What a beautiful summer we are currently enjoying in West Cork!! Today saw temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius and as a result the river has dropped back to a very low summer level. However, this has not deterred the salmon and they still continue to run. Most fish caught are grilse in the 3-6lb range but big MSW salmon continue to make an appearance as an 18lb fish was caught and released during the week by an angler spinning. Methods producing best results at the moment are shrimp and worm.

More excellent fishing was reported yesterday and attached are photos of some fish caught since Monday.

What a few days fishing it has been on the Bandon! Good numbers of salmon were caught last week on shrimp and worm, again mostly grilse. On Saturday, we had a rise in river levels and this spurred on a big run of fish which provided a great spectacle at Bandon weir. Sunday saw many fish being caught on spinner and yesterday heralded the best day of fishing this year so far. Anglers enjoyed hooking, losing and landing many salmon yesterday as a great run of fresh fish entered the river. Most of these were grilse but a few better sized salmon were also encountered. Fly fishing was by far the most successful method as the water cleared. The best I heard of landed was in the high teens of pounds and another fish in the 20lb class was also lost. The small flood has now all but subsided, although there is still a nice tinge of colour. Prospects for the week ahead are excellent. Attached are photos of 2 lovely salmon caught by a local angler and a fish I returned last week.

The Bandon received another small flood which saw the river rising on Monday. Some excellent fishing was experienced with multiple catches reported. Best fish recorded estimated to weigh just over 17lbs and fell to the fly upriver. Most sport was enjoyed by those fly fishing, whilst the spinner also had its share of fish when the flood was a little dirtier. Unfortunately the river has dropped very quickly again but a nice tinge of colour remains which should result in more fish caught in the coming days.

Salmon continue to run the Bandon, again mostly grilse. It's very heartening to see a good, early run of these fish and whilst they are not running in big numbers, the entry of fresh fish is consistent. What should be said also is that the fish are in great condition and it has been mentioned on numerous occasions how hard fighting they have been. There is still no sign of any major rainfall on the way but the showers are helping to freshen up what is a low river. Attached is a photo of a 12lb fish I had last week whilst sea trout fishing.