River Moy

Sporadic heavy rainfall over the week helped maintain the high water levels on the Moy, with many anglers enjoying very good sport, with salmon taken on the fly, spinner and worm. These exceptional conditions which have followed the long period of drought have allowed an exceptional number of grilse to run the system in a relatively short period of time. Throughout the system angling effort was heavy resulting in a reported catch in excess of 2000 salmon.

The Moy Fishery enjoyed another very successful week, with 275 salmon caught, with the Ridge Pool accounting for 210 of these. Steve Hazeldine, England had one off the Ridge and had success on the Cathedral Beat also, catching a further three. On the Ridge Pool, English anglers John Cartwright and John Faith had three apiece, the best of these weighing 7.8lbs.

Michelle Moss, Melbourne Australia, had success landing two on the Ridge Pool, while Adrian Geary caught his first ever salmon, shortly followed by another two. Welsh pair Jeremy and Jolian Collins had one each on the Cathedral while Jim Bell, Scotland caught two. The Freshwater Beat also produced its share, with Gino De Carlo, Italy, landing two with the spinner, his best 6lbs and Gian Luigi De Nardo, also Italy, banking three with the spinner.

All of the other fisheries of the Moy have reported staggering numbers, with a few recording catches in excess of two hundred salmon. At Coolcronan, Paddy Rice, Bob Bell and John James, all of the UK, had a total of nine salmon to the worm, while Jack Charlton had two of 5lbs and 6lbs. At Gannon's, Andy Major, England, landed one of 6lbs while at the Foxford Fishery Gerard Greene, U.K. had a very successful week banking a total of 14 salmon (6 released) on both the spinner and worm. At Cloongee, Steve Hazeldine again had success with a 7lbs fish, Francis Higginbottom, N.I. had one fine fish of 10lbs as did Uwe Steffen, Germany, who also landed a further four. At the East Mayo Anglers water, John McDonagh, Galway caught two, while Roy Wilson, N.I. had two of 5lbs and 6lbs to the fly.

Adrian Geary (15) from Dublin pictured with his impressive catch of 3 grilse caught whilst fishing the famous Ridge Pool on 17th July 2010.

Ballisodare Fishery

Ballisodare Fishery continued to produce good numbers of salmon, with an impressive 237 salmon caught over the course of the week, 90 of these were released. Heavy rainfall over the week led to the reopening of the Ballisodare river, which is now fishing very well. Among those to have success on the river were visiting anglers Günter Hommer and friend, Germany. Miguel A. Diaz, Spain also enjoyed his time at the river landing a total of 5 salmon over the course of his 3 days fishing, the best of those weighing 7lb.

Ballisodare Fisheries annual juvenile fishing competition was held on the 14th July. A total of 86 children participated in the event, with 83 salmon being caught on the day. The majority of these fish were caught on the worm. There were 24 prize-winners including Jamie Moore who landed the overall heaviest fish and was the recipient of O' Donovan's perpetual trophy; his fish weighed 6.1lb. Other prize-winners included Kyle Carty who caught the heaviest fish on the worm, weighing 4.9lb; Joe Mc Hugh came 1st in the club angler section landing a salmon of 4.3lb; Darren Mc Neilis received 1st prize for his 3.97lb salmon that was caught on the prawn; Connor Brune caught the heaviest salmon on the fly, with a weight of 4.97lb; the smallest salmon was 1.1lb and was caught by Nicholas Laverty; Rachel Moore was placed 1st in the ladies section with her 5.5lb salmon and Jack Collins took 1st prize as a visiting angler with his 4.6lb salmon. The youngest angler on the day was 3 year old Annabelle Moore; she caught a very impressive 3.8lb salmon.

The McGoldrick family of Ballintogher, Paul, Claire, Jason and Laura, each with their first ever salmon, caught at the Ballisodare Fisheries Juvenile angling day.

Paddy Bird with his fine 4.3lbs salmon at the Ballisodare Fishery Juvenile angling day.

Carrowmore Lake

Blustery winds on occasion have churned up the Lake somewhat making angling difficult. Despite this, nine salmon were caught for the week and numerous sea trout. Mark Corps, Enniskillen boated and returned a total of one salmon and five sea trout while Eamon Giblin and Marvin Corway caught five salmon, returning four. Frank and Declan Dooley, Dublin had two salmon, returning both while Pat Foley had one salmon of 7lbs which was also returned.

Owenmore River

The Owenmore River experienced its first good spate of the summer, with numerous grilse entering the system. Angling conditions were close to ideal as the spate began to recede and good angling was had. Trevor Greene, N.I had great success catching a 12lb 9oz on a size 10 Claret Bumble, with Frank Dooley also banking a fish on the river. Rory Murray caught two salmon while Mark Mason had three which were sportingly returned.

Newport River

The varying water levels assisted angling on the Newport River, where a total of 13 salmon were caught as well as numerous sea trout. Des Cloughlan of Newport enjoyed good angling catching five sea trout and one salmon of 6.5lbs, while Kevin Clayton had a good week catching three salmon of 4lbs, 5lbs and 6.5lbs.

Burrishoole Fishery

Angling at Burrishoole has improved again since last week, with 33 salmon and some sea trout being caught over its four day open period. UK angler Tim Aldiss caught seven salmon while Niall Berwick, Dublin had two. Michael Healy had success catching three and releasing two, with Stephen Bird, N.I. also catching two.