Bangor Erris Angling reports for week ending 23rd June…
10 salmon caught 7 were released. A large number of seatrout caught most were released. Best was one of 3lbs caught by Mervyn Corway. The lucky anglers were M. Wood and his son Glen, Danny Verbessem from Belgium, E.Corry, V.Rigney, I. Pritchard and 9 year old Leo Reuland with his second salmon of the season.
Result of Seatrout Competition
1. Vincent Rigney
2. Ronnie Mayock
3. Colm Mayock.
Please note that Carrowmore Lake is a Brown Tag Fishery! For fishing on Carrowmore Lake contact Seamus Henry on +353 (0)97 83487 or visit www.bangorerrisangling.com
The Eire Bass guide Richie Ryan had a visitor from Canada recently. The guide takes up the story…
Those anglers who regularly read my diary contributions are aware of my concerns regarding the future of angling due the reduction in the number of youths taking up the sport. I have only one grandchild and thankfully he’s stone mad on fishing. A few years ago he was spotted by his parents with a piece of stick and a string down a drain. Now that’s what I call hooked on fishing!
The Ryan family had a reunion recently and Seán was super excited about fishing from grandad’s new boat. He lives in Canada and loves coming to Ireland for the fishing. He’s inherited the bug from both sides as his other grandfather Andy Newman is an avid angler also.
Sean Ryan with a good fly caught pollack
The first outing was to target bass. Some small schoolies were landed and released. My ambition on this holiday however was to get Seán hooked on fly fishing. We went for the easy prey, pollack. Initially my grandson was a bit too eager, stripping the fly line far too fast. Grandad had a few pollack on the fly at this stage and he asked to switch to spinning. My heart sank ! I subtlety suggested we continue with the fly a little bit longer. At last a reasonably sized pollack was landed and released by Seán followed by a few more. He was enjoying this fly fishing lark. To my disappointment the fishing was not as good as expected.
The next trip on the boat was about snorkelling but a quick cast with the fly rod was requested. Uncles Conor and Cian were on board as was Mark Cook from Australia. I could not believe it, beautiful pollack around the six pound mark were hooked and released in a frenetic 30 minutes of fly action. Only one small fish amongst a shoal of whoppers, some heading for the kelp and breaking us off in the process. A few trips for salmon with Andy after this proved difficult. On one occasion Seán asked after 20 minutes “Can we go out in grandad Richie’s boat now as we’re not catching anything here ? ”
A third and last trip on the boat was organised with the other grandad Andy Newman. The two of us watched in awe as the novice fly angler beat the pants off both of us. Seán was absolutely chuffed. On the last night of the holiday in Cork the sad end to a great trip arrived. With heavy hearts we waved goodbye to Seán as he headed off to the Blackwater with Andy for the last chance of a salmon. To our delight we were informed that grandad Andy had hooked a 12 lb salmon which Seán played and helped to land. What a way to end a holiday.
The rain finally came to South West Kerry with good floods in most of the rivers. Grilse and salmon caught on the Kenmare rivers, best fish 7lb by Cork anglers off the Sheen river.
3 salmon weighing 10lbs each caught by club members. 2 of the fish were caught spinning and 1 was on worms on the lower river.
1 sea trout up to 3lbs in weight caught and returned by Michael O’ Donovan.
Go fishing…
The River Ilen is a medium size spate river that fishes best on a dropping flood for both salmon and sea trout. Spinning, worm and fly fishing are the methods used and allowed on club water.
The river is beautiful and a joy to fish, pools along club waters are easily accessible with seats, steps and stiles put in place for the anglers comfort. With selective tree pruning done along the river in recent years fly fishing has become a more available option especially on the lower river with numerous pools opened up to suit fly fishermen, night time fly fishing for sea trout is a pleasure with great stocks of trout entering the river from April.
3 salmon for the week ending 23 June on club waters weighing 5lbs – 6lbs each on fly.
INNISCARRA FISHERY
2 salmon reported. local angler Paul Hanley had a salmon weighing 7¾lbs and an angler from Mallow had a salmon of 8lbs both caught on shrimp.
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.
For the week ending 23 June there were 3 salmon reported. The best salmon was 15lb, all were taken on shrimp. There was heavy rain over the weekend and the river rose by a foot.
Julian Smith’s salmon goes back.
Since then Jason Nash from the Bandon Angling Association has seen a lot fish moving. Many anglers have met salmon in the last few days. Unfortunately, more salmon have been lost than landed but that’s fishing! It seems that the younger anglers in the club have enjoyed the better fishing too. Water levels have dropped again but there is still some nice colour in the river.
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
Nick and Allan with some cracking Roach and Hybrids
Regular Belgium Anglers Jean-Pierre and son Nick and friend Allan were once again over in Ireland for one of their annual fishing trips at Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. When they arrived it was a case of dropping everything to the rooms and off fishing and later prebaiting.
Nick with a nice Bream from his catch
The guys have been so many times now I have lost count and know the waters well. Nick and Allan concentrated on the coarse fishing while J.P concentrated on his Pike fishing. J.P. managed some fish nice during his pike sessions and on the last day tried his hand at coarse fishing and was rewarded with a nice catch of Roach and Hybrids along with a nice Tench to finish the week off. As for Nick and Allan they had some great catches of Bream Roach and Hybrids.
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
John Diamond reports on the All-Ireland Smooth Hound Championships fished at Kilgorman at the weekend…
Over 40 anglers fished the Henrystackleshop.com All-Ireland Smooth Hound Championships in Kilgorman, Co. Wexford on Saturday June 22nd. Check in was at the Golden Anchor, and anglers arrived there from around Ireland to bright sunshine and somewhat unexpectedly warm weather.
The three zones were stretched across Kilgorman strand, and at 4pm anglers cast into the water, with most opting for crab and ragworm as bait. Some fish were appearing: flounder, bass, dabs, gurnard, weever, whiting,plaice, dog fish, and small pup hounds.
Toward evening it got much cooler, as the sky clouded over, but more fish were coming in. At 9 pm it was time to wind in our lines, and it was back to the Golden Anchor to record the scores.
In total there was 135 fish recorded on the cards handed back, 40 of the fish being smooth hounds.
Biggest Flat fish: Eamonn Bermingham and Darren Ryan – 28 cm flounder
Biggest Round: Keith Stafford – 29 cm gurnard
Eamonn Bermingham (right) being presented with his trophy by Sea Angling Ireland SAC chairman, Donal O’Neill
After all the cards were scrutinised it was found that the three longest hounds were of equal length.
After a tie break Rory McDowell was declared the All Ireland Smooth Hound Champion.
Rory McDowell (left) being presented with his trophy by Sea Angling Ireland SAC chairman, Donal O’Neill.
Thanks to everybody who attended, to Inland Fisheries Ireland for their support and for sponsoring the trophy.
We would also like to thank Henry’s Tackle Shop, who sponsor all our competitions.
We are very appreciative of the hospitality shown by the Golden Anchor for hosting the check in and prize giving ceremony.
Sea Angling Ireland SAC will host the All Ireland Cod Championships in Youghal on November 23rd. This Open will also be sponsored by https://www.henrystackleshop.com/
Full results
Junior Winner
Kaitlin De Kleer
Overall Match Winner
Eamonn Bermingham
Zone A
1st Marco De Kleer
2nd Gordy Hardman
3rd Jason Convery
Anton on left and Paddy on the right with one of his fine Blues
26 June: Inshore fishing has been throwing up good Pollack and occasional good Cod and Ling. Mackerel have increased in numbers and the wrecks are also producing.
Sharking is well under way now with good quality fish showing every trip so far. Yesterday saw the lads from Dublin bring 8 Blues to the boat with 5 on or over the ton, most were released alongside as was our second good Porbeagle of approx 150lb. Not up to last week’s cracker but brilliant to see and after many years shark fishing it was Paddy’s first. Starting to look like they are getting established again off West Cork.
David Edwards, West Cork Charters
Go fishing…
West Cork Charters operates the Silver Dawn, a 41′ Rodman 1250 with twin 430 HP Engines out of Courtmacsherry. The range of fishing found within close range of Courtmacsherry is superb, with trips producing anything between 6 and 15 different species as a norm and in excess of 20 is possible if anglers are prepared to change methods and use different baits and lures throughout their trip. As a rule mackerel, pollock, cod and ling are usually encountered but several species of wrasse along with whiting, pouting, coalfish, bull huss, conger and many more are often added to the catch.
If you do choose to head offshore to sample the superb shark fishing available within 10 miles of Courtmacsherry, there is a very strong chance of encountering blue sharks and an increasing chance of bringing a porbeagle shark to the boat.
19/6/19 All Salmon headlines comes from the North Shore at Waterville Boats Harbour and [email protected] Currane Gillie Mr. Eric Jouen, caught a fine 4 ½ lbs. Salmon on the troll and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind SW light to fresh with good cloud cover. Yesterdays weather maximum air temperature 15. 6 c.
20/6/19 There was a fine 7 ¾ lbs. Salmon caught on the troll by Cahersiveen and well known Currane Angler Dr. Jim Comerford. Apart from that Lough Currane was all quiet on all fronts, you could say the Currane anglers are on a low and nearly as low as the Currane Waters so its quiet understandable that the Currane Game Fish are a bit lethargic. Heavy rain this morning but didn’t last long and bright and sunny for the rest of the day, wind NW light to fresh. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 15.2 c.
21/6/19 Today’s action, well its all quiet on all fronts and if I have failed on today’s notes its because my mobile was also all quiet on the SW front. Wind light to fresh and was all over the place from the West to the South and veered Southeast. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 15.2 c.
22/6/19 In the words of a renowned Currane Angler it was very quiet out there and that’s in every department. Wind South first thing then veered Southeast with good cloud cover and that sums up today’s action. Yesterdays weather maximum air temperature 16.5 c.
Enough time for a quick photo and a safe release. #CPRSavesFish
23/6/19 Straight to the hired out boat department of www.lakelandshouse.com Currane C&R fly anglers from Dublin, Mr. Eamon Power and Mr. Dara Touhy, while fly fishing caught a fine Grilse and finished their Trip off with a fine 2 ½ lbs. Sea Trout, but that’s not their end of fishing escapade because in their backdate department they have had some good action considering the Currane Waters are low and even the Bull rock feels naked. So here is their full basket, they caught 5 Sea Trout and their smallest was 2 ½ lbs and biggest Sea Trout was well over 8 lbs and you could say it was the one that got away because this specimen Sea Trout had the last laugh after a great battle and as your man netted this fine specimen Trophy Fish it had one look at the Dublin anglers and one swipe of his tail he looked to the Heavens and jumped out of the net to freedom. I can tell you there were two upset Anglers because they couldn’t take a photo of this Cracker of a Sea Trout and to add salt to the wound the specimen Sea Trout took off with their cast and his last words were, may your flies be with you and as you can see by the photos they caught some good fish. Staying in the backdate department and we cut across the Lake to the North Shore and Waterville Boats and at [email protected] a regular Currane C&R Angler, be it Salmon or Sea Trout, yesterday caught a fine 4 ½ lbs. Grilse and a fine 1 ½ lbs. Sea Trout. Today’s wind SE fresh and overcast with light rain and heavy at times. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 18.c.
24/6/19 We start on the World Famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie Manfred from Germany, caught a fine 3 ½ lbs. Grilse while fly fishing with his gillie Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com on that good note we head down stream to the Big Lake / Lough Currane and we start on the South side, UK and Currane Angler Mr. Greg Murphy caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon on the troll, while fishing with his gillie Mr. Frank Donnelly of www.lakelandshouse.com and staying in the trolling department Local Currane Angler caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse. Wind W light to fresh, bright and sunny for most of the day. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 9 .2 mm. Maximum air temperature 16.8 c.
25/6/19 All Salmon action comes from the North Shore and the Bungalow. Killarney and Currane Angler Mr. Kevin Lavery caught a cracker of an 11 lbs. Salmon on the troll while fishing with his gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on all fronts. Wind light and variable and staying with the weather today the heavens opened and it was like tropical storms and to say heavy would be a understatement, it will be interesting to see the amount of rainfall that fell in tomorrows notes. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 18. 4
26/6/19Well talking of yesterdays tropical floods, it was mainly mountainous rain but officially its 10.4 mm of rainfall? on the South side of the Lake, the mountains were flowing and on the North side and the Commeragh River it did make a bit of a flood in mm terms you will have to go to a Lady’s wheelbarrow and it was full, so you can workout yourself how many mm of rainfall that is. Now today’s action, Currane Angler Mr. Peter Hughes, while C&R fly fishing with his Gillie, caught two fine Sea Trout both in the 2 ½ lbs class. Wind NE light and very warm and cloudy. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 20.1 c.
That is your ration from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts.
The Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust, formed by concerned volunteers in 2016, is one of the new Rivers Trusts to be set up in Ireland and is currently aspiring to Charitable Status. Its remit is to protect the fresh and coastal waters of the Iveragh Peninsula.
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
