River Moy 

The Moy system accounted for a reported catch of 192 salmon for the week. This brought the season total, to date, to 1,837 which is up on this time last year. Despite the bright sunshine and dropping water levels, salmon were caught right throughout the system from Ballina to the East Mayo water.  

With water levels having dropped dramatically over the past week, fishing has improved somewhat on the Moy Fishery. Thirty-two salmon were recorded at the fishery with twelve coming off the Ridge Pool, four from the Weir Pool and fourteen from the Cathedral Beat.  On the Ridge Pool, Jim Adamson Snr., Northern Ireland, had a grilse, while Jonathan Forrest, France, caught a 6.25 lbs. fish. The Weir Pool produced two grilse for 14 year old, James Carroll, Clonmel. Also on the Weir Pool, Roy Taylor, UK, caught two salmon with one of them released. On the Cathedral Beat, Graham Ouston, Wales, had a 7 pounder, while Peter Begley, Louth, was successful on the Spring Wells with one grilse. All fish came to the fly. Visiting Italian angler, Gino de Carlo, scored at the Point with a salmon weighing 7.7 lbs. on spinner. Gino was also successful on the Knockmore water where he had 4.5 lbs. salmon also on spinner. On Armstrong’s, the Michael Brunt party from Germany enjoyed good fishing for the second week, with a total of 5 salmon, while the Foxford Fishery produced 3 salmon for UK angler, Trevor Belton. 

On Cloongee, Paul Gough & Bert Walsh, both UK, had 3 salmon each on worm, while Mark Sweeney, Louth, landed two fine salmon at 8.75 lbs. & 9 lbs. on spinner. Angling conditions also remained good on the East Mayo Anglers Association water. Successful anglers included: local angler, Paul McGrath with two grilse (both released) on fly, Vincent Prior, France, with one grilse also on fly and Frederick Poingnant, France, who landed 3 salmon fishing the worm. Also on East Mayo, local angling guide, Paddy McDonnell, caught & released two grilse on fly. 
 

Moy Estuary 

Fishing on the Moy Estuary was slow for the main part of the week but as the spring tides eased off, conditions improved. These high tides have particularly helped to improve the situation on the lower estuary and vast shoals of herring fry have arrived. As a result, good numbers of sea trout are now present. Judd Ruane reported good fly fishing for his clients. Ronnie Sands & friend, Northern Ireland, caught & released over 30 sea trout, while David Martin & two friends also enjoyed good fishing with sea trout up to 1.5 lbs.  

14 year old James Carroll with his two fly caught grilse from the Moy Fishery.

Italian visitor, Gino de Carlo, with his salmon caught at the Point, Ballina

 
 

Lough Conn & Lough Cullin 

Due to the very warm and sunny weather, fishing was again fairly quiet on Conn. As a consequence, only a handful of anglers ventured out with most trout caught on dry fly.  

At Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Jean Pierre Rouiard, France, had one trout for 1.75 lbs. Fishing out of Healy’s Hotel, Pat Gorman, Galway, caught a fine 3 lbs. brownie along the Pullawokhouse Shore on a Bibio. Eoin Cox and Adrian Gilmartin, Longford, had 3 trout between them fishing from Gortnorabbey. All trout were caught on dry flies, best at 2 lbs. 

Elsewhere, the Castlebar Anglers Association held their Annual Douglas Hyde Memorial Cup and Conn & Cullin Cup Competition on Sunday, 28 June. Brian Connolly won the event with 3 trout for 4.48 lbs. and second place went to Kevin Finnerty with 1 fish for 4.06 lbs.  
 

Carrowmore Lake 

The sea trout fishing picked up on Carrowmore Lake during the week with good numbers of trout caught by anglers. Some anglers were also rewarded with some fine salmon. The best fish for the week was caught by regular Swiss visitor, Daniel Baggenstoss, and weighed in at 10 lbs. Other successful anglers were Ronnie Mayock, Dublin, with a six pounder and Mervin Corway who caught and released a 5 lbs. grilse. With the peak of the sea trout run to come, prospects for the coming weeks are good.   
 

Ballin Lough 

The Ballin Lough Fishery continued to fish very well. Thirty-six rods fished the lake during the week catching a total of 70 rainbow trout (32 released).  

Ken McCarthy & Enda Young, Dublin, had 15 rainbows (10 released), best at 3.5 lbs., Joe Kenna & Andy Boyle caught 5 fish, best at 3 lbs. and Joe Gibbons, Westport, landed 8 trout (6 released), best also at 3 lbs. Best flies for the week included: Booby, Minkie, Green Peter and various nymph patterns.

Ballin Lough is a fly only fishery and fishing is from boats only. For permits and boat hire anglers should contact Mrs. Gill, beside the lake, on 098-26128.

Ballysadare River

The Ballysadare Fishery produced a total of 53 salmon (18 released) for the week. The best fish for the week fell to John Gogan weighing in at 8.5 lbs., while Tom Gogan caught an 8 lbs. fish on the same day. There is a good grilse run in the system and therefore fishing conditions should remain good. 
 

Loughs Bilberry & Lannagh 

The 15^th McConville Cup will be fished on Loughs Bilberry & Lannagh, Islandeady, Co. Mayo from Thursday, 9 July until Saturday, 11 July. Bilberry-Lannagh Angling Club invites angles to take part in this prestigious event. Closing date for entries is Friday, 3 July. Contact: Matt Fahy, Green Hill, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Tel: 087 2982717.