Angling News
NW Angling News - to 21 Sep 2008
By Rory Sheehan
23, Sep 2008 - 19:35

River Moy 

Water levels on the upper Moy fell steadily over the week, in the absence of any heavy rainfall, leaving good fly fishing conditions on some of the fisheries. The lower and middle beats on the river again produced the most fish.   

French anglers, Yves Offredo and Michel Bosquet, caught a salmon each, on spinner, while fishing on the Ridge Pool of the Moy Fishery.  

The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water continued to fish well, while on the Mount Falcon Fishery, Henry Catchpole, UK, caught 4 salmon over 3 days (one released), which included his first ever salmon, a fish of 6 lbs. On the Coolcronan Fishery, Sean Ferguson, UK, banked a 4 lbs. grilse, on worm, while Mick Dennany, Longford, had a 6 lbs. salmon, on spinner.  

Among the anglers to score on the Cloongee Fishery were Seamus Dillon, Offaly, with a 5 lbs grilse, on worm, Francis Higginbotham, Northern Ireland, with a fine 7 lbs. salmon, on worm, Pat Sherry, Wicklow, with a 3.5 lbs. grilse, also on worm, and John Ruane had a salmon on fly. On the East Mayo Anglers’ water, conditions were good for fly fishing over the week. Christian Berger, Switzerland, had two grilse for 3 and 5 lbs., on fly, Stefan Brunner, also from Switzerland, caught a 3 lbs. salmon, on fly, while Northern Irish angler, Roy Wilson, landed a 4 lbs. grilse, also on fly.      

Loughs Conn & Cullin  

The persistent high water levels and less then ideal angling conditions meant that few anglers ventured out on to Lough Conn over the week.  

However, Alfie Cunnane and boat partner, Cork, had 3 trout for 4 lbs. The best fish was a trout of 2 lbs. and took a Green Peter. Miriam Cosgrove, Kildare, caught a trout of 1.5 lbs. and her 12 year old son, Lawrence, boated a trout for 1 lb.  

Easkey River 

Angling catches remained good on the Easkey River’s Fortland Fishery. Falling water levels in the Easkey River catchment, did not prevent anglers catching some fine fresh run salmon.  

Owenmore River 

There was some truly first-rate salmon angling on the Owenmore River over the course of the week. Ideal water levels for most of the week were a big factor in the quality of the angling.  

Mervyn Curroy caught and released 5 salmon, the best a fish of 3.5 lbs. while Declan Foley caught and released 4 salmon, with the best a fish of 4.5 lbs. Larry Mitchell also enjoyed excellent fishing and landed 3 salmon, all of which he released.  

Newport River 

The Newport River again fished well for the week.

Local angler, Denis Coughlan, and his son Brian, caught & released 3 sea trout, the best at 1.5 lbs. while Robert Hadden banked a fine salmon of 8 lbs. Steve Jones, Dublin, had 3 grilse at 4, 6 and 7 lbs. for the week and Patrick Munsell, a guest of Newport House, landed 2 grilse, for 4 and 5 lbs.  

Drumcliff River 

A good number of salmon ran the Drumcliff River over the week. Amongst the successful anglers was Ronnie Hynes who landed a 7 lbs. salmon on worm.  

Lough Doon 

The North Western Regional Fisheries Board, in conjunction with Sligo Anglers Association, held a juvenile angling day on Lough Doon. The young anglers had a great day’s fishing, with some nice wild brown trout caught. 

Lough Arrow 

On Lough Arrow, Francie Whyte caught a trout of 1.5 lbs. while Peter Dunne boated a 2 lbs. trout. 

An end of season charity competition will be fished on Lough Arrow on Sunday, 28 September. All proceeds from the event will go to the North West Hospice. For more information, contact Jimmy Frazer on 087 2670768.  

Ballin Lough  

On Ballin Lough, Jim Gibbons, Scotland and Westport, boated 4 trout (2 released), the best a 3.5 lbs. rainbow, while Joe Gibbons landed 3 trout (2 released), the best, again a rainbow of 3.5 lbs. Popular flies for the week were Muddlers, Bibio and the Pearl Cormorant. Anglers should note that, for the first time, Ballin Lough remain open for fishing throughout the winter this year.