River Moy
The Moy system
yielded a reported catch of 263 salmon for the week, bringing
the yearly total, so far, to 6,764, which is almost on par with
the previous season. Water levels continued to drop further during the
week and an increase in rod numbers towards the weekend resulted in
reasonable catches mostly in the middle reaches of the river.
Fishing on
the tidal beats was still impacted by high water levels with only eight
salmon reported from the Moy Fishery including a grilse from the Ridge
Pool for Louth angler Padge Reilly. On the Freshwater Beat, Jim McCooey,
Northern Ireland, had a grilse on worm, while Melvin Hughes from England
caught one on fly. The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water fished very well,
as did Mount Falcon, where 34 salmon (26 released) were reported. Coolcronan
reported a very good 26 salmon (15 released) including a 9 pounder for
Swiss angler, Joseph Wolfinger, while Rupert Banks, Scotland, had 3
salmon between 7 & 10 lbs. on the Foxford Fishery. Rinanney produced
a 9 lbs. salmon for Frank Bastian, Germany, and an 8.50 lbs. fish for
visiting French angler, Philipe Tinois. Up river, on the East Mayo Association
water, Martin Curley, Galway, landed an 8 pounder on spinner, while
local angler, Conor Walsh and John Quinn, Galway, had a fish each on
fly.
Lough Conn
Angling on
the lake improved further during the week. While high water levels still
hampered the fishing somewhat at the beginning of the week, the fine
warm weather resulted in fair to good conditions towards the weekend.
From Pontoon
Bridge Hotel most anglers enjoyed good sport. Amongst the successful
anglers were: Hanna Goodland, UK and Patrick & John Wills, also
UK. Kelly’s Boat Hire, Cloghans, also reported good fishing: Daniel
Edwards and his brother from Wales enjoyed a fantastic and memorable
day on the lake. Together they caught and released over 35 trout and
also lost a salmon! From Cloonamoyne Fishery, Crossmolina, Gary Crossley
had a nice 2 lbs. trout, while John & Alex Corcoran caught 2 fish
for 3 lbs. Elsewhere, Joe Quinn enjoyed good sport with 11 tout for
a day’s fishing. Joe was fishing in the Cuilkillew area near Massbrook.
Most successful
flies included Daddy Long Legs, Green Peter, Olive Dabbler, Octopus,
Olive Bumble and Bibio.
During the
week, the annual “Kieran Lynn Memorial Cup” was fished out of Murphy’s
Boat Hire, Massbrook. Thirty-eight anglers took part and the event was
won by John Burke, Foxford with 3 trout. Second place went to Michael
Noone, Lahardane (2 trout) and Gary Binley finished in 3rd
place.
Easkey River
The Fortland
Fishery continued to fish well despite the low water conditions and
accounted for a total of 12 salmon for the week. Amongst the successful
anglers were Stuart Forester, England, and Paddy McGowen, Northern Ireland
who both caught their first ever salmon.
Owenmore
River & Carrowmore Lake
Despite the
fine, dry weather and low water levels a few fish were caught on the
Bangor Club water. Eddie Nixon, UK, did very well with 3 grilse (2 released),
averaging 5 lbs, while Geoff Downing, also UK, caught a fine 6
pounder in the Rocky Pool. There is still a good show of fish in the
Owenmore River and prospects for the final week of the season are looking
good as the recent rain has helped to bring water levels up again.
There was also
some angling activity on Carrowmore Lake during the week. A total of
5 salmon were caught and released. Local angler, Denis Somers, had the
best bag with 2 fish at 6 & 8 lbs.
Ballin Lough
Angling on
Ballin Lough remained steady during the week with 16 anglers fishing
and 35 rainbow trout caught (23 released). M. Foley and party of three
anglers had 11 fish (8 released), best at 4 lbs., while Peter Gray,
Castlebar, boated 9 trout, best a 4.5 lbs fish. Successful flies for
the week were Sedge patterns and Dial Bach Nymph.
This prolific
rainbow trout fishery remains open until the end of October. To book
a boat on Ballin Lough, anglers should contact Mrs. Gill, beside the
lake, on 098-26128.
Lough Arrow
The I.T.F.F.A.
Inter Provincial Fly Fishing Competition was fished on Lough Arrow on
Saturday, 19 September. A total of 72 anglers participated in this “Catch
& Release” event which was won by the Ulster Team. The Connaught
team finished in 2nd place with the team from Munster in
3rd place. Angling conditions were only fair due to the bright
and sunny weather and most fish were caught on wet flies. Frank
Kelly, Ulster, was the best individual angler with Barry Fox, Connaught,
catching the best fish, a fine 52cm brownie.
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