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fter an exceptionally warm and dry spell in late May, weather conditions across Ireland became more unsettled, with cooler temperatures, increased cloud cover, scattered rainfall and freshening winds. While the rain provided some welcome relief for low rivers and elevated water temperatures, many salmon fisheries would have benefited from a more significant rise in water levels.

On Lough Currane, conditions improved somewhat, with a few salmon and sea trout reported. Other Kerry fisheries, including the Laune, also saw a slight upturn in catches, as did the Munster Blackwater, where fish finally began moving upstream from the tidal stretches. A few salmon were also reported from the Bandon, while a report received from the Delphi Fishery in Co. Mayo noted that May still produced some fine fish and a noticeable increase in catch numbers compared to the same period last year. Staying in the west, anglers on the River Moy continued to contend with low water conditions but nevertheless succeeded in landing a number of salmon.

Trout anglers generally enjoyed improved conditions, with more favourable hatches, increased feeding activity and more suitable temperatures following the prolonged warm spell.

Most of the Western Lakes are still fishing well and have enjoyed a great mayfly season so far. In particular, guides and anglers on Lough Corrib report that mayfly fishing remains excellent and that, into the first week of June, hatches are still occurring, albeit in smaller numbers, with trout continuing to feed actively. Further north, Lough Conn is also producing good sport, with anglers reporting consistent fishing in recent days.

River fishing, however, has been more challenging due to fluctuating water levels, which have made hatches and feeding patterns somewhat erratic. That said, when conditions come together, anglers enjoy some excellent sport, as highlighted by Dan O’Neill in his “Matching What’s Hatching” feature from the River Nore. We also received an encouraging report from Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling from the River Maigue, where breezy conditions made presentation a little tricky, but visiting anglers from near and far were still rewarded with some fine catches.

Over to coarse fishing, where anglers also reported positive results, with warm water temperatures helping to keep species such as bream, tench, roach and hybrids active. This week’s reports feature plenty of tench catches, including some outstanding specimens, which come as no surprise, as late spring and early summer is traditionally prime time for tench fishing in Ireland.

Tony Polter from the UK, who has been visiting Ireland for the past 35 years, enjoyed some spectacular coarse fishing during his recent trip, including a 22-tench session on the Royal Canal near Longford and an incredible red-letter day on a small lake in Co. Leitrim. It was on this gem of a venue that he caught 43 tench, with some females over specimen size and a big male tipping the scales at 5 lb 9 oz. Truly outstanding fishing and a deserved winner of our Catch of the Week!

Tench were also the target this time for Artur “Pike Seeker” on a small lake in Co. Cavan, while many quality tench were also caught by a group of regular guests of Melview Lodge after a rather slow start to their coarse angling holiday in the Hidden Heartlands.

That tench can also be caught on light spinning gear has been demonstrated by innovative lure and fly maker Artem, who managed to land a number of good tincas on one of his handmade lures using ultralight spinning gear. Last but not least, Alin Dragan has once again produced an excellent video about catching specimen tench and bream in a “secret” lake, which is well worth watching.

Concluding our coarse angling section, East Side CAC were crowned All-Ireland Club Feeder Champions in a close contest on Inniscarra Reservoir last weekend, while the Edenderry Festival, one of Ireland’s premier canal matches, got off to a flying start with excellent results during the week.

Well, it could just be a coincidence, but it comes as a bit of a surprise that we have no pike reports this week, given that late May and early June are still generally regarded as good periods for pike fishing. However, young Adam managed to save face for predator anglers by catching some nice perch on Lough Melvin. Well done, Adam!

Sea anglers also reported some good sport where conditions allowed, although stronger winds restricted opportunities in more exposed coastal areas.

One of the areas where good fishing, despite windy conditions, kept anglers happy was West Clare. Sean Maguire on the Isle of Aran reports busy angling with an array of species, while Luke Aston, skippering the Clare Dragoon, also managed to provide good sport on light gear for his clients, with plenty of coalfish and pollack. The sheltered waters of the Shannon Estuary guaranteed good bull huss and thornback ray fishing later in the week.

Moving to Cork Harbour, Richie Ryan of Eire Bass sent in a great report of an enjoyable and memorable family reunion, which also produced some excellent fly-caught bass and pollack for three generations of the Ryan family.

Staying in the south, West Cork and District SAC fished an open competition at Ballymacoda last weekend, while Team Ireland took the gold medal at the scaled-down Home Nations Championships, fished out of Cahersiveen. The Irish team followed up first-place finishes on each boat on day one with another strong day of fishing on day two, beating Team England into second place and Team Wales into third.

We finish this week’s angling update in the southeast, where Brendan Butler won the New Ross & District SAC three-day competition, which was fished on the Hook Peninsula. Also in the southeast, the Dunmore East Small Boats Festival took place recently. After a challenging day one, which was curtailed by strong winds and rough seas, the festival got into full swing on day two, producing a phenomenal total of 32 species. In the end, the event was won by Shamrock Tackle, with a total of 22 species.

And now the weather

Tonight will be blustery with outbreaks of rain becoming widespread and heavy at times, particularly in southern and eastern areas, with a risk of spot flooding. Mist and hill fog will affect some higher ground. Winds will be freshening from the southeast to east, strong at times along southern and eastern coasts.

Over the weekend, conditions will remain changeable with further rain and showers. Western areas will see the most frequent outbreaks at times, while eastern and southeastern parts may hold onto wetter conditions for longer periods. There will be some brighter spells, but these will be brief and intermittent.

Next week continues unsettled, with a mix of rain or showers most days and occasional brighter intervals. Temperatures will remain close to or slightly below average for the time of year, with breezy conditions continuing, especially in western and coastal regions.

If you do go fishing this weekend, 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 this May Bank Holiday weekend, 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 [email protected]. 

All the angling news

Salmon Fishing Reports

• River Moy Report to 31 May: Dry Weather Continued to Impact Fishing Conditions
• Some nice fish for May at Delphi
• Conditions improve on Currane at the weekend and a few fish reported
• A few salmon from the Laune and Lakes at Killarney
• Salmon to 14lb caught on the Bandon last week
• A few salmon reported on the Munster Blackwater

Trout Fishing Reports

• Successful Whit weekend competition fished on Lough Conn
• A great mayfly hatch continues on Corrib
• “Matching what’s Hatching” with Dan O’Neill
• Lake O’Flynn Catch and Release Competition
• Plenty of visitors from far & wide enjoy a cast with Celtic Angling

Coarse Angling Reports

• Incredible tench catches for Tony on 35th annual fishing holiday
• Melview Regulars Rewarded for Their Persistence
• East Side CAC are All Ireland Club Feeder Champions
• Tough Dangling at Daingean for Frank Holding Memorial
• Fishing off to a Flyer at Edenderry Festival
• PikeSeeker recommends tench tactics
• Tench Tempted by Artem’s Custom Made Lures
• Secret specimen lake for wild tench & bream

Pike Fishing Reports

• Spinning for perch on Melvin’s shores

Sea Angling Reports

• Good fishing even in the wind off Clare coast
• Team Ireland take gold at Home Nations Boat Champs 2026
• Good Variety for Anglers Fishing Donegal Bay
• Family Ties and Tight Lines in Cobh
• Alan Mulcahy wins WCAD Open at Ballymacoda
• South Shore SAC hosting the Tommy Keogh Open on 13th June @ Kilcoole
• Brendan Butler wins New Ross & District 3-Dayer
• 32 Species Caught in Dunmore East Small Boats Festival