River Moy

Ghillie John Howley with the first salmon of the 2008 season on the Moy Fishery

The first Moy Fishery salmon for the 2008 season was caught on 7 May, on the Ridge Pool. For the 2^nd consecutive year, Ghillie John Howley, caught the first fish on the famous pool which will draw anglers from all over the world as the season progresses. John had already lost a salmon the previous day and was delighted when the 6.75 lbs fish was successfully landed at 12:30 pm. Later in the day, two more salmon were caught and released. Both fish were estimated to weigh about 11 lbs.

With water conditions reaching almost perfect level and the dry weather continuing, prospects for the Moy Fishery are looking excellent.

The Moy system had its best week of the season so far and produced a reported catch of 110 salmon for the week bringing the total for the season to 266. Water levels have dropped significantly and fish have been caught throughout the system.

On the Ballina Salmon Angler’s water, Jim Quinn, Dublin, had a fish at 5 lbs. on the worm while Jim McCooey, a regular visitor from Northern Ireland, had a fine 13.5-pounder on spinner. On Mount Falcon, the first salmon of the season was caught by fishery manager, Stuart Price while on the Armstrong Fishery, Paul Meehan, Offaly, and Peter Kermode, Isle of Man, both had fish at 10 lbs. on the worm. The Foxford Fishery produced 4 salmon for the week, including a 9 lbs. fish for Colm Lynam, Dublin and a 7-pounder for David Jones, Wales. On Rinanney, German visitor, Willie Behr had 2 fine fish at 9 lbs. and 13 lbs. on the worm and Stephen Hoper, Northern Ireland, landed a cracking 14-pounder fishing the prawn.

Regular visitor Jim McCooy, Northern Ireland, with his 13.5-pounder from the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water.

There was very good fishing for the 2^nd consecutive week on the Cloongee Fishery with a total of 19 salmon reported. Amongst the successful anglers were John & Graham Rogerson, UK, with 3 salmon between 8.5 and 10.75 lbs. and Bernard Nerzic & Joel Le Beuze, France with fish of 9 lbs. & 10 lbs. On beat two, Mark Murphy & Michael McCormack, both from Wexford, had fish of 9 lbs. & 8.5 lbs. while French angler, Bruno Harne, got one at 8.25 lbs. There was very good fly fishing on the East Mayo Association water where Billy McGhee, Ballavary, had a 9 lbs. fish while Philip McEntyre, Dublin landed a nice10-pounder. Also on the fly, Ian Guegan caught & released a fine 11 lbs. salmon.

Loughs Conn & Cullin

Windy conditions persisted throughout the week and impacted on the angling on both Loughs. However, the first mayflies started to appear on Lough Cullin and, with the mild weather continuing, further hatches of mayfly are expected in the coming days.

Pontoon Bridge Hotel reported 8 trout (4 released) weighing a total of 11 lbs. for James McWalter, Claremorris while Welsh angler, Clive Morris had 2 fish for 2 lbs. Also at Pontoon, Michelle Moss had her first trout at Glass Island on a Dabbler.

Over at Cloghans, Bernie Scott, Knockmore, fishing together with Denis Michael, had a fine trout at 3.36 lbs. Dermot Dunne, Offaly, and Brendan Levins, Dublin had 4 trout (all returned) over 2 evenings for 5 lbs and Seamus Kelly reported one for 1.5 lbs.

Elsewhere, Kieran Connolly, Pontoon, took a 10 lbs. salmon while trolling.

The Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers hosted two fishing competitions over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday, 3 May the L. Conn & Cullin anglers fished against the Dublin Trout Anglers for the "Millennium Bowl". Thirty-six anglers took part and the event was won by Dublin Trout Anglers. John Reed, Dublin, won the "Ross Tolan Cup" with 2 trout for 3.31 lbs. On Sunday, 4 May the two clubs fished for the "Pratt Cup" and the event was won by Seán Goulding, Dublin, with a 2.22 lbs. trout. Michael Monaghan, Knockmore came 2^nd with a fish weighing in at 2.21 lbs. and Michael Noone, Lahardaun landed in 3^rd place.

Most successful flies for the week included Sooty Olive, Bibio and Dabbler patterns.

Lough Beltra

The excellent salmon fishing continued on Lough Beltra during the week.

Newport House Hotel reported 3 salmon for its guests. April & Edward Westroff, UK, had a fish each with an estimated weight of 8.5 lbs. & 9 lbs. while Richard McDowell caught a 7 lbs. salmon.

The Glenisland Co-op side of the lake also fished well and produced fish for Seamus O’Neill, Cavan (8 lbs.), Declan Dooley, Dublin (9 lbs.), Rory Murray, Portlaoise (6 lbs.), Mick Cunningham, Castlebar (9 lbs.) and Jackie Deffley, Glenisland (9 lbs.).

Please note that Lough Beltra and the Newport River are fished under a "Catch & Release" basis until the 11^th of May following which they may be fished in accordance with normal regulations.

Carrowmore Lake

Fishing on this prolific spring salmon fishery can be arranged by contacting Bangor Sporting Club at www.bangorerrisangling.com.

Ballisodare River

Again, fishing was excellent on the Ballisodare Fishery with 46 salmon caught, 33 of which were released. The fish of the week was a cracking 16-pounder caught & released by fly angler Peter Noone. The fly worked particularly well this past week and anglers were rewarded with many salmon between 8 & 10 lbs. Other notable catches included further 10 lbs. fish for Seanie Maye, Trevor Goulding and Vincent Henry.

Ballin Lough

This Board managed fishery fished opened on Thursday, 1 May with 19 anglers fishing in less than ideal conditions. Despite the bright sunshine, a total of 56 trout were caught on the opening day. John Shaughnessy, Tipperary, fishing with a friend had 11 rainbow trout (3 released) with best at 3.5 lbs. while Michael Schwartz & friend, Ballina, caught 8 fish (2 released), best at 3 lbs. Best flies included Montana Nymphs, Cat’s Whiskers and different lure type patterns.

The Ballin Lough Fishery is managed by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board and fishing can be arranged by contacting Mrs. Gill at 098-26128.