River Moy
With a total of 556 salmon reported, the Moy had its best week of the season, so far. The fluctuating water levels during the week have moved fish throughout the system and consequently fishing improved on all beats.
The Moy Fishery had a total of 104 salmon for the week. On the Ridge Pool, Gary Perks, UK, had 4 salmon (3 released) on the fly, while his country man, Bill Shinkins, got 3 fish (1 released) on spinner. David Carney, also from the UK, caught 2 salmon on the fly and Phil Donaghue, Galway, landed one at 5.49 lbs. Gary Perks and David Carney also were successful at the Weir Pool where they had 7 salmon altogether, 3 of which they released. On the Cathedral Beat, Charles Penny, Scotland, got 2 salmon on the worm and one on spinner.
On Mount Falcon, French visitor, Gerard Garnier, scored with a fine salmon of 10 lbs. and another at 7 lbs. Both fish came to the worm. The Coolcronan Fishery reported 17 salmon for the week, 5 of which were released. Amongst the successful anglers were: Harald Retsch, Germany, with 3 salmon, Mike Hodges, UK, with 2 fish and Georges Le Gullermic, France, who landed one salmon. On Byrne’s, Colin O’Dell & Mike Standon, UK, enjoyed excellent sport catching 11 salmon for the week, best at 9 lbs. On Armstrong’s, Lorenzo Serrano, Spain, landed a 7 lbs. salmon, while on Gannon’s, Paul Nash, Northern Ireland, caught a fine 13.5 lbs. salmon on prawn. The Stuart Sunnall party, UK, did very well on the Foxford Fishery with a total of 26 salmon for the week on worm and spinner. Baker’s new fishery, also known as the “Foxford Rocks”, produced one fish each for John Bentley, Philip Ghazala & Jamie Hawksfield, all fly anglers from the UK. Rinnaney also reported good fishing for the week and this was where German angler, F. Schwartz, landed his first ever salmon. His fish weighed in at 8 lbs. and came to the worm.
The Cloongee Fishery had its best week of the season, so far. A total of 49 salmon were caught including double figure fish for Stephen Browne & Warick Ivill, both UK. Also on Cloongee, French anglers Pierre Cordier & Claude Maumet had salmon at 4 lbs. and 9 lbs. Angling conditions also remained very good on the East Mayo Anglers Association water during the week and anglers were rewarded with some fine catches: German angling journalist, Thomas Kalweit, had a 5 lbs. salmon, while Thomas Koch from Switzerland, landed a fine 12 lbs. fish. Both fish were taken on worm.
Moy Estuary
The Moy Estuary Sea Trout & Boat Club held its annual sea trout angling competition on Sunday, 1 July on a windy day of sunshine and showers. There was a big turn out with 50 anglers, including 5 ladies and 7 juniors, taking part in the event. A total of 26 sea trout were caught and the heaviest individual trout went to local angler John Fitzpatrick at 1.75 lbs. Best lady angler went to Bernie Ferguson with a trout of 1.05 lbs. and Sean Cuffe won the junior section of the competition. Sean caught a trout weighing in at 1.3 lbs. The heaviest bag overall went to Martin Lackey with a total of 5 trout.
Elsewhere, the Gillard party from the US, fishing together with Judd Ruane, landed 6 fine trout on mackerel strip.
Ballin Lough
The Ballin Lough Fishery continued to fish very well. Forty-five rods fished the lake during the week catching a total of 78 rainbow trout (36 released) and 15 brown trout (8 released).
Greg Perry & friend from Galway had 6 rainbows, best at 3.5 lbs., Sean O’Malley, Westport, caught 4 rainbow trout, best at 3.25 lbs and Paddy Blaney fishing together with Anthony Corcoran landed 6 trout together, best at 3 lbs. The best bag of the week however, was caught by Tommy Carroll and his friend who had 13 rainbows (10 released) and 2 brown trout (all released) with heaviest fish a 3 lbs. rainbow trout and a 2 lbs. brown trout. Best flies for the week included: Booby, Minkie, black Pennel and Bibio.
Ballin Lough is a fly only fishery and fishing is from boats only. For permits and boat hire anglers should contact Mrs. Gill, beside the lake, on 098-26128.
Ballisodare River
Anglers enjoyed excellent fishing on the Ballisodare Fishery during the week. The grilse are running and with 179 (136 released) salmon reported the fishery had its best week of the season, so far. Amongst the successful anglers was Graham Tuck, Scotland, with 3 fish on the fly for his day at the “Butt”. Graham released all his fish which averaged 5 lbs. Peter Henry landed two salmon at 5 lbs. each on worm and local angler, Seanie Maye, had a nice 7 lbs. salmon (released), so had Sean Gallagher who caught his 7 pounder on a Cascade pattern. Due to the showery weather water levels have gone up in recent days and therefore fishing conditions should remain excellent.
Glencar Lake
There were three salmon reported for the week on this scenic fishery. The best fish of the week, weighing 7 lbs., was caught by Bernard McDermott on a spinner. To book a boat on Glencar Lake, anglers should contact Mrs. Siberry, beside the lake, on 071- 9144221
Lough Arrow
Again, a very quiet week on Lough Arrow with only very few anglers fishing. However, local angler, David Gray, was successful fishing late in the evening and caught 3 fine brown trout, best at 4 lbs. on a Murrough.