River Moy

Another relatively quiet week on the River Moy, however, following a slight rise in the river on Sunday past, quite a few were caught this. The total recorded catch for the week was just over 180 salmon. On the Moy Fishery just 13 were caught, including two for Stephen Gibson, N.Ireland, whose best was 5lbs. Simon Heenan, also N.Ireland, had one of 4lbs on fly.

There were three recorded on the Cathedral Beat, with Alex McFarland catching and releasing his first ever salmon. Upstream, the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water yielded just five, yet Mount Falcon enjoyed a very good week with 32 recorded. Among those to enjoy success at Mount Falcon were John Lowe and Chris Maye, U.K. who had 11 salmon for three days, all on bubble and fly. The Knockmore waters' had 17 for the week, Armstrong's and Gannon's had similar catches, with six recorded at Attymass and ten at Byrne's Fishery.

Rinanney fished well, especially at the end of the week following the rise, with 38 salmon recorded and there were also several recorded around Foxford town. At Cloongee there were just 6 reported, including one of 4lbs for Killian Le Breton, France caught on a spinner. Lastly there were nine recorded on the East Mayo Anglers' water, seven of those were released, with Pascal Morvan, France landing two on fly and releasing one.

Anglers are reminded that as of the 1st of September, the daily bag limit for salmon is now one salmon per day and that the River Deel is now closed to anglers.

Lough Conn

Loughs Conn and Cullin have been experiencing very difficult fishing conditions of late, with fly life patchy and water levels still very low. The most productive flies over the past few weeks have been the Octopus and the Claret and Mallard.

Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Paul Ashworthy, U.K. had three trout up to 2lbs all on dry Olives. Kevin Egan, Co. Longford, also had three, his best 1.5lbs, all taken on an Octopus, while Megan Bothwell, Co. Armagh, had one on a Claret Mallard.

Out of Crossmolina, Dan Melia, Co. Kildare and fishing partner Tony Walsh had seven small trout on dry Wulff's , their best was 1.25 lbs. Peter Manning, Manchester and Thomas White and son Byron, also Manchester, had eight between them, some on fly and the others while trolling Mepp's, their best 1.5lbs.

Pat Tinsley and Antoinette Connolly, also Co. Kildare accounted for three trout on wet fly, their best 1.75lbs. John Burke, Toomore, had four trout on Saturday past, his best 1.5 lbs and all caught on dry fly, while Harry Mc Cafferty, Ballina, boated two trout for 2 lbs, both taken on an Octopus.

There is an end of fishing season get together out of Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook on Saturday next, September 14th at 11.00am. Weigh-in & dinner in Murphy's Lahardane at 7.00pm.

Ballina and Cloghans Angling Club are hosting the Lodge Bar Perpetual Cup competition also on Saturday, September 14th. Fishing commences at 11am with all fish for the weigh-in to be presented to the Lodge, Cloghans, by 6.30pm. Entry fee is €20 with own boat and €30 without. To confirm entry please contact Sean on +353 (0)871802636.

Lough Mask

Ronan Cusack reports that all roads led to Clonbur this week, for the 12th annual Licensed Vintner's (and friend's) Wet Fly Competition. Despite the blustery conditions 133 anglers participated, with 154 fish weighed in over the 2 day event. This year's top vintner was Mallow man Richie Willis, with 5 fish for 5.99lbs. Billy Kavanagh, also from Cork, took first place in the individual section, with 8 fish for 10.24lbs. Second best individual was well known angler Michael Twohig from Kanturk with 6 fish for 7.23lbs. In third position was Michael O'Shea from Killarney with 4 trout for 6.69lbs. The winning team of four were Michael Byrne, Ian Ireland, Joe Butler and Billy Kavanagh with 16 trout for 19.79lbs. The top lady angler in this year's event was Ann McWilliams from Kanturk, with 4 fish for 4.17lbs.
The ITFFA Interprovincial was also held on Lough Mask last weekend, with 18 qualifiers from each province looking for a place on next year's national team. This competition is run on a catch-and-release basis, with all fish over 30cm measured and recorded. A total of 195 trout were caught, with an average length of 33.8cm.
The winning province was Ulster, with 60 fish for 13,680 points. Second was Connacht with 57 trout for 11,460 points. Third was Leinster with 43 trout for 8,290 points and in fourth position was Munster with 35 trout for 8,120 points. The top individual rod was Ulster angler Brian Stanfield with 10 trout. Ulster also took the longest fish with a trout of 49cm caught by Pat Foley.
Tom Conroy, Ballinrobe had 5 good trout on Sunday last on dry daddies (best trout 2lbs, all returned). Gerry O'Brien, Ballinrobe fished with his son John during the week and they had 6 fish for their day (best trout 2lbs, all returned). Noel Moran and Kevin Sheridan fished on Monday and they had 4 fish on both wets and dries (best trout 2lbs, all returned).
Lough Mask is at a record low at the moment and anglers are asked to take extra care when travelling around the lake.
Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at 087 2869487 or by email at cusackronan@gmail.com
Kylemore Abbey Fishery
Low water hampered angling at Kylemore last week, with 5 salmon recorded for just 6.5 rod days. A further 4 fish on Sunday brought the season total to 199 salmon, and Hugh Maguire broke the 200 barrier with a nice fish on Monday, earning the prize of a day's free fishing. This figure is well up on last year's total of 137, and with just under 3 weeks of the season left it looks like Kylemore will record its best season for many years. Latest reports are that the river has risen a foot this morning after overnight rain, and is continuing to rise, so prospects look excellent for the coming week.
To book fishing contact Nigel at 095 41178, or mobile 087 9580702, and for latest news check the website at www.kylemorefishery.ie

Erriff Fishery
Angling manager Jim Stafford reports on fishing from the 26th August to 10th September.
Water levels during the period were low and angling conditions were far from ideal for most of the period. However rain on the morning of the 7th did bring about an increase in water levels. Anglers reported seeing a lot of fish showing even on the higher beats. Andrew Kyd caught a nice fresh sea liced grilse on a Cascade in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 and released a fish of 5lbs taken on a Stoat's Tail in School House on Beat 3. Mike Warwick caught 2 - one from the Sally Pool on Beat 7 and the other from the Coronation Pool on Beat 8. Guy Turlough released a fish of 6lbs taken on a Tosh on Glenanane Stones on Beat 7.
Jean Francois and Jean Jacques Calvar, France released fish of 4.5lbs and 8lbs which were caught on Cascades in Doyle's Pool on Beat 6 - they also released a fish of 3lbs and a good sea trout of 2lbs caught in the Broken Bridge and Joyces' Sand Hill on Beat 5. Stuart Topp and Mike Sutherland, Scotland released a grilse of 4lbs and 2 sea trout of 1.5lbs caught in the Colonel's Pool on Beat 6.
Wolfgang Sesselmann, Germany caught one of 5lbs and a sea trout of 2.5lbs in the Broken Bridge pool on Beat 5 - Wolfgang also caught a beautifully marked brown trout of 2.5 lbs at the Bend below Quarry Pool on Beat 2.
Tawnyard Lough produced 1 small grilse, 7 sea trout and numerous brown trout for Niall Greene and Angus Sutherland. The Cronin party from Cork caught 12 sea trout all on the river, and the catch included a salmon of 6lbs for Dan Hynes caught on a Black Pennell in Glenanane Stones on Beat 7.
Total catch for the period was 13 salmon and 17 sea trout.
There is some availability for the last couple of weeks of the season on the Erriff, which traditionally fishes very well in September. To book fishing or accommodation, contact Jim at Aasleagh Lodge on 095 42252, or email erriff.fish@iol.ie