Salmon Angling

River Moy

The lower Moy has begun to produce more fish of late, with the Ridge Pool and Cathedral beats now in good condition and more grilse are now entering the system. The heavy rainfall experienced throughout the Island over the weekend has not impacted upon the Moy system with conditions at the time of writing very favorable.

The Point and the Cathedral Beat have both reported fish over the past week, and on the Ridge Pool, four salmon were caught, including two for Jonathan Smith, Co. Cavan, which weighed 4.89lbs and 5.23lbs. The Weir Pool produced one fish of 10lbs for John McKinley, Athlone and was taken on the fly.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water produced over 20 salmon for the week, and Mount Falcon also fished relatively well, where Derek Stevenson, U.K. had two on the worm. Mary Carlilse reported 10 for the week from the Coolcronan Fishery, with Byrnes' producing a few. The Gannon and Armstrong fisheries both produced good numbers, with Michael Clarke, Athlone having success at Armstrongs, landing a fine fish of 13lbs on a spinner. The prawn proved productive for Donal Murray, Foxford at Gannons, who banked another 13lbs fish.

The Foxford Fishery produced good numbers, with over 20 reported, including two for Dr. Peter Bacon, Co. Wexford on the spinner, weighing 9.25lbs and 10.75lbs. Rinanney also provided good sport throughout the week, where over 30 salmon were reported, including one of 12lbs for Stefan Schmitt, Germany. The Cloongee Fishery continued to yield good numbers, with 37 reported for the week. Among those to catch salmon at Cloongee were Beatrice Valaize, France, who had two of 8lbs and 10lbs. Pascal Maziere, France enjoyed an excellent week at Cloongee, with 6 salmon in total, his best weighing 13.25lbs, taken on a spinner. William Anderson, Scotland, and Sylvia Greville, Co. Westmeath also had success spinning, with both anglers landing 8lbs salmon.

The East Mayo Anglers' water produced more than 50 salmon for the week, with just under 20% of these fish released. Andrew Young had one of 11lbs to the fly, while Frank Lee, U.K. had one of 10lbs on the worm. The spinner proved successful for Welsh anglers Gavin Jones and Mark Roberts, who had salmon of 13.5lbs and 7.5lbs respectively. Manfred Kauert, Germany, had one of 5lbs on the fly, as did Garrett Ruigrock, Co. Dublin. 

Ballisodare River

The Ballisodare fished well, with over 90 salmon recorded, and approximately 50% of these were released. Although many spring salmon are still running, the grilse are starting to appear in greater numbers. Fly anglers enjoyed good sport with James Cuffe, Co. Sligo landing one of 8lbs with the Willie Gunn and Dennis Barrett capturing an 11lbs salmon on a Cascade. Brian Mc Donagh had a nice fish of 12.5lbs, also to the Willie Gunn, with Luke O'Connell also scoring with the fly. Tom Coleman and E. Richardson both had good fortune with the prawn, recording fish of 7lbs and 5lbs respectively.

Lough Beltra

Angling on Lough Beltra has been relatively slow last week in comparison to recent weeks, with only two salmon recorded. Brian Hope, Westport was the lucky angler who had both salmon, weighing 5lbs and 7.5lbs, caught at the Boathouse.

Carrowmore Lake and the Owenmore River

Both venues fished well over the past week, despite winds affecting the lake somewhat. The catch of the week on the lake undoubtedly was by Jim Ruane, Castlebar who boated a great salmon of approximately 20lbs, while Michael Cunningham and Niall Taylor had fish of 8lbs each. Eamon Giblin and Mervyn Corway also had success, both catching salmon. On the Owenmore, Paul O'Malley, Navan had one of 10lbs, as did John Maughan. Ben Baynes and Gerard Shevlin also enjoyed success, banking a salmon each on the river.  

Trout Angling

Loughs Conn and Cullin

Surprise and delight were experienced by Dublin anglers Mark Robertson, and daughter Zoe, who were fishing recently on Lough Conn. Fishing a Flying ‘C', the pair were delighted when they hooked and boated a fine 8lbs trout in the south end of the lake, near Pontoon Bridge Hotel.

Mark Robertson and his father Sandy, Co. Dublin and the fine 8lbs Lough Conn trout caught recently near Pontoon Bridge Hotel.

 

Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Darragh Harte, Co. Dublin, had five trout for 9lbs while angling with Vinnie O'Boyle, all to the Claret Mallard, while James Mc Walter, Claremorris, had four keepers while fishing in Lough Cullin, his best 1.5lbs with all fish returned. Roy James, U.K. had 14 trout during his stay, caught on the Octopus, Bibio and Bumble Olive.

Fishing out of Kelly's Boat Hire, Cloghans, Bill O'Connell, Co. Dublin enjoyed great sport while angling with Seamus Kelly. They boated a total of 18 trout, and two salmon, all to Mayfly patterns for a day. Claus Bauer, Germany, also enjoyed success while fishing the fly with Seamus Kelly, boating a salmon and four trout. Regular visitors to Cloghans, Sue and Walter Byrne, Co. Offaly once again enjoyed good sport during their stay, with 10 keepers reported, and at least 20 smaller fish caught in Cloghans Bay. Colm Henry, Belfast, and Mr. Wyse, Co. Dublin both had three trout each.

Peter Roche, Cloghans, reports two trout taken on an evening, his best 2lbs, while Stephen Browne, Brackwansha had seven trout up to 2lbs while fishing Mayfly patterns off the Cormorant Rocks. At the Cloonamoyne Fishery, Enniscoe, Gary Crossley reported 3 trout up to 1.5lbs and Ian Wyse, Errew, had two trout to 2lbs on Mayflies. They also reported many undersized fish which were returned.

Anglers fishing out of Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook enjoyed good sport, where Gerry Keating, Co. Cork and Mike Moclair, Co. Tipperary had 11 trout for a day in Massbrook Bay. Ronnie Chambers, Belfast had 12 trout for his day at Colemans Shallows, the best weighing 2lbs. Andrew White, Co. Dublin and party of three had four trout each, while Gerry Sheehan, Co. Cork had one of 1.5lbs.  Shaun Aldmandras, and Steve Forehead, Co. Dublin had four trout to Mayflies. Vincent Roche, Ballina had three trout averaging 1lbs at Massbrook for an afternoons angling.

Lough Arrow

Relatively few anglers fished Lough Arrow throughout the week, however, reports indicate that the trout are feeding well in the late evenings on Sedges and Murroughs. The Murrough proved successful for Michael Gunning who had two of 1.5lbs and 2.5lbs and also for David Grey who had one of 3lbs. 

Ballin Lough

Ballin Lough produced good sport for those fishing, with 12 rods accounting for 128 trout (116 of which were released). English anglers Mr. Vinall and Mr. Birkett enjoyed great success, fishing with the Diawl Bach and Hairs Ear, they caught and released an impressive total of 98 rainbow trout for their few days out, with their best 4lbs. Ian and Cameron Conn had five trout, their best 2lbs, taken on Mayfly patterns and the Green Peter. Timmy Deasey and boat partner had 6 trout, their best was 3lbs, taken on an Octopus.

Pike Angling

American visitors to the Foxford area, Kevin Dyra and son John, Chicago enjoyed good pike fishing with angling guide Kenny Sloan in the Foxford area. With trolled lures and floated baits, they accounted for 6 pike during their trip.

Kevin Dyra and son John, Chicago, with one of six pike caught recently near Foxford.