Castlebar - County Mayo - NW Angling

River Moy

The Moy system accounted for a total of 72 salmon for the week. Water levels were favourable for most of the week with a moderate rise and subsequent discolouration towards the weekend.

On the Mount Falcon Fishery, Mitch Tunikowski, Dublin, had a 4.4 kg (9.8 lbs.) salmon on spinner, while fishery manager, Stewart Price, landed a 3.6 kg (8 lbs.) fish on worm. Armstrong’s produced a fine 6.3 kg (14 lbs.) salmon for Tom Murray, while Trevor Stewart, Northern Ireland, was successful on Gannon’s where he caught a 3.8 kg (8.5 lbs.) salmon also on worm. Two salmon were reported for the Foxford Fishery: Brian Fozard, UK, had a 3.6 kg (8 lbs.) salmon and Colin Foster, Northern Ireland, caught a ten pounder. Both fish took the worm.

Up river, the Cloongee Fishery produced four salmon for the week, including a 2.7 kg (6 lbs.) fish for Pat Campbell, Ballinasloe, on the worm.

The best of the fishing, however, was again on the East Mayo Anglers Association water. Amongst the successful anglers were Manfred Hartmann, Germany, who had three salmon, on three consecutive days, at 3.5 kg (7.7lbs.), 5 kg (11 lbs.) and 6 kg (13 lbs), all on worm. John Chambers, Northern Ireland, had a 4.9 kg (11 lbs.) salmon on worm. Also on East Mayo, visiting French angler, Vincent Prior, had a 2.7 kg (6lbs) salmon on fly, while local angler, Paul McGrath, Swinford, caught and released a fine 4.5 kg (10 lbs.) fish also on fly.

Lough Conn & Lough Cullin

Very poor weather conditions for most of the week prevented most anglers from venturing out. Only sporadic hatches of mayflies were noticed on Lough Cullin and on some sheltered bays of Lough Conn.

Despite the difficult conditions, some anglers enjoyed reasonably good sport during the week. John Müller, Germany, had a successful week averaging two trout a day, best at 0.9 kg (2 lbs.). All his fish came to Olive imitations and were safely returned to the water. Michael Moore had 2 trout for 0.9 kg (2 lbs.) in Flannery’s Bay and Alex Corcoran, Crossmolina & Galway, caught a salmon at 3.6 kg (8 lbs.) while trolling a Silver Toby near Longford Island. John Warren, Crossmolina, boated 3 trout over a few evenings on the Bibio in Castlhill Bay.

Fishing out of Cloghans, Bernie Scott, Sligo, and Denis Michael, Ballina, had 2 trout for 0.9 kg (2 lbs.), while Dermot Dunne, Offaly and Brendan Levins, Dublin, caught 8 fish averaging 0.45 kg (1 lbs.) over 4 days on the Green Peter.

Pontoon Bridge Hotel had some anglers on the Lake with reports of good numbers of small trout caught and released. Fishing out of Pontoon, James Walker, Claremorris, had one trout at 0.9 kg (2 lbs.) to the Claret Dabbler, while resident Ghillie, Jack Mellet, landed a 0.9 kg (1 lbs.) fish.

Carrowmore Lake & Owenmore River

Conditions were less than favourable for angling on Carrowmore Lake this week. The lake was still discoloured with the result that no fishing took place. However, visiting Swedish angler, Rasmus Lauridsen, UK, caught a fine 5.2 kg (11.5 lbs.) salmon on the Bangor Angling Club water of the Owenmore River.

Lough Beltra & Newport River

On the Glenisland Co-Op side of Lough Beltra, Ben Baynes had a salmon at 3.1 kg (7 lbs.) while Pat Smyth, Dublin, caught one at 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs.) on Lough Beltra West. Both fish were released in accordance with the bye-law which required release of all fish on this system up until 11 May following which the normal regulations apply.

The first salmon of the season was caught on the Newport River by well known angling journalist, Derek Evans. Derek’s bar of silver was estimated at 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs.) and carefully released.

Ballin Lough

The Ballin Lough Fishery produced 18 Rainbow Trout (7 released) for the week. Amongst the successful anglers were: Joe Gibbons & Dermot Berry with 7 trout (6 released), best at 0.68 kg (1.5 lbs.), Robbie Walsh and boat partner with 5 trout, best at 1.3 kg (3 lbs.) and David McAvoy who caught 2 fish, best also at 1.3 kg (3 lbs.). Best flies for the week included Whiskey Fly, Cat’s Whiskers, Muddlers, Black & Peacock Spider and Olive patterns.
Ballysadare River

The Ballysadare system had a reported catch of 32 salmon (15 released) for the week. Water levels remained high for the best part of the week which impacted on the angling activity. However, some fine salmon were landed including a nice 5.4 kg (12lbs.) fish for fly angler, Andrew Pierson and one for Nigel Wilson weighing in at 4.5 kg (10 lbs.). Also on Ballysadare, Geoff Wilson caught and released a ten pounder which fell to the prawn, while Peter Noone released a fish at 4.0 kg (9 lbs.).
Lough Arrow

Fishing picked up on Lough Arrow during the week with prolific mayfly hatches on most days. Good catches of trout were reported by anglers with Ivan, David & Jonathan Frazer catching 12 fish on the dap (8 returned) averaging 0.9 kg (2 lbs.). Also on the dap, Noel Clinton & Peter Lynch had a fish each at 0.9 kg (2 lbs.)

Elsewhere, Gerry Martin landed a nice 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs.) trout, while Joe Gray caught a 1.0 kg (2.25 lbs.) fish. Both fish were taken on dry mayfly patterns.