Very little activity reported last week with unsettled weather conditions still contributing to low angler numbers in the catchment although a few fish were reported around Killavullen.
Water levels are improving and earlier in the week an early grilse was caught and released by an angler fishing on Blackwater Salmon Fishery water.
Robert with what is probably the first grilse of the season from the Blackwater
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:[email protected] 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: [email protected] Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Jérôme LECLERC with his first Pike also caught using Jerk bait
French anglers Yohan, Marc and Jerome who were on holidays with their families took three days out to try some Pike fishing around the area. Kevin from Melview Fishing Lodge was there guide on their first day to show them around the water. The guys came well prepared for all weathers which was just as well because conditions were not the best at times.
Marc AUDOUIN with one of his Pike on Jerk bait.
Braving the weather the first day saw them catch some nice Pike using Jerk baits, and on day two they were unable to fish because of high winds. Day three they went out on their own and using the same approach and managed to catch some nice Pike, the guys were great company and a pleasure to spend time fishing with.
Yohan BELLESSORT with his 4th of the day.
Thanks and hope to see you in Ireland again soon for some more fishing.
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.
29 April: Angling on Laune Anglers waters has been relatively slow for the month of April. Water levels were high for the most of the month but over the 2 weeks the fishing has improved and some good salmon have been caught including a fine fish of approximately 18lbs caught on the fly by club Secretary Danny Joy. There were also fish of 13lbs, 10.5lbs and several between 6lbs and 10lbs reported. Spinning has been the most productive method.
Seatrout fishing has been slow enough to date but there been some good ones caught up to 3.5lbs.
Spring clean 2019
On the 13th of April the Laune Anglers took part in the Kerry County wide clean up. Our members collected 18 bags of litter all sorts of waste such as tyres, traffic cones, old signs etc from the banks of the river Laune. Big thanks to all 16 members for their good work.
Prospects
Storm Hannah didn’t have much effect on the rivers level and it is currently at 1.29m on the gauge and dropping back again. There is some rain forecast for later tonight however it is unlikely to have much effect on the river so conditions should only improve as the week goes on.
Laune Salmon & Trout Anglers’ Association Permit Charges for 2019
€25.00 a day Up to 31st July. A 7 day permit €140.00. (Weeks Fishing.)
€35.00 a day in August and September. A 7 day permit €210.00. (Weeks Fishing.)
Fishing with a Member
€20.00 a Day to July 31st – Fishing With a Member
€30.00 a Day, during August and September – Fishing With a Member.
N.B. Permit Holder must be in the company of member when fishing. Members name must be printed on the permit stub.
Availability of Permits in August and September will depend on demand; number of permits sold may be restricted. After September 15th permit holders not allowed fish Charlie Johnston’s.
Permits Available From: Lander’s, Tralee – O’Neill’s, Killarney – O’Sullivan’s Shop, Beaufort Bridge – Billy Cotter, see below. – Michael O’Shea, see below.
02 May: We had 3 trout on the river yesterday. All caught in the morning when it was cloudy. The sun came out after 12 and there was nothing caught after that.
Today we have a heavy mist along the hills and if it keeps it up the water levels will be perfect for fishing. The temperature has dropped to 9 degrees because the wind is coming from the North.
If the water maintains the present level it should be good enough to fish.
There are approximately five miles of fly fishing along the main part of the Owenmore River in Kerry, with 33 named pools and an additional 180 acres of lake fishing in this Kerry beauty spot. The salmon, grilse and sea trout begin to run in April. The runs continue through spring and summer into early October.
24/4/19 It was a European day on Lough Currane today in the Trolling department so straight to the action and we start at the North Shore and Bungalow, Currane Anglers Mr. Jim Sayers and his good friend Sean from Spain, caught the fastest 10 lbs. Salmon so far this season because their rods weren’t out 5 minutes when their action started and so congratulations to Sean on his fine fish, Mr. Jim Sayers was also telling me they caught it on a Rapala. Now we head across to the South Side where Currane angler Mr. Dr. Reinhard Biniek of Germany and Lake Road, Waterville, caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon on the troll. For the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind SW light with reasonable cloud cover with the odd shower. Yesterdays weather, maximum air temperature 17.9 C.
25/4/20 All the action comes from the North Shore and the Bungalow, Currane Angler, Mr. Axel ZurBrugge of Germany and fishing out of the Butler Arms Hotel of www.butlerarms.com caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon while trolling with his gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and for the rest of the Currane Anglers it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind SW fresh and talking of wind SW Kerry is on an orange alert from Friday evening to Saturday early morning with gusts up to 130 kmh so its batten down me Hearties. Yesterday’s weather, Maximum air temperature 14.4 c.
26/4/20 Storm Hannah thankfully didn’t take control of the Currane anglers this morning as they headed out and hoping for some action and they weren’t disappointed. So we start at the Bungalow and at www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com Mr. Niall Howe and fishing out of www.curranelodge.ie while fishing with his gillie caught an 8 lbs. Salmon on the troll as Hannah gets stronger , but we will stay with Hannah and the trolling department and the Bungalow, Currane Angler Mr. Axil ZurBrugge and fishing out of www.butlerarms.com caught a cracker of an 11 lbs. Salmon on the troll , while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com and staying with Neil, People have been wondering why he’s down on the Salmon front? well Neil has been out for three months with a shoulder injury but as you can see he’s back with a bang and you could say three days fishing, two Salmon, at this rate lads he will be catching and overtaking and taking the lead on the Wild Atlantic Salmon count . Back to Hannah come lunch time Hannah won the day and Kerry is on a Red alert, will give you all the facts on Red alert in tomorrow’s notes.
27/4/20 Lough Currane was all quiet on the SW front and followed by a cold wind from the North and not forgetting storm Hannah yesterday, you could say the Big Lake / Lough Currane was shaken and no Salmon stirred toady. Yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 8. 7 mm. Maximum air temperature 11. 5C. Strongest Hannah gust 115 km/h .
One of 25 trout caught and released on Lough Derriana #CPRSavesFish
28/4/20 Lough Currane was all quiet on all fronts so on that note we head up stream to the upper Lakes and Lough Derriana and so we let Local Gillie Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com have the last say on today’s proceedings, On Derriana today fishing for brown trout with Declan O’Mahoney & Brian McGarvey from Bandon Co Cork got 25 plus all C&R Wind Southwest light with reasonable cloud cover, yesterday’s weather, amount of rainfall 3.0 mm. A maximum of 11.3C.
29/4/19 All the fly action comes from the North Shore, as does the photo and the same for the text that came with it and it sums up today’s Salmon action and I quote, 10 lb Salmon caught by Mr. Alastair Dunbar famous Scottish fly fisherman on his 1st day after arriving late last night from Scotland, he was put on the fish by top Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com Now we head for the C&R Sea Trout department, local Currane angler Mr. Steven Donnelly, caught a fine 3 lbs. Sea Trout on the troll, while fishing with good friend Mike. Wind SSE fresh to strong and overcast. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 2.7 mm. Maximum air temperature 13.2C.
30/4/19 Lough Currane Anglers were all quiet in all departments, be it fly or lure. Wind W light with reasonable cloud cover and just for the record it made a flood last night. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 18.3 mm. Maximum air temperature 12.7C.
1/5/19 It was another hard day for Currane Anglers and one could say, by the end of their day, they were in dismay on this first of May. Wind NW light to fresh with reasonable cloud cover. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 0.9 mm. Maximum air temperature 12.9C.
2/5/19 We start at the Bungalow and the North Shore and in the trolling department, Mr. Jonathan MacLean and Mr. George MacLean, caught a fine 9 lbs. Salmon while fishing with their Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com and last but not least a guest fishing with his Gillie also caught a Salmon. Now we head for the late News department, its been brought to my attention that I have been failing miserably in my reporting duties because I failed to report 3 Salmon caught in the last 10 days. In my defence if anglers wish to remain anonymous that is their privilege, but saying that in my opinion their letting down the Waterville Fishery and in the words of President Trump! The rumours saying I’m failing in reporting anglers catches is False News. Now today’s weather, wind SW this morning and veered NW in the afternoon and just for the record it made a good drop of heavy rain this morning. Yesterdays weather, amount of rainfall 0.4 mm. Maximum air temperature 12.7C.
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
New research published by Inland Fisheries Ireland has revealed how angel shark stocks have declined alarmingly in Irish waters. The study published in ‘Endangered Species Research’, includes long-term angling data which shows how stocks of this ‘Critically Endangered’ species crashed in the late 1990s and remain severely depleted today. An analysis of angling data over a 40 year period at two hotspots in Irish waters, Tralee Bay (Kerry) and Clew Bay (Mayo), reveals a sharp decline of at least 95% over the last 25 years.
Since 2000, only 20 angel shark have been recorded by Inland Fisheries Ireland with just one caught since 2011. This compares to an average of 65 angel shark tagged annually in Ireland by angling charter boat skippers for the IFI tagging programme at the peak in the 1980s. Between 1958 and 2016, a total of 1,261 angel shark were recorded with most of the fish (85 per cent) captured in Tralee Bay with a further 9 per cent captured in Clew Bay. The data for these historical hotspots for angel shark in Ireland are significant to international angel shark conservation efforts.
While angel shark were common in waters from Scotland to North Africa, they are susceptible to capture in commercial fishing gear and as a result, their populations have declined sharply. Their large size, slow reproductive cycle and tendency to live on the seabed mean they are vulnerable to capture.
Catch Per Unit Effort of angel shark over recent decades
Since the 1970s, Inland Fisheries Ireland scientists have been coordinating the tagging of sharks and rays caught on Irish recreational angling boats. The Marine Tagging Programme distributes numbered tags to skippers along with information and a logbook while Irish Specimen Fish Committee coordinates the collection of information of specimen fish caught in Irish waters.
Dr William Roche, study co-author and Senior Research Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The contribution of angling charter skippers to this programme has produced a dataset of international importance to marine conservation. Our analysis shows that catches of angel shark have declined to almost zero in both Tralee Bay and Clew Bay. However, there is still some hope for angel shark in Ireland, as there have been anecdotal sightings of the fish in recent years.”
Lead author Sam Shephard said: “The imperative now is to learn more about the species in its previous strongholds and in any new locations, and work to protect these critical environments. Inland Fisheries Ireland is keen to contribute to international efforts to safeguard this species.”
Charter Skipper, John Fleming was on to tell us that they finally had a few spurs on Galway Bay last week. Fishing with a group of lads from Dublin he steamed to their first mark and set up on anchor over a patch of mixed ground.
Bullhuss showed up firstAnother Huss
It was a slow start with a few huss for Chris and Alan Kelly. Eventually on the turn of the tide they got a proper hit and Darren Kelly got his first specimen spurdog with a length of 110cm and weight of 14.5lb.
At last a good spurdog – and a specimen too
Unfortunately things went quiet altogether after that so they changed mark for the flood tide. Once again they set up over mixed ground and waited patiently. John Mellerick had two good bites but unfortunately the fish which everyone was pretty confident were spurs spat the baits.
Bullhuss to 14lb to finish the day
Tom Lynch had a very good take at the stern and it ended up being a smashing huss of 15lb just shy of specimen.
Go fishing…
Blue Shark Angling
A regular day is between 9am- 6pm from either Rossaveal, Spiddal or Galway depending on species being sought after. Fishing on the inshore reefs for pollock, cod, ling, wrasse, conger eel and mackerel can be reached in 10 minutes from departure, while our offshore reef marks are within 45 minutes of departure. Our ground fishing for tope, spurdog, ray, bullhuss, turbot, plaice and the giant common skate can all be reached within the hour which ensures the most amount of time is spent fishing.
The shark season usually starts at the end of June and runs into late October, this is the ultimate angling adrenaline rush with these hard fighting blue and porbeagle sharks all being tagged and released safely.
Package deals available
Dan Humpy With Two Flounder on the North Co Dublin Beaches Over the Wekend
Local tackle shops are a great source of fishing information and on a visit to Anglers World in Navan this morning I spoke with Dan O’Callaghan who had been on a carp session in the north-east last weekend. As we all know, fishing can be tough by times and its great to have success especially when we get that special catch. Dan had been keeping an eye on the weather during his session but mother nature did not cooperate. Dropping pressure and low temperatures were not ideal. However, Dan persevered with hand feeding boilies into his chosen swim and eventually on the last evening got that all important bite and take. After a good fight from a well conditioned fish, Dan netted a beautiful 18lb carp. Well worth all of the effort. After a quick photo, the fish was released safely back to the water. If you are passing and need to know what’s happening locally why not drop in for a chat. Dan informs us that in addition to their range of pike, coarse, game and sea angling gear, carp enthusiasts will find a full range of specialist tackle in-store.
Anglers World, Balmoral Business Park, Kells Road, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. Tel: 00 353 46 9071866 www.anglersworld.ie offer you specialist fishing tackle products from around the world, Pike, Carp, Coarse, Sea, Game & Fly are all covered. Based in Navan,County Meath.
Email: [email protected] Web: www.anglersworld.ie
Declan Gibbons reports that sport on Corrib has really taken off lately.
The Lower Corrib Area is fishing well to buzzer and the Upper Corrib is fishing well to olives and mayflies.
In the Cornamona area The Cornamona & District Anglers Association hosted their Annual C&R Competition in Aid of The Galway Hospice, 60 Anglers recorded 145 fish with an average length of 38cms. winners on the day Mike Coyne & TJ Carroll with 13 fish for their day on wet flies. Longest Fish was 51cms and there was a tie for this category with Mike Keady & Cormac Dunleavy sharing the Prize.
Competitors in the Cornamona competition prior to setting off.
Cornamona C&R Hospice Competition Pairs Winners TJ Carroll & Mike Coyne (centre ) with Club Officers
Staying in the Cornamona area Tom Doc Sullivan http://www.tomdoc.com reports good fishing for the week gone by with Rory McCabe from Wicklow landing 4 fish on Friday last, John Mullins had 4 fish for his day.
Peter Cox from Dublin had 5 fish on dry olives for his day on Corrib and Richie Johnston had a lovely fish of 3Lbs on a golden olive bumble.
In the Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge 091-552550 reports of reasonably good angling and with weather conditions becoming more favourable predicting the angling to match it, all fish caught at the Lodge for the week were caught on olives and buzzer, On Easter Monday Mike Murphy from Shannon had 3 fish for his day, Jack Kingcade from Northern Ireland had 7 fish on Wednesday last with the best fish being 52cms. Thursday Martin Mullane had 2 fish for his outing and on Sunday Mark Kinnane had 2 fish for 7Lbs, Joe Murray had 1 fish for 3Lbs and Shannon angler Glen O Connell also had 1 fish for 3Lbs.
Staying in the area Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Boat Hire, Guiding & Self Catering 087-9604170 also reports of good angling in the area. On Monday last John Broadbent from Donegal had 3 fish on wets with the best fish being 2.5Lbs, On Friday last Kevin himself had 5 fish on wets from 1.5Lbs up to 3Lbs, On Saturday Kevin along with his Brother Eamon landed 2 fish with the best fish being 5Lbs. On Sunday last Jim Fitzsimons and his 2 Sons were trolling and landed 2 fish averaging a pound and both returned. Midlands angler Ian had 2 fish on the fly and Richard & Hugh McGuire had 7 fish for their day on Corrib with fish varying in size from a 1Lbs to 3Lbs.
In the Cong area Caolan McDonnell landed a superb fish of 9lbs on the dap.
Richard Molloy from Ballard Shore Boat Hire & Self Catering (tel. +353 87 2879339) reported that Joe Duff and a friend landed 10 fish to the boat in the Cornamona area, including 4 fish over 4lbs (all released).
Mary Miller from Lough Corrib Fly Fishing (tel.+353 (0) 89 4507 213) was also in touch with a great photo of Paul Smithson, who landed a fine 6lb 5oz trout while out with boatman Greg O’Donoghue. The fish took a size 12 epoxy buzzer in Ballindiff Bay. Mary reports that buzzer has been attracting plenty of fish, but wetfly fishing with mayfly patterns is also producing fish.
Ronan Cusack reports on an upswing in fishing on Lough Mask:
Mask continues to fish well over the past week with some excellent catches reported. Good olive hatches plus the odd mayfly have also begun to appear in some of the usual hotspots. Wetfly fishing along the shallows is still the most productive method.
Denis Kelleher and Phil Brooks had an enjoyable day over the weekend with 6 trout over the limit plus several undersize (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Tom and Neil Foley had 4 trout on Sunday and again numerous undersize on wets. Tom Doc Sullivan had a lively day on Mask last week landing 5 fish to 2lbs on wets. Ronan Cusack and Tim Hannon had a good evening on buzzer earlier this week with 6 fish up to 2.25lbs (all returned)
Fly hatches on Mask are just beginning to take off so pack your bags and head west.
Ronan Cusack with a well-made Mask trout of 2.25lbs
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![huss](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/hussbullhuss-480x640.jpg")
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![Competitors in the Cornamona Pairs competition prior to setting off.](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Cornamona-Anglers-Prior-to-Setting-off-480x360.jpg")
![Cornamona C&R Hospice Competition Pairs Winners TJ Carroll & Mike Coyne (centre ) with Club Officers](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Cornamona-CR-Hospice-Competition-Pairs-Winners-Centre-TJ-Carroll-Mike-Coyne-with-Club-Officers-480x360.jpg")
![Paul Smithson with a fine Corrib trout](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Paul-Smithson-with-a-fine-Corrib-trout-480x640.jpg")
![Ronan Cusack with a well-made Mask trout of 2.25lbs](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ronan-Cusack-with-a-well-made-Mask-trout-of-2.25lbs-480x640.jpg")
