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World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11, Waterford Today

World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11
World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11

A QUALIFIED casting instructor and full-time fly dresser who will captain the Irish team competing in the World Fly Fishing Championships next year is about to share his internationally-renowned fly fishing skills with fellow enthusiasts and a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Kilkenny man Peter Driver will be centre stage at the Waterford Country Fair which runs in stunning Curraghmore House & Gardens in Portlaw on Sunday, June 11. Funds raised through the family-focused Fair this year go to Make-A-Wish Ireland…
Waterford Today, 27/05/17. Read the full article ‘World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11‘.

World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11
World-renowned fly fishing instructor to share his passion at Waterford Country Fair on June 11

The war of the rodents in Cork, Irish Examiner

The war of the rodents in Cork
The war of the rodents in Cork

When wheat and barley were domesticated in the East 11,000 years ago, mice began raiding grain stores and, as cereal farming spread westwards, so did the mice. We don’t know when the little rodents reached Ireland, but it seems they were here in Roman times. Mice dribble urine constantly as they move around and their droppings spread disease. Poisons, traps, cats and ultrasonic whistles have been deployed against them, to no avail…
Irish Examiner, 29/05/17. Read the full article ‘The war of the rodents in Cork‘.

The war of the rodents in Cork
The war of the rodents in Cork

Another good week on the Laune, plenty of action for anglers

Noel Hickey with his 10 pounder from Johnstons
Noel Hickey with his 10 pounder from Johnstons

Billy Downes, Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association, reports that ass of Monday 29th of May the Laune had fallen to just above 1m on the gauge at the Laune Bridge. Nice enough water for all methods but for fly it would be better a bit higher. Billy tells us it was another good week on the Laune…

Angling effort is up considerably with lots of members and visiting anglers encountering fish and some really good fish among them. As usual the really big ones get away – up to 15 lbs reportedly…

There were a few fish got each day last week but the fishing was at its best when the nets were off Saturday to Monday with Sunday being the best day we have had on the Laune for a long time. Matt Standen met four fish during the week and managed to land one of almost 8 lbs on the fly. On the Saturday, Noel hickey had a beauty on the fly a fish of 10 lbs at Johnston’s and there were two nice grilse landed from Broderick’s on worm also.

Noel Hickey with his 10 pounder from Johnstons
Noel Hickey with his 10 pounder from Johnstons

On Sunday there were 12 fish met in Johnston’s alone, mostly on worm but a good few also met and turned to the fly. On Monday, Matt Murphy lost a fish of 12 at the net, net too small. Matt has already had a few grilse but this was his first salmon. John Hussey landed a fine fish of about 8 lbs spinning; the fish had very obvious seal teeth marks on both flanks. There were a few more grilse got today in Heffernan’s and Johnston’s. On the sea trout front Noel Burke and Garry Fernane met and landed some nice fat trout over the weekend.

2 fine salmon from the Laune
2 fine salmon from the Laune

Let’s hope that the good week we have had is not the only one we have for the season and that the coming week brings a few more fish to members and visiting anglers.

Prospects: Much improved but shortly the river will be in need of a good rain to keep it suitable for all methods. Allow for the fact that the commercial nets will be operational from Tuesday to Friday.

Billy Downes,  Secretary
Laune Salmon and Trout Anglers’ Association

Go fishing…

Day permits are the same as last year €25 to the end of July and €35 for the months of August and September.  For Beat 3 Permit costs click on: Beat 3 Permit Prices 2017
Be sure to display your permit on the dash of your car with the date and permit number visible and have the other part with you because you will be asked by members to identify yourself as a legitimate ‘One Day Member’ / Permit Holder.
Web:  www.launeanglersfishing.com
Facebook: Facebook Laune Anglers 
Email: 
[email protected]

More about the Laune…

https://fishinginireland.info/salmon/southwest/laune.htm 

wading
Fishing the Laune

First blue shark of the year taken by Bellavista boat

blueshark
Blue shark in the boat - the first of 2017

Ian O’Shea from Bellavista Angling Centre was in touch to say they have had their first blue shark of the season. This is the first blue reported to the Irish Angling Update in 2017.

 

baloon
waiting for the first blue shark of the season

John Harrington from Dublin was fishing from one of the Bellavista fleet of small boats on Thursday. Ian was on hand to advice and give assistance to the anglers on board. Although the anglers only managed to catch 1 mackerel Ian kept their hopes high that a shark could come of it (They had a black of frozen rubby dubby made up by Ian well in advance, another advantage of fishing with the Bellavista lads). So with a slick out behind them and a bait in the water they started to fish. It wasn’t long before they had a shark on and it was soon landed.

blueshark
Blue shark in the boat – the first of 2017

They guys also got to fish for extra bait over the Ling rocks – pollack and coalies. It was a glorious day between the sunshine and the result.

pollack
Pollack and coalfish to start the day – mackerel were scarce

Go Fishing…

Bellavista Angling Centre

At Bellavista we know angling! We have been providing angling holidays for many years. Our trained guides will show you all the best marks and answer any questions you have. From our luxury accommodation to our top quality boats we have everything you need to make it the perfect angling holiday.

Over the years we have evolved and changed and constantly updated our fleet to meet the needs of our returning customers. Our fleet is a mix of modern boats and powerful engines fitted with state-of the-art electronic equipment. The boats are perfect for getting you and your crew to the fishing grounds with speed, safety and comfort.
Kevin Murphy
Bella Vista Hotel and Self Catering Suites, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)21 4812450
Email: [email protected] Web: www.bellavistahotel.ie

Sheelin mayfly, the gold of sunset and sunrise

‘Into the night’ dusk & darkness were the best times to fish Sheelin for this week
‘Into the night’ dusk & darkness were the best times to fish Sheelin for this week
mayfly
Presenting the menu…

‘For me, Fly Fishing is Zen, you need to be in tune, never give up, read the water, the fish may not always bite, but at least you’re presenting the meal’.
John Suhar

‘The unreal meets the real’
‘The unreal meets the real’

This was a week of tropical heat, spectacular hatches of mayfly and surface carpeting of spent on Lough Sheelin. From nowhere they seem to appear, silent in flight and somewhat mysterious, Mother Nature’s buffet, this natural phenomenon offered a feast of astronomical proportions to the Sheelin trout. This is the time of the fishing season where fly rod enthusiasts cherish the moment, especially as the sun sinks and the low light signals a departure of flies in their droves to mate in flight before dying within a day or so. Our mayfly life cycle is short but their contribution to nature is enormous.

Gina Tanczos with her mayfly trout caught on an emerger fly pattern
Gina Tanczos with her mayfly trout caught on an emerger fly pattern 

The Hatches

Lough Sheelin’s elegant mayfly – the oldest of the winged insects and can be dated back to the prehistoric ages
Lough Sheelin’s elegant mayfly – the oldest of the winged insects and can be dated back to the prehistoric ages

The may blossom heavily drizzled over bushes is at full stretch, already turning pink in the run down to their allocated time.

Lough Sheelin’s Sedge
Lough Sheelin’s Sedge

As the season gently edges into summer there is plenty of fly life – mayfly, sedges, alder fly, hawthorn fly and murroughs and in turn there will be plenty of choice out there both for the trout and the trout angler in his artificial fly set up.

Lough Sheelin’s reenactment of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Waltz of the snowflakes’
Lough Sheelin’s reenactment of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Waltz of the snowflakes’

For now, it is still all about the mayfly and although slightly tapering off there would be at least another fortnight of predominantly evening fishing for the spent here.

heelin’s chain of command – Ephemera dancia
Sheelin’s chain of command – Ephemera dancia

Putting fishing to one side Ephemera danica, Lough Sheelin’s mayfly – this fragile very beautiful insect should be eulogized by everyone not just anglers for the simple reason being that this majestic insect is also somewhat of a barometer as to the water quality. The fact that mayflies are important to anglers shows that they are even more important to fish. They are a vital component of the overall ecology of Lough Sheelin’s freshwater system for mayfly nymphs will not survive in polluted water so the fact that they are there in such copious numbers is something that should be constantly celebrated.

The Catches

Michael McNaughton, Cushendall with his ‘after dark’ 5 pounder caught on a Spent Gnat on May 23rd at Holywell.
Michael McNaughton, Cushendall with his ‘after dark’ 5 pounder caught on a Spent Gnat on May 23rd at Holywell.

Lough Sheelin this week painted every trout anglers fantasy with hundreds of may fly, crystal clear water and impressive falls of spent and yet despite the fishing dots lining up, this lake’s fishing particularly during the day was sporadic and in some cases poor. Searching around for answers I first of all looked to other great trout fishing lakes – Corrib, Mask, Conn and Arrow only to find the same thing, fishing was patchy and disappointing so Lough Sheelin was at least not in isolation with its present angling difficulties.

The future on a fly’
The future on a fly’

There are a number of reasons why fishing is challenging on this lake, all of them legitimate.

Unarguably this lake is full of trout of all sizes but it is important to remember these are wild fish and so by their nature will not have the tamed feeding responses as would be in the case in the farmed variety.

Steve from London (guided by Ned Clinton) with his trout caught on a Spent
Steve from London (guided by Ned Clinton) with his trout caught on a Spent

Secondly, this lake is stuffed with food even more so now with mayfly nymphs pushing to the surface, emergers, duns and spent so our trout are spoilt for choice, they basically don’t have to hunt or go very far for a meal, the dinners are popping up all round the place for them. Because of the ready, rich and plentiful supply of food, trout in this lake are in good condition with the potential to reach substantial weights, a trout of 4lb plus is not regarded as a big fish on Lough Sheelin – the bar is set high here.

A ‘spent’trout of over 3lbs
A ‘spent’trout of over 3lbs

Thirdly, is our temperamental weather – from nightly frosts to blazing heat, hail stones and thunder storms, sudden changes in wind directions to sudden drops in temperatures causing fly to refuse to leave shoreline bushes, some to die on the land and for fish to drop down deep in the water column.

Kevin Sheridan’s 3 1b Trout caught on his own Spent pattern, May 26th
Kevin Sheridan’s 3 1b Trout caught on his own Spent pattern, May 26th

Fourthly, Lough Sheelin is reputed to be the angling jewel in Ireland’s emerald crown so by this fact alone, this lake attracts large numbers of anglers particularly in mayfly season, resulting in a dramatic increase of boat traffic which in turn spooks and frightens our wild fish. With a combination of noisy outboards and back washes along with jags, misses and clumsy releases it makes sense that the fish would become very wary and difficult to catch.

‘Into the night’ dusk & darkness were the best times to fish Sheelin for this week
‘Into the night’ dusk & darkness were the best times to fish Sheelin for this week

It is important to understand that Lough Sheelin is and always has been a challenging, moody and mercurial stretch of water, its trout do not give themselves up easily regardless of where we are in the fishing season. With understanding brings acceptance and this in turns keeps frustration and despair off the playing field.

Cathal McNaughton, Antrim with his 3lbs 10oz fish caught at Church Island on a Spent Gnat pattern, May 21st
Cathal McNaughton, Antrim with his 3lbs 10oz fish caught at Church Island on a Spent Gnat pattern, May 21st

Despite all of the above, good fish were caught this week but the catching was confined to evening, dusk and at dawn. Day time fishing was poor as the trout in general on this lake are not interested on feeding on the greens. The weather played havoc with the angling as well, with day time temperatures soaring to 26 degrees on Thursday only to crash to 15 degrees on Saturday. Wednesday evening saw mirror calm conditions stretching into the evening, there were great falls of spent and large numbers of fish moving to feed on them but this was an evening of total frustration as although anglers could see hundreds of fish coming up to feed on the other side of this coin the trout could see the anglers so fishing was impossible as any movement at all caused the fish to vanish in a flash.

Making the weight of the week - Andrew Barrowman, Scotland (guided by Mick Kelly) with his substantial Sheelin trout on a Barbie, May 24th
Making the weight of the week – Andrew Barrowman, Scotland (guided by Mick Kelly) with his substantial Sheelin trout on a Barbie, May 24th

The best evenings of the week were Tuesday and Thursday and fishing from 8pm onwards till after dark was the most successful option.

Total number of trout recorded for the week was 151. The heaviest fish for this week was a 6lb trout caught by Welsh angler Kieron Thomas using a Mayfly nymph.

Willie Riddick’s Scotland with his mayfly fish
Willie Riddick’s Scotland with his
mayfly fish

The wind as always created mostly difficulties as well as chances when it behaved itself. The best drifts were at Holywell and a long drift down from the Stoney Islands. The biggest hatches of fly were around Derrysheridan and in and around Crover, again wind dependent as fly could be blown into the shallows making boat fishing too difficult.

Selection of Catches

And a few more…

  • Gary McKiernan – 20 trout, heaviest at 6 ½ lbs taken on a dry Mayfly.
  • Paul McMenamin, Northern Ireland – 6 trout heaviest at 5lbs caught on a Grey Wulff, rest caught on Spent Gnat patterns.
  • Jeff & Kieron Thomas, Wales – 7 trout heaviest 2 at 6lbs each.
  • Marc Mulligan – 1 trout at 6lbs fishing off Holywell using a Spent Gnat pattern.
  • Darren Harton – 1 trout at 3lbs.
  • Cian Murtagh, Cavan – 2 trout one at 4lbs and the other at 5lbs plus both using Spent Gnat patterns.
  • Cathal McNaughton, Co.Antrim – 1 trout at 3lbs 10oz on a Spent Gnat at Church Island, May 21st.
  • Willie Riddicks, Scotland – 1 trout at 3 ½ lbs caught on a Fox Squirrel Spent.
  • Andrew Barrowman, Scotland – 1 trout at 4lb plus fishing dries.
  • Paul O’Reilly, Dublin – 1 trout at 4 ½ lbs using a Spent Gnat, May 26th.
  • Andrew Brown, Dublin – 3 trout at 5 ½, 5 and 4lbs all taken on the Grey Wulff, May 25th.
  • Patrick Gallagher, Duleek – 1 trout at 2lbs on a dry Buzzer in Corru Bay.
  • Martin Grennan, Kilkenny – 1 trout at 2lbs on a Spent Gnat pattern.
  • Ivan Meegan, Newry – 1 trout at 3lbs using a Wet Mayfly pattern.
  • Des Elliott, Dublin – 2 trout at 2 and 2 ½ lbs using Golden and Claret Bumbles.
  • Aiden Rush and Dennis Golding – 8 trout heaviest at 3 ½ fishing Buzzer and Spent Gnats.
  • Dan Prunty, Navan – 2 trout at 2 and 3 ½ lbs on a Spent Gnat.
  • Ian Kelly, Mullingar – 1 trout at 3 ½ lbs
  • Mark Brown, Lurgan – 1 trout at 3lbs on a Royal Wulff.
  • Ben Mckay, Scotland – 4 trout heaviest at 4 ½ lbs using Spent Gnat patterns, May 27th.     

The Flies

Spent patterns for Sheelin
Spent patterns for Sheelin

A variety of spent patterns were employed with an angler confiding in me that his killer combination was a small grey balling buzzer on the top dropper with a spent gnat pattern (with a glow bright butt) as the second fly – an unfailing duo and one which he advised me ‘never failed to succeed’.

Working well on Sheelin the Lough Erne Wulff
Working well on Sheelin the Lough Erne Wulff

The most successful flies this week were the Mayfly nymph patterns, wet Mayfly patterns in greens with mixes of brown and white mingled through, the Mosley Mays, the French Partridge, the Goslings, Dennis Moss’s Ginger Mayfly, Soft Hackle Mayfly Emergers, CDC Mayfly Emergers, the Wulffs (grey and royal), the Spent Gnat patterns (a predominance of black worked best). Other patterns catching fish were the Dabblers (Claret, Green and Silver), Stimulators and Bumbles.

 

Go fishing…

A permit is required to fish Lough Sheelin. Buy your permit online at: shop.fishinginireland.info or from any of the permit distributors listed here.

House Rules

A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times
A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times

All anglers are required to have a Fishery Permit to fish Lough Sheelin which must be purchased before going out on the lake.

Please remember anglers to abide by BYE-LAW 790 which strictly prohibits

  • All trolling on the lake from March 1st to April 30th (inclusive).
  • From May 1st to June 15th – no trolling between 7pm –6am and no trolling under engine between 6am – 7pm and
  • June 16th – October 12th – no trolling under engine between 7pm – 6am.
  • No trout less than 14 inches should be taken from the lake

Join the Club…

For anyone interested in joining Lough Sheelin’s Angling Club – The Lough Sheelin Trout Protection Association please contact Thomas Lynch @ 087 9132033.

Guides and ghillies…

Grey Duster GuidingGrey Duster Guiding
Kenneth O’Keeffe
Tel: 
086 8984172 Email: [email protected]

Christopher Defillon
Tel: +33 68 596 4369  Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.defillon

Lough Sheelin Guiding Services
Tel: 087 1245927 Web: www.loughsheelinguidingservices.com

John Mulvany
[email protected] 086 2490076

D.C Angling & Guiding Services
contact David @ 087 3946989

Michael Farrell
Tel: 087 4194156 or  +353 43 6681298
Email: [email protected]

Michael Flanagan,
Trout and Pike Guide.
Email: [email protected] Web: www.midlandangling.com

Lifejackets

We would implore anglers and all other users to wear life jackets for their own safety as well as it being the law.

Getting it right – Caoimhe & Oisin Sheridan
Getting it right – Caoimhe & Oisin Sheridan

Life jackets are required by law – SI No 921 of 2005 – Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005.Water  rarely gives second chances and a life jacket is just that – it saves your life.

Please put on and keep on that life jacket until you are back on dry land.

Sundown on Lough Sheelin
Sundown on Lough Sheelin

Innovative fish counter opens on River Lackagh in Donegal

Minister for Fisheries Sean Kyne TD. with Minister Joe McHugh TD, Dr Casey Forde, Dr Ciaran Byrne (CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland) , Gerry McCafferty (Local Fisheries Inspector), Fintan Gorman, and Milton Matthews (Director North Western River Basin Division) at the newly opened fish counter near Creeslough.

Innovative fish counter opens on River Lackagh in Donegal

Sean Kyne TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Inland Fisheries has officially opened a new fish counter facility in the designated spring salmon fishery on the River Lackagh. The project, which was devised and delivered by Inland Fisheries Ireland, was completed in recent months and will provide important data for the future management of spring salmon, grilse and sea trout stocks for the River Lackagh catchment, which incorporates Lough Beagh, situated in Glenveagh National Park.

This major infrastructural project, which was funded under Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Salmon Conservation Fund, includes installation of a crump weir, Logie fish counter and access road to the Lackagh River at Creeslough, Co. Donegal. The counter will provide verifiable, accurate data on the size, duration and timing of fish migration through the fishery.

River Lackagh Fish Counter
River Lackagh Fish Counter

The River Lackagh counter project was developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in response to closure of the River Lackagh salmon fishery in 2007 when scientific advice indicated that salmon stocks had fallen to below their Conservation Limit. The salmon fishery remained closed to enable fish stocks re-build until 2013 when electrofishing surveys confirmed that juvenile salmon stocks had recovered sufficiently to allow for the re-opening of the salmon fishery on a ‘catch and release’ basis. The counter will be a valuable addition to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s national suite of index counters and represents the organisation’s first counter on the north Donegal coast.

Sean Kyne TD, Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries officially opened the facility today and said: “I am delighted to officially open this fish counter which will help protect fish stocks in the area. Angling is a valuable asset to local communities here in Donegal.  This development will help us ensure the sustainability of fish populations for future generations.”

Minister for Fisheries Sean Kyne TD. with Minister Joe McHugh TD, Dr Casey Forde, Dr Ciaran Byrne (CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland) , Gerry McCafferty (Local Fisheries Inspector), Fintan Gorman, and Milton Matthews (Director North Western River Basin Division) at the newly opened fish counter near Creeslough.

Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “This fish counter provides real time data on fish stocks in the fishery and allows us to adapt to changing stock levels. This is crucial both from a conservation and economic viewpoint as this fishery contains valuable wild fish populations. I would like to acknowledge all our partners in this project who recognised the importance of this project and worked with us to delivery this facility for the local area.”

Angling in Ireland currently contributes €836 million to the Irish economy annually, supporting upwards of 11,000 jobs which are often in rural and peripheral communities. Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development aims to ensure the sustainable development of the natural angling resource in a conservation focused manner. If realised, the strategy could help increase the economic contribution of angling by €53 million annually and support 18,000 jobs.

Inland Fisheries Ireland collaborated with several partners on the River Lackagh project including: Donegal County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and ESB Networks. Inland Fisheries Ireland would particularly like to acknowledge the Creeslough & District Angling Association, owners Hillary Keegan and John Coyle and service providers: WD Buchanan & Co. Ltd, H. Harkin Plan Hire Ltd.  and Source Civil Ltd.

 

CRAYFISH PLAGUE – EMERGENCY CONTAINMENT MEASURES

White clawed crayfish
White clawed crayfish

In response to a recent outbreak of Crayfish Plague in the River Suir and River Deel, emergency disease containment measures are needed to help prevent its spread.

Crayfish Plague is a disease that kills our native White-clawed Crayfish.  All crayfish that become infected will die. Crayfish Plague is easily transmitted in water or via contaminated equipment (for example on canoes, waders or nets).

Ireland holds the largest population of the White-clawed Crayfish that remains in Europe.

HELP PROTECT OUR NATIVE CRAYFISH FROM THIS DISEASE

All water users are asked to operate a temporary ban on moving water sports and angling equipment out of the River Suir and River Deel catchments – commencing immediately.

Water sports and angling equipment currently in use in the Suir and Deel catchments may continue to be used there; but boats or angling equipment should not be transferred out of the catchment.

Limit your activity to the river section where you normally operate, avoid moving around the catchment and follow biosecurity protocols – Inspect, Remove, Clean, Dispose, Notify.

Anglers: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasive-species-1/358-invasive-species-biosecurity-guidelines-for-anglers-leaflet-1/file

Boaters: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasive-species-1/360-invasive-species-biosecurity-guidelines-for-boaters-leaflet-1

Paddle sports enthusiasts: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasive-species-1/438-invasive-species-disinfection-guidelines-for-paddle-sports/file

Scuba divers: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/invasive-species-1/247-invasive-species-biosecurity-guidelines-for-scuba-diving-1/file

IFI staff: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/fisheries-research-1/73-biosecurity-protocol-for-field-survey-work-1/file

Source  – Inter Agency response from National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Sports Partnership, Waterford City and County Council, Marine Institute, Local Authority Water and Communities Office, Waterways Ireland and National Biodiversity Data Centre

leaflet download
Stop the spread of invasive species and harmful pathogens

Irish Angling Update – 26 May 2017

The evening light shines over Gavin Rogan’s spent gnat fish of 5lbs
The evening light shines over Gavin Rogan’s spent gnat fish of 5lbs

Ne’er cast a clout ’til May is out” as the old saying goes, meaning don’t shed that jumper just yet, as May can throw any weather at you. Well many a clout was cast this week, as temperatures soared to 26 degrees yesterday; the hottest day of the year so far. Some rain was had over the weekend, but in general it was a dry week, with many rivers still experiencing low flows.

The fresh water in some places did improve salmon fishing, and grilse have started to arrive in numbers. There was a big improvement in fishing on the Moy , while the arriving grilse in Galway also gave great sport. Although floods were small and brief on some rivers, there was clearly a head of fish waiting to run, as fisheries from Donegal to Cork reported fresh salmon being caught, from the Owenea in Donegal to the Munster Blackwater, and nearly all points in between.

With more rain forecast today and tomorrow, there should be more salmon to report next week.

 

https://www.facebook.com/inlandfisheriesireland/videos/1322995571081730/

 

 

The evening light shines over Gavin Rogan’s spent gnat fish of 5lbs
The evening light shines over Gavin Rogan’s spent gnat fish of 5lbs

Mayfly fishing has been tough at times this week, with hatches reported as patchy on Corrib, where some anglers enjoyed great sport, while others blanked.  The mayfly hatch was up on Mask, where decent fishing is reported, while Sheelin produced some lovely fish to the spent gnat in spite of difficult conditions. Fishing also picked up on Melvin, where mayfly hatches are starting.

 

 

Some great coarse fishing has been reported, with 2 UK visitors catching 740lbs over 6 days in Longford, while bream and hybrids provided good sport in Inniscarra, and anglers enjoyed good sport at several festival events around the country.

 

Pike fishing is providing good sport too, with French anglers enjoying excellent sport in the midlands, while competition fishing produced some nice fish to 17lbs , and various Cavan venues producing very good fishing as well.

 

Sea angling is really picking up at the moment, as water temperatures increase and more species move inshore. Smooth hound fishing is really taking off in Wicklow, with the arrival inshore of these hard-fighting fish, while elsewhere shore anglers in Donegal have enjoyed great sport with a variety of species. A number of charter boats around the country are reporting a big upswing in catches, particularly in Clare, but skipper Luke Aston’s clients are going after bigger fry altogether of late. Andy Griffith caught not one, but two monster sixgill sharks on Wednesday, both over 1,000lbs! The bigger fish measured over 18 feet in length and was estimated at 1,400lbs and wins our Catch of the Week.

Sixgill shark
We’re gonna need a bigger boat!

 

 

Crayfish Plague

All water users are being urged to take precautions after confirmation of an outbreak of Crayfish Plague on a stretch of the River Suir downstream of Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir. Anyone using the river is being urged to observe the ‘Check, Clean and Dry’ protocol once they leave the river and before using it again. This means that all wet gear (boats, clothing and equipment) should be checked for any silt or mud, plant material or animals before being cleaned and finally dried. Disinfectant or hot water (over 40 degrees Celsius) should be used to clean all equipment and this should be followed by a 24 hour drying period.

The weekend forecast is for a bit of unsettled weather, though nothing too windy, but welcome rain today and tomorrow will bring relief to many rivers and lakes. The outlook is for slightly cooler and fresher weather than this week, which may prolong mayfly hatches on the big lakes.

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

Kevin Crowley

Catch, Photo, Release

If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].


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Incredible fishing off Clare coast, reef, wreck, monster sharks

Sixgill shark
Sixgill shark

All the usual fishing is providing plenty of thrills for charter boat anglers fishing off Clare’s coasts. Even those who want something with a bit more bite are not disappointed!

pollack
pollack

It was a breezy wet start to the day for the anglers on Lady Gwen II on Saturday, but when the sun came out it turned out very nice with good fishing, and lot’s of fun. Monday saw a group of German anglers on board. they fished at a relaxed pace enjoying every moment of their time on the water.

Smiles
Smiles

On Tuesday fishing was tough to start but it soon picked up a a great variety of fish were landed including a megrim.

Megrim
Megrim

Luke Aston reported similar fishing from the Clare Dragoon over the weekend and at the stat of this week, but on Tuesday they went after bigger game and landed a “small” sixgill shark. At just just 9 feet it weighted only around 600lb (!!).

Sixgill shark
600lb sixgill shark at the boat

Wednesday was a whole other matter though. He had a new first on board – 2 sixgill sharks over 1000lb by one person in one day. Take a bow Andy Griffith.  The first was around hooked at about 6:00 in the evening. The huge shark was estimate at 14 feet and 1150lb. The second sixgill took a couple of hours later. This monstrous beast took an hour to play to the boat  and it was 8.45pm before they got a good look at the catch. The shark was over 18ft and 1400lbs. It is unlikely that anyone has ever caught two such enormous fish back to back anywhere before…

sixgill
Andy Griffith caught 2 sixgill over 1000lb on Wednesday.

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

Lady Gwen II

Fishing Adventures on Séan Maguire’s Lady Gwen II, a Lochin 33  M265Ti Perkins charterboat which operates 15 miles from Kilbaha, Carrigaholt, and Kilrush.

Whether you want to go to the Atlantic Ocean for a large selection of species, including different types of shark, or fish the estuary for ray conger tope etc, Fishing Adventures will cater for whatever fishing you desire.
Telephone: +353 (0) 877508758 or +353 (0) 894431182
Email: [email protected] Web: www.fishingadventures.ie

Smooth seas, smooth fishing at Wicklow

smoothie
Smooth hound for Paddy Swan

Kit Dunne of Wicklow Boat Charters tells us that the good weather has seen his fishing really take off, especially now that the smoothhounds are in…

smoothie
Smooth hound for Paddy Swan

19 May: The Big Guns out today to find them hounds. Well done Paddy.

Smoothhound
Smoothhound
Tope
Tope

20 May: Weather sorted fish sorted!! Great fishing today with Hounds, Tope and Ray, and a few Huss with Anthony.

Go fishing…

Angling Charters are offered on a full-day, half-day and evening trip basis and can be tailored to suit your needs. Two boats available – Lisin and Castle Maiden. All levels of anglers are catered for. Anglers will benefit from your skipper’s angling experience and local knowledge with advice and guidance on-hand at all times.

SPECIALIST ANGLING CHARTERS

Specialist Angling Charters are offered for those who wish to target specific species, specimen fish or try new methods of angling.

ANGLING COACHING

Whether you’re a Club, Individual, School or Junior you can have an angling coaching session or programme tailored to suit your needs.

Kit Dunne
Wicklow Boat Charters

Telephone: +353 (0)87 6832179 +353 (0)404 67031
Email: [email protected] Website: www.wicklowboatcharters.ie