Angling News
Angling News - Mayo/Sligo 2 Oct 2011
By Bryan Ward
8, Oct 2011 - 15:22

Salmon Angling
River Moy

Catch reports for the last week of the angling season were down somewhat from previous weeks catches. However, the Moy still yielded a very respectable 258 salmon for the closing week, bringing the annual catch total to approximately 9,000 salmon.

The Ballina town fisheries experienced virtually no angling effort on the closing days, as anglers concentrated their efforts on the middle and upper fisheries. The Ballina Salmon Anglers water, Mount Falcon, Knockmore, Byrne's, Armstrong's, Gannon's and the Foxford Fishery all enjoyed a relatively productive close to the season. The Rinanney and East Mayo Anglers Association waters also enjoyed good sport in the closing period, with notable catches at East Mayo including Roy Wilson, Belfast, who caught and released a fine 15lbs salmon on the fly, and Ian Guegan, Co. Mayo, who had three to the fly on one day, all released. On Cloongee, Aiden Crean, Co. Dublin, caught one of 5lbs on fly, while Denis Epron, France, had a grilse while spinning.

Owenmore River
The final day of this year's salmon season was marked on the Bangor Angling Club stretch of the Owenmore with the annual ‘Last Cast' event, which raised over €1,200 for charity. Forty-six anglers took part in this catch and release event which was attended by both local and visiting anglers, with countries such as the U.K., France, Germany and Sweden also represented. Conditions were far from ideal, as the river rose considerably throughout the day. However, a total of 22 salmon were caught and safely released to the water. Those who participated were treated to food and entertainment following their day on the river.

Glenamoy River
The salmon season ended on the Glenamoy River with a busy week, with angling conditions suitable on most days. Local and visiting anglers both enjoyed a successful season on the river, particularly in the latter weeks. Some of those to enjoy good sport in the final days were Rasmus Laurissen, England, who had two sea trout, Matt Fitzpatrick, Westport, who caught an 8.5lbs salmon, Pedar Sullivan, Co. Offaly, with a 7lbs salmon and Pat Lawlor, Co. Offaly, with a 6.5lbs salmon.

Trout Angling
Lough Conn

On Saturday, 24 September the Kieran Lynn Memorial Cup was fished out of Murphy's Boat Hire with 35 anglers participating. Results were as follows: First place and heaviest fish went to Ryan Binley, Foxford. Runner up with the heaviest bag of 3 trout was Niamh Lynn. Third place went to Kieran Foley who had the 2nd heaviest fish and in fourth place was Liam McHugh.

Elsewhere, German angler, Joachim Bauer, had two trout for 2 lbs., while Christy Flynn caught a fine trout for 1.5 lbs. on a Claret Dabbler.

Sea Angling
Killala Bay

Skipper of the Leah, Donal Kennedy, netting a fine thornback ray, caught on a recent trip on Killala Bay.

Skipper of the Leah, Donal Kennedy, reported on a recent successful trip out on Killala Bay. A party of anglers left Killala Harbour on Saturday the 1st for a short trip in relatively calm conditions. The weather was dull with some sunny periods and light winds. Crossing the Killala Bar, it was a delight for the party to view close up a young basking shark, not more than 2m long, feeding in only 3m of water. The first part of the day the Leah drifted over sand and this produced some fine thornback ray, the best was up to 8lbs. A nice variety of fish were caught including, pouting, poor cod, red gurnard, grey gurnard, whiting and the ever present lesser spotted dogfish. The party then moved to another part of the bay and a number of ling up to 5lbs and pollack (up to 8lbs) were caught. There were also plenty of mackerel caught, with a large number of these being the smaller ‘Joey' mackerel.