Salmon Angling

River Moy

Angling on the lower beats has continued to improve throughout the past week, with the Moy Fishery producing 27 salmon, 20 of these caught on the Ridge Pool. Stephen Sweet, Gurnsey, caught one of 6.5lbs to the spinner on the Ridge Pool, with Jackie Byrne, Co. Wicklow, landing three to the fly, his best 4.65lbs. Pictured below are Billy Millar and Jimmy French, Belfast, who enjoyed success at the Ridge Pool. Billy had one grilse, while Jimmy accounted for three, two to the fly and one spinning. A few salmon were also caught on the Weir Pool, with four hooked on the Cathedral Beat. Lindsay Teague, N.Ireland had one of 4lbs on the fly at the Cathedral Beat, with William Dullaghan, Co. Louth taking one of 9lbs.

Billy Millar, and Jimmy French, N.Ireland and their catch following a morning session on the Ridge Pool. (Jimmys’ third salmon was released)

Upstream, the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water produced its share, and Mount Falcon report an increase in their catch over the past week. At the Coolcronan Fishery, Mary Carlisle reported two for the week, including one of 5lbs taken on the prawn by Jan Huber, Germany. Armstrong's Fishery produced relatively good angling, among those to have success were Jillies Bodinier, France, who had one of 10lbs to a prawn. Gannon's Fishery experienced similar returns for the week, with approximately 20 salmon reported, including one of 10.5lbs for Jurg Gasser, Switzerland. At the Foxford Fishery similar numbers have been reported, with one of the better fish caught by Walter Fuchinger, Germany, a fine salmon of 13lbs.

Rinanney produced good angling throughout the week, the Cloongee Fishery experienced a drop in angler numbers and as a result a drop in catches. Jean-Louis Coupe, France, was one of the few to have success at Cloongee, taking a 4lbs grilse on the fly. The East Mayo Anglers' water continued to produce good angling, although catch numbers are down compared to a few weeks ago. John McDonagh, Galway enjoyed good sport with the worm, landing salmon of 7lbs, 8lbs and 9lbs. Ronnie Evans, N.Ireland, had two of 6lbs and 8lbs to the fly, while Marais Gerard, France, also had two of 6lbs and 8lbs.

Ballisodare

Ballisodare Fishery produced over 100 salmon for the week, more grilse are appearing daily, yet good sized spring fish are still being caught. The prawn proved successful for these larger salmon, with Vincent Henry landing one of 10lbs, Dennis Barrett hooked one of 7lbs as did Paddy Martin. Michael O'Connor had success with the worm, landing a fine fish of 10lbs. Fly anglers also enjoyed good success, with Brian McDonagh capturing one of 5lbs to the fly, Mark Graham had one of 5lbs as did Jimmy Cuffe. Numerous other salmon were caught and released.

Loughs Conn and Cullin

David Dalton, England, had a grilse to the Bumble Olive while fishing on Lough Conn, while Glenn Kelleher, Claremorris, had 1 salmon of 5.5lbs to a Toby, while spinning at Pontoon Bridge.

Lough Beltra

Five salmon were caught for the week on the Glenisland Co-Op water of Beltra, with Frank Guilfoyle boating a fine fish of 10lbs, Gerry Deane boating two of 9lbs and 10lbs and Mark Killian accounting for one of 6.5lbs.

Carrowmore Lake and the Owenmore River

Conditions were not suitable for angling on Carrowmore for much of the week, but towards the weekend anglers were once again able to venture out. Eight salmon were caught during the few days available, with grilse now making an appearance in catches and sea trout in the 1.5lbs to 3lbs range also reported. Co. Down anglers Dan Gormley and Larry McElindin had a salmon each of 5lbs, while Mervin Wood and boat partner, Co. Antrim also had a salmon each. John Reynolds, Belmullet had one of 9lbs, while Declan and Frank Dooley, Co. Dublin caught three.

Trout Angling

Loughs Conn and Cullin

Angling on the Loughs remained productive, with many anglers returning good numbers of small trout. Angling out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Thilo Theisen, Germany, enjoyed good sport with Mayflies, catching numerous small trout over three days, with one good trout retained. Charles Corbett, Co. Wicklow had 10 trout over two days, his best 1.5lbs, while Hugh McMahon, also Co. Wicklow, had 7 trout on Lough Cullin to the Octopus and Claret. Juveniles Cormac and Oisin Mc Cormack, angling with Jack Mellet of Pontoon Bridge Fishing School, had a trout each while fishing Lough Cullin. 

Murphys Boat Hire, Massbrooke reported low numbers of anglers out over the past week. However, many did enjoy productive evening fishing. Raymond Murphy, Co. Laois, had two trout for an evening, while Liam McHugh, Edenderry and Mick Sweeney, Loughrea, had four trout for an evening in the Massbrook area.

In the northern end of the lake, Dieter Claus, angling with Ian Wise had four keepers in Bog Bay, while John and Kay Mc Bride, Crossmolina and Co. Dublin had 10 small trout, four keepers and lost one fine trout of approximately 4lbs at the net.

The Annual Aidan Connor Cup competition was hosted by Crossmolina Angling Club, out of Gortnorabbey on Sunday 19^th. Seventeen anglers participated, with four trout weighed in. Winner of first place was Orla Walsh, Cloghans, with two trout for 0.856kg, second went to Pat McNulty, Crossmolina, with one for 0.490kg and third was Michael Monaghan, Knockmore, with one fish for 0.420kg.

River Moy

Juvenile angler Laimones Martinkus, Foxford, had great success recently on the River Moy upstream of Foxford Town. Fishing a spinner, Laimones hooked and landed a beautiful 4.5lbs trout.

Laimones Martinkus, Foxford, with Michael Tiernan, Youth Officer, Foxford Angling Club with a 4.5lb brown trout taken by Laimones on a spinner from Foxford town on 15/06/2011

Lough Arrow

The Sedge and Murrough are still producing good catches for those who are fishing the late evenings on Lough Arrow. Michael Gunning boated a fine 5lbs trout while fishing the Murrough, while Sedges proved productive for David Gray. Fishing the late evening Sedge hatch, David had 8 trout, with the best weighing an impressive 5.5lbs

Ballin Lough

The fishery continued to produce good catches, with 18 rods accounting for 89 trout. Joe and Ronan Creane, Co. Galway had 17 trout, releasing 13 with their best fish 4lbs. Mattie Foley and boat partner, Co. Roscommon, had 34 trout, with their best 2lbs, while Pat Moran boated six trout, best fish 2lbs. The most successful flies were the Green Peter, various Sedges, Thunder and Lightning, Dabblers and the Peter Ross.

Loughs Bilberry and Lannagh

Bilberry and Lannagh Angling Club hosted their Juvenile Angling competition on Sunday 19^th June, followed be an evening barbecue on the shores of the Lough. The under 10 section was won by Kyle McManaman, who had five trout for 9.81lbs, while second was won by Jack Carney who had one trout for 1.92lbs. The under 18 section was won by Michael Hewer, Islandeady, with six trout for 8.0lbs, second went to Amy Gibbons, Islandeady, with two trout for 3.79lbs and in third was Aoife Grey, Castlebar, with two trout for 2.89lbs. The heaviest fish of the day was caught by George Bucks, with his trout of 2.2lbs. 

John Walsh, boatman, grandad and uncle, with the under 10 winners: Kyle McManaman and Jack Carney, pictured with Spiderman.

Sea Trout Moy Estuary

Judd Ruane reports good sport with sea trout on the Moy Estuary, where Heinz Henchall and son, Germany had nine to mackerel strips. Stephan Scholl and party of three from Austria, enjoyed their trip, catching 22 trout on sand eel and mackerel strip, while John Clarke and party from the U.K. had 14 trout to baits. Pictured below is a party of anglers from Switzerland, who recently enjoyed their outing with Judd, catching a total of eleven sea trout. For guided sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary, contact Judd Ruane on 00353 (0) 96 22183.

A party of Swiss anglers who recently enjoyed good sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary with Judd Ruane