Castlebar - County Mayo - Angling News - Week Ending 26 July 2009

River Moy

The Moy system produced a reported catch of 670 salmon for the week bringing the yearly total, so far, to 4,181. Again, the fluctuating water levels made fishing rather unpredictable. Most fisheries reported Saturday as the best day.

The continuous high water levels impacted on fly fishing on the Moy Fishery. However, a total of 94 salmon was caught for the week, the bulk of which was landed on the Ridge Pool. Amongst the successful anglers were: Steve Hazeldine, UK, with 3 grilse on spinner, Ian Adamson, also UK, with 2 salmon, best at 5.97 lbs. also on spinner and Belgian fly angler, Roland Capouillez, who did very well catching 5 grilse, 2 of which he released. Also on the Ridge Pool, angling journalist and director of Russia’s leading angling magazine, Elena Chekmareva, caught a fine grilse on spinner. Elena was part of a group of 18 members of the “Royal Fishing Club” from Germany who were fishing on the River Moy over the weekend. NWRFB CEO, Vincent Roche and Board member, Padraic Traynor, also caught a grilse each. On the Weir Pool, Steve Breier, Luxemburg, had a fine 7.31 lbs. salmon on fly, while John Ryan, Tipperary, landed 2 salmon on fly on the Cathedral Beat. Also on the Cathedral Beat, Jim Doody, Dublin, had 3 grilse on worm, best at 5.5 lbs. Fintan Keenan was successful on the Spring Wells where he got two fish on fly, while Steve Hazeldine added another salmon to his account on the Freshwater Beat. Steve’s fish took a spinner and weighed in at 7 lbs.

On the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water, Christopher Egan had a fine 12 pounder, while the Mount Falcon Fishery noted its third good week in a row. The fishery reported a total of 59 salmon, 25 of which were caught over two days by members of the “Royal Fishing Club”. The best bag of 5 grilse was caught by former German national team ice hockey coach, Hans Zach. Also on Mt. Falcon, Dave Lambert caught his first ever salmon, a fine 9.75 lbs. fish. On Coolcronan, Sean Chadwick and Lewis Holden, both UK, had a grilse each, while Andy Major, also UK, landed one on Gannon’s. The Foxford Fishery also enjoyed good fishing during the week with bags of 10 salmon for Stuart Sumnall and Bill Shenkins, both UK. Most fish were caught on worm and spinner. Mick Tonin, Northern Ireland had a fine 12 pounder on the productive Foxford Salmon Anglers’ Rinanney stretch.

Up river, Cloongee yielded 23 salmon for the week. Brian Cunningham, Monaghan, had 5 fish on worm for two days, best at 9 lbs., while Michael Hughes, also Monaghan, landed three. On East Mayo, good fly fishing was enjoyed during the week. Successful fly anglers included: Tony Peterson, Sweden, John & Clark Little, both Northern Ireland and Jim Ruane, Castlebar.

Lough Conn

Christopher Johnston, Northern Ireland, with his first ever brace of grilse caught trolling on Lough Conn.

On Lough Conn, young Christopher Johnston from Enniskillen caught his first ever salmon while trolling on Lough Conn. Christopher’s two grilse weighed in at 4.75 lbs. & 3 lbs.

Christopher Johnston, Northern Ireland, with his first ever brace of grilse caught trolling on Lough Conn

Easkey River

The Easkey Fortland Fishery reported 12 salmon for the week, best at 11.5 lbs.

Owenmore River

A rise in water levels during the week resulted in improved fishing conditions. As a consequence, a total of 11 salmon were reported from the Bangor Angling Club stretch of the Owenmore River. The best fish of the week, a 13 pounder, was caught by Franz Kaiser, Bangor Erris & Germany. Other notable catches included 3 salmon at 10, 8 & 5.5 lbs. for UK angler, Andrew Thomson, two fish at 9 lbs. and 4 lbs. for local angler Michael Noone and a fine 12.5 lbs. salmon for Larry Mitchell, Belmullet. Other successful anglers were Joe Denny, Northern Ireland, with 2 grilse and David Berry, UK who also had 2 grilse averaging 6 lbs.

Lough Beltra & Newport River

Heavy floods at the weekend impacted on the fishing in the Lough Beltra/Newport river catchment. However, on the Newport River, Hansen Jensen, Denmark, had one salmon at 9 lbs., while local angler, Eamon Kennedy, caught and released two fine sea trout. On Lough Beltra East, Phil Byrne landed 7 lbs. salmon, while Jackie Diffley had a small grilse.

Ballin Lough

The Ballin Lough Fishery had a reported catch of 16 rainbow trout, nine of which were released. Joe Gibbons boated the best fish for the week, a fine 4 lbs. rainbow trout. Other successful anglers included Frank Dempsey & friend, with 4 trout, best fish at 3.5 lbs. and Mark Reilly, with best at 2 lbs. Most successful flies for the week were gold head nymphs, Montana nymphs and Green Peter.

Ballysadare River

There were still plenty of fish showing in the Ballysadare River with a total of 100 salmon caught, 52 of which were released. The heaviest fish of the week was a 9 lbs. salmon and was landed by Mark Kennedy on worm.

Lough Arrow

The excellent “Peter Fishing” continued during the week, with good numbers of 3 lbs. to 5 lbs. trout being caught. David Gray caught & released a total of 12 fish for the week, best at 4.5 lbs.! Peter Dunne also did very well, with 7 fish for his week, heaviest at 5.25 lbs. Other successful anglers were Sean Dunne with 5 trout between 2 lbs. & 4.75 lbs., Noel Fairbanks who also landed 3 fish, best at 4 lbs., Thomas Walsh with two trout, best at 4 lbs. and Stella McGriskin who boated a 3.75 lbs. trout.