Angling News
NW Angling News - 6 Sep 2009
By Markus Müller
8, Sep 2009 - 20:08

River Moy

The Moy system had a reported catch of 298 salmon for the week, with the best of the fishing, again, in the middle reaches of the Moy between Ballina & Foxford. While angling on the tidal beats of the Moy Fishery was not possible due to high water levels a few anglers enjoyed success on the Freshwater Beat including Sean Maye, Sligo, with a 6 lbs. salmon on spinner and Mark Stone, UK, who caught his first ever salmon also on spinner. For the second week in a row the best fishing was on the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water, with most fisheries reporting Wednesday and Saturday as the best days. Mount Falcon also enjoyed good sport. Amongst the successful anglers was Andrew Pearson, UK, with 5 salmon (4 released) on spinner. On the Knockmore water, Thiery Colum, France, caught a cracking 15 pounder on spinner, while Jim Barry, Dublin and Dickie Harte, Northern Ireland, scored on Coolcronan. Also on Coolcronan, Ronnie Douglas and Eric Lowrey, both Northern Ireland, each caught their first ever salmon. The Foxford Fishery produced 3 salmon for John Fogarty’s party from Arklow, while Jim Martin, Northern Ireland, had an 8.5 lbs. salmon on Rinanney. Up river, on East Mayo, Paul Kelly, Sligo, caught a 7 pounder on spinner and Michael Fitzpatrick, Westmeath, landed an 8.5 lbs. fish also on spinner. With water levels dropping gradually and an improvement in the weather, prospects for the tidal beats look a little bit brighter than in previous weeks.

Easkey River

The Easkey River continued to fish well during the week. The Fortland Fishery reported 34 salmon, 8 of which were released. Robert Rountree and party of 3 from Northern Ireland had 16 fish (6 released) mainly on fly.

Lough Conn & Lough Cullin

Extreme rain and floods have hampered the fishing on Lough Conn and Lough Cullin. Water levels rose about 4ft in the last few weeks and are now at winter level. As a consequence, angling was slow during the week. However, some anglers braved the elements and were rewarded with some nice catches.

At Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Mike Murray, Dublin, had 2 trout for 5 lbs., while Trevor Shreve, UK, boated 3 fish averaging 1 lbs. Adrian and Chris Geary, Dublin, had 3 trout, best at 1.5 lbs. From Cloghans, Stephen Browne caught 2 trout for 3 lbs outside Sandy Bay for an evening’s fishing. Most productive flies included: Daddy Long Legs, Gosling and Green Peter.

Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers held the annual “Paddy McDonald Cup” on Lough Conn on Sunday, 6 September. Twenty anglers participated and the event was won by Jackie Coyne, Galway. Runner up was Stephen Browne, Brackwansha and third place went to Joe Quinn, Cloghans.

Owenmore River

Despite a good show of salmon and suitable water levels angling was somewhat slower this week. For some reason salmon didn’t seem to be in “taking mood”. However, eleven salmon (7 released) were reported from the Bangor Angling Club stretch. Mark Mason, Northern Ireland, had the best bag of the week with 4 salmon, all of which he returned. The “Pound Pool” produced most fish including a nice 6 lbs. grilse for local angler, Michael Noone. There are still good numbers of salmon running the Owenmore system and water levels should also remain at perfect “fly level”.

The good fishing continued on Lough Arrow with several anglers reporting fine catches, mostly on wet flies. Local angler, Peter Dunne, had a very good week with a total of 9 trout (all released), between 1.5 lbs. and 3 lbs. Visiting Swiss anglers, Alain Kunz & Sandro Wiki, who were guests of Arrow Rock Hostel also enjoyed great sport on the lake. They caught 6 trout (4 released) averaging 2.5 lbs. including a fine 4 pounder!

Fisheries Awareness Week 2009

On Saturday, 29 August Newport Angling Cub & Westport Trout Anglers in association with the North Western Regional Fisheries Board hosted a Juvenile Angling Day on the Ballin Lough Fishery near Westport, Co. Mayo. Twelve keen youngsters participated in the event which included instruction on fly casting by John Fahy, NWRFB, who is a qualified angling coach. After the casting training, the young anglers ventured out on the lake to put their training into practice. Good numbers of trout were seen and some of the novice anglers rose and hooked fish. However, Cathal Hoban was the only angler to land a trout. Cathal’s rainbow weighed in at 2 lbs! The day ended with refreshments at the lake shore and every participant was presented with a badge to remember the day.

Another successful “Fisheries Awareness Week” event was hosted by Bilberry & Lannagh Angling Club, Castlebar. The Club held their annual “Under 18 Fly Casting Day” on Saturday, 6 September also on the Ballin Lough Fishery. The competition was well attended and Bernard Kennedy won first prize with 3 rainbow trout weighing in at 7.5 lbs. The prize for heaviest fish went to Edward Kennedy. Edward caught a stunning 4 lbs. rainbow trout. Other category winners on the day included: Cathal Hoban, Niall Walsh, Dean Carney and Edward Moran.

Cathal Hoban with his 2 lbs. rainbow trout from Ballin Lough.

Peter Collins, NWRFB, presenting the 1st prize to Bernard Kennedy.

A nice Owenmore salmon goes back.

Alain Kunz from Switzerland with a fine Lough Arrow brown trout.