Angling News
NW Angling News to 6th April 2008
By Markus Müller
11, Apr 2008 - 22:05

River Moy

The Moy system continued to produce some salmon during the past two weeks including the first fish of the season on the Foxford Fishery. Granville Nesbitt was the lucky angler and caught the 5 lbs. fish on the worm. The first fish of the season was also caught on the Cloongee Fishery where Tom O’Neill, Co. Wexford, landed his 6 lbs. salmon while spinning. Again, the East Mayo Anglers Association water fished best with a total of 5 salmon reported. Tim McAllister, Northern Ireland, had a 7 lbs. salmon and Joe Mulligan landed a 10 lbs. fish. Both fish were caught spinning. Visiting US fly angler, James Lyle, caught & released a fine 10 lbs. salmon, while juvenile angler, Mervin Kenehan had a 7 lbs. salmon also on the fly.

Please note that the Fisheries Board is still offering free fishing on the Ridge Pool up until the first salmon is caught there.

Loughs Conn and Cullin

Weather conditions were not favourable during the past two weeks and a strong and gusty north west wind kept most anglers away from the lakes.

However, a few anglers braved the elements and were well rewarded. Walter & Susan Byrne, Cloghans, took 3 fine trout for 2 lbs., 1.5 lbs. and 1 lbs. on Duckfly and Bibio, while Gary Wadkin, UK, who was fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, had one trout for 1.25 lbs. on a Green Peter. Elsewhere, Bernhard Schein and his friend Michel Holdt, both from Germany, caught 2 trout for 2.5 lbs. on Olives.

Ballisodare River

The Ballisodare River opened on the 1^st of April this year and although this was one month earlier than last year there were some fine salmon caught on the opening day. Club members had 8 salmon on the first day with the best of these going to club secretary Dermott Glennon with a 9 lbs. fish taken on the worm, while Seanie Maye had an 8 lbs. fish on the fly. Later in the week there were six salmon caught with three of these released back to the river. Thomas O’Donovan had an 8 lbs. fish on the worm, while fly angler Fechin McMorrow Jnr. also landed an 8 lbs. fish. Seanie Maye was successful again and caught and released another two salmon on the fly. Altogether the Ballisodare River produced a total of 18 salmon (5 released) for the opening week.

Lough Beltra

On 5 April, French fly angler, Dr. Desmonds, caught a fine 9 lbs salmon on Lough Beltra, followed by another salmon just one day later. Dr. Desmond’s second fish weighed 6 lbs. Both fish were of course released as Lough Beltra and the Newport River are fished under a “Catch & Release” basis until the 11^th of May.

Pike Angling

Angling Guide, Kenny Sloan, reported some pike action during the week despite the cold water temperatures and high water levels. Kenny was guiding a German visitor on Carrowmore, Levally and Derryhick Lakes and together they landed 12 pike up to 12 lbs. using different techniques including trolling, sink & draw and the fly. With most pike finishing spawning and beginning to feed now, prospects for the coming weeks are looking good.