 3 from the ESB fishery at Inniscarra.

Trout fishing reports

Anglers reported a quiet enough week on Corrib, with the Duckfly finished and the Olives yet to hatch in significant numbers. Although the weather remained extremely cold on Mask, there were good hatches of small Cinnamon Sedge on a daily basis and a few hatches of Olives, which resulted in plenty of surface activity. Lough Derg’s trout are coming to trolled minnows and wet flies and anglers’ attention there is on the impending Mayfly hatch. The trout fishing on Lough Sheelin was not as bad as might have been expected given the heavy rain, hail, frosts and insidious cold conditions. The reported catch was well up on previous weeks at 55 trout and and better fish are beginning to show. Many of our rivers and streams will have fished a little better during the warmer days just gone by, and the return to cooler conditions is unwelcome. Anglers will probably encounter smolts on their run to the sea and are asked to unhook and handle these young salmon carefully as they set out on the next part of their life-cycle.

Pike fishing reports

There have been some great pike to over 1m reported by some of the guides on Lough Derg over the last week or so. Good fishing was also reported from some the east Clare lakes though there are a lot jacks in the catches too. In the Cavan area, water levels are high and temperatures are low. Although there have been plenty of reports of jacks and small fish not too many bigger pike are being reported at this time.

Coarse angling reports

Sunday was cool and breezy in the South East but coarse anglers at Oaklands managed some good weights at a competition there. The winning bag was 62lb, and second place bagged 55lb. The fishing has been tough with a small improvement as we move past the mid-week mark at Portumna’s Waterways Ireland Festival which started on Sunday. The heaviest bag on day 1 was over 29lb but since then top weights have been closer to the 15lb mark as the Shannon still is heavy enough. On Muckno the Trapper Championship was fished by 55 anglers who were encouraged by the continuing improvement of weights there, as the lake slowly warms.

25lb anglerfish
A 25lb anglerfish wins Catch of the Week for the charterboat Silver Dawn out of Kinsale

Sea angling reports

Following what was a decidedly wintry week, the weekend was a bit of welcome relief. In particular, the charter boat skippers were happy to be out on the water. Mike Dennehy of Silver Dawn reported some exceptional fish on wrecks south of Kinsale. Amongst the fish were specimen coalies and and even a 25lb anglerfish, which makes a very worthy Catch of the Week. Some of the West Cork charter boats were also out and reported a good mix of pollack, wrasse, coalies and cod. A 5lb sea trout on mackerel feathers for Tom Collin’s Loc an Iasc in Union Hall was something we’ve not reported before. The weekend also saw the Clare Dragoon and Lady Gwen II out off the Clare coast. Both reported a mix of fishing with a good range of species landed for the time of year. Shore anglers reported some enjoyable fishing from Mulranny Pier last week with several species landed including some good flounder and a conger. Down in Cork Harbour the first report of mullet this year was sent to the office, which is a late start for this popular species. There are also reports of bass in the harbour from shore marks. Along the north east coast good flounder fishing was reported though the main quarry, bass were absent.

Unfortunately, it looks like the colder weather is returning. Saturday will be a cold day in a moderate northerly breeze. It will be mostly dry with isolated showers, mainly in the north and east. Top temperatures of just 9 to 11 degrees.  Sunday will be mostly dry with scattered showers in the north and northwest. There will be good sunshine at first but it will become cloudier later. It will continue to be cold in a light to moderate northwesterly breeze. Top temperatures again just 9 to 11 degrees. The cold weather will continue into the early days of next week with scattered showers and sunny spells. Winds remaining mostly moderate north to northwesterly. Nights too will be cold and frosty. I counted 8 swallows in the garden this morning. It seems that any number of these cheery fellows do not a summer make.

Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.

Myles Kelly

Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.

News clippings

Other news

Casting lesson
Bandon Angling Association welcomed fly fishing instructor Glenda Powell to their waters at the weekend. In the morning Glenda taught the Juniors the basics of fly fishing. In the afternoon she taught spey casting techniques to the Seniors. A few fish were caught on the river last week which was also welcomed by the club!

Looking back and looking forward on the banks of the River Nore

By
myleskelly
-

Dan O’Neill, Fishery Manager at Mount Juliet, cast an eye back at when he was starting out in the angling world and discovers some even older memories…

During the worrying times at present most anglers, if not all, are reminiscing of past seasons and the freedom that possibly was taken for granted. I for one certainly miss the Friday evening calls that usually resulted in my nearest and dearest rolling her eyes to heaven, and the ham and cheese sandwiches with a cup of coffee as I took a time out to discuss strategies with a fishing buddy – how best to approach a fussy fish or take a closer look at the fly hatch…

As an angler I have met some characters in my time. I won’t mention them all but one in particular has always stuck in my mind. Most of the way I approach fishing and being an angler in general is based on this man. Like someone out of a Mr. Crabtree book, Mr. Matt Bolger left a very strong, lasting impression on me. Growing up I was always interested in wildlife and indeed fishing, I first came across Matt in the Mount Juliet estate where I started my weekend job as a linen porter at the age of 14. We were introduced in a way that seemed as if it had been planned. One day, whilst carrying out my duties, I noticed a wet fly on the steps just past the fishing room. The fly was a bloody butcher, which was the fly that I caught my first trout on at the age of 4 with my dad. Dad would cast in the bubble and fly and then pass me the rod to slowly retrieve. When opening the door to the fishing room it was like a dream to me, with fly rods on the wall and numerous pictures of salmon and trout that had been caught along the Mount Juliet stretch. Upon handing the fly to Matt and stating the name of the fly he became interested in how I knew what it was. After explaining the story behind it and many other fishing tales also, I got my invite to fish the river with him.

So the day came and it was time for me to go fishing with Matt. Being young and inquisitive my constant questions raised an eyebrow and gained a sigh at times. Matt was there to fish not talk. It was clear to see that it was a case of watch and learn and I believe in angling this has stayed with me. It’s a very rewarding way of learning and probably the best. It always helped me to take  the smallest bit of information then run with it multiplying it into many different ways and techniques to tackle many angling situations. Matt told me some stories of fish that he caught when he was a ghillie in Mount Juliet, fish of 30 even 35 pounds. As anglers we all have our favourite fishing spots and secretly try to imagine or wish that we could rewind 70, 80 or even 100 years and cast a line in them.

It is something special to fish a pool that has held salmon of that size, with stories Matt told me echoing in my head; salmon being hooked and fought for 60 minutes but never landed, an afternoon’s catch for 110 pounds then realising it was between just 3 salmon. I would love to even have a dream about the pools along Mount Juliet back then and allow my mind to speculate and run wild as to how I believed it would be.

Major McCalmont left some records that only recently came to my attention. Records that backed up every word Matt had told me. If asked did I believe Matt before I saw the records, my answer would have been a very honest yes as Matt himself was always conservative with his tales and a very honest man. These handwritten records only add more wonder to the question “How did it feel to fish the river 100 years ago?”

Sadly we will never know for ourselves. The only thing that we can do is enjoy our time when the current crisis ends, not take for granted our freedom to roam the river getting to fish with our buddies again and enjoy a ham and cheese sandwich with a cup of coffee riverside, thinking that in one hundred years from now anglers will again wonder what the river was like 100 years ago.

I have sent in some pictures for you all to have a look at and I hope maybe it sparks a fond memory or indeed makes you think a little about angling and what it would be like to catch a 30 or  35 pound fish in your favourite pool.

Stay safe everyone,

Hoping to see some of you down the riverbank soon.

Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet Estate.

Go fishing…

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.

https://www.mountjuliet.ie/fishing-on-the-estate.html

For any information contact Dan,

Tel: 085 7652751

Doneill@mountjuliet.ie

Irish Angling Update 17 April 2020 #Stayathome

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

#Stayathome

Again not much has changed since last week in angling terms. Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries Sector has commended the action of the vast majority of anglers during the Covid-19 measures and urged all to continue to respect the current measures and #stayathome.

The week also brought some further restrictions on angling with the news that the Killarney Lakes have been closed to fishing, boating and kayaking.

We have produced some angling guidelines signage for clubs to post up on their fisheries to help remind anglers of their responsibilities during this lockdown period if they do decide to go fishing; the posters are available from the following links: PDF, JPG. The posters will be updated to reflect any changes in government guidelines if and when they happen and will be made available on the IFI website. 

This week we’re having a look at our fishing this time five years ago with our Irish Angling Update from April 16th 2015:

Irish Angling Update 16 April 2015

It has been another week of very cold weather at times but very nice warm weather on other days with some rain also on a few days and it had mixed blessing for all the anglers trying to catch a fish or two.  Nonetheless it has been fairly dry so some watercourses are starting to see better water levels and it has brought more angling activity around the country.

A steady trickle of salmon were reported from most of the fisheries on the River Slaney in the past week but anglers are hoping for some rain to bring in more fresh salmon into the system.  Regular Dutch visitor Rink van der Wal fishing along with angling guide Andrew Ryan caught and released a huge salmon on fly on the River Suir and we have a video of all the action and this magnificent fish wins our Catch of the Week.  We have another video clip from the River Lee where local anglers caught and released a lovely spring salmon on fly.  Great salmon catch and release action footage this week!  A nice spring salmon was taken on fly on the Munster Blackwater at Blackwater Lodge.  Salmon fishing on many of the fisheries in the Cork Kerry area is still rather slow but a few fish were taken on fly on a few of the fisheries.  On Lough Currane sea trout up to 11.5 lb. were recorded along with steady salmon mainly taken on the troll.  Frank Maunsell reports that the River Owenmore had a good run of sea trout in the past week but the river is in flood but fishing should be possible in the coming days as the water level recedes.   In Connemara, salmon are running in to the Kylemore system and there was lovely salmon reported.  It was a tough week for anglers fishing at Delphi but some nice spring fish were recorded over the week. Salmon fishing is improving every week on the River Moy and 17 fish were recorded.  Up on the River Drowes there was better salmon fishing reported with 15 fish taken during the week.  Three salmon were reported taken on the troll on Lough Melvin.

salmon
Rink van der Wal with the first fly caught Suir salmon of 2015 wins Catch of the Week

Maurice Neill won the Media fly fishing competition at Annamoe fishery where the journalist had a great day recording 63 fish.  A Canadian visitor John Kennedy was hoping to fish with angling guide Michael Flanagan on Lough Owel for a day last week but cold gales force winds put a stop to that but John enjoyed some good rainbow trout fishing at the nearby Derrymore Springs Fishery.  The humble worm was the winning bait for Michael Meares from Mullingar while fishing the River Brosna where he landed a specimen trout of 5 lb. 12 oz.  Angling guide Mick Flanagan was the winner of the Abbott and Tight Lines Cup in the first trout competition of the year on Lough Derravaragh last weekend.  Elsewhere Navan angler John Mulvaney caught a fine brown trout of 4.3 lb. to win the first competition of the year on Lough Bane near Castlepollard.  Wetflies and floating lines were producing some superb trout fishing on the Waterford reservoirs in Waterford at Knockaderry and Carrigavantry. Up on Lough Sheelin the warmer conditions produced harder fishing for trout but nonetheless some lovely trout were caught. There was some good improvement for anglers flyfishing on Lough Corrib where the first hatches of olives have started to appear.  The same improvement in trout catches was reported from nearby Lough Mask. There was good trout fishing reported on Loughs Conn and Cullin last week with dabblers flies producing good catches of some nice trout from most areas on the loughs.

Kayak angler, Gary Robinson could not fish at sea due to poor conditions and switched to sheltered small loughs to catch a few pike. On Ballyhoe lakes near Drumconrath the Ardee club ran the first Memorial Buddy Martin Cup pike competition and 39 anglers caught over 150 pike up to 12 lb. 12 oz.  A group of Italians used a variety of lures to catch some nice pike on Lough Derravaragh and on the River Suck while fishing with angling guide Michael Flanagan. There was some good pike action on the hot water section at Lanesborough where fish up near 20 lb. were recorded in the past week.  At Melview Lodge, angling guide Kevin Lyons reported a good week for his Dutch and Belgium anglers out pike fishing on several waters near Longford in the past week.  A fine pike of 21 lb. was caught on Ross Lake in Co. Galway on a jerk bait by Aidan Traynor.

Trev Platt had a busy day with his 400 fish amounting to 49 lb. 6 oz. while winning the individual prize in the latest Munster Teams League on the Garden and Graveyard sections of Inniscarra Lake in Cork.  On the River Blackwater at Fermoy, Junior angler Joseph Ensko used a 6 metre pole to catch some good dace in the town section.  There was good catches also on the River Shannon near Portumna where Shane Dunne won a good match with 17 lb. 6 oz. of fish.  On the hot water stretch at Lanesboro, small roach and perch were the only fish turning up in catches along with some good pike in the past week.  Up in Castleblayney we have a full match report of Cathal Hughes big win on Lough Muckno over the Easter weekend as reported in last week’s update. Not far away at Ballyhoe, the first good catches of tench were recorded. Up on the Newry Canal the NCFFI junior team had a practice session and they caught over 1200 fish mainly roach.

Stephen O’Donovan won the west Cork and District shore competition at slobs in Youghal with 12 fish last weekend.  Flounders, codling and dogfish were caught on the day.  Charter skipper Luke Aston had his first deep sea angling trip out with clients from Carrigaholt and Pollack, Coalfish and a couple of codling meant a great start to the season.

There is many competition notices and news clippings in this week’s update and this week Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed that the two Bass daily bag limit is to stay for this year.

The 2015 Salmon Conservation Fund (SCF), the Midland Fisheries Fund (MFF) are now open for applications.  In total, €240,000 is available to conserve and develop the inland fisheries resource from funds generated through the sale of salmon licences and Midland Fisheries Area permits. The schemes administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland will facilitate clubs, fishery owners, commercial salmon fishers and other organisations to undertake works to improve habitat, stocks, access, invasive species management, and angling, under the supervision and direction of IFI.

As ever please wear a lifejacket when going afloat and don’t forget we cannot accept any angling photographs of anglers afloat not wearing a life jacket.  It is the law and it is sensible to be safe as too many people perish in water annually in Ireland.  It is still cool out there so wear warm layers when out enjoying the best of Irish Angling.

Tight lines especially in Ireland,

Paul Bourke

Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.

Headlines

Salmon fishing reports

Trout fishing reports

Pike fishing reports

Coarse angling reports

Sea angling reports

News clippings

Other news

fishing
On the Shores of Lough Corrib, there is a lot on offer for the angler

Canney Commends Anglers who are respecting Covid 19 measures and helping to save lives

By
Sadhbh O'Neill
-

Canney Commends Anglers who are respecting Covid 19 measures and helping to save lives

Urges all to abide by Public Health Measures

Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries Sector has commended the action of the vast majority of anglers during the Covid-19 measures and urged all to continue to respect the current measures and #stayathome.

Minister Canney said that ‘angling is an activity that brings physical and mental benefits and can be practiced safely in these unprecedented times. I commend the vast majority of our anglers who have lead by example but I urge those all who wish to engage in angling to do so following the advice set out by the health authorities and reflected in guidelines set out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) on March 28th”. “I appreciate that anglers will be itching to get out on our world-class rivers and lakes but, if that involves travel, now is not the time – stay within 2km of your home”, he added.

The Minister emphasised that the current measures remain in place up to 5 May but that matters are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.

IFI angling guidance, based on public health advice facilitates anglers to fish while complying with Covid-19 social distancing, exercise and distance limitations which are enforced by Gardai. These guidelines remain in place.

The Minister advised that following various patrols and emergency call outs, IFI have confirmed that there is little angling activity taking place as anglers, like the rest of the population, #stayathome.

ESB closes its fisheries and a look back at better times – Irish Angling Update 09 April 2020

By
myleskelly
-

#Stayathome

Not much has changed since last week only that even more fisheries have closed for angling as everyone is intent on doing their part to stop the spread of Covid-19 and help save lives.

In addition to the closure of all IFI’s owned and managed fisheries, all ESB fisheries are now closed until further notice and permit sales have been suspended. ESB fisheries include the River Shannon catchment (including all fisheries in the Midland Fisheries Group), River Lee catchment, River Liffey catchment, Erne and Assaroe Lake. For more information see https://www.esb.ie/acting-responsibly/fisheries-2

Covid-19 updates

Keeping to the theme of last week’s update, here’s a look at how the fishing was going this time 6 years ago…

Irish Angling Update – 11 April 2013

The weather continues to be wintry with easterlies dominating forecasts coupled with heavy rain in places in recent days. A change is due and hopefully it will see spring take a proper hold, water temperatures increase and angling prospects improve. Having said that there were a few anglers who managed to connect with some decent fish during breaks in the weather.

Sea angling reports

Nice male skate 115lb
This male skate of 115lb wins Peter Catch of the Week

Some good charter fishing was reported from Dunmore East where a party of 8 anglers had 11 species including cod to over 10lb. At the other end of the country small boat anglers enjoyed greater success with a much smaller catch. Peter and friends fished a mark off the Maidens and landed a male skate of over 100lbs which wins Peter Catch of the Week.

There were a number of encouraging salmon reports over the last 7 days, but again it was all down to anglers making the most of lulls in the poor weather conditions. At Lough Currane there were days when fishing was impossible but some sea trout and salmon were reported including two fish landed yesterday evening to 14lb. Sea trout and salmon also featured on the Laune despite low water, though the salmon were of a smaller size.  On the River Bandon salmon to 17lb were reported including a lovely fish of 15lb landed in the town. Fort William on the Munster Blackwater enjoyed some great fishing with 10 salmon to 11lb to mark the start of April. Good fishing continued on the Slaney with a number of salmon reported and at Delphi despite fishing being very difficult with the level at ‘0’ on the scale, 3 salmon were landed.

Salmon fishing reports

Trout fishing reports

Cold winds and cold waters made fly fishing for river trout a game for the wets as there were few hatches of anything at all to tempt trout to the surface. Traditional flies in a team of 3 did well for one angler on the River Suir. On the River Liffey anglers using modern streamers had good fish, while nymphs accounted for some pretty trout on Cavan’s smaller waters. Black Minkies and Humongouses accounted for some good fish on Lough Sheelin, though  duckfly and tradional patterns did well where there was a bit of a buzzer hatch in the lake’s more sheltered corners. Some good trout were taken on Lough Owel and Robert Farrington fished a Silver Invicta to good effect, catching 6 fishing and winning the Jimmy Allard Cup.

Rainbow trout fisheries

Pike fishing reports

Double trouble in the pike world came in the form of twins John and Michael who had a number of double figure pike on the Shannon near Athlone. The pair had pike of 20lb, 18lb, 2 at 16lb and a number of more fish over 10lb. On the River Barrow conditions were tough last Friday with just jacks to show for the efforts of a father and son team.

Coarse angling reports

Coarse angling reports are still thin on the ground but good weights were recorded last week at  the Lough Muckno Easter Festival 2. The winner at White Island on Friday was Darren Fairhurst from the UK and Dublin with a 8.860kg net of mixed fish. The best weight from Section B on Black Island was taken by Rory O’Neill from Newry with 11.020kg.

The forecast is for unsettled and changeable weather over the weekend and next week, with temperatures recovering close to normal. Sunday should see the winds move into the southwest quarter, the change nearly everyone has been waiting for. Daytime temperatures will be as high as 14C next week there will still be frost at night

Tight lines,
Myles Kelly
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to contact@fisheriesireland.ie.

Headlines

News clippings

Other news

A Nice April Evening on Lough Muckno, Co. Monaghan
A Nice April Evening on Lough Muckno, Co. Monaghan

ESB closes all its fisheries until further notice

By
myleskelly
-

All ESB fisheries are closed until further notice and permit sales have been suspended.

ESB fisheries include

  • River Shannon catchment,
    • Including all fisheries in the Midland Fisheries Group
      • RIVER SUCK and tributaries.
        Lough O’Flynn, Lough Acalla, Hollygrove Lake, Stonehams Lake, Lough Lung, Blacks Lake
      • RIVER INNY and tributaries.
        Lough Sheelin, Lough Owel, Lough Ennel, Lough Derravaragh, Lough Glore, Louh Kinale, Bracklough Lough Patrick, Lough Iron
      • RIVER BROSNA and tributaries.
        Ballinafid Lake, Doolin Pond, McEvoys Lake, Sheever Lake, Slevins Lake, Mount Dalton Lake, Pallas Lake
      • LITTLE BROSNA RIVER and tributaries.
        Camcor River.
      • CAMLIN RIVER and tributaries.
  • River Lee catchment,
  • River Liffey catchment,
  • Erne
  • and Assaroe Lake.

For more information see https://www.esb.ie/acting-responsibly/fisheries-2

Want to go fishing this weekend? Read this first #Stayathome

By
myleskelly
-

#Stayathome

IFI angling guidelines that have been issued are to facilitate those that wish to take angling as their brief exercise while at all times following Government and HSE guidelines relating to social distancing.

IFI offers further clarification as follows:

  1. Fishing for a brief period means no more than an hour to an hour and a half
  2. Fish in a location less than or equal to 2km from your home
  3. Driving to fish is considered non-essential travel and therefore it is NOT APPROPRIATE for people to drive to a location whether within 2km or further from home for the purpose of fishing.
  4. Fish only where you have permission to fish  – do not enter into private fisheries
  5. Use only legal methods
  6. Where you intend to fish club waters, check that they are open for fishing ( even if they are within 2km, they may not be open).

Irish Angling Update 02 April 2020

By
myleskelly
-
Lough Sheelin

More and more clubs and fisheries are closing for angling as everyone is intent on doing their part to stop the spread of Covid-19 and help save lives.

As we all look forward to going fishing in the future, here’s a look at how things were going this time eight years ago…

Irish Angling Update 05 April 2012

It has been quite a week weather wise here in Ireland with the bright sunny warm weather at the start of the week followed by a very cold snap with snow, sleet, rain and hail and since then  much generally cooler weather with bright and overcast conditions at present.  Despite the changeable weather fishing activity coming up to Easter is wonderful with anglers enjoying very good fishing for most species in freshwater and at sea.  The only fishing which is slow is salmon fishing because water levels on most of our rivers and lakes are very low but that said I just heard that ten salmon were caught yesterday on Carrowmore Lake up in North West Mayo!

Lanesborough
Leigh Maitland at Lanesborough

At the start of the week, there was plenty of activity down in Lanesborough where coarse anglers had some terrific fishing with good catches of bream up to specimen size along with big roach who appear to be ready for spawning so early this year.  There was some excellent catches of tench reported there early in the week with some nice fish to 5.5 lb.  Up north the final of the float only league was fished last Sunday on the Roslea lakes and John Potters won the event with a nice catch of small roach.  Down on the River Barrow there was some wonderful bream fishing reported from the lower Graiguenamanagh area where catches up to 60 lb. a day were reported.

Mullingar pike specialist Mick Flanagan made the prize list – but didn’t beat the winning 106cm fish bagged by Frenchman Domnic Potoczy.
Mullingar pike specialist Mick Flanagan made the prize list last year – but didn’t beat the winning 106cm fish bagged by Frenchman Domnic Potoczy.

Pike anglers are looking forward to the Lough Key angling festival this weekend and the big international pike festival taking place on Lough Ree, where there were some good fish reported in the past week.  €20,000 of prize money is on offer for this popular annual international competition.  The Lithuanian Pike angling club had an outing to Lough Sillan last weekend and they enjoyed excellent fishing and all fish were returned safely.

A near specimen ling for Christy Lane deep sea fishing out from Courtmacsherry.

It is great to report at this time of year so much sea angling activity particularly offshore and well known charter skipper Mark Gannon reported some excellent deep sea fishing for his clients at Courtmacsherry.  One of his clients, well known specimen hunter Christy Lane from Cork caught a fine Ling of nearly 25 lb. and wins our Catch of the Week award.  Well known Welsh angling journalist, Mike Thrussell, supplied us with an interesting article on stingrays in British and Irish waters.  Charter skipper Siegy Grabher down in Valencia Island reported some fine fishing with good catches of Pollack, cod and coalies and many big basking shark were also spotted while fishing.  Charter skipper Luke Aston reported on good deep sea fishing for his clients out from Carrigaholt on the Shannon Estuary including cod to 10 lb. and mackerel in good numbers in mid water.  Similar catches were reported up in Mayo by skipper Donal Kennedy with cod featuring in good catches.  There were many reports this week of good bass fishing off the Wexford, Waterford, Cork and Kerry coastlines.

Salmon anglers are praying for rain in most parts of Ireland as water levels have plummeted to record levels for this time of year.  There were a few fish reported around but fishing is generally slow on most of our major fisheries.  On Lough Currane only two fish were reported for the week while up in Carrowmore Lake in North West Mayo sport was excellent with many salmon coming to the fly in the past week.  A few fish were reported from the River Moy and there was fish reported on the opening days of Beltra and on the Ballisodare River.  At Delphi a few fish were reported but the area needs water badly. Conditions on the Drowes River and nearby Melvin produced a few fish but generally higher water levels are needed and salmon anglers are praying for rain.

John Faherty with his 5lb Trout
John Faherty with his 5lb Trout

Trout fishing has certainly come to the fore on many lakes and even the rain starved rivers but fishing was generally good with good hatches of flies providing good sport for anglers.  Lough Ennell, Owel and Lene are fishing well with duckfly and other patterns working well.  The duckfly fishing is practically over in the great western loughs where some hatches of olives have been seen in recent days.  Anglers enjoyed good sport on Lough Conn in the past week.  Many trout anglers are trolling on Lough Derg but fishing was described as tough.  There were reports of good trout fishing on rivers in the Limerick area and up in the River Lagan and the Cusher.  Rainbow trout fishing is still very popular around the country and there were good reports from Cashel, lough na leibe, Lough Rowan and on the Annamoe trout fishery.

Finally over the Easter period if you are going afloat, be sensible please wear a lifejacket, – it is the law and enjoy the excellent fishing that Ireland has in abundance on loughs river and at sea,

Tight lines especially in Ireland

Paul Bourke

Angling Information Officer.
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Last cast for the moment at Watermill Lodge on Lough Erne in Co. Fermanagh

By
David Byrne
-
Pike Watermill Lodge Lough Erne
Adrien with a beautiful 23lb pike caught on lure at Watermill Lodge on Lough Erne Co. Fermanagh

Pascal Brissaud from Watermill Lodge in Co. Fermanagh was in contact with us over the weekend. He and Adrien one of his chefs at the lodge had a chance to have a few casts just before the new restrictions came into force on Saturday night. They were fishing lures off the jetty when a big fish smashed into one of the lures not far from the jetty. After a great fight the fish was finally netted and as you can see from the photo below it was a super pike in great condition weighing in at 23lbs and well over the meter. The fish was carefully released after a quick photo. It’s a nice last cast to and will keep the lads going until they get the chance to fish again when the current restrictions are eased.

Pike Watermill Lodge Lough Erne
Adrien with a beautiful 23lb pike caught on lure at Watermill Lodge on Lough Erne Co. Fermanagh

Something to look forward to
This might be a good contact to save for reference when we can all get back to our fishing. If you fancy some fishing on Lough Erne with Pascal Brissaud after all of this he can be contacted at http://www.bigpikefishingireland.co.uk/

Inland Fisheries Ireland appeals to farmers who will be land-spreading during the 2020 season

By
Sadhbh O'Neill
-

Inland Fisheries Ireland has issued an appeal to farmers to remain vigilant during the fertiliser spreading season to avoid water pollution and the loss of nutrients or other chemicals into rivers, lakes and other watercourses.

The appeal comes on the back of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s preliminary collation of fish kill data for 2019 which indicate that 20 fish kills were recorded nationally (a welcome reduction when compared with 40 fish kills in 2018). Inland Fisheries Ireland is also emphasising the significance of the EPA’s recent report on water quality in Ireland (for the period 2013 to 2018) which found that there has been an overall decline in surface water quality, especially in our rivers, for the period. This report identified nutrient pollution (primarily nitrogen and phosphorus) as the main problem impacting on our waters.

To prevent waters from being polluted by nitrogen and phosphorus when land-spreading, Inland Fisheries Ireland is advising farmers to refer to Good Agricultural Practice Regulations guidance (www.agriculture.gov.ie) which advises as follows:

  • Spread livestock manure and other organic fertilisers, effluents and soiled water as accurately and as evenly as possible.
  • Do not use an upward-facing splash plate or sludge irrigator on a tanker or umbilical system for spreading organic fertiliser or soiled water.
  • Do not spread organic fertilisers or soiled water from a road or passageway, even if the road or passageway is on your own holding.
  • Do not spread chemical fertilisers, livestock manure, soiled water or other organic fertilisers when:
  • The land is waterlogged;
  • The land is flooded, or it is likely to flood;
  • The land is frozen, or covered with snow;
  • Heavy rain is forecast within 48 hours (you must check the forecasts from Met Éireann).
  • Do not spread chemical fertilisers, livestock manure, soiled water or other organic fertilisers if the ground has a steep slope and if there is a significant risk of causing pollution.
  • When you are deciding whether there is a risk, you must take into account how close you are to waters, what condition the soil is in, the ground cover and how much rainfall there is or how much rainfall is expected.
  • Do not spread chemical fertiliser on land within 1.5 metres of a surface watercourse.

Farmers can get more information about these specifications or related buffer zones for spreading organic fertilisers from their adviser/consultant, the local Department office or on the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine’s website http://www.agriculture.gov.ie.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents of water pollution, fish kills and illegal fishing – 0818 34 74 24 or 0818 FISH 24. For more information on Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.

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