A total of 686 salmon were reported for the last week of the season and fishing conditions were good throughout the entire Moy system. This brings the annual rod catch on the Moy to a total of 8,988, which is more than 1,000 salmon above the 5 year average! The middle reaches of the river again accounted for the largest number of fish and some fresh fish were caught on most fisheries.

On the Moy Fishery, Dominic Chovahier, France, John Booth, UK, Paul Ainley, UK, and Moy Fishery ghillie, Peter Reintjens, each caught salmon, mainly on the fly. Also on the Moy Fishery, Polish fly angler, Jakub Standera, caught and released a nice grilse, while Emmet Stagg had a fine 2.5 lbs. brown trout. The Ballina Salmon Angler’s water fished well, as did Mount Falcon, where 86 salmon (59 released) were reported. Coolcroonan reported 42 salmon (29 released) and Armstrong’s yielded 30 salmon, 19 of which were released. Angling journalist, David Gray who was fishing the Foxford Fishery had a 4.5 lbs. salmon on the fly, while on Rinanney, local lady angler, Rita McHugh, crowned her fishing season with a fine 10 lbs. salmon. On the East Mayo Association water, Ken Boardman, UK, had a 5 lbs. salmon on the fly, so had Phil Cox, also UK and French angler, Max Delabre, enjoyed excellent sport on the fly with 10 salmon averaging 4.5 lbs. for his week on East Mayo. There was also good fly fishing on Ballintemple where Olivier Lahittette, France, caught 3 salmon on the fly, all of which he released.

Lough Conn

There was much more angling activity on the lake than in recent weeks and quite a few anglers reported some fine catches. Local angler, John Warren, fishing together with angling guide, Ian Wise, took 5 trout between 1 lbs. and 1.5 lbs., while Patsy McGoldrick, Donegal, caught 3 trout for 4 lbs., best at 1.75 lbs. Lou van der Veldt & Paul van Grootloon, two regular Belgian visitors to Lisduvogoe Guesthouse, Knockmore, enjoyed spectacular fishing for their week on Lough Conn with 38 trout (all released) between 0.75 lbs. and 2 lbs.

Elsewhere, the Foxford Angling Club held its annual "President Cup" competition on Sunday, 30 September and the event was won by Walter Possalt, Foxford with a trout weighing in at 1.5 lbs.

Most successful flies for the week included: Bibio, Black Pennell, Sedges, Olives and Shrimp patterns. In total, 35 anglers took 80 trout over 65 rod days.

Easkey - Fortland Fishery

The last week of the season produced 40 salmon for the Fortland Fishery with most fish taken on worm or fly.

The "Last Cast" was fished on the last day of the season with more than 30 anglers from Ireland, France, Germany, Holland and the UK taking part. The popular event which is fished on a catch & release basis was a great success and many salmon were reported for the day. This event is organised by the Bangor Angling Club and has been held annually for the past number of seasons. A reception and evening meal was held in Cuff’s Restaurant, Bangor Erris, after the event.

Newport AC Junior Angling Group including Caroline Hester with her winning rainbow trout.

Ballin Lough

The Ballin Lough Fishery had a rather quiet week. However, some fine fish were caught by visiting anglers including 8 rainbow trout (3 released) by Ronan Cusack & friend, Galway, Oliver Corcoran who had a fine 3 lbs trout and Denis Murphy who also caught a 3 pounder. Most successful flies were Green Peter, Bibio and various nymph patterns.

A juvenile competition was held on Saturday, 29 September. Seven young anglers from Newport Angling Club fished the lake with Caroline Hester, Treenbeg catching a fine 3.25 lbs. rainbow trout. The second leg of the competition will be held on Saturday, 13 October.

This prolific rainbow trout fishery remains open until the end of October. To book a boat on Ballin Lough, anglers should contact Mrs. Gill, beside the lake, on 098-26128.

Lough Arrow

An "End of Season" competition was held on Lough Arrow on Sunday, 30 September and 25 local anglers of all ages participated in the event. Oliver Hargadon won the competition with a trout weighing in at 2.75 lbs. and 10 year old juvenile angler, George Wall came 2^nd with 2 fish at 1 lbs. each. The day was rounded off with a barbecue and the proceeds of € 500.00 went to "North West Hospice".