River Moy

Water levels in the River Moy continued to be low over the week and a number of salmon were caught in the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ Association Fishery.  

The Board’s live web feed from the Ridge Pool is now on line and can be viewed at www.northwestfisheries.ie. It enables anglers to view the pool and assess water levels in the River Moy. 

In Ballina, Tommy Egan Snr caught a fine fresh run springer of 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) while fishing the worm. On the East Mayo Anglers’ Association Fishery, Ian Guegan, had some good early season fly fishing, catching a 2.9 kg. (6.5 lbs.) salmon.      

Loughs Conn and Cullin  

For the second week in a row, Ian Wise and John Warren, fishing out of Crossmolina, scored on Bog Bay, catching 2 trout while fishing the Bibio. From Cloghans Bay, Joe Quinn had 7 trout, fishing Buzzers, the best fish at 1.1 kg. (2.5 lbs.), Stephen Brown also had good success fishing Buzzers, catching 4 trout, while John Burke had 2 trout off Brackwansha Point, the best a fish at .9 kg. (2 lbs.).     

The Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers Association had their first competition on Sunday 5 April, with 22 anglers venturing on to the lake.   In first place was Sean Crean, Cloghans, with 2 trout for 1.26 kg., second place was Michael Noone, Laharadane, 1 trout for .46 kg. and in third place was Stephen Browne, Brackwansha, 1 trout for .43 kg.

Carrowmore Lake 

The first salmon of the season from Carrowmore Lake was caught by John Cosgrove, a fine spring fish of 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.). Also during the week, Brian Reilly had a 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) fish, Martin Rouland also had a salmon of 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) while Michael Noone and Paddy Doherty, Bangor, had a salmon of 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) each.  
 

Lough Beltra 

Angling catches slowed somewhat on Lough Beltra over the week but this may be partly explained by the settled and bright weather. Alex Haywood boated a 3.2 kg. (7 lbs.) fish, while John Belmore caught a 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) salmon and Aiden Byrne also landed a 3.6 kg. (8 lbs.) springer. All salmon were released in accordance with Catch & release Bye-Law which applies on this lake until 11 May.

Ballisodare River  

The opening day on the Ballisodare Fishery saw 3 salmon caught. A competition for club members was fished with F. McMorrow Jnr. catching a 4.1 kg. (9 lb.) springer on the fly, and receiving a check for €100 and a trophy, while Noel Barber landed a 2.7 kg. (6 lbs.) fish, also on the fly, and received a check for €60 and a trophy.  

Over the rest of the week some fine fish up to 4.5 kg. (10 lbs.) were landed. Ronny Bewick banked a fine 4.1 kg. (9 lbs.) salmon while fishing worm and John Connolly caught a 3.2 kg. (7 lbs.) fish, also on worm, while Seanie Maye took a 3.2 kg. (7 lbs.) springer while fishing the fly.  
 

Graeme King, with his 52 cm. rainbow trout from Ballin Lough. Graeme is pictured next to the jetty on the lake and was fishing from a boat. Anglers are reminded that wading is strictly prohibited on this lake.

Ballin Lough  

Graeme King (pictured above) had a very good day’s fishing on Ballin Lough, hooking and landing two fine rainbow trout of 52 cm. and 51 cm. within 5 minuets of each other. Graeme was fishing a Minky, on the eastern side of the lake. The 52 cm. fish gave an excellent account of itself and was quickly released after a photo. Graeme also reported hooking in to a larger fish that broke him off after running straight under the boat.

Meanwhile, Padraic Traynor had a very good catch of fish, landing 9 trout and releasing 7, with the best a fish of 1.1 kg. (2.5 lbs.) and Pat Murphy, Castlebar, boated 5 trout, 4 released, the best also a 1.1 kg. (2.5 lbs.) rainbow.