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First Bluefin Tuna of the 2025 season tagged in Donegal Bay

By
Shane O'Reilly
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First tuna of the year for Adrian Molloy

Well-known Bluefin Tuna skipper Adrian Molloy of Tuna.ie, fishing out of Killybegs, tagged and released the first Bluefin of the 2025 season on 24th July. As an authorised skipper under the Tuna Chart Data Collection Programme, Adrian and his angling clients were fishing in the middle of Donegal Bay and hooked the 195 cm fish. The fish was brought alongside Adrian’s boat and was tagged in the water before being released, following a short recovery period. Further south, in the Valentia area, authorised skipper Tony Santry hooked and played a Bluefin yesterday for about 5 minutes before the fish was lost.

Tuna CHART (CatcH And Release Tagging) is a bluefin tuna scientific catch and release fishery. In 2025, a maximum 22 authorised sea angling charter skippers have been authorised to catch, tag and release Atlantic bluefin tuna in Irish waters under the programme.

In 2024, 294 Atlantic bluefin tuna were caught, tagged and released as part of Tuna CHART. Authorised skippers undertook 234 bluefin tuna angling trips. In the most successful week last year, 3 bluefin were caught and tagged per trip.

Go Fishing…

You can find a list of authorised Tuna boats here:

Authorised Bluefin tuna boats

Huge bream feature in anglers catches on the Shannon

By
Shane O'Reilly
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Enough slabs to build a wall there...

Athlone-based angling club, the MADCAPs, have a 2-day festival coming up over the bank holiday weekend, and with that in mind, they held a practice knock-up for 10 members on the river. They had some fantastic fishing, with first place going to Gus Green with a super net of 97lb 6oz, made up of a number of large bream to 9lb 10z and a perch of 2lb 6oz. They are super fish by Irish standards, and it goes to show that the quality bream haven’t all gone away!

Gi Fishing…

Athlone Coarse Angling Centre

 

Angling activity still low on Conn & Cullin but a few trout caught

By
IFI staff
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Goran Roche releasing a nice fish back to Lough Conn

Michael Murphy reports from Loughs Conn & Cullin…

Angling activity still remains quite low on the lakes. Peter Roche reports of being out on Friday last 25th July with his grandson Goran who landed a nice 1.25 lbs trout to a Green Peter, followed by two more trout to the wet fly. All fish were released back to the water safely.

Tom Timoney and Johnny Warren rose many fish to wet flies on Friday also but found more difficult conditions on Saturday.

Eamon Kelly and three colleagues reported good fishing on Friday and Saturday with five fish between them to measure over the two days, mostly to wet flies but one good fish to a dry Daddy Long Legs.

Some more salmon reported from the Moy

By
IFI staff
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Sunrise on the Ridge Pool (Photo by John Howley)

Michael Murphy reports from the River Moy…

River Moy Angling Report – week ending 27-07-2025

Water levels at Ballylahan dropped slowly but steadily from 0.76 m on Sunday 20th July down to a more seasonal 0.37 m by Sunday 27th July. Weather wise the past week was drier than normal nationwide. The week ending 3rd August will be mixed with some showers and drizzle at times, but a good lot of dry weather on the way from Thursday afternoon until Sunday night and becoming more unsettled thereafter.

Moy Fishery

The angling boat is now available on the Lower Beat which comprises of Polnamonagh, Spring Wells and the Ash Tree Pool. Permits can be secured by contacting the Moy Fishery office at 096 21332 or by email at [email protected]

Ballina Salmon Anglers

Peter reports twenty-four salmon caught for the week on the worm, spinning and fly with weights from 3 lbs to 5 lbs and the best weighing in at 6 lbs.

Mount Falcon Estate

Mike reports of twelve salmon caught for the week using all methods.

Knockmore Salmon Anglers

Kenneth reports of seven salmon caught for the week on the worm and prawn with weights from 3 lbs to 7 lbs.

Attymass Angling Club

Kevin reports of two salmon caught for the week on the prawn.

Coolcronan Fishery

Nick reports of five salmon caught using all methods.

Byrnes Fishery

Roy reports of four salmon caught for the week all on the prawn with the best weighing 5 lbs.

Gannon’s Fishery

Pat reports of five salmon caught for the week mostly on the prawn with weights up to 6 lbs.

The Foxford Fishery

Granville reports of six salmon caught for the week of which one was released, mainly caught on the worm with the heaviest weight being 6 lbs.

Foxford Salmon Anglers

Harry reports of six salmon caught for the week using all methods with three of these coming off Rinnaney.

Foxford Town

Reports were received of three salmon caught for the week and water levels just coming nice after recent elevated levels.

Cloongee Fishery

Three salmon were reported caught for the week on the fly of which two were released.

Anglers are reminded that they must make a “Catch/No Catch” return on the blue duplicate of their permit and place in the catch return boxes located in the two car parks. Catch/No Catch returns can also be made by email to [email protected]

East Mayo Anglers Association

Kathleen reports of eighteen salmon caught for the week of which eight were released. All methods working well with most weighing 3 lbs to 6 lbs.

Super Croneen fishing from the midlands with Johannes Bulfin

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

Angling guide Johannes Bulfin reports on some super Croneen fishing in the midlands:

“The Croneen fishing has been really good this summer. I’ve put a lot of time into finding the subtle things that have turned out to make an enormous difference. A hotspot colour, bead size/colour or even just the spacing between flies can make a remarkable difference. Not to mention obvious elements such as leader length, tippet diameter, water levels and time of day. Success is rarely random.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to guide many people to their first Croneen on the fly this summer, and the usual reaction is “Wow!!”. A comparitively large fish hooked in tight spaces on a fly rod doesn’t always end in the angler’s favour though! But when it does, there is a sense of admiration and awe.

I had a few days’ break in guiding and made the most of it by getting out fishing myself. A good sign that I enjoy what I do is when I turn up to “work” even on my days off. The fishing was exceptional, with many good fish landed on several different methods. I also hooked and lost an absolute dream Croneen, which must have been over 5lbs. Having landed several fish over 3lbs this year, I believe I have my bearings in terms of guestimating its size. The fish took the fly right in front of me and, after several head shakes, left me trembling in shock.

Im looking forward to getting out again as soon as possible.

Watershed Fly Fishing is a full time professional guiding service specialising in pike fly fishing operating from Banagher, Co. Offaly. In season we also guide for trout on the Shannon tributaries. Get in touch to make your own memories.

Watershed Fly Fishing

Address Derrinlough House Birr Offaly Ireland Mobile Phone: +353857386944 Website: watershedflyfishing.ie
More information
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Little happening on Currane, but at least the footballers put on a good show…

By
Shane O'Reilly
-

Vincent Appleby reports on the (slow) proceedings on the Waterville Fishery:

July 23, 2025. Currane anglers reported no notable activity across all sectors. Winds were light to fresh, accompanied by periods of reasonable cloud cover. Regarding the previous day’s weather: rainfall measured 1.3 mm, maximum air temperature reached 18.0°C, and total sunshine duration was 2 hours.

July 24, 2025. Four Currane boats were active today; reports indicate a relatively uneventful morning and afternoon session. Regarding weather conditions for today’s anglers: winds were variable from the Southwest, light to gentle in strength, accompanied by periods of moderate cloud cover. Yesterday’s meteorological data recorded 0.1mm of rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 18.3°C, and eight minutes of sunshine.

On July 25, 2025, there were no reported catches or releases of Salmon or Seatrout among Currane anglers. At the Butler Pool, several anglers were observed fly-fishing, but no results have been reported at this time. The weather chart for the Waterville fishery indicated a light, variable northwest wind veering west-northwest throughout the day, with reasonable cloud cover. The previous day’s weather included 0.5 mm of rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 19.8°C, and 9 hours of sunshine.

On July 26, 2025. Reports indicated that only six Currane boats were active, with all participants experiencing a quiet day for both C&R Salmon and Seatrout fishing. Regarding the day’s weather, conditions included gentle to moderate north-westerly winds and considerable cloud cover. The previous day’s weather saw 1.1mm of rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 18.3°C, and 3 hours and 5 minutes of sunshine.

On July 27, 2025, there was one angler on the Currane waters. Details regarding catch and release practices for Salmon and Sea Trout were not disclosed. In other news, The Kingdom of Kerry won the All-Ireland Final against Donegal with a final score of Kerry 1-26, Donegal 0-19.

The weather on Currane featured variable winds, light to gentle, from the north, north-northwest, and northwest, with generally overcast skies and occasional sunshine. The previous day’s weather included no recorded rainfall, a maximum air temperature of 18.3°C, and 3 hours and 2 minutes of sunshine.

July 28, 2025. No reports of C&R Salmon and Seatrout, but if I get a late report, I will put it up. Wind North-west gentle to light followed by good cloud cover 18and misty rain at times. Yesterday’s weather, the amount of rainfall 0.2 mm, maximum air temperature 17.9c, amount of sunshine 1 hour and 3 minutes

July 29, 2025. Three Currane boats were present on the lake; however, no catches were reported. Additionally, one angler was observed on the Commeragh and one on the Inny, with no reported activity from either location. Regarding weather conditions at the Waterville fishery, winds were gentle to moderate from the northwest, later veering to North-Northwest, accompanied by substantial cloud cover and occasional sunshine in the late afternoon.

Call Out to all Sea trout anglers – Can you help us learn more about these important species

By
Shane O'Reilly
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sea ttout

Sea trout are migratory fish that are highly prized by many anglers. Once common around our coasts, they have suffered a sharp decline over the past 50 years. Because anglers have fished for sea trout throughout that period, they are a very valuable source of knowledge about the species, and IFI is hoping to tap into some of that knowledge to help us better understand the changes in fish stocks and their supporting ecosystems over time. If you have fished for sea trout at all, we would value your contribution to the knowledge base, and we have developed a short survey to help us capture that information by asking you a few questions about your fishing patterns over the years. Please click this link if you are interested in participating.

Great shark and reef fishing in west Clare

By
IFI Staff
-

Anglers on the Clare Dragoon have enjoyed some fine sport lately, with a mix of shark fishing and reef fishing providing excellent results.

Skipper Luke Aston says reef fishing has produced a lot of [pollack and coalfish, with plenty of spurdog as well. Some fine ling were also coming aboard.

Ling

Shark fishing has also been very good, with up to 7 blue sharks on one day, giving plenty of reel-stripping entertainment.

 

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: [email protected] Web: www.fishandstay.com

CM Lakelands fish club match on Skeagh

By
Paul O'Reilly
-

The CM Lakelands Feeder Club held a match last Sunday on Skeagh Lake, where there were plenty skimmers, roach and hybrids all active and feeding well.

Darren Fairhurst won the match with a lot of small skimmers and hybrids to weigh 11.340kg. Pavel Tkachenko came 2nd and continued his good form of lake to catch decent skimmers roach and hybrids for a weight of 11.110kg. Third was Rimantas Kondrackas who caught well over a 150 fish to weigh 10.540kg . He caught a mixed bag of skimmers, roach and hybrids. Yevhen Kuslyvyi came 4th overall with a mixed bag of fish to weight of 9.920kg .

Bailieboro & Virginia Coarse Angling Centres II

Youth Team Ireland fish 22nd World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Idaho, USA

By
Paul O'Reilly
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TAFI Ireland Youth Team recently fished the 22nd World Youth Fly Fishing Championships which was held in Idaho in the USA. Team members who represented their country included Adam Adcock, Jacob Griffin, Zack Barnett, Lewis Harte Porter, Cian Hayes and Henry Suiter.

Some of the venues that featured in the team’s practice days included the Snake River/Henry’s Fork, The WARM River, Hebgen Lake, the Greys River &  Sheridan Lake.

Manager Frank Dempsey & Captain Sean Dempsey, oversaw some great training days before the event and the team were all catching great levels of fish and working hard together as a team in completely unfamiliar territory.

The team fished really well over the five competition days, which were long, hard days on the water, and were unlucky to finish the competition outside of the podium places – with a final position of fourth with an impressive 256 fish between them.

All in all, a great life time experience abroad for the young team and the future looks bright for the senior teams in the coming years.

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