The Moy system had a reported catch of 48 salmon for the week bringing the total for the season, so far, to 156.

On Armstrong’s, Jilles Bodinier, France, landed a cracking 14-pounder on spinner while on the Foxford Fishery, Brian Fitzgerald took a fish at 8.5 lbs. and Donald McCorten had one at 10 lbs. Both fish were taken on the worm. In Foxford Town, local guide Kenny Sloan caught a fine 11 lbs. salmon on a black & silver Flying-C.

The Cloongee Fishery continued to fish very well and produced some fine double figure salmon for visiting anglers. Amongst the successful anglers were Michael McCormack, Wexford, with an 8 lbs. salmon, Damien Quigley, Laoise, with a 10-pounder and John Rogerson & Jez Leech, both UK, with salmon of 10.75 lbs. & 7.75 lbs. All fish were taken on the worm. On the East Mayo Anglers Association water, Alex Wimmer from Austria landed a fine 12 lbs. springer on the fly.

Anglers are reminded that free fishing continues on the Ridge Pool until the first salmon is caught there.

Weather conditions remained unsettled for most of the week with cool and gusty north east winds continuing.

The poor fishing conditions also impacted on the National Championships, hosted by Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers on Saturday, 26 April. Forty-nine trout with a total weight of 62 lbs. were caught by 130 anglers. First place went to Andy Duncan, Mullingar, with 4 fish for 6.58 lbs. Local angler, Seamus Kelly came 2^nd (3 fish for 4.4 lbs.) and Barry Fox, Sligo, finished in 3^rd place (3 fish for 4.19 lbs.). The heaviest trout of the competition was caught by Liam Buckley.

The Dargle Anglers, Dublin, enjoyed a club outing during the week. The fourteen anglers caught & released 8 trout for 10 lbs. Local anglers, Ian Wise and John Warren had two trout each over two evenings for 4 lbs. Martin Reilly, fishing out of Healy’s Hotel, caught & released 2 fine fish (12" & 14"), while a group of six anglers, headed by Matt Gurr, had 12 trout for two days, heaviest at 1.75 lbs. Five trout were reported from Pontoon Bridge Hotel, including 2 fish for 3 lbs. for Jack Mellet.

Over at Cloghans, Padraig Kelly had one trout for 1.25 lbs. while his fishing partner, M.Hanley from Cork, caught one at 1 lbs. Also at Cloghans, Seamus Kelly had 3 trout for 4 lbs. Dessie Ruttledge was successful at Tolan’s Bay where he caught a fine 2 lbs. trout. At the northern end of the lake, Padraig Traynor had 2 trout for 3 lbs. and John Burke caught 2 fish for 2 lbs. Elsewhere, Joseph Cosgrove took 3 trout for 6 lbs. while trolling a spoon for salmon.

Most successful flies for the week included Bibio and Sooty Olive patterns.

Lough Beltra

Lough Beltra enjoyed a very good week of spring salmon fishing with 6 fish caught and released. Four salmon were caught on the Glenisland side of the lake. Amongst the successful anglers were Ronnie Mayock with a 10 lbs. salmon, Seamus O’Neill with a 9 lbs. fish and Eamon Kennedy with an 8-pounder. George and Edward Westroff, UK, fishing from Newport House were also successful with fish of 8 lbs. and 9 lbs.

Please note that Lough Beltra and the Newport River are fished under a "Catch & Release" basis until the 11^th of May following which they may be fished in accordance with normal regulations.

The Ballisodare Fishery produced a total of 22 salmon for the week, 15 of which were released. There were some nice fish in the 9 – 10 lbs. range caught with the best fish of the week falling to J. Cuffe. His 10.5 lbs. salmon took an Ally’s shrimp fly, while Eamon Ruddy had a 9 lbs. fish to the worm. Josie Trotter also caught a fine 9-pounder and D. Glennon caught & released some big fish during the week with best at 8 lbs. which again fell to the Shrimp Fly.

Lough Doon

Lough Doon has started to produce some fine trout with a couple of 1 lbs. plus fish falling to members of the Dromahair Angling Club. Duckfly imitations are proving to be the most productive patterns at present.

The Lough Doon Fishery is managed by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board and fishing can be arranged by contacting Mrs. Martin at 071 9164989.

Pike Angling

Professional angling guide Kenny Sloan was guiding a group of French anglers on Derryhick Lake during the week and together they landed 7 pike, biggest at 20 lbs. Most of the pike were caught trolling large Rapalla lures.

With most pike becoming more active after spawning, prospects for the coming weeks are looking good.