Angling News
NW Angling News - to 17 August 2008
By Rory Sheehan
23, Aug 2008 - 17:05

River Moy

Exceptionally high water in the River Moy affected angling catches.  Most of the river was unfishable for the early and middle parts of the week. Water levels above Foxford Town only started to drop towards weekend.  

The Moy Fishery accounted for 66 salmon for the week. On the Ridge Pool, Dublin angling journalist, David Gray, caught 2 salmon, fishing the worm and Paudge Reilly, Co. Louth, had 2 fish on the worm while Garrett Byrne also had two salmon. On the Cathedral Beat, Dessie Moen, Northern Ireland, landed two salmon on worm, while David Gault, Northern Ireland, banked 2 salmon on a spinner. 

On Mount Falcon, Andrea Moore, UK, caught her first salmon, a grilse of 5 lbs., while Mark Nulty, Dublin, also caught his first salmon. Ballinasloe anglers, Pat Loughnane and Kenneth Coyne, both caught 3 salmon each on the Cloongee Fishery, the best fish was a fine grilse of 7.5 lbs.   

Moy Estuary

High water levels in the Moy River severely impacted on the sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary. Few fish were reported caught. 
 

Loughs Conn & Cullin 

The heavy rains over the week affected angling on Loughs Conn and Cullin. The River Moy backed up into Lough Cullen and in turn Lough Conn, bringing a rise in the lake levels. 

Marie Kennedy and boat partner, Canada, caught and released 2 trout over 12”.  

Over 60 anglers took part in a competition for the Jack McNeely perpetual trophy out of Cloghans. Gary Binley, Foxford, won the event with 2 trout for 3.2 lbs., Larry McNeely came 2nd with 1 fish for 2.5 lbs., and 3rd was Christy Cox with 2 fish for 2.1 lbs.    

Easkey River

Excellent angling was reported from the Easkey River, with 65 salmon caught on the Fortland Fishery. The falling flood towards the end of the week made for ideal angling conditions.

Owenmore River

Water levels were good on the Owenmore River for most of the week. Some fine fish were caught. Oisín O‘Sullivan was the lucky captor of a 10 lbs. salmon. Amongst the successful anglers were Eamon Deane with a 9 lbs. fish, John Long, Dublin, with 2 salmon for 4 & 6 lbs and Mark Mason with 3 grilse at 4, 4.5 and 5 lbs.  

Glenamoy River 

Angling on the Glenamoy River was reported to be good during the week. It is expected that this Catch and Release fishery will fish well from now until the end of the season. Fisheries Board staff member, Markus Müller, caught and released a fine salmon of 78cm (30.7”) in length. Markus was fishing a size 8, single barbless hook, shrimp pattern.  

Newport River

Good angling was reported from the Newport River for the week. Oliver Corcoran, Newport, had 3 grilse while Paul Hayes also had 3 grilse. Pat Smith, Dublin, caught 2 fine salmon at 10 & 5 lbs. 

Lough Furnace

The good angling continued on Lough Furnace. Light South Westerly winds were present for most of the week. John Meagher, Tipperary, caught and released a fine wild salmon, estimated at between 10 and 13 lbs. Michael Healy, Derry, took 4 salmon, including 2 wild fish which were released while Henry Jameson, Antrim, caught 3 salmon. 

The most successful flies were Ally’s Cascade, Green Peter and Daddy patterns. 

Ballisodare River 

The Ballisodare River was relatively quiet for the week due mainly to the high water levels. Only 15 salmon were reported caught. 

Drumcliffe River

There was a good run of salmon into the Drumcliffe River over the week. The best angling was near the outflow from Glencar Lake. Jim Fox and Jonny Lockney both had two salmon each.

Ballin Lough 

A total of 17 anglers fished Ballin Lough over the week, catching 21 trout. Mr. Cox and boat partner, Galway, had some fine fishing with 10 trout, the best at 4.5 lbs., while D. O’Connor and boat partner, caught 4 trout, the best a 3 lbs. fish. 

The best flies of the week were the Green Peter and Montana Nymph. 

Sea Angling 

The Belmullet Sea Angling Club and Broadhaven Bay Hotel 37th 2 day Sea Angling Festival was fished over the weekend of the 16th & 17th.  First in the Greatest Variety class went to Antony Matterson, Belmullet S.A.C, while James Mangan, Belmullet S.A.C was 2nd with Shane Gilvarry, Newport S.A.C., in 3rd place.
Chris McEleavy, East Belfast S.A.C., took the prize for the Greatest Variety caught by an Out of State angler.
Best Lady, Sheila Wilson, Belmullet S.A.C. 
Best Junior, Conal Gilmore, Donegal.