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Irish Angling Update 29 August 2025🎣

By
IFI Staff
-

After a fine spell of warm conditions in most parts, the weather finally broke in places last weekend as cooler, wetter weather set in and some rivers got their first proper flushes of fresh water since July. Even still, air temperatures were above normal across the country over the past seven days, with mean values between 15.7°C and 17.5°C. It will be cooler over the next week though, as temperatures may fall below normal, with mean temperatures of 13°C to 15°C expected.

The calm, clear weather made for some very comfortable fishing for sea anglers fishing offshore, with some excellent reports of a wide range of species caught. Small boat expert, Jim Clohessy, ventured out from Cork Harbour on a couple of occasions, with his main concern being that the weather would be too calm for decent fishing! He needn’t have worried though, as the blues were queueing up beside the boat. In West Cork, David Edwards of West Cork Charters reported similar excellent fishing for blues, but this was supplemented by specimen blue whiting, stone basse and the sight of huge numbers of dolphins feeding with many huge bluefin and hundreds of large Shearwaters diving into the maelstrom.

Before we leave Cork, special mention to young anglers Aaron and Adam who spent a day with Richie Ryan targeting pollack in Cork Harbour. Having never cast a heavy saltwater fly setup before, both lads took to it like ducks to water and proceeded to land some fine pollack – they win our Catch of the Week for their efforts.

Heading around the coast, anglers on the Clare Dragoon, skippered by Luke Aston, enjoyed some great reef and mixed fishing along the Clare coast, before the weather finally broke. In Galway, the Brazen Hussy II went out species hunting and skipper John Fleming reported plenty of pollack, ling, wrasse, sandeel, pouting, poor cod, scad and macks. In Donegal, Richard Farrow, from Omagh, caught his first ever tope while fishing from a boat in Lough Swilly. Further east, some accidental skate made for memorable fishing in Ballycastle for anglers fishing with Sean McKay.

From the competition scene, the All-Ireland Junior and Youths (under 16s and under 21s) Boat championships for 2025 were held in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal, over the weekend – congratulations to the young anglers there who qualified to represent their country in 2026. We also have a belated report from the 59th Newport Sea Angling Festival which was held on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, Thomas Moran taking the top honours in Clew Bay.

There were a number of shore based competitions too, starting in Wexford, where the Ringsend Irishtown Club were wary of weavers and the New Ross SAC fished a two day event on Hook Head. Also in Wexford, the Mick Kearney Open will be fished on Wexford beaches on September 14th and interested anglers should get in contact with the organisers. In Donegal, the ever-active Killybegs Mariners enjoyed some great fishing over the past week including some specimen painted rays and some fine bass.

In freshwater, there were a number of coarse fishing competitions and qualifiers held around the country and where better to start than at Gaulmoylestown, where young anglers hoping to qualify to represent Team Ireland in the Under 15, Under 20, and Under 25 categories in France next year took part in a four-hour match. On the Royal Canal, the 4th outing of the Leinster Qualifiers was held at Enfield, while in Leitrim, Ireland’s FeederKing held the seventh qualifier of their series, with three more anglers taking their golden tickets home for the grand final. The CM Lakelands Club were on the water once again, this time holding a club match on the Concra Wood section of Lough Muckno.

 

Pike fishing will improve with a drop in temperatures and there have already been some notable catches this week. Fishing with Tomi Guided Fishing, a father and son team battled the weather and landed 8 pike up to 106cm. Not content to just catch pike, Austrian guests of Angling Services Ireland scored a midlands hat-trick of pike, perch and trout on small lures – with some super fish amongst them.

We have very little to report this week from the salmonid department, with many salmon rivers experiencing very low water conditions and little incentive to fish them. We do know that the Galway Weir and Moy Fisheries have reopened today following a drop in water temperatures. On the loughs, there were a handful of salmon reported by trollers on Lough Currane, but that’s all for this week.

In trout fishing, Senan Stanley once again shows us how it’s done, with a nice instructional video on ultra light spinning for wild trout in small streams, well worth a watch. In Kilkenny, the PiscariFly team report that fishing was fantastic on the Nore, with plenty of quality trout on the move for dries and nymphs. Peter Driver also ventured high in the Comeragh Mountains to chuck a fly on the Sgilloge Loughs, where he found beautiful scenery and the absolutely stunning wild brown trout that live there.

On the stocked fisheries, the Dublin Trout Angling Association held a memorable day of fishing for budding young anglers at Laois Angling Centre. Fourteen youngsters turned out on the day with most either catching or hooking a fish, using fly fishing as well as bait fishing techniques – well done to all involved.

Finally, a reminder to sea trout anglers to take our online survey. By sharing your knowledge about sea trout, your observations will give us a better understanding of sea trout stocks around Ireland. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes.

Sea trout

And now the weather…

After some clear spells on Friday night, cloud will build from the southwest bringing rain by morning. Lows of 9°C to 13°C with moderate west to south winds.

Wet and windy Saturday morning, becoming widespread with localised flooding possible in strong southerly winds. Gales along Atlantic coasts with a clearance to sunny/showery spells through the afternoon, except in the northwest where longer spells of rain will prevail. Highs of 16°C to 21°C.

Breezy with spells of rain on Saturday night, heavy in the north with showery spells elsewhere. Lows of 9°C to 14°C with gusty southwesterly winds easing by morning.

Sunday and Monday will be breezy with a mix of cloud, sunny spells and scattered showers moving east – possibly bringing isolated thunderstorms in places. The best of the dry and sunny intervals will be in the east and southeast. Highs of 14°C to 19°C with fresh and gusty south or southwest winds.

Don’t forget to double-check the forecast before heading off, and if you’re going to sea, check the tides.

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

IFI Staff
Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update, please send it to reports@fisheriesireland.ie and don’t forget that all of our fishing reports are available on our dedicated Angling Ireland Facebook page.

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    Successful species hunt in Galway Bay

    By
    IFI staff
    -
    Lately, John Fleming, skipper of the Brazen Hussy II, went out species hunting in Galway Bay. Check out his report below…
    Mighty craic as usual with the @irish_out_going_pikers species hunting again.
    Specific targets on the day: few lads needed coalies, ling and cuckoos and bits and pieces for there species hunt which we ticked off their lists.
    In the earned we had plenty of pollack, ling, wrasse, sandeel and mackerel, scad, with some minis as well. There were also lots of pouting and poor cod around as well.
    We tried for a tope but unfortunately to no avail.

    Go fishing…

    To book fishing with John aboard the Brazen Hussy II, give him a call on 087 7571320

    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

    Address: Baile an tSagairt, Spiddal, Co. Galway.
    Telephone: +353 (0)87 7571320
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueSharkAngling

    Blue Shark Angling Galway,
    Phone John Fleming : +353 (0)87 7571320

    Great mixed fishing for the Clare Dragoon before the weather broke

    By
    IFI staff
    -

    Before the weather broke, anglers on the Clare Dragoon skippered by Luke Aston enjoyed some great reef and mixed fishing along the Clare coast including some fine ling best of over 1m, spurdog and plenty pollack in the 3 to 4 lb range.

    However, lately things changed somewhat and as a consequence fishing concentrated in the more sheltered waters of the Shannon Estuary. Due to big swells fishing became more difficult. However, a few fine rays and tope could still be caught.

    Go fishing…

    Clare Dragoon

    Clare Dragoon is a LOCHIN 366 powered by 650HP engine, skippered by Luke Aston and operating out of Carrigaholt Co. Clare…

    I have some offers up on my web site www.fishandstay.com and if anybody is interested in putting a trip together please do get in touch. Also I Twitter from the boat on @fishandstay and try to update my face book page www.facebook.com/CarrigaholtSeaAngling fairly often!To experience some of the best deep sea fishing available in Ireland contact Luke.
    Telephone: +353 65 9058209 or +353 87 6367544
    Email: lukeaston@eircom.net Web: www.fishandstay.com

    Pike of up to 106cm for guests of Tomi Guidedfishing

    By
    IFI staff
    -
    Predator guide Tomi Kurman of Tomi Guidedfishing is back on the waterafter the summer break. Check out his short report below…
    Finally we are back in action!
    Lately, father and son duo battled the weather and were lucky to land some nice fish. We ended up with 8 pike up to 106cm! Also, tonnes of perch kept us busy later in the day.
    Unfortunately the weather looks challenging enough for the next few days but we will do what we can…

    Go Fishing

    Tomi Guided Fishing
    To book a trip with Tomi Kurman, give him a call on +353 (0)85 7318541 or check out his Facebook page here: Tomi Guidedfishing

    Specimen painted rays for Killybegs Mariners

    By
    IFI staff
    -

    Killybegs Mariners members enjoyed some great fishing over the past week including some specimen length fish. Check out their short report below…

    A few more Irish specimen length fish for the Mariners this week with a painted ray of 80cm for Proinnsias Doherty and also a painted ray of 80cm for Ryan McGinley.
    Also plenty of bass going in between for Ryan Proinnsias and Dessie.
    There was also a new boat caught club record turbot measuring in at 40cm for Chris Whyte and some good shore fishing with a big shore conger for John Burke and plenty of summer mackerel along the shore.

    Latest news from Piscari-Fly including reports on the River Nore & Sgilloges Lakes

    By
    IFI staff
    -

     

    The lads from Piscari-Fly discuss some of the latest news from our lakes and rivers:

    How’s the Fishing

    It’s so hard to believe it’s the end of August and the wild trout season is working its way to the end. September can be one of the most productive months for trout fishing as they start to realise the long winter is closing in fast and the need to fatten up for the cold months is high. It’s now time to finish off that bucket list you made at the start of the season before we have to bid farewell to the trout, so get yourselves out there and fish.

    Over the last week we have seen slight improvements in the fishing, with a very small drop of rain over the last 24 to 36 hours coming into the rivers. It’s not bringing the rivers up much, but it’s freshing them up enough to liven things up a bit. With a mixed bag forecast for the rest of the week hopefully things will continue to improve and bring us all back out on the water. So with any luck, things will improve and make all the rivers and lakes fishable for the last few weeks of the season.

    The Nore

    Peter managed to get out Wednesday morning for a couple of hours on the river Nore. The fishing was fantastic with plenty of quality trout on the move for dries and nymphs. Throughout the morning there was a great hatch of flies and again with plenty of really good quality fish moving. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come, and the fishing is going to turn around a bit for the last month of the season. Keep an eye on the water levels but always with a view to keeping the fish safe, handle them as little as possible and get them back quick.

    TAFI National Youth Championship

    TAFI All-Ireland Youth Rivers and Lakes Championship takes place this weekend in Ulster. We would like to wish all our Leinster Youths as well as all the other youths well in the Championship and we hope it goes well for them and they have a great weekend.

    TAFI All-Ireland Inter-Provincial Youth Lake Championship 2025. Date: Saturday the 30th of August 2025. Location: Lough Deele, Co. Donegal.

    Assembly location: Convoy Enterprise Centre, Convoy, Co Donegal. F93 PX74 (54°51’25.3″N 7°39’35.0″W) Assembly Time: 07.00am onwards. Departure: 08.00am sharp.

    TAFI All-Ireland Inter-Provincial Youth River Championship 2025. Date: Sunday the 31st of August 2025. Location: River Dennett, Co. Tyrone.

    Assembly location: Donemana Cricket Ground,257, Duncastle Rd, Donemana, Strabane, Co Tyrone. BT82 OLR (54°52’36.6″N 7°18’29.8″W) Assembly Time: 07.00am onwards. Departure: 08.00am sharp.

    Sgilloges Lakes

    Peter ventured up the mountain to the Sgilloges lakes. In the Comeragh Mountains, were there are 15 permanent lakes to be found. Six of these are in the Nire Valley itself and they are collectively called The Nire Group. The Sgilloges are two of these six lakes.

    He went up on Sunday for something different and to get a bit of practice in catching small mountain trout with Dry flies which might come in handy for the European Championship in Italy in October. Peter and Ricky headed up together for the day. Leaving at 6am and they got fishing by 9am. They had a fantastic day up there and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the absolutely stunning wild Brown Trout. An absolutely beautiful day out on the water. Peter was just working a 10ft 6 weight and a 10ft 5 weight fly rod and the trout were caught on small dries and nymphs and mini lures, picking off some beautiful sporty trout.

    About us

    Based on the River Nore just outside Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, Ireland. Piscari-Fly is a growing Fly Tying and Fly-Fishing business with a vast amount of experience and knowledge. If there is ever anything I can do to make my service better for you please feel free to suggest it to me and I’ll gladly try my best to accommodate your requests. Thanks again. Peter Driver.

    Wild Stream Fishing for Native Brown Trout | Ultralight Spinner Adventure with Senan Stanley

    By
    Paul O'Reilly
    -

    Senan Stanley is back with another great instructional video on his YouTube channel. In his latest adventure, Senan explores untouched Irish streams in search of native wild brown trout. Senan treks upstream with an ultralight spinning setup — a 3g lure rod paired with a 1000 size reel — to cast barbless spinners into pristine waters that may never have been fished before. As ever, the beautiful, native trout that he lands are handled with care and released safely to fight another day.

    Senan has posted lots of great fishing videos up onto the channel and each one is full of great tips and tricks to help anglers figure out how to approach different Irish lure fishing scenarios – don’t forget to like the vid and subscribe to the channel!

    Ringsend Irishtown SAC wary of weavers during Master Angler at Clone Strand

    By
    Paul O'Reilly
    -

    Ringsend Irishtown Angling Club held the sixth leg of their Master Angler series last weekend at Clone Strand in Wexford:

    Seventeen anglers turned up on Clone Strand for the sixth leg of our Master Angler competition, with 14 seniors and 3 juniors taking part. Conditions were testing, as a strong southerly wind made the fishing slightly uncomfortable, though certainly not impossible. Fishing was from 6pm until 11pm, with high hopes for good catches as the light changed into the evening.

    From the first cast, fish were being landed, with gurnard and weavers making up the bulk of the catches. Some quality flatfish also showed, with plaice featuring among the returns.

    A highlight of the evening came from young Sean Kinsella, who was the only angler to land a bass – and he managed two of them, much to the envy of others who had been targeting bass without success.

    Fishing proved steady for some, slower for others, but one thing was certain: weaver fish were in abundance. Wayne Hamilton learned this the hard way when he was pricked while unhooking one, and James Kinsella also had a narrow escape. It was a timely reminder that extreme care must be taken with weavers, as their sting can cause painful and sometimes serious health issues.

    Surprisingly, as darkness fell and the tide pushed in, fishing seemed to slow dramatically. Theories ranged from tope hunting close inshore to simple changes in fish behaviour – but whatever the cause, some anglers were left scratching their heads and switching tactics in search of a last-minute sizeable fish.

    Results

    1.  Stephen Byrne: 12 fish, 231 points (An outstanding effort, particularly as Stephen was unwell on the day but still fished through it.)
    2. James Kinsella: 10 fish, 198 points
    3. Conor Clancy: 9 fish, 159 points

    Special Pools

    • Longest Roundfish: Mikey Byrne with a superb 95cm smooth hound – by far the largest fish of the day. Unfortunately, no photo was taken as Mikey prioritised a safe release before re-baiting and getting back into the action.
    • Longest Flatfish: Wayne Hamilton with a 26cm flounder – a great result considering he was nursing his weaver sting at the time!

    Despite the challenges, it was an enjoyable evening all around. Many had set off from a rain-soaked Dublin only to be greeted by sunshine in the sunny southeast, making the day even more memorable.

    Juniors

    A special mention must go to our junior anglers – Scott Andrews, Luke Kinsella, and Sean Kinsella – who continue to show great commitment by turning up to matches and giving the seniors a run for their money. Looking ahead to 2026, we hope to grow our junior section further, with plans for junior-only competitions and possibly a dedicated Junior Anglers Tournament. Encouraging the next generation is vital to keeping our sport alive and thriving.

    East Coast Sea Angling – Wicklow to Blackwater

    Perch, trout & pike for Austrian guests of Angling Services Ireland in Boyle

    By
    IFI staff
    -

    Angling Services Ireland are back on the water after the summer break and started in style. As the warm weather and low water conditions didn’t really suit going after pike, guide Bodo concentrated on other predators for his new clients Petra and Fritz. Thankfully the wider Boyle area provides numerous alternatives when pike angling becomes difficult or conditions don’t suit.

    The two Austrian anglers enjoyed some serious perch fish with fish up to 44cm, but also tried their hands on some light tackle lure fishing for trout and were rewarded with numerous trout to 52cm and even a few accidental bonus pike. All in all a great experience for Petra and Fritz which whetted their appetite for more predator fishing with Angling Services Ireland in the future.

    Go Fishing

    Bodo Funke, Angling Services, Ireland

    Pike, Game and Coarse fishing Guide

    Notes: Angling Services Ireland are based in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, in the North-West of Ireland, an area with many superb angling opportunities.

    The Proprietor Bodo Funke holds the Marine and Countryside Guiding Certificate (achieved with distinction) and his expertise and local knowledge will be to your avail when you go on a guided angling trip or angling holiday with Angling Services Ireland. Pike fishing, Fly-fishing for Pike, Game fishing for wild Brown Trout, Float- tubing, Coarse fishing. Salmon fishing and Sea-angling can be organised.

    Address: Angling Services Ireland, 3 Canal View, Deerpark, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
    Telephone/Fax::+353 71 9663580 or +353 86 6011878

    Email: info@anglingservicesireland.com

    Website: www.anglingservicesireland.com

    Mick Kearney Open – Sunday, Sept 14th, Kilmuckridge

    By
    Paul O'Reilly
    -

    The Mick Kearney Open will be fished on Sunday, September 14th on beaches in Wexford with the Upton Court Hotel acting as HQ for the event. Fishing time will be from midday to 4pm with check-in between 9am and 10.30m.

    Entry will be €25 for seniors, €15 for OAPs with juniors fishing for free.

     

    East Coast Sea Angling – Wicklow to Blackwater

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