Angling News
NW Angling - 7 June 2009
By Vincent Roche
11, Jun 2009 - 18:16

River Moy 

The Moy continued to fish well this week with the arrival of fresh grilse adding to the good stock of spring salmon already in the system. Despite the bright, sunny conditions which prevailed for much of the week, a total of 172 salmon were reported bringing to season total, so far, to 1,130.  Salmon were reported from most fisheries throughout the river from the Cathedral Beat, in Ballina, to the Ballintemple Fishery, just downstream of Cloongullaun Bridge. The best fish of the week, weighing 16 lbs., was taken on prawn on Armstrong’s water.  

On the Ridge Pool, Klaus Friebertshauser, Germany, had a fine salmon of 11.35 lbs., on fly, while John Seery, Ballina, had two, at 3.77 lbs. and 3.84 lbs., on worm. On the Cathedral Beat, Joe Sammon, Co Cork, had a good fish of 11.5 lbs. on fly. Up river, Martin King, N. Ireland, had a salmon of 11.50 lbs., on prawn, while fishing the Foxford Salmon Anglers water at Rinnanney.  On Cloongee, Mark Sweeney, Co. Louth, had a fine fish of 12.5 lbs. on worm and another, at 9 lbs., on a spinner.  The East Mayo Anglers fishery produced a total of 39 salmon for the week. Roger Janneau, France, accounted for 5 for his 3 days on the fishery with 3 taken on spinner and 2 on worm and the best weighing 8 lbs. Hughie Gillespie had two on fly, one at 9 lbs. and one at 10 lbs, while Gunter Profanter, Austria, also had a 9 lbs. salmon on fly.  

Moy Estuary 

The estuary produced a reported catch of just 15 sea trout for the week with northerly winds making fishing conditions difficult for much of the time and discouraging anglers taking to the water. 

Lough Conn  & Lough Cullin 

The warm, sunny weather early in the week, and northerly winds towards the weekend, resulted in reduced angling activity on Conn and Cullin this week but those who did venture out were rewarded with some good fishing. From Kelly Boat Hire, Cloghans, Peter Roche had two trout for 2 lbs. for an evening and Ray Jones, Wales, also had two trout for 2 lbs. which came to mayfly. From Pontoon Bridge Hotel, John McKernan, Belfast, had two salmon, at 6 lbs. each, and one a trout at 2lbs. all of which were taken on a dry Wulff pattern. Fishing from Gortnorabbey, Fraicie White, Sligo, had thee trout on wet flies while Ian Wyse, Crossmolina, had four all of which took Mayfly patterns. At Murphy Boat Hire, Massbrook, Ecky Muller, Austria, had two trout for 3 lbs. Meanwhile, Foxford Angling Club fished their annual Presidents Cup competition on Sunday, 7 September with 25 anglers catching ten trout, mostly to dry flies. The event was won by Gary Binley with two trout at 5.86 lbs. (2.66kg) Stephen Browne was 2nd. with 3 trout weighing 4.76 lbs (2.16 kg) while John O’Connell was 3rd with three trout at 3.43 lbs. (1.56 kg).

Carrowmore Lake and Owenmore River 

The bright, sunny weather this week had a particularly negative effect on this shallow lake and only one salmon, at 8 lbs., was reported.   No fish were reported from the river due to low water conditions.  

Lough Beltra & Newport River

No fish were reported from this system this week. 
 

Ballin Lough 

Unsuitable conditions also resulted in reduced activity on Ballin Lough this week. However, the lake produced 38 rainbow trout of which 17 were returned to the water. Six rods from Rosmuc Fishing Club caught 22 trout for their day of which they returned 10 to the water. Best flies for the week were Minkies and various Deer Hair patterns.  For booking and boat hire, contact Mrs. Gill at the lake (098-26128).

Ballisodare River

The Ballisodare Fishery continued to fish well this week with a total of 25 salmon reported of which 14 were released.  The catch of the week fell to Gerry McHugh who banked a fine salmon of 14.5 lbs. which he caught on an Ally’s Shrimp fly. John Walsh had a 10 lbs. salmon on worm and Trevor Goulding had one of 8 lbs.  Some grilse have also started to appear in Ballisodare with a number of fish in the 4lbs. to 5lbs. bracket being caught this week. 

River Bonet 

The Bonet provided some lively fishing this week with two French visitors to Dromahair who fished the Dromahair Cottages beat upstream of the town.  Jean Michael Zapata landed a 9 lbs. salmon on a Blue fox meps spinner and Jean Marie Borreca landed an 8 lbs. fish which took a similar lure.  

Lough Arrow 

Fishing on Lough Arrow quietened down this week as the main mayfly season tapered off but some good catches were still recorded. John Hargadan had four fine trout over a few days of which two weighed 2 lbs. each, one tipped the scales at 3 lbs. 13 ozs. and his fourth weighed in at 4 lbs. 2 ozs. Michael Gunning had two trout at 2 lbs. and 3.5 lbs. while Peter Dunne had two at 2 lbs and 3.5 lbs. Ken Murray had three trout of which he returned two and retained one at 2 lbs.  Most of the trout were caught on dry flies with Murroughs and Spent Gnat working well. It is most encouraging to see Arrow producing such quality fish again after a number of years of disappointing fishing. It is also good to see that many anglers are assisting conservation of stocks on Arrow by releasing some or all of their catch.