Irish Angling Update – 11 July 2019
In most parts of Ireland it has been a pretty dry month so far, and the last week has seen many rivers drop even lower. There have been showers in the last couple of days but not enough to freshen things up. In many places the rivers are on their bones. Salmon anglers have been worst affected as, to be fair, trout, coarse and pike anglers have had some good fishing. The fine, settled weather has really suited sea anglers though and there are some great charter and small boat fishing reports in this week’s Irish Angling Update…
Salmon anglers in most places are doing their best to cope with low water. And in many places water temperatures are rising towards 20C, so Catch and Release anglers need to be aware that the chances of successfully releasing a fish are less as we get into this warm water zone. Anglers on the Drowes did pretty well last week all things considered and to be fair the fish played their part too as fresh grilse pushed their way up the river. Once they reach the lake though the take seems to be gone out of them. Elsewhere in Donegal the rivers, nearly all spate systems, saw little action though there were a few fish landed on the Owenea. At the other end of the country the Bandon had a few salmon reported following a bit of rain there, but most other rivers in the south west were unimproved by whatever bit of drizzle, showers or mist fell. The Munster Blackwater is seeing a few grilse caught, but again the river needs more rain.
Lough Corrib is in a lull at the moment with just some Caenis fishing activity to report. At this time of year the trout are zoned in on coarse fish fry and reluctant to take a fly. Watch this space, however, as the second mayfly hatch will get under way in the next couple of weeks. It’s a similar story from other lakes across the midlands and northwest. Any of the rivers that have water are providing some decent fishing on the evening rise, and the Nore is still seeing some good daytime fishing too when the conditions are not too bright. Stocked lakes like Lene, Carrigavantry and Knockaderry are producing some good fishing. A couple of quality rainbows can make up for a lot of blank days on a wild fishery.
Not too much to report from the coarse angling side of things this week. The conditions are very suitable for evening sessions after tench and bream, and deeper swims should still be fishing well enough during the daytime too.
Pike anglers often take a break during the summer months, but this can be an exciting time to target this rewarding quarry. Explosive top water action can be breath taking, but don’t forget to play them to the net quickly and make sure you allow your prize to recover fully before releasing carefully. Pike are very sensitive to oxygen levels in the water during these warmer months. Good fishing is being reported from venues in Cavan, Longford, across the midlands to Roscommon and into Galway. Once again many find the early morning and evenings most productive.
We will go straight to the Catch of the Week here. Well done to Amy Kennedy. Amy is already a seasoned angler with a huge breath of experience under her belt. Enough to put many senior anglers to shame. She is no stranger to the Irish Angling Update and with her capture of a huge common skate she is back in our reports again. Anyone who has not seen the video of her catch is in for a treat. Fearless and fabulous, she is one of our most deserving Catch of the Week winners…
In other sea angling news we have reports of specimen spurdogs off Waterford, loads more action off the Cork coast, and great reports from Clare, Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Wicklow.
Finally all anglers are being asked to stay vigilant for salmon that are not salmon, salmon that are not well and crayfish that are dead or dying. If you are moving between river systems please ensure you Check, Clean and Dry to reduce the risk of spreading invasive species or the viruses and bacteria that cause fish diseases.
And now the weather…
Saturday will be dry with bright or sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 17 to 23C with mostly light northerly breezes, coolest in the north and warmest in the south. Saturday night will be dry with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 11C. Sunday will be warm and dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 20 to 25C and mainly easterly breezes. Monday is much the same, but evening showers or longer spells of rain will move up from the south. The good news for those worn out from the rain-dancing is that Tuesday will be a very showery day. Some of the showers will be heavy with a risk of thunder and spot flooding. Well done to all who put in the effort! It will be cooler also with highest temperatures of 17 to 20C and mostly light east to southeast breezes. Wednesday will bring a mix of sunshine and showers also with highest temperatures of 18 to 21C. Current indications suggest that Thursday and Friday next will be warm, but unsettled with rain or showers at times and temperatures in the low twenties. That’s a bit more like it.
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 [email protected].
Headlines
Salmon angling news
- River Bandon Report
- Munster Blackwater Report
- Anglers waiting for rain on Owenea
- Levels low but anglers beat the odds as grilse run the Drowes
- Grilse run underway on the Erriff as anglers await the rain
Trout fishing reports
- Knockaderry and Carrigavantry Fishing Well for Evening Rise
- Predator Competition sees big fish on Mask in difficult conditions
- Some lovely summer fishing on Lene
- Lough Owel dead low, some trout caught on fry patterns
- Caenis the only sport on Corrib as summer lull arrives
- Great trout fishing and a sea trout for Nore anglers
- Decent hatches on Melvin but trout a bit picky
Coarse angling reports
Pike Angling Reports
- Good midlands river fishing for Newbridge pike anglers
- 159 pike caught and released at weekend’s All Ireland qualifier
- First Irish Pike Trip for Dutch Angler at Melview………
- Pike Fishing Best at Dawn and Dusk in Co. Cavan
- FIPSed 25th European Coarse Angling Championships – Report
- Big Pike to Big Lures on the Shannon
Sea Angling Reports
- Summer bass patterns establishing themselves in West Cork
- West Cork Charters Silver Dawn busy at sea
- Aaron Kettrick wins 2019 National Junior Sea Angling Competition / Daniel Peacock Memorial
- Clare coast charter boats getting lots of great fishing
- Sharp hooks make the difference for winner at Ennerielly
- Courtmacsherry producing specimen species for anglers
- Spurdogs send Shock Waves through Waterford
- Cracking fishing on Galway bay over the last week
- Little lady lands serious skate
Other news
- Bass and Salmon courses with Ken and Jason
- Inland Fisheries Ireland appeals for vigilance for presence of non-native species in Irish waters
- Appeal to anglers and fishery owners to report incidences of salmon with red rash disease
- Fishy Fun at the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History for International Year of the Salmon
David Norman is a Clonakilty based Bass Fishing Guide and Coach specialising in Shore Based Lure Fishing & Workshops.
