Inland Fisheries Ireland has announced the recipients of its 2017 Sponsorship Scheme which supports angling events and initiatives across the country. In Leitrim, six angling initiatives will receive sponsorship to the value of €2,500. Overall across the country, the scheme will support 79 initiatives to the tune of €30,000 with a focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers… Leitrim Observer, 23/03/17. Read the full article ‘Six angling initiatives in Leitrim to receive sponsorship‘.
Six angling initiatives in Leitrim to receive sponsorship
One of the biggest trout ever caught on Lough Ree was landed by Athlone man Mark Gaffey last weekend. “I will remember this for the rest of my life. It was like lifting the Champions League Cup!” said Mark, after the catch officially weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs, 12 and 3/4 ounces… Westmeath Independent, 23/03/17. read the full article ‘Athlone angler catches giant trout on Lough Ree!‘.
Another St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone and more and more anglers are getting out to the water now that for many the official start of the angling year has passed. I can’t truthfully say that it’s the warming of the weather, so it must be the progression of the seasons that has encouraged so many anglers to get out and wet a line, as we have a busy enough week to report on…
We have 7 salmon fisheries reporting fish caught in the last week. A few “firsts” feature amongst these; the Suir, the Feale and the Moy have al officially reported salmon landed. Well done to all the anglers in volved, but particular congratulations go to James Byrne who for the second year running has caught the first springer of the season on the River Suir. His 14 pounder took a Flying C and went off none the worse for its ordeal. James wins our Catch of the Week for his achievement.
James Byrne wins Catch of the Week for his River Suir Springer – the first of the season
The Drowes, Delphi and Lough Melvin each had a few salmon to report and it was great to see the Lough Currane has finally began to produce some salmon after a long lull.
Lough Melvin has not seen many trout anglers out this season but 1 boat reported 11 trout caught on wet flies with 4 of these of a decent size with the best being a 1½lb Gillaroo. Heading south to Lough Mask, there were reports of good Duckfly and cinnamon sedge hatches on some of the warmer days this week, which resulted in plenty of surface activity. Meanwhile on Lough Corrib the conditions conspired against decent hatches of fly, but some good trout were landed all the same. The midlands lakes fished well enough given the time of year and on Sheelin trout to 6lb were landed. Lures are fishing best at the moment but many anglers are holding their own with traditional wet fly patterns. Lough Owel and even Lough Ennell are also turning out a few fish to persistent anglers. The Lough Lene Cup was fished at the weekend and some lovely trout to over 1.6kg were landed.
St. Patrick’s Day marks the start of the coarse fishing festival season and at Inniscarra the St. Patricks Day Open was followed by a 3 day competition. The Open was won by Peter Jones with 11.320kg and The Paddy’s Weekend Festival has been won by Julian Kendrick with a fantastic 3-day weight of 42.620kg! Lough Muckno fished a 2 day festival at the weekend and top weight was that of Piotr Horbinski on 14kg. Reports from O’Brien’s Bridge in Co. Clare are that the venue is fishing well, producing bags to over 15lb even when the weather is not all that pleasant. Anyone into big weights will be interested to hear that Oaklands Fishery produced 84kg of carp for one angler on Sunday. Pellet waggler did the damage here, but the odd fish was also taken on bread flake.
Dublin Pike Anglers fished the first competition of the 2017 season at a Roscommon venue. Although the floods were still in the fields the anglers who took to wobbling did best and the winner, Dave Murphy, had 18 fish for a total bag weight of 48lb 8oz. The Lough Gowna and Upper Erne Anglers Association were also out on Sunday. Joe McDermott was the winner with two fine pike of over 16 and 17lb assuring him of a podium finish.
There were more specimen spurdogs for anglers fishing with Wicklow Boat Charters in the last few days. A small window in the weather seems to be all Kit Dunne needs to lead his crews to success. Ardmore SAC report excellent fishing at the weekend where coalfish dominated the catches but some good flounders and bass to 62cm were also landed. Staying with shore angling, the Killybegs Mariners once again report some great fishing from Donegal Bay. A nice surf saw plenty of turbot and flounders coming to the shore. Best fish was a 39cm flounder and one angler had 16 turbot.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2017 Sponsorship Scheme which supports angling events and initiatives across the country. The scheme will support 79 initiatives to the overall tune of €30,000 with a focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers.
This year, Inland Fisheries Ireland Sponsorship Scheme will support:
19 international angling events which will be held in Ireland
15 Irish angling teams travelling overseas to international angling events
28 Coaching/ Juvenile events aimed at novice and young anglers
16 national angling events held in Ireland for domestic participants
1 seminar which will help the exchange of information, ideas and practical experiences on fisheries management
The angling groups, located in 19 counties across the country, will be supported through financial aid and where possible, through resource support from Inland Fisheries Ireland staff members. For more information on the initiatives awarded funding under the 2017 Sponsorship Scheme, visit: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/sponsorship-programme.html .
Tomorrow is supposed to be mild, highs of 10 to 14 degrees, followed by a cold night. The weather will become dry and settled for the weekend and for the extended outlook period. Good sunshine is indicated for most days and the nights will be generally clear, but there will be cloud at times, with maybe a little patchy light rain or drizzle on Monday. Mild by day, with afternoon temperatures of between 11 and 16 degrees, the highest temperatures expected further west given the flow. It’ll be coolest along east and south coasts due to the moderate easterly breezes at the coasts, but still very pleasant. Anyone looking for an excuse to go fishing just found it…
Kit Dunne made the most of the breaks in the weather at the weekend to get a couple of decent days on the water.
On Saturday there was a small break in the wind. With an F4 coming from the land Kit knew he’d have shelter enough to fish comfortable and the anglers were surprised at how pleasant conditions were on the water. The fishing didn’t fail to please either and and amongst the catches were 5 specimen spurdogs.
Kit Dunne with a specimen size spurdog
Monday was a little wetter but the fish were happy to oblige and by 09.20 when most of us were settling into the office, Kit and his crew had 3 specimens in the boat.
Shayla Ferrell-Cobb with her specimen spurdog
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.
Stefan Martin from Killybegs Mariners SAC reports on thier 11th league outing on Donegal Bay …
Turbot over 30cm were caught close in
19 March: Lovely conditions for our 11th league outing today a nice surf and plenty of fish. 13 anglers fished and everyone had fish mostly turbot caught close in with a few bigger flounders hanging further out. Some fine turbot over 30cm were caught all along the beach but longest fish cash prize was won with a lovely flounder of 39cm for Peter McGroary and most points cash prize a great fishing of 16 turbots for Pat Cunningham.
The better flounder were a little further out
Well done to all.
The league standings after last week’s outing are as follows, today’s scores not tallied yet…….
Top 6:
John Cunningham 146 (8 fished)
Stefan MArtin 131 (8 fished)
Brian Smith 122 (9 best counting )
Johnny Byrne 115 ( 9 best counting)
Michael Mc g 113 ( 7 best counting )
Eamon M 91 ( 7 best counting).
Teams top 6:
Peter/John 2515
Stef/Pat 2281
Frank/Brian 2076
Michael/Dessi 1924
Gerry/Johnny 1914
Darren/ James 1820
Stefan Martin Killybegs mariners SAC
Go fishing…
Join the club
Killybegs Mariners sea angling club, Co Donegal runs a shore league, boat competitions and angling trips around Ireland doing the sport we love.
CROSSHAVEN SEA ANGLERS CLUB held their the Mach Shore (this was the Christy O’Sullivan Memorial Shore Competition) on Sunday 19th of March. The event was sponsored by Lynch Centra supermarket Crosshaven there was an entry of 14.
The weather was lovely, real spring day fishing which took place from 10.00 to 17.00 followed by a return to The Oar Bar. There the anglers were looked after very well with sandwiches and savouries by J P And his Staff.
First prize and the Christy O’Sullivan trophy was presented by Michael O’Sullivan, Christy’s Brother, and the winner this year was Paul Hanover winning it for the 2nd Year in row with 4 fish & 48 points.
The rest of the prizes were then presented by Conor Middleton, Centra Store Manager. 2nd place went to Stephen Ryan and in 3rd place was Stephen O’Neill followed in 4th Place by Jim O’Byrne and in 5th place was Eddie Deasy and in 6th Place was George Vickery.
Crosshaven SAC give a big thank you to the O’Sullivan Family Centra Crosshaven and The Oar Bar
Go fishing…
Join the club
Founded in 1957, Crosshaven SAC is one of Ireland’s longest established Sea Angling Clubs. We hold both Shore and Boat Angling competitions (seasonal). Juvenile Anglers are particularly welcome. Web:https://www.facebook.com/crosshavensac
Upcoming events
The next competition is the April shore and it is been held on Sunday 9th April fishing from 10.00 to 17.00
The Lough Gown a and Upper Erne Anglers Association fished their John Frank Smyth memorial competition on Sunday.
A dozen boats fished the competition and a some good pike to over 17lb were landed. Joe McDermott did particularly well with a 16 and 17lb fish to his credit.
Joe McDermott with a 17-12
Results
1st Joe McDermott
2nd Paddy Walsh
3rd Marty Cosworth
4th Mick Dalton
Aodhan Walsh with a 13 pounder
Go fishing…
LOUGH GOWNA & UPPER ERNE ANGLERS were set up back in the 1940’s.
Objective’s-
-To promote the sport of all rod angling disciplines.
-To preserve, protect and conserve all species of fish and their habitat.
-To offer good’s and services to club members.
-To co-operate with and assist statutory bodies in the protection, conservation of angling and waterways.
-To organise and run any competitions the club considers appropriate.
Paul McLoughlin reports on the St. Patricks Day Festival fished at Lough Muckno on Saturday and Sunday…
Horbinski holds off the determined Woods for a second successive Saint Patricks Festival win on lough Mukno
It was all to play for we said after day one and the leaders all fought hard on the final day in an effort to gain top spot. The grimly determined Piotr Horbinski did not just hold on, but rather extended his nice overnight lead of more than a Kg.
Going to Black Island Peter needed a good draw to ensure he stayed in contention and sure enough the Gods were with him again, with a brilliant 158 draw, causing him to leave The Old coach Inn with a broad grin on his face.
Piotr in all fairness had still to catch the fish and while he put together a nice catch of 135 fish for 7kgs, some 15 fish less than yesterday, he clearly had enough to extend his overnight lead by a further 2kgs.
Piotr Horbinski took first place and a €500 prize
Could the most improved venue angler John Woods hold onto 2nd spot from the mighty Philip Jackson was then the big question and the answer came quickly on the all out, when it was found that he had indeed an aggregate weight of 500 grms more than Jacko, who in turn held on safely to third spot.
Our Festivals group would gladly nominate John W, as the most improved, least grumpy, best mannered, least moaning and most popular winner on this Festival and this is our first and last ever nomination.
Overnight favourite Johnny Keith slipped somewhat at the drawbag but still he battled on for a gallant 4th spot, some very little distance behind these excellent top three, from a tough, dour peg 208 draw.
Top weight was that of Piotr Horbinski on a fine 14kgs or 32 lbs in old money, more than 2kgs ahead of John W and Jacko in 2nd and 3rd spots respectively, who each just came in fractionally under 11kgs, it must be said in somewhat testing conditions for all.
Individual Winners.
1st Piotr Horbinski €500.
2nd John Woods €320.
3rd Philp Jackson €210.
4th Johnny Keith €100.
Again we thank all of our anglers who continue to support our heavily sponsored Festivals and we urge our loyal supporters and competent anglers from at home and abroad to continue to do so, in order to ensure sponsorship continuity, into the future.
Thanks to Peter Nicholson for his attendance with the usual quality bait and of course Raymond Watters for his courtesy and personal attention, with after match food and refreshments.
Upcoming events…
Next up is our Easter 1 Festival of 3 days carrying a top prize of €1000 irrespective of entry followed by Easter 2 of 4 days carrying similarly a €1000 top prize, irrespective of entry numbers.
Do come along to our next meeting in Castlelbayney Gate HouseLodge at Hope Castle at 8pm on Tuesday 21st. Gretta Mc Carron invites all anglers and people generally interested in the preservation, development and the overall merit of the fantastic waterways in this region to attend this Waters and Communities meeting for an open discussion on all relevant matters. As one of the groups heavily involved with the promotion of the Angling Tourist product in the area and the one arguably most interested in its preservation and development, we will be enthusiastically in attendance and we strongly support this initiative.
8 pm Tuesday night at the gate house at Lough Muckno.
Adrian Browne reports that the biggest match weight of Oakland Fishery’s year so far was landed by Ronan Minogue on Sunday. Ronan Minogue gave a master class on the pellet waggler, netting 84kg of carp from end peg 23.
Oaklands Lake in New Ross Co. Wexford is a fishing paradise for coarse angling. It offers a wide selection of fish. The lake can be fished by people of every level of experience from beginners to professionals.
Adrian Browne
Oaklands Lake,
Marshmeadows,
New Ross, Co. Wexford.
There a few nice fish amongst the smaller roach and hybrids
Munster Coarse Anglershad a knock-up on the upper section of O’Briens Bridge on Sunday after a long absence. The anglers were spread out along the section and were delighted to find it fished OK despite the nasty conditions. There was a mix of pole and feeder fishing and everyone caught. There a few nice fish amongst the smaller roach and hybrids
Results
1st steve grogan 15lbs
2nd lan kelsey 13lbs
3rd kevin leahy 8lbs
4th steve wright 7.5lbs
5th. Paul mccaul 6lbs
The last match in our winter league will be held here next week meet at the bridge 8.45 The dam Munster Coarse Angling Club are affiliated to the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland and are members of the Angling Council the National Governing Body for coarse and predator angling. www.ncffi.ie
