Templemore Lake has banned keep nets at the moment due to low water levels and a spike in water temperatures in the Lake. Templemore Angling club are keen to mitigate against unnecessary fish distress. Tench fishing on the lake is doing quite well at the moment with weights being caught ranging from 4lbs to 7lbs.
Upcoming competitions: Unfortunately, Templemore district Anglers will not be holding the coarse fishing competition that was to be held on Saturday the 7th of July and Sunday the 8th of July. The decision has been made to postpone the competition until a later date due to unsuitable water levels, a rise in water temperatures and also, to mitigate against unnecessary fish distress. A later date will be rescheduled.
Fish care in hot weather. We would kindly ask all Anglers to be mindful that water levels are quite low on most water courses at the moment and because of this fish can be more easily stressed. Using keep nets unnecessarily may cause fish fatalities.
Bio Security: As always, we would kindly like to remind all who use Ireland’s watercourses to please use appropriate biosecurity measures for themselves so to help prevent the spread of invasive species in and out of the water.
Water Safety: The Carrick staff would kindly like to remind all about the importance of using Life Jackets in and around water as they really do save lives. Adequate Flotation devices should always be worn and it especially sets a template regards water safety where younger Anglers are present.
“Take only memories, leave only footprints”. The Carrick staff would like to ask all who are using the water courses in the area to be mindful of littering and to please use bins provided or take home their rubbish.
Sun Safety: As Ireland is currently enjoying one of the warmest summers in decades we are advising Anglers and all who use the water courses in the SERBD to use adequate sun protection and cover up where possible. It is not advisable during these hot days to spend prolonged periods of time exposed to the sun, especially in or on water.
27/6/18 Raging hot again this day on Lough Currane so as you can imagine the Currane Anglers were praying and hoping for a bit of Wild Atlantic action but sadly all wild fish were in deeper waters as the Currane anglers were sweating out above. Now an important Notice so please click this because it is very important for the Waterville Fishery.Wind light to calm NW. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 26.6c.
Peter
28/6/18 Straight to the action and we start at the Bungalow, Mr. Peter Thomson of the UK caught a fine 6 lbs. Salmon on the troll while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Neil O’Shea of www.oshealoughcurrane.com Now we head for the evening shift, Swiss angler Mr. Markus Hodel and fishing out of http://www.butlerarms.com/ caught a fine Salmon / Grilse in the 3lbs. Class, while fishing with his Gillie. Considering the hot spell, one can say without any fear of contradiction the Currane Anglers did well. Wind SE. Yesterdays’ weather, maximum air temperature 28.2c.
29/6/18 All headlines come from http://www.butlerarms.com/ and their guest, Swiss angler Mr. Markus Hodel. Markus caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse while trolling with his Gillie and at http://www.butlerarms.com/ and for the rest of the Currane anglers it was all quiet on the SW front on this hot blazing day. Wind W light to fresh and bright sunshine all day. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 28.4c.
Butler Pool
30/6/18 The Lough Currane anglers are getting over heated as the heat wave takes control, now we look at the fishes point of view, as the Currane fish look up from the bottom, if to say you should be down here with us and you would know what it is like with the lack oxygen, at least you anglers drink your water to stop dehydration so you know what you can do with your flies and lours. Wind W light and very warm and in the shade about 26c ? taken with an old thermometer, with hazy sunshine. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 25.4c. On that note I will leave you with a few photo of fly anglers trying their luck on the World famous Butler Pool and at www.watervillegolflinks.ie
1/7/18 Hot weather set to continue as the Currane anglers get baked again and sadly there was no smoked Salmon today and as the water level is getting critical which is no surprising because amount of rainfall for June was 39.2mm, facts are from Met éireann. Wind E, strong, sunny and warm. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 22.1c.
2/7/18 Swiss angler, Mr. Markus Hodel and fishing out of http://www.butlerarms.com/ takes all the trolling headlines on Lough Currane today and for good reason, while trolling with his gillie, caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon. Now for the rest of the angling news sadly it was all quiet on the SW front. Wind E light and very warm again this day. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 18.9.
3/7/18 All Quiet on a sweltering SW front on the early shift but it was a different story on the late night shift and again it’s Swiss Angler Mr. Markus Hodel and fishing out of http://www.butlerarms.com/ takes all the trolling headlines on Lough Currane this evening while fishing with his Gillie, caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse. Wind SW light to fresh with bright sunshine all day. Yesterday’s weather, maximum air temperature 23.9.
The overall aim of the project is to reward farmers for improving the local environment with a view to ensuring the long term survival of freshwater pearl mussels in Ireland. The scheme will be open to farmers across eight priority catchments in counties Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, and Donegal. Most of the Cummeragh catchment at Waterville has been designated one of the eight ‘priority’ catchments.
Parr and pearl mussel
Why is this good news?
Freshwater pearl Mussels, one of our catchments Key Species, have until relatively recent years, maintained healthy populations, particularly in the Cummeragh river. Water Quality in the catchment has declined over the last few years largely from a combination of factors including; siltation of streams from changing land management practices, increased nutrient run off from the land resulting from increased stocking and climatic changes and lack of protection of riverside habitat among many more. All of these issues are to be addressed by the project.
It is not widely understood that there is an essential synergy between our key salmon and sea trout populations and the freshwater pearl mussel in our streams. The mussels, a long lived species often exceeding 100 years in age, spawn in the early summer each year and produce tiny larvae called ‘glochidia’, which are broadcast into the water column. These ‘glochidia’ find a host in the gill rakers of salmon and sea trout as they migrate up the catchment. As the salmonids eventually reach suitable spawning habitat far up the system, the ‘glochidia’ drop out of their gills and into the gravels to grow into Freshwater Pearl Mussels and start their downstream journey over again.
Lifecyle
In short, the objective of improved in-stream habitat, with good, clean, silt-free water with low nutrients will be equally beneficial for our beleaguered salmonid species. What is not yet clear, however, is how the project will address the problem of the lack of sea trout ‘glochidia transporters’ migrating into the catchment. It cannot be ignored that the the year on year decline in the salmon and sea trout stocks migrating must surely be contributing to the lack of recruitment to the stocks of Pearl Mussels which has been noted in the catchment over the last few years. To put this into perspective: when the Fish Counter on the Butler Pool was first installed in 1994 it recorded over 35,000 (Marine Institute figures) sea trout entering the catchment. In 2017 just 2,862 (IFI figures) ran through the same counter.
We must not forget that the proposed habitat improvement for Freshwater Pearl Mussels should not just focus on the freshwater environment. There are also very serious related problems to be addressed in our inshore saltwater environment!
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
Padraig Carroll, from our base in Birr, reports that last night Tullamore and District Anglers held the second of their summer junior coarse angling competitions. Conditions were warm with a cool breeze and some good bags were weighed in.
Oisin Carroll with another fine tench
Results
1st Oisin Carroll
2nd Jade Lawlor
3rd Millie Lawlor
Jade and Matthew Lawlor with their fine catch
Also prize winners on the night were; Jade Lawlor, Millie Lawlor and Christopher Leavy
The competition will run for 7 weeks on Tuesday evenings with check in at 6.30pm and fishing from 7pm to 9pm at Parse Park, Tullamore. All are welcome and entry is €10 euro and this covers all competitions.
Low water and very bright conditions are making fishing tough for West Cork’s salmon anglers…
RIVER ILEN
One fish for the week from the Ilen River, weighing 5lb landed on a lure.
BANTRY RIVERS
No fish reported from the Bantry Rivers, water levels remain very low.
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 landed for the week at the Kingsley Weir, best was 5lbs, all landed on shrimp on very low water.
INNISCARRA FISHERY
No catches reported.
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.
There were 2 Salmon reported last week on the Bandon river. The river is very low at present.
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
On Friday 29th June a party of anglers set out from Killala harbour for a day’s fishing out in the bay. The weather was perfect with sun and light winds. Various drifts over rocky bottom produced a multitude of species including ling, pollack, ballan wrasse, pouting, cuckoo wrasse, poor cod, and spurdog. Later in the day, drifts over sandy ground produced plaice, dab and the ever present lesser spotted dogfish. All in all a nice day’s fishing with over 10 different species caught!
To book a day’s fishing in Killala Bay contact Donal Kennedy on +353 (0)86 8174509 or visit www.dkennedyangling.ie.
The weekending 01 July was a very challenging time on the Moy as the sun blazed down. Despite the bright conditions 245 salmon were reported caught across the system. Most of the fish were caught early morning or late evening. Water temperatures have remained below 14C to date.
Steve Hazeldine, Ridge PoolMelquiades Alvarez. Ridge Pool.
Among those who did venture out on the Moy Fishery and were successful were Tristan Bayard France 7.25 lbs on fly – Ridge Pool, Romeo Zottie Switzerland 7 lbs on fly – Ridge Pool, Melquiades Alvarez Spain 3.75 lbs on fly – Ridge Pool [Photo], Steve Hazeldine UK. 3+4 lbs on fly –Ridge Pool [Photo] Serigo Breton Diez Spain 4.75 lbs on fly – Weir Pool, Rob Malcolm UK. 3 salmon on fly, 1 released – Weir Pool.
Dr Richard Wallace at Forxford
Upstream John Tobin, UK, had a 4+lbs salmon on prawn at the Coolcronan Fishery. Patrick Zolliker, Switzerland, caught 2 fish 4 lbs each on Bubble & Fly at Gannons Fishery. Dr Richard Wallace had 2 fish on Bubble & fly at the Foxford Fishery. Graham Horlock, UK, had a 5lbs salmon on worm from Cloongee Fishery. Herve Quentin, France, had a 3lbs grilse on fly, released off East Mayo Anglers.
While the good weather is forecast to continue temperatures will not be as high as last week and with some cloud cover conditions should improve.
How’s the river doing? Check the Ridge Pool Webcam
Axel ZurBrugge with his ghillie Neil O'Shea and a nice salmon
Bass guide, Richie Ryan, in Cork Harbour, swopped history lessons for bass and pollacking tips at the weekend. Richie takes up the story…
I recently got a call and the guy on the other end asked is that Jim the bass guide? He said he had met me at an angling show in Dublin. I was perplexed. Turns out Jim Clohessy had given him my number. Thanks Jim , I owe you a pint ! And this is how I got to meet Karoly Gyorfi from Transylvania. I know everybody immediately thinks Dracula and Vampires, but as I discovered , there’s a lot more to that beautiful country. I got an extremely interesting history lesson from him, my favourite subject.
small bass were plentiful on day 1 #CPRsavesfish
Karl was happy to try a mix of bass fishing and pollack on the fly, my kind of client. If bass fishing isn’t working then the angler at least gets to bend a rod. The first day was too windy to venture too far so we concentrated on bass. A small bass on the first cast got our spirits up but day one only provided a few bass, all small. I saw the bass guru Andy Davies complaining on Facebook that he was being plagued by schoolie bass, a good complaint I responded.
A change of tactics selected a better bass. #CPRsavesfish
Day 2 was quite windy but forecast to drop off. Again a few small bass to start. Time to change tactics. Karl had said he caught a few pike off the surface so that was good to hear. It can be very frustrating watching a client learning how to use a surface lure and not quite getting the hang of it, particularly when you know the bass are there. From the first cast I knew he had the knack. A smash at the Lucky Craft Sammy was welcome. No connection though. Then it happened, a huge lunge at the lure and a shout of excitement, fish on! I knew this was a big bass. The sense of excitement for client and guide was palpable. I could see we had a dearth of water under my boat so I had to manoeuvre away from the fish but Karl was playing a blinder. Then the unthinkable happened, the bass got stuck in a large clump of weed. I moved the boat closer which fortunately spooked the fish out of the weed. “Keep his head up” I said. Net ready this beautiful bar of silver was gently placed in the net and then on the deck of Sea Hawk. Over 70 cms and 8.5 Lbs , Karl was shaking like a leaf. Giving the bass a small while to recover, he swam away with vigour.
Pollack on the fly was the next lesson – #CPRsavesfish
Since I started the business, I have rarely seen anyone enjoy catching a fish as much as this man from Transylvania. A lesson in fly fishing for pollack as promised, another good session, with the inevitable mention every so often by my guest about that fish. Karl said he’d definitely be back some time. After that experience, I don’t doubt it.
10lb 6oz specimen bass for specialist angler, Pat O'Shea
Darren O’Rourke had his first bass fishing a favourite mark on the east coast last week…
I landed a smashing sea bass off a beach in Wexford last week. I returned it to the sea without weighing it as I had no scales, but it measured just under 2 feet.
Darren with his first bass – nearly 60cm long.
Weather was warm, about 17 to 18 degrees and I had started fishing about 21.30. The tide was in and the sea was very calm. I was fishing with a 1 up and 1 down rig with refrozen squid from two weeks ago (really bad smell as my van stills smells a week later!). My first cast was out for about 45 minuets I got one tap on the rod missed it. I recast out and landed it on the sand bank where the water is about 3 to 6 foot deep on the top of the bank depending on the tide. Within a minute the rod bent over, I took up the rod set the hook and at first I tough a seal took my bait! The line ran out uncontrollably and up and down the beach it took 10 to 15 minuets to get in as I was using light line – 10 lbs. I couldn’t believe my luck when it came up on to the beach – my first bass. WE got a couple of photos and sent it off on its way again.
I didn’t catch anything else that night. Not many people go where I fish and there was no one else fishing that evening but me and my 9 year old son. I have been fishing that area for two years on the weekends, usually in the evening to dark in all type of weather. Using mostly ragworm and squid I have caught a lot of fish on the beach – dogs , smoothies, flounder, eels, whiting etc but that was my first bass.
