Angling News
NW Angling News - to 7 Sep 2008
By Rory Sheehan
10, Sep 2008 - 08:19

River Moy 

Angling on the River Moy was slower then expected for the week. This was due partly to few anglers fishing the river and the ongoing high water levels. 

On the Ridge Pool, Mr. A.J. Waldron, England, had a 5.02 lbs. fish on a spinner.  

The best angling on the river was again on the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water. On the Mount Falcon Fishery, fishery manager, Stuart Price, caught and released a very nice 14 lbs. salmon. German angler, Harlod Reitch, and Mick Sherwin, UK, both had a 7 lbs. salmon each from the Coolcronan Fishery, while on the Foxford Fishery, Mr. J. McDonald, Carlow, landed 5 salmon over 3 days, and returned 2 of these fish.  

Among the successful anglers on the Cloongee Fishery were Ballinasloe natives, Pat Loughnane and Kenneth Coyne, who caught a salmon each for 8.5 and 6.75 lbs. respectively. On the East Mayo Anglers’ water, Paul Pickford, England, banked a fine fish of 11 lbs. while Isobel Gallagher, Swinford, had a 7 lbs grilse on a spinner.  

Loughs Conn & Cullin  

Angling conditions on Lough Conn were difficult over the week with rough, windy weather and heavy rainfall. Fishing out of Cloghans, Dermot Dunne and Lawson Clements had 3 trout for 4 lbs. in one evening.  

The Irish Ladies Fly Fishing Association, held their qualifiers for the National Teem, on Saturday, 6 September. This was fished out of Gortnorabbey in inclement weather conditions and as a result only one fish was caught. Orla Walsh, Cloghans, was the lucky captor of that trout for 1.3 lbs.  

The Lough Conn and Cullin Anglers, held the annual Paddy Mc Donald Cup, on Sunday, 6 September. Twenty-six anglers competed with Stephen Browne, Brackwansha, in first place. Stephen had 2 trout for 2.3 lbs. Second was Michael Monaghan, Knockmore, with 1 trout for 2.1 lbs. and third was David Dinsmore, Lahardane, 1 trout for 1.3 lbs. 

Easkey River 

Angling on the Easkey River’s Fortland Fishery was excellent over the week with 70 salmon reported caught, 54 of which were released. The majority of the fish were caught on fly.  

Owenmore River 

The Owenmore River fished very well for the week helped by high water levels. Again a good average size of salmon was recorded, with many fish in the 7 – 9 lbs. size range. David McMaster caught a 9 lbs. salmon while John and Gordon Long, Dublin, had one salmon each for 8 and 7 lbs. respectively. Eamon Deane banked a 7 lbs. grilse while John Reynolds had a 5 lbs. fish.  

Newport River 

The Newport River continued to fish well with a number of salmon and good sized sea trout caught for the week. Philip O’Connor and Tony Quinn landed 3 sea trout at .75, 1.5 and 1.75 lbs. while Ian Holman had 2 sea trout for .75 and 1.75 lbs. All sea trout were returned in accordance with the Bye-law for rivers flowing in to Clew Bay which prohibits the killing of sea trout. Some fine salmon were also taken. Michael Croft was the lucky captor of an 8 lbs. fish while David Nevin had a 5.5 lbs. grilse.  

Burrishoole Fishery 

Angling on the Burrishoole Fishery was quiet for the week. Father and son, Denis Coughlin Snr. and Denis Coughlin Jnr. both caught a salmon each. Denis Snr. boated a wild fish which he released in accordance with the fishery rules while Denis Jnr. had a 6 lbs. grilse. John Hanrahan, Castlebar, had 2 wild salmon, both released while Robert Rogers caught a 4.6 lbs fish.  

The best fly patterns on the fishery for the week were Ally’s Cascade, Green Peter and Daddy Longlegs.

Ballisodare River  

The salmon run on the Ballisodare system is coming to an end for the year. Few fish were caught last week.    

Drumcliff River 

A good run of salmon in the Drumcliff River resulted in a number of grilse being caught. The heavy rainfall had little effect on water clarity in the upper sections of the river. Johnny Lockney landed a 6 lbs. grilse while fishing the worm.    

Ballin Lough  

Notable catches on Ballin Lough over the week came from Mr. Lynch and boat partner, who caught 4 trout (2 returned) with the best at of 3.5 lbs. and Martin Reuland, Bangor Erris, with 3 trout (1 returned) the best also being a fish of 3.5 lbs.