River Moy 

Water levels on the River Moy fell steadily over the course of the week and consistent angling was reported from the middle and lower fisheries on the river.  

On the Freshwater Beat of the Moy Fishery, Alexander Herron, Northern Ireland, caught a 5.5 lbs. salmon, on worm, and Paul Liggett, also from the North of Ireland, also had one at 3.5 lbs. while Peter Reintjens, Ballina, caught and released one.  

The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water once again was the most productive stretch of the river and the catch included many fresh fish with sea lice. On the Coolcronan Fishery, Erwin Huber, Switzerland, banked a 6 lbs. grilse on worm while Harald Retsch, Germany, caught 2 salmon over two days for 5 and 6 lbs.  

On Cloongee Fishery, Daniel Broderick, Northern Ireland, banked a fine 10 lbs. salmon while Francis Higginbotham, also from Northern Ireland, caught and released 2 fish. On the East Mayo Anglers’ water, Robert Manley, England, had a 5 lbs. grilse while Michael Reid, UK, caught 2 salmon, 1 of which he released.      

Loughs Conn & Cullin  

The tough fishing conditions and high water on Lough Conn did not prevent John Burke from catching one of the best fish ever taken on fly on Conn. John was fishing outside Brackwansha with Adrian Murphy when he hooked in to a huge 12 lbs. brown trout. After a hard fight, the fish was netted and, with commendable concern for conservation, the big hen fish being carefully released back in to the lake. The trout took a Claret hopper.  

Out of Cloghans, Barry Fox and his brother, had 1 trout for 2 lbs. while Padraic Kelly and boat partner, had 3 trout for 3 lbs. Brian Halligan, Castlebar, had a 4 lbs. trout while trolling a Tasmanian Devil, out of Murphy’s boat hire, Massbrook.  

The Foxford Angling Club held a competition on the lake during the week with twenty-eight anglers taking part. In first place was Keith Moyles, with 2 trout for 2 lbs. Second was Josie Moffatt, with 1 fish for 1.76 lbs. and in third place was Gary Binley, with 2 trout for 1.64 lbs.     

Easkey River 

For the third consecutive week, the Easkey River produced outstanding angling with high water levels playing a substantial part in this. Seventy-five salmon were caught, 36 of which were released.  

Owenmore River 

The Owenmore River fished very well for the week with 6 salmon reported caught from the Bangor Angling Club stretch. All the fish were over 5 lbs. John Monaghan caught and released a 7 lbs. grilse while Declan Foley banked a 6.5 lbs. salmon. Jimmy Doherty and Jim Barry both had a salmon of 5 lbs. each.  

Newport River 

Fishing on the Newport River remained good over the week with a number of salmon and sea trout caught. David Eddis, landed 2 grilse for 4 and 4.5 lbs. and caught and released a sea trout of 1 lb. Mr. Botty caught a 5.5 lbs. salmon and returned a sea trout of .75 lbs. Paul Hayes caught and released a fine salmon of 10 lbs. and another of 3.5 lbs. and kept a fish of 5 lbs. Pat Smyth, Dublin, caught 4 salmon over two days fishing, 2 fish at 4 lbs. each, which he released, and 2 fish at 5 and 6 lbs. which he kept. Jimmy Lawlor, Westport, caught 2 sea trout for 1.5 and 1lb.and both were released in accordance with the Bye-law for rivers flowing in to Clew Bay, which requires all sea trout caught to be returned safely to the water.  

Burrishoole Fishery 

Twelve salmon were caught on the Burrishoole Fishery for the week. The Killian brothers caught and released a wild salmon each and Larry McCarty, Headford, also caught and released a wild salmon (this fishery holds ranched as well as wild salmon).  

Lough Arrow 

Ken Murray, from Drogheda, was the lucky captor of an outstanding 8 lbs. brown trout from Lough Arrow. Ken caught the large male fish on a dry Sedge pattern in relatively calm conditions.  

Other notable catches from the lake were a 3 lbs. trout for Francie Whyte, a 2 lbs. fish for David Dunne and a 1.5 lbs. trout and a 1 lbs. trout (returned) for Leo Conlon.    

Ballin Lough  

Twelve anglers fished Ballin Lough for the week. John Summerville boated 4 trout with the best fish at 3.5 lbs. while Seamus O’Malley and boat partner had 2 trout one of which was a fine rainbow of 4 lbs. Pat and Michael Keogh, Dublin, had 2 trout, the best a 2.5 lbs. rainbow.    

Sea Angling 

Dónal Kennedy, Skipper of the charter boat “Leah”, reported steady angling out of Enniscrone. While his clients are not catching very large numbers of fish they are enjoying consistent angling for good quality species such as turbot and large pollack.