River Moy

Yet, another successful week for anglers on the Moy system, with 785 salmon reported bringing the yearly total, so far, to 4267. However, varying water levels throughout the week resulted in rather unpredictable fishing conditions. Similar to the previous week, the middle and upper reaches of the river fished best, while angling on the Moy Fishery was generally slow.

The Ridge Pool accounted for 24 salmon, including 3 for Emmet Stagg, Co. Kildare. UK anglers, Adam Akhurst and Jim Godwin also had 3 fish between them. Ross Campbell, Co. Donegal, had 2 fish on the Cathedral Beat, while 11 salmon came off the Freshwater Beat, including 4 fish caught by young novice anglers during the ?Juvenile Anglers Day? held on Wednesday, 24 July.
 
The Mount Falcon Fishery topped its good result of last week with a total of 63 salmon for the week. The Davidsons from Northern Ireland had 4 salmon each over 3 days, including the first ever salmon for Mrs. Davidson. Also on Mount Falcon, Max Rocha, Dublin took a nice 6 lbs. grilse on the worm.

On Byrne?s, UK anglers Roy Smith & Roger Berry had 5 salmon, while on Armstrong?s K. Binduel, France, landed two grilse. The Coolcroonan Fishery accounted for 39 salmon for the week. The fishery also produced the first salmon ever for UK anglers Mike & Chas Fields and Paul Harman. Gannon?s and the Foxford Fishery also enjoyed good fishing during the week. Rinanney yielded some fine salmon to Albert Finney, Northern Ireland (11 lbs.) and Ronnie Nuttal from the UK (8.5 lbs. & 9 lbs.).

Cloongee totalled 33 salmon and it was here where Gordon Sweetman, Carrickmacross, landed 3 salmon, best at 10.5 lbs. Also on Cloongee, David Crawford & E. Fellman Junior had 6 salmon together, ranging between 5 lbs. and 12 lbs. Fishing East Mayo, Simon McDowell, Northern Ireland, had 2 fish on the fly, best at 8 lbs. Henry Spring, Dublin, and David Ferran, Northern Ireland also fishing the East Mayo Association water had 2 fish each and Dutch visitor, Martin Van Seenus caught a fine 7 lbs. salmon.
 

Lough Conn

This has been a rather quiet week for anglers on Lough Conn and weather conditions were unfavourable with strong north westerly winds and heavy thunder showers at times. Despite the poor conditions, some anglers persisted and there were a few surprisingly good catches. Thirty-five anglers took 62 trout over 50 rod days.

Gerry Fox and his son Barry, Co. Sligo, had 20 (18 released) trout, best at 2 lbs. in a day mostly to mayfly patterns. James Drumm and Oliver Bradley, Co. Wicklow, had 4 trout for 5 lbs. also on mayfly patterns, while Paul Dunley & friend, UK, each took 2 trout averaging 1.2 lbs. on Daddy Longleg and Octopus patterns. Anne-Marie Levins and her partner Simon, UK, also enjoyed a good day on the Lough with 3 trout for 4 lbs., best at 1.75 lbs. Elsewhere, John Cawley, Castlebar, took a 4 lbs. fresh grilse on a Golden Olive Bumble.

Loughs Bilberry & Lannagh

Peter Collins presenting NWR Fisheries Board Trophy to Stephen Joyce (Bilberry Junior competition).

A Junior Angling Competition was held on Loughs Bilberry & Lannagh on Sunday, 22 July. Twenty-two juvenile anglers took part in the event and a total of 26 fish were caught. A barbecue was held on the shores of Billberry Lake following the competition which was enjoyed by anglers, parents and other family members making this a memorable day for everyone involved.

Full Results:
Under 10s: 1st James McGinty; 2nd Neil Byrne; 3rd Aaron Jennings; heaviest fish: Gavin Hastings

Over 10s: 1st Dean Carney; 2nd Daniel Gray; 3rd David Gavin; heaviest fish: Shane Halligan

Casting Section: 1st Stephen Joyce; 2nd Ryan Gray; 3rd Radoo King

Easkey River

The Easkey Fortland Fishery reported 8 salmon and 20 sea trout (all released) for the week.

Carrowmore Lake & Owenmore River

Carrowmore Lake produced two salmon and good bags of sea trout, while the Bangor Angling Club water on the Owenmore River accounted for six salmon averaging 5 lbs.

Newport River

There was little angling activity on the Newport system. However, Roger Wigglesworth from the UK caught and released a small grilse and a fine 1.75 lbs. sea trout on the Newport River this week.
 

Burrishoole Fishery

The excellent fishing continued on the Burrishoole Fishery with good numbers of fresh fish showing in Lough Furnace. A total of 31 salmon (including 27 ranched & 4 wild fish which were released) weighing 103 lbs. were reported for 42 rod days. The best fish of the week, a 7.3 lbs. grilse, was caught by C. Kelly, Galway. Further remarkable catches included 10 salmon for Sean & Michael Smith for their week?s fishing, 2 fish for UK angler, Mr. Engoldsby and the first ever salmon for Mayo man, Joe Cooney. Most successful flies for the week were Ally?s Cascade and Green Peter patterns.

Ballin Lough

Again, a very good week for Ballin Lough with 23 rainbow trout & 2 brown trout reported for 15 rods.  Philip McGoldrick & friend caught 8 rainbow trout and 1 brown trout, best at 3 lbs., Tom Davoren, Castlebar and junior angler David Egan, Claremorris had 4 rainbows & 1 brown, best at 2.5 lbs. and Jim Flanagan, Westport, landed 2 rainbows, with best at 3 lbs.  The best fish of the week however, was caught by Meath angler, Mark McCann. Mark?s cracking 5 lbs. rainbow is the heaviest trout ever caught on the lake. Best flies for the week were Viva, Daddy Longlegs, Muddlers & Dabblers.

Ballisodare River

The Ballisodare Fishery is still enjoying a good run of salmon at present with a total of 110 salmon caught, 87 of which were released. Amongst the lucky anglers was Geoff Wilson who caught and released two fish weighing 5 lbs. and 6 lbs respectively. Both of these fell to the prawn. 

Lough Arrow

The "Peter Fishing" on Lough Arrow has been pretty good during the week with fair numbers of fish moving. The northern end of the Lough fished best and anglers are still reporting decent hatches of mayflies during the day. Gerard Martin had 4 trout (3 released), best at 5.5 lbs., David Gray accounted for 5 fish averaging 2 lbs. with best at 4 lbs., Peter Dunne caught two at 2.5 lbs. & 3.75 lbs., Dave Cadman had one at 4 lbs. while Noel Fairbanks landed a 5.25 lbs. beauty.

Lough Doon

Lough Doon also saw some reasonable angling activity during the week. Local angler, Andrew Langan, who was fishing the lake with some friends, had a very productive day with 11 trout caught (9 released) averaging 1 lbs.

Pike Angling

Donagh Gilmartin (Balla & District Angling Club) reports:
Balla & District Angling Club hosted the All Ireland Pike Fly Competition sponsored by MMH builders providers, Claremorris and McCann & Tighe Drylining, Swinford on Sunday 22 July at Carrowmore Lake, Manulla. Twenty-seven anglers from all 4 provinces took part in very difficult bright sunny weather. Fishing was brisk with the first pike landed within 10 minutes of the start of the competition. However, the day belonged to Pat McCann, one of the main sponsors, who caught an 18.4 lbs. pike which was safely returned to the water.

Pat McCann Swinford with his winning pike of 18.4 lbs. (All Ireland Pike Fly Competition), photograph by courtesy of John O'Connor, Foxford, Co Mayo.

Full Results: 1st Pat McCann 18.4 lbs; 2nd Mark Donohue 12.75 lbs.; 3rd Gerry Heaslip 6.25 lbs.;  4th  David Gray 3.8 lbs.; 5th Eddie Cronin 3.4 lbs.

A Special word of thanks goes to sponsors, North Western Regional Fisheries Board, Maura Lukes, Tourmakeady, Gerry Murphy boat hire, David Gray and John O?Connor.