Angling News
NW Angling News - to 28 Sep 2008
By Rory Sheehan
2, Oct 2008 - 17:39

River Moy 

Water levels continued to drop steadily on the River Moy over the course of the final full week of the salmon angling season. As a result, angling catches improved considerably on the preceding weeks. The recorded catch for the week was 467 bringing the total Moy catch for the season to more than 7300 salmon.  

On the Spring Wells beat of the Moy Fishery, Pat Kane, Donegal, caught 4 salmon (3 released) on spinner. Brendan McLoughlin, Northern Ireland, banked a fine 6 lbs. grilse and Jimmy Clifford, Limerick, landed a 3.92 lbs. salmon while fishing on the Freshwater Beat. 

The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water again had a fantastic week with well over 100 salmon caught. The Mount Falcon Fishery also had an extremely good week with Phil Briscoe’s party of 8 anglers from the UK, catching 23 salmon over 3 days. On Armstrong’s, Tom Murray, Offaly, caught a lovely 11 lbs. salmon. 

The East Mayo Anglers’ water continued to provide some fantastic sport for the fly angler. Rene Koeings, Germany, caught 6 salmon over 6 days, while fly fishing, the best, a fine grilse of 11 lbs. and Chris Coleman, UK, landed 3 salmon over 3 days for 6, 6 and 7 lbs., all on fly.  

Lough Conn 

There was a flurry of angling activity over the last week of the season on Lough Conn. Good catches were reported despite the high water levels.  

Jack Mellett and boat partner, caught 4 fish to 6 lbs., the best a trout of 1.75 lbs., Brendan Levin, Dublin, boated 8 trout for 10 lbs. on dry sedge patterns. Lawson Clements and Martin Cawley took 6 trout, the best at 1.5 lbs. on dry sedge patterns, while Tony Duffy, Tipperary, and Peter Prendergast caught 6 trout, the best at 2 lbs.  

The Castlebar Angling Club held an end of season competition on the lake. John Walsh, Cloghans, was first, winning the Jackson Cup, with the heaviest fish of 2 lbs. In second place was Gary Binley with the heaviest bag and in third place was Ben Baines. 

The Pontoon Bridge Hotel also held an end of season competition. The fishing was strictly catch-and-release, with fish lengths measured. In first place was Stephen O’Dea, owner of the Donegal Fly Company. Stephen caught a trout of 44 cm. Just piped for second place was Amanda Wills, UK, with her fish of 43.5 cm. She won the Best Visiting Angler Trophy, the inaugural Derek Wills 
Cup. It was a huge coincidence that she won the cup dedicated to her late father.  At the presentation dinner, in Pontoon Bridge Hotel, a special presentation was made to former Ireland soccer manager, Jack Charlton, for his contribution to the promotion of angling in the region. 

Owenmore River 

The Owenmore River fished well for the week, with all salmon caught being released.

Jeff Downing, England, and Brendan Corr, both caught a fine 8 lbs. grilse each, while Mark Mason had a 7.5 lbs. salmon and Eric Sinclair landed a 7 lbs. grilse. 

The “Last Cast” end of season angling event was fished on Saturday the 27^th. This is an annual salmon angling event, organised by the Bangor Erris Angling Club. It is fished on the last Saturday of the season and is nearing its tenth year in existence. Seventy anglers from all over Ireland, the UK and Holland took part with all proceeds being donated to a charitable organisation. Despite the low water levels 16 salmon were caught and released on the day.   

Newport River 

On the Newport River, Dr. Noel Cahill caught and released a fine 11 lbs. salmon while Mr. J. Corry caught and released a sea trout of 1.5 lbs.  

Lough Arrow 

On Lough Arrow, Gerry Martin caught a trout of 2.9 lbs. while Billy Read had a trout of 1 lb. The end of season charity competition fished on Lough Arrow, raised over €900 for the North West Hospice. Anglers enjoyed a fun day on the lake despite poor catches.  

Ballin Lough  

Fishing on Ballin Lough remained steady over the week. Paul Caslin and Dave McDaniel boated 8 trout (5 returned) the best fish at 3.5 lbs. while Ben Bingham, UK, caught 13 trout (10 returned).  

The most popular fly patterns for the week were Emergers, PTN and the Green Peter.  

Anglers are reminded that there is no longer a closed season on Ballin Lough and the lake will remain open all year round. It has been restocked in the past week but is known to hold some very good quality, naturalised rainbow trout. To arrange fishing on the lake, contact 098 26128.