Castlebar - County Mayo - Angling News - WRBD Galway 29 May 2013

Galway Fishery

The welcome drop in water levels, and the arrival of grilse in good numbers, has seen the best week of the season so far in Galway, with 30 fish reported landed, and several more hooked and lost. Veteran angler Ned Cusack, well into his 90s, was first off the mark with a 4.5lbs grilse taken on shrimp. Louis Brennan landed 2 grilse of 5.5lbs each on shrimp, while Michael Leonard, another Galway veteran, had 2 grilse of 4.5lbs each, also on shrimp. Clifden angler Ashley Matthews had a 4.5lbs grilse and a fine 13lbs salmon, both on fly. Tuam angler Henry Cosgrove took a 7.5lbs fish on shrimp, while Brian King had 2 grilse on shrimp and fly. Northern Ireland visitor John Bennett landed 5 fish during his visit, all grilse between 5 and 6lbs, with the best fish taken on fly, while Brian O'Rourke landed 2 grilse of 5 and 6lbs, as well as an 11.5lbs spring salmon, all on shrimp. Jean Le Moal from france took a nice 7lbs grilse on fly, and John Ryan landed a grilse of 5.5lbs and a fine springer of 12.5lbs.

Fishing conditions are excellent at the moment, with 2 sluice gates open and levels hopefully dropping further, and with good numbers of grilse arriving on every tide prospects look very good for a productive month ahead.

Lough Mask

Ronan Cusack reports that Mask continued in top form again this week with some exceptional bags reported. Water levels have dropped slightly, but are still very high for this time of year. The massive hatch of olives we have enjoyed over the past 3 weeks are beginning to peter out with the arrival of the long awaited mayfly. Hatches have been described as sparse so far, with the main hatch in the south-eastern corner of the lake (Saints Island - Inishard area). The buzzer hatch on the warmer days has also been incredible with some fine trout taken on various buzzer patterns.

Connor Dennedy (Claremorris) and Owen Kelly (Donegal) had 10 trout wetfly fishing on Thursday (best fish 2.25lbs all returned). The lads also reported returning countless undersize fish in shallow water. Ronan Cusack guided 2 UK anglers - Howard and Mike - for two days this week and they had 18 fish over the size limit for the two days, also encountering numerous undersize fish (best fish 2.25lbs all returned).

Phil McGinnity of the Marine Institute in Newport was joined by two Scottish friends, Mike Donehey and John Webb, on Mask for two days this week. The three lads spent the two days with Kevin Sheridan and Ronan Cusack and had approximately 24 trout for their trip (best fish 2.5lbs, all returned). Ronan and Mike then fished together on Friday and they had 14 good fish for the day (best fish 6lbs). Local angler Kevin Egan had 5 trout in Cushlough Bay for a few hours fishing this week (best fish 4lbs, all returned). Kevin was joined by Declan McAlorum from Dublin on Saturday afternoon and they had 2 fish (best fish 2.5lbs, all returned). Peadar Jennings (Ballinrobe) also fished on Saturday and he had 11 trout on mayfly patterns (best fish 2lbs).

Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted on at 087 2869487 or by email at cusackronan@gmail.com

Yves Hammon from France spent the past month on Mask with his wife fishing from Halls Angling Centre, they had 118 trout over their 4 week trip (best fish 4lbs). David Duffy also fished from Halls this week and he had 3 fish on wetfly patterns (best fish 1.75lbs). To book fishing or accommodation at Halls contact David or Helen on 094 9541389 or check www.lakeshoreholidays.com

Regular Mask anglers Anthony Baggott and Philip McGoldrick fished on Saturday and they landed 20 plus trout with 8 exceeding the legal limit (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). Anthony reported that the majority of fish were taken on a Golden Dabbler and mayfly patterns.

Margaret Gorman from Isham Self-Catering and Boat Hire reports anglers fishing from ‘Isham' and Dringeen Bay reported some of the best catches of fish from Lough Mask for years over the last week.The majority of the fish for the week were caught on wet flies, fished on floating and intermediate lines.

John Wilson, Malawi concluded his fishing trip which he thoroughly enjoyed having had much success on dry flies. Pat and Adrian Gorman had a fantastic evenings fishing on Thursday, where for a few hours in stormy northerly winds, they caught 7 fine trout, all on wetfly, some of which were returned. Their best fish was 3.5lbs.

Dr. Paul McQuaid, Dublin and Reg O'Keeffe, Cork, had a bumper day on Friday where Paul caught 5 trout on dapped natural mayfly and wetfly. John Wendell (Northern Ireland) and his friend Brendan also had a good days fishing on Friday. Brendan caught his first trout on Lough Mask with a Claret Dabbler. Kevin Synott, Dublin fished on Saturday and Sunday, catching 7 trout over the two days, on a mix of wet and dry fly. Scottish anglers Joe Hendrie and Alex Coutts had a great couple of days fishing from Dringeen Bay. They caught 15 trout overall on Lough Mask on olive patterns and on dry fly. Simon McDowell (Northern Ireland) had a good day on Saturday where he recorded 3 fish to dry fly.

‘Isham' guests, Dr. Ian & Rosie Gordon (Northern Ireland), Roderick & Caroline Murphy (Kilkenny) and their friend Patrick from Cork concluded their fishing holiday at Dringeen Bay. The early part of the week, they fished dry flies on Lough Carra with some success. They concluded their fishing on Saturday on Lough Mask where they again had some success with dry flies.

Pat and Adrian Gorman ventured out again on Sunday where they again had a good day's fishing on wet fly. They caught 14 trout, including one very good fish.

The vast majority of fish caught by anglers for the week were returned alive. All anglers reported huge numbers of small fish, in some cases up to twice as many as fish of a keep able size.

For accommodation, boat hire and angling information available on site see www.congselfcatering.com , phone 087 7908107 or email isham@eircom.net

Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to take this opportunity once again to remind anglers that fisheries officers are continually carrying out checks and patrols around Corrib, Mask and Carra lakes to ensure that local bye-laws and regulations are being adhered to.

Anglers should be mindful that since 2008 it is illegal to be in possession of any trout under 33cm (13 inches) and that there is a daily bag limit of 4 brown trout per angler per day.

Lough Corrib

Eamon Walsh reports that fishing on Corrib in the past week could be described as patchy, with many anglers being left frustrated at seeing plenty of free rising fish but finding it difficult to make contact with them. Many anglers also reported seeing fish splashing at flies with their body or tail and not making an attempt to take the fly properly. Others are coming short to the flies or even missing them completely. Anglers are also commenting on the large numbers of small undersize fish being caught, especially over the shallows. This is a testament to the work being carried out by local fisheries staff, clubs and other stakeholders. Much of the works carried out on enhancing spawning and nursery rivers has been done with the generosity of anglers, through their clubs and the Clydagh Foundation.

Declan Gibbons reported on some good fishing in the Greenfields area. Pat Day, a well-known Headford angler, had 5 fish over 2 outings in the early part of the week on wet mayfly and Octopus patterns. Pat managed 3 fish for over 7lbs on Monday evening. Johnny Moroney from Shannon had 8 trout on Thursday, 6 to wets and 2 on dry fly, all released. Brothers Ray and John Maher from Neanagh, Co. Tipperary had a most enjoyable week dapping at Inismacatreer, with 25 fish, keeping just 5. Ruben Vyncke from Belgium, fishing out of Corrib View Lodge, had a great week fishing with boatman Frank Reilly, bringing over 50 fish to the boat using a mix of buzzer, wet and dry fly fishing. There were two competitions held from Greenfields on Sunday. The Headford and Corrib Anglers held their annual pair's completion which was won by Eugene Kenny and Gerry Walsh with 5 fish. Mary and Paul Miller were second with 3 fish; Mary also captured the heaviest fish with a fine trout of 1.24kgs. Ennis Anglers mayfly competition recorded 8 fish for 12 rods. Sean O'Loughlin won with 3 fish. It is notable to add that all competitions organised by the Ennis Anglers are run on a 14-inch size limit, an inch more than the statutory 13-inch limit.

Further down the lake the story has been much the same. Ger Lenihan from Cork had 3 lovely fish while fishing buzzer, with his best being over 5lbs. All 3 were released. Tim Rowley and Dick Price fishing the lower lake with Larry McCarty had up to 40 trout for a week on buzzer and dry olives.

At the northern end of the lake Michael Keane reports good fishing around the Carraig shallows and Inisdooras. Michael Waters from Cornamona along with two friends had 5 fish to the dap on a single outing. John Horan & Paul Kelly from Castlebar had 3 trout for 5.5lbs also to the dap. Cathal Mannion and Willie Loftus from Rosmuc had 2 fish for 4lbs while fishing out of Cornamona.

Meanwhile, three anglers from County Down were delighted with their days angling at Castle Kirk, landing 7 pike, the heaviest being 16lbs. All pike were released unharmed.

Tommy Kelly informs us that fishing activity has began to drop off in the Oughterard area in the past week, with many anglers returning home after a disappointing start to the month due in most part to the cold weather and limited fly life. As the week progressed large hatches of mayfly could be seen in many areas, along with olive hatches in the early days of last week.

Stephen Watson, staying at Currarevagh House had an excellent week, catching and releasing up to 50 trout, the best being over 3.5lbs. Tom Stanton from Cork had 13 trout to wet fly, releasing 10. Mike Flaherty and Martin Feerick had 7 fish for 13lbs, returning 6. Brothers Frank and Jeff Goddard also had some fine fishing during the week, bringing 24 fish to wet and dry fly , the best of 2.5lbs.

Mary Miller from Lough Corrib Fly Fishing also got in touch to send on a photo of a beautiful trout caught on Lough Corrib by guest Jim Longmore. Jim was over from England fishing with Paul Miller from Lough Corrib Fly Fishing when he caught this beauty at the end of a day's fishing out on the lake. They were just about to put the tackle away when Jim noticed a good hatch of Campto buzzer off Kilbeg pier on Lough Corrib. Taking the opportunity Jim fished off the jetty and with his first cast caught a fish of over 3lbs. Then with his very next cast cast he caught this beauty of over 4lbs! What a great end to the day.

Jim Longmore with a fine 4lbs plus trout taken on Lough Corrib, May 2013.

Gary Costelloe from Lakelands Angling Centre, Oughterard, was in touch to report that good hatches of mayfly has seen vast improvements in the fishing , but still cold northerly winds kept temperatures down making anglers work hard for success . Among Lakelands ‘ guests to enjoy their trips were Brian and Anthony Walsh from Dublin, who had 3 nice trout for 4.5lbs on wetfly. John Boland from Clare had 2 trout for 4lbs on dry mayfly. Jonathan Rice from Cork had 2 trout for 3.5 lbs on wetfly, and Ray Burnes from Cork landed 1 fish for 1.5lbs. The Thornton Party had 8 fish over 3 days, with the best fish 3lbs.

For further information on accommodation and boat hire please contact Gary on mayfly@eircom.net , call 091 552121, or check www.lakelandanglingcentre.com

Tomi Kurman reported that recently he didn't spend too much time targeting ferox due to the weather, but last week prospects improved, with calmer conditions. Lucky guest John Paul Breakers from Cork made the most of the weather window, with his new personal best trout, a fine fish of 12lbs 3oz. In recent days Tomi has been targeting smaller trout on micro lures and light tackle, landing some superb conditioned trout up to 7.5lbs, with most averaging between 4-5 lbs. Tomi also reports that pike are finally back after the spawning season, with some very good fish showing recently.

John Paul Breakers with his personal best 12lbs 3oz trout taken on Lough Corrib, May 2013.

To book fishing with Tomi or his fellow guide Jack from the Predator Team Guides, contact Tomi on 085 7318541 or check www.facebook.com/tomi.guidedfishing or get Jack on 085 7741578 or see www.fishingireland.pl.

Anglers should be mindful that since 2008 it is illegal to be in possession of any trout under 33cm (13 inches) and that there is a daily bag limit of 4 brown trout per angler per day.