Castlebar - County Mayo - NW Angling News

River Moy

The Moy system yielded 172 salmon for the week, bringing the total for the year, so far, to 456. The fluctuating water levels still impacted on the fishing on the lower reaches, while good fishing was reported from up river.

On the Moy Fishery, John Howley caught and released the first salmon of the season on the Ridge Pool. The fish took a spinner and was estimated at 3.2 kg (7lbs.). John also caught the first fish on the Cathedral Beat, a 2.7 kg (6 lbs.) salmon which also was released.

The Coolcronan Fishery reported a fine 6.3 kg (14 lbs.) salmon for Hugh McCormack, Co. Louth, while Jack McDonnell, Northern Ireland, had two salmon at 3.6 kg (8 lbs.) and 4.2 kg (9.25 lbs.) on the Foxford Fishery. Also on the Foxford Fishery, Michael Raper, UK, landed two salmon weighing in at 2.7 kg (6 lbs.) and 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs.). All four fish were taken on worm. On Rinanney, Owen Brogan, Tipperary, took a ten pounder also on worm.

Hugh McCormack, Co. Louth, with his fine 6.3 kg (14 lbs.) salmon caught on the Coolcronan Fishery.

Further up river, good fishing was reported from Cloongee and East Mayo. The Cloongee Fishery produced salmon for Jim Murray, Ballina (3.2kg), Paul Wymes, Dublin, (3.4 kg & 4.3 kg), Julien Blanc, France, (5 kg), Jez Leech, UK, (4.3 kg & 4.5 kg) and John Rogerson, UK, who had 2 fish at 3.8 kg and 4.5 kg. Most fish were taken on worm.

The East Mayo Anglers Association water also enjoyed excellent catches during the week including two salmon for Belgian angler, Claude Croscean, at 3.2 kg & 3.6, a 3.2 kg salmon for Marc Jaques, also Belgium, and a 5.0 kg fish for Duncan Whitehead, UK. There was also very good fly fishing reported on East Mayo. John Noad, UK, David Hamill, Galway, and Paddy McDonnel, Swinford, all had salmon on the fly averaging 3.2 kg. The best fish for the week, however, was a cracking 8.2 kg (18 lbs.) salmon for local angler, Liam Hyland, who was fishing the worm.

Lough Conn & Lough Cullin

Despite the cold easterly winds and a rise in water levels during the week, fishing on both Loughs was excellent for the past week with very good mayfly fishing reported by anglers.

Gerry Murphy’s Boat Hire reported good fishing all week, with most of the trout safely returned to the water: A group of anglers from Cork, led by Maurice Cahill and David Bourke, had over 30 trout (all released) averaging 0.45 kg (1lbs.) to wet mayfly patterns. Ian McHugh, Edenderry, and Mick Sweeney, Loughrea, landed 8 tout between them for an evening’s fishing., while a group of 5 anglers, headed by Mark Masterson, Northern Ireland, boated 17 trout also to mayfly patterns. Ronnie Chambers, Northern Ireland, caught and released 6 fish, while Mike Hogan and his boat partner took 3 trout, best at 1.4 kg (3 lbs.) on Lough Cullin.

Fishing from Cloonamoyne Fishery, Enniscoe, Steven Hugo, New York caught 10 trout, heaviest at 1.4 kg (3 lbs.). Gary Crossley and his boat partner scored in Ned’s Bay where they had 3 fine trout to Olive patterns.

From Gortnorabbey harbour, John Griffin and Pat McNulty, both Crossmolina, boated 6 trout for 3.2 kg (7 lbs.). Also from Gortnorabbey, John Warren had 3 trout for 1.8 kg (4 lbs.) to wet mayflies, while Michael Cawley also caught 2 fish totalling 0.9 kg (2 lbs.). John Burke, Toomore, did very well catching 7 trout for 4.0 kg (9 lbs.) over 2 evenings on the “Claret Stimulator”.

Kelly’s Boat Hire, Cloghans, also reported excellent fishing for the week: Rory Harkin, Dublin, had 10 trout over a few days, best at 0.9 kg (2 lbs.), while Hugh Sinclair, Belfast, boated 3 fish. Ian Matchett, Northern Ireland, fishing with a group of 5 anglers, caught 22 trout, with the heaviest 2.3 kg (5 lbs.). Dermot Dunne, Offaly, caught 12 trout over the week averaging 0.45 kg (1 lb.) and Seamus Kelly had 3 fish for an evening’s fishing to dry mayfly patterns.

All anglers from Pontoon Bridge Hotel also encountered good fishing during the week: Kaupo Karelson, Estonia, had one trout for 0.9 kg (2 lbs.) on a “Gorgeous Gorge”, while Michael Trinder, UK, caught 2 fish for 1.4 kg (3 lbs.) on mayfly patterns.

Carrowmore Lake & Owenmore River

Carrowmore Lake produced 7 salmon for the week. Franz Kaizer, Germany & Bangor Erris, enjoyed good sport on the lake catching 2 salmon at 3.6 kg (8 lbs.) each. Other successful anglers included Michael Cunningham (8 lbs. Salmon), Mark Corps (6 lbs. salmon), John Long (5 lbs. salmon) and Ben Baynes (9 lbs. salmon).

A fine13.5 lbs. salmon was also caught on the Owenmore River by local angler, Marvin Conway.

Lough Beltra

Lough Beltra enjoyed excellent fishing during the week. On Lough Beltra West, Michael Dolan had a salmon at 9 lbs. while Jonathan Murray landed one at 10 lbs.

The Glenisland Co-Op Fishery was also very productive with a total of 10 salmon reported. Successful anglers on Lough Beltra East included Martin Hughes, Newport, with an 8 lbs. salmon, Franz Kaizer & boat partner, with 2 fish averaging 8 lbs., Eamon Kennedy, Newport (salmon 10 lbs.), Sean Dolan, Dublin, (salmon 7 lbs.) and Martin McCoy, Northern Ireland with a 5 lbs. salmon.

Ballin Lough

Ballin Lough continued to fish very well this week with all anglers enjoying good catches. Thirty-seven anglers fished for the week, catching a total of 122 rainbow trout (63 released).

Amongst the successful anglers were Gary Canning & friend with 15 trout (11 released), best at 3.25 lbs., Mr. Magmillan & Mr. Tomlison, Scotland, with 14 trout (8 returned), best at 4 lbs. and Tony McGrattan & Willie Scully, Athlone, who boated 10 fish (7 returned), best at 2 lbs.

Best flies for the week were Buzzers, Damsels, Bumbles and Olive patterns.

Ballysadare River

The Ballysadare Fishery had an excellent week, with 105 salmon caught, 57 of which were released. The biggest fish for the week fell to Josie Trotter who landed a fine 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs.) salmon on the Ally’s Shrimp, while Seanie Maye caught and returned a 4 kg (9 lbs.) salmon which took a “Willie Gunn”. Other notable catches included a 6.3 kg (4 lbs.) salmon for John Connolly (worm) and an 11 lbs. salmon for Jimmy Cuffe also on an Ally’s Shrimp.

River Bonet

Angling activity increased on the Bonet River during the week, with some fine salmon being caught. Melvyn Scorefield and John Parkinson had a 5.4kg (12 lbs.) salmon each, both on worm. John also landed a fine 2 lbs. brown trout.

Lough Arrow

Anglers who ventured out on Lough Arrow during the week were rewarded with some excellent catches. There are prolific mayfly hatches on the lake and the outlook for the spent fishing is good.
Ken Murray had a total of 11 trout on the dap, best at 5.1 lbs. Damien Mallon boated 13 trout for 25.25 lbs, best at 5 lbs. also on the dap. Noel Fairbanks caught 6 trout for 19.75 lbs, best at 4.75 lbs. on dry mayfly patterns, while Jonathan Frazer had 12 trout for 26 lbs, best at 2.5 lbs. Jimmy Frazer landed 11 fish, heaviest at 5.75 lbs.

The Lough Arrow Fish Preservation Association & District Anglers held their Annual Mayfly Competition on Sunday, 17 May. The event was won by Hillary Mitchell with 4 trout for 12.45 lbs. Damian Mallon was runner up with 4 fish for 7.8 lbs. and Rory Hughes finished in third place with a total of 3 trout weighing in at 6.5 lbs. Best junior angler was Mark Hughes who landed a 1.69 lbs. trout.