River Moy

Inland Fisheries Ireland - Ballina is pleased to announce that the reported catch for the 2010 season on the Moy system is now in excess of 10,000 salmon. The total catch as of the 12th September now stands at an impressive 10,332 with the Moy Fishery accounting for 1,933 of these. This year's total to date exceeds the five year average catch by over twenty percent. Not since the record year of 1996 has the River Moy exceeded this total, firmly establishing the Moy as Europe's premier wild Atlantic Salmon Fishery.

The Moy experienced severe flood conditions at the beginning of the week. As a consequence, angling was seriously hampered. However, towards the end of the week, the river had dropped slightly and cleared, with the best fishing being had on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Cathedral Beat was unfishable due to these conditions, with the worm and spinner accounting for most, if not all fish on other beats throughout the week.

On the Moy Fishery, 17 salmon were caught, including 7 on the Ridge Pool, 4 on the Point and 6 on the Freshwater Beat. On the Ridge Pool, Alan Russell, Keith Wignall and Steve Turner (all of England) had one fish each, while Bill Hannan, Kildare, caught his first ever salmon. Damien Doherty, N.Ireland and Peter McBrien, Donegal, each had success on the Freshwater Beat. The high water suited angling on the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water, where very good numbers of salmon were reported. Upstream at Mount Falcon, relatively good sport was had by anglers, with many salmon caught and the majority of these fish safely returned.

The Knockmore waters also enjoyed good angling, with Attymass, Coolcronan, Byrne's and Armstrong's all producing their share. Gannon's fished reasonably well for the week, as did the Foxford Fishery, where Richard Wallace, U.K. was among those to have success, landing one salmon with a spinner. Baker's New Fishery produced a few while at Rinanney, good numbers of salmon were caught. The Foxford town fisheries also had a successful week, as did the Cloongee Fishery. Among those to have success at Cloongee, were U.K. anglers Rodney Bowles, Vincent Bowles and John Haakerson who had a fish each. Reg Bishop and John Rigby, also from the U.K. had better success, catching two salmon each at Cloongee.

On the East Mayo Angler's water, despite the high water level, the spinner was the most successful method. Henry Cooke, Dublin, and Martin Keane, Castlebar, each had success at East Mayo, while Seamus Lee, Galway, had a very nice fish of 14lbs to the spinner.

Lough Conn

With the excessive rainfall experienced throughout the week, water levels on Lough Conn have risen significantly and remain high. Few anglers ventured out in the poor conditions. However, some of those who did fish enjoyed good sport. Fishing from Murphy's Boat Hire, Mick Sweeney, Loughrea, and Liam McHugh, Edenderry, had success and caught a total of 8 trout to wet flies, their best weighing 1.5lbs. Sean Creane, Cloghans, enjoyed a very successful evening's fishing, boating a total of 7 trout in under two hours, with the best weighing 3lbs. However, Sean also captured a salmon of 5lbs on his outing, completing a great evening on the Lough, with all fish falling to wet Dabblers.

The Kieran Lynn Memorial Cup angling competition was held on the Lough on Saturday the 11th in conjunction with Murphy's Boat Hire and Murphy's Bar, Lahardane. A total of 30 anglers participated in the competition. Liam McHugh, Edenderry, won first place with a trout of 1.5lbs, with Ray Lynn, Lahardane, coming second and Dominick Concannon, Derry, taking third.

The Foxford Trout Anglers hosted the Chris Downey Memorial Cup on Lough Conn on Sunday past, with 17 anglers participating. Keith Moyles, Ballina, won first place with a fish of 1.4lbs, with Gary Binley, Foxford, coming second and Sean Creane, Cloghans, third.

Ballisodare Fishery

Very high water levels on Ballisodare throughout the week discouraged many anglers from fishing, with only five salmon reported, with all of these returned to the system.

Drumcliff River

Angling on the Drumcliff has been relatively slow for the week although some anglers enjoyed success. Michael Whimsey had one salmon of 7lbs to the worm, while Paul Scott, Sligo, caught two, one of 6lbs and the second weighing 8lbs.

Owenmore River

With the recent rainfalls, the Owenmore was in spate for most of the week, providing excellent fishing conditions for anglers. Large numbers of anglers fished the river throughout the week, with large numbers of salmon reported, many of which were fresh run. Among those to enjoy success were John Cosgrove, Bangor, and Martin Gaughan, who had one of 6lbs. Larry Mitchell, Bangor, enjoyed good sport catching three, while Mervin Corway had a good fish of 14.5lbs.

Glenamoy

The Glenamoy River fished very well for the week, where suitable water levels and fresh run fish allowed good sport to be had. IFI would like to remind anglers that the Glenamoy system is catch and release only, with single barbless hooks to be used at all times. Chris McCully and James Sedler, the Netherlands, enjoyed great sport on the river, catching a total of 8 grilse and 14 sea trout, with all fish safely returned to the system.

Newport River

Angling conditions on the Newport River were ideal over the past week, with a total of 14 fresh run salmon caught. Among those to have success were David McCloon who caught three grilse, Eamon Kennedy, who had four fish between 4lbs and 8lbs and David Eddis, Glenhest and England who captured a total of 5 grilse for the week.

Lough Beltra

Lough Beltra produced some good angling for the week, with five grilse being reported. Jackie Deffley, Beltra, had two grilse while David Cawley, Foxford had one in Walsh's Bay to a Bibio. Manfred Bunzel accounted for two grilse, and an impressive 15 sea trout.

Sea Angling

Mayo Shore Anglers Presentation

Mayo Shore Angling Club

Enniscrone Beach was the venue for Mayo Shore Angling Club's annual competition, held on Saturday the 11th. Good numbers of anglers participated in the event and, despite, the blustery conditions, the angling was good. A total of twenty fish were recorded for the three hour event, with anglers accounting for flounder, turbot and sea trout. Mackerel strips proved the bait of choice. Michael Caplice was named the over-all winner of the event, and was presented with the Mayo Shore Angling Perpetual Cup at the Diamond Coast Hotel that evening.