Salmon Angling

Ballisodare Fishery

At the Ballisodare Fishery the season kicked off on the 1st April and due to the poor conditions the first fish was not caught until the 3rd, taken by Gabriel McKeon on a worm. This was followed by catches on the 5th and 7th and on the 8th the first fly caught salmon was landed by John Murray, a fine 11.5lbs springer. Since then conditions and catches have improved immensely, culminating in 40 salmon recorded for the week ending 21st April.

Week two at the Fishery produced twelve salmon, including two on the fly of 10lbs for Denis Crawley and Vincent Henry. Sunday the 14th produced two nice salmon, both caught on the fly, by Paul Colreavy and Andrew Pearson (visiting angler, U.K.) weighing 9lbs and 11lbs respectively

Over the past week following some fresh water which raised the river slightly, conditions were looking much more promising. Monday the 15th produced eight salmon, ranging from 7lbs to 12.5lbs in weight, the majority of the fish taken on the fly with three released. Fish were caught by Frankie Kerins (8lbs), Vincent Henry (12.5lbs), Fechin McMorrow Senior (7lbs), Michael Martin (7lbs), Stephen Cassols (10lbs), Denis Crawley (10lbs), John Murray (7lbs) and Jerry McHugh (10.5lbs). The following day four salmon were recorded in the range of 7lbs to 10lbs, one released. Fish were caught by Paddy Loughlin, Damian and Mark Crawford (visiting anglers) and Vincent Henry. Wednesday the 17th also produced four salmon, ranging from 5lbs to 10lbs, two of these were released by Vincent Henry and John Murray.

Flood waters hit the river on Thursday and with levels very high conditions were not favorable. However, despite this local angler Paul McMahon managed to get a salmon of 12lbs. The river started to fall the next morning, with the water level very suitable in the afternoon. Six fish were then caught as the water dropped, with the majority caught on fly, ranging from 7lbs to 14lbs. David Marron caught a lovely fish of 14lbs, taken on fly, while Hugo Marron had one of 9lbs and Sean Gallagher also had one of 7lbs (both on the fly). Fechin McMorrow had one 10lbs and John Connolly had one 7lbs (both on worm).

Saturday April 20th produced four salmon ranging 6lbs to 9lbs to the fly, with fish caught by Trevor Goulden, John Murray, Noel Barbour and Paul Colreavy. Conditions were perfect on Sunday April 21st, these conditions were reflected in the fishing as thirteen salmon were caught, ranging of 5lbs to 13lbs with the majority taken on fly and many of these fish released. Noel Barbour had a fine salmon of 13lbs which fell to fly and was released, other fly anglers that caught fish were Paul McGrory (8lbs), Jimmy Cuffe had a bar of silver weighing 13lbs along with Dermot Glennon (7lbs), John Murray released two weighing 9lbs and 7lbs, John Connolly released one of 4lbs and Trevor Goulden released one of 7lbs. A fine fish of 10lb was also caught at the falls on the prawn.

For information on angling at Ballisodare Fishery please Email: ballisodarefc@eircom.net or Tel: +353 (0)862515064.

River Moy

A further nine salmon were reported from the River Moy over the past week, including one great fish of 18.75lbs taken on the fly by visiting U.K. angler Michael Dentch on the East Mayo Anglers' Association water.

Downstream, the Ballina Salmon Angler's reported three fish from Ballina town, while in Foxford, the town fishery produced one salmon. At the Cloongee Fishery, Pierce Fox released one fish of 6lbs which was caught while spinning.

The East Mayo Anglers' water yielded a further three salmon, with a fine fish of 14lbs caught on fly by Brendan Wilson. Anthony Lynch recorded one of 10lbs on worm while Jerry Hergerty, Swinford, landed one of 9lbs on spinner.

With spring tides due at the end of this week, more fresh fish are expected to enter the system in coming days.

Lough Beltra

Lough Beltra continued to provide good sport for anglers seeking spring salmon over the past week. On the 18th Brian Hope boated an 8lbs fish at the Strand while Ronnie Mayock had success at Morrison's on the 20th, also landing one of 8lbs. Mel Parrot also scored at Morrison's on the 21st, with an 8lbs fish, while a visiting angler from Donegal had one of 7lbs. Finally, Dave Patton caught one of 11lbs at the mouth of the Glenisland River.