Angling News
NW Angling Report - 9 Sep 2009
By John Conneely
23, Sep 2009 - 18:59

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 3^rd 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