Angling News
NW Angling Report - to 10 August 2008
By Rory Sheehan
14, Aug 2008 - 21:24

River Moy

Angling on the River Moy was slower then in the previous week. The water levels dropped off early on but an increase in rain during the latter days brought raised levels for the weekend.

The Moy Fishery had a steady week despite the fluctuating water levels with a reported catch of 127 salmon. On the Ridge Pool, a fine 8.45 lbs grilse was caught by visiting Scottish angler, James Watterson, one of his two fish, while Frank Desmond of Kildare, had a further 2 salmon on a spinner. The Cathedral Beat had a particularly productive week with Northern Irish angler, Andrew McGall, catching 4 salmon on the fly, and releasing 2 of these fish. David Marron, Co. Monaghan, had 2 salmon on a spinner while Keith McDonald, Scotland, also landed 2 salmon on the fly. On the Spring Wells Beat, James Scotson, Co. Monaghan, had 2 salmon while spinning and James Ryan, Co. Wexford, caught one fish, also on spinner.

Up river, salmon were reported from all bar two of the fisheries. On Coolcronan, John Bruckbank, UK, banked a 6 lbs grilse spinning while Roger Stevens, Northern Ireland, landed a 4 lbs fish on the worm. A fine 9 lbs fish was caught on the Cloongee Fishery by Mick May from Galway, he also had a 4 lbs fish. Mick was fishing worm. Also on Cloongee, Roy Wilson had 5 salmon to the fly fishing over a 2 day period.

Sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary remained steady with large numbers of small fish reported caught on the fly.

Angler numbers out on the lake were low and few catch reports were received despite a good South Westerly wind near the end of the week. Liam McHugh of Edenderry and Mick Sweeney of Loughrea, had 3 fine trout for 5 lbs, the best a fish of 2 lbs. Ian Wyse and 2 Welsh anglers, each had 2 trout, around, or over, the 1 lb mark. Meanwhile, George McCormack and Freddy Greer, Limerick encountered some good angling, catching 5 trout over the 12" size limit and a number of smaller fish using the Green Peter and an Olive Bumble. All their fish were returned.

Angling on the Easkey River has greatly benefited from the rise in water levels over the last number of weeks. The fly fishing has been first-rate with a good number of fish reported.

Good angling catches were reported for the Owenmore River. The rains brought a welcome rise in water levels and encouraged fish to run. As a result, anglers enjoyed some top class fly fishing. Dublin angler, Michael Gallagher, had the best of the fishing, catching a fantastic 11.25 lbs salmon and 2 other grilse while Cathal Gallagher had a grilse of 3.5 lbs. Local angler, Tony Barrett, banked a fine grilse of 8 lbs and Joe Denny from Belfast caught and released a grilse of 6 lbs.

Local angler, Denis Coughlan, caught 8 salmon for the week, returning 5. Denis took full advantage of the rains to make the most of the salmon run. The salmon kept were 5, 6 and 7 lbs.

Some truly exceptional catches of salmon were reported for Lough Furnace for the week with one angler having 6 fish to the net and loosing 4 others. South Westerly winds for part of the week meant ideal angling conditions. The timing of the tide seamed to play a factor in the angling with large numbers of fish either boiling at the fly or being hooked around the top of the tide. Martin Hughes from Newport had 3 salmon the best 6 lbs. Sean O’Malley, Westport, caught 2 salmon, best at 5.5 lbs while David Nevin, Newport and Niall Berwick, Dublin had 3 salmon, the best a 6 lbs fish.

Good numbers of salmon continued to run the Ballisodare Fishery during the week. Denis Barrett enjoyed some productive fly fishing. He caught 2 fine grilse for 5 and 6 lbs while Hillary Mitchel landed a fine 5 lbs grilse.

Garavogue River

Angling effort picked up on the Garavogue River over the week with the increase in water levels. Francis Brady took a 3 lbs salmon fishing the worm while Brendan Gordon caught an 8 lbs fish also on the worm.

Ballin Lough

Ballin Lough saw some first rate angling catches with some fine trout to 5 lbs caught. Amongst the successful anglers were H. Garvey and friend with 5 trout (3 released), best at 5 lbs., and Joe Gibbons, Kilmeena, with 3 trout, best also for 5 lbs., while Brendan Ryan had 3 trout (best at 4.5 lbs).

The most popular flies for the week were Green Peter and Montana Nymph.