River Moy
Low water levels throughout the River Moy system during the week impacted on angling.
The low water levels benefited the Moy Fishery with good numbers of fish holding in its waters. On the Ridge Pool, German angler, Markus Elsenberger, caught 4 fish on the fly, 3 of which he released, Bill Campbell, Scotland had 3 fish while Ray Sheehan, Westport caught a salmon along with Alun Thomas, Wales. On the Cathedral Beat, 3 salmon fell to English angler, Ian Adamson, while John Chambers, Northern Ireland, caught 2 fish. Fintan Keenan, Dublin had 3 salmon while fishing the fly on the Spring Wells Beat.
Young Stephen Ho had a successful fishing session on the Mount Falcon Fishery, catching his first salmon fishing a spinner. Elsewhere on the river, Norman Marshall and a party of 7 UK anglers enjoyed some good angling on the Foxford Fishery, catching 25 salmon. On the East Mayo Anglers’ water, Garry Claydon, UK enjoyed some first-class angling with 5 salmon for 3 days fishing.
Moy Estuary
Sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary continued to be good over the week. Clients of angling guide, Judd Ruane, experienced some fine sport with Northern Irish angler, Tom Johnson, catching 15 trout and Paul and Tim Jerram from the USA, boating 10 trout.
Loughs Conn & Cullin
Angler numbers on Lough Conn picked up over the week with improved catches reported. Seamus Kelly from Cloghan’s took 10 good trout for a few hours on Sunday, all fish coming to a dry May Fly pattern. Dublin anglers Joe Mc Bride and his wife boated 13 fish for 2 days on the lake. Most successful flies were Bibio, Spent Gnat and Octopus fly patterns.
The Lough Conn and Cullin Anglers’ Association hosted a junior angling competition on Lough Conn. Under 16 section: 1st Kian Gavan, 2nd Jamie Timlin. Under 14 section: 1st Lauren Gaughan, 2nd Sinead Timlin, 3rd Sean Cuffe. Under 12 section: 1st Nathan Gilroy, 2nd Adam Coulahan, 3rd David Creel.
Carrowmore Lake
Persistent low water levels slowed the run of fish somewhat and this lead to a quiet week on Carrowmore Lake. Pat Foley and English angler Tony Dighton caught grilse during the week, for 7 and 6 lbs respectively. French angling journalist, Hérle Hamon and boat partner enjoyed good sea trout fishing during the week with trout up to 1.5 lbs. Brothers Mark and Martin Wilson from the North of Ireland had 8 sea trout to 1.5 lbs, fishing at dusk, all in fantastic condition.
Lough Furnace
Fishing on Lough Furnace was slow for the week despite good numbers of salmon holding in the lake and showing well. The light westerly winds made for testing angling conditions. Mark O’Regan, Cavan boated 2 grilse while Tim Aldiss, UK and Malachy Matthews from Belfast both caught grilse.
Lough Arrow
The "Peter Fishing" on Lough Arrow remained good over the week with good rises of fish reported. Angling was concentrated in the last hour before dark. David Gray had 2 fish for 2.5 and 3 lbs.
Ballisodare River
The good run of salmon in the Ballisodare River continued over the week with the best fish, a 9 lbs salmon caught by Roy Sanders while Seanie Maye had 3 fish for a days fishing.
Drumcliff River
The Drumcliff River has been experiencing a good run of small sea trout over the last few weeks with good numbers of fish being caught in the Fly Pool’s.
Ballin Lough
Few anglers fished Ballin Lough during the week, which was a pity as there is a good head of fine quality rainbow trout in the lake which are providing some superb sport for anglers. James Quinn and son from Galway caught and released 8 trout, the best an excellent 4.5 lbs fish. Sean Kirwin and boat partner had 4 fish, with 3 returned. Ninety five year old Tom Ketrick, fishing with Peter Collins in bright and difficult angling conditions, boated a lovely 3 lbs trout. Tom also lost a fish estimated to be over 5 lbs! The Green Peter and the Silver Invicta were the most productive flies for the week.