River Moy

Yet, another successful week for anglers on the Moy system, with 617 salmon reported bringing the yearly total, so far, to 3,140.

The Ridge Pool accounted for 47 salmon, including 3 grilse for fly angler Garry Perks, England. Ted Walsh, Jack Charlton and Ray Bailey also had 3 grilse between them, all on fly. Freddy Beggs, NI, had 2 fish on the Cathedral Beat, while Edward Kelly had two nice grilse from the Spring Wells and the Ash Tree Beats.

Ted Walsh, Kildare, Jack Charlton & Ray Bailey with their Ridge Pool Catch.

Ballina Salmon Anglers hosted a children's fishing competition as part of Ballina Salmon Festival with 44 youngsters taking part. The competition was won by Jordan Stevens with a 4 lbs. grilse. Jordan received a rod and reel as first prize, sponsored by Ridge Pool Tackle Shop.

On Coolcronan, John Baron, England had a 5 pounder on the worm, while on Armstrong's Michael Lawlor, Laois, landed two grilse (6 & 7 lbs.) also to the worm. The Foxford Fishery accounted for 46 salmon for the week, with Richard Wallace, England, catching 3 salmon, best at 9 lbs. On Rinanney, Reg Bishop, England and Herbert Zettell, Germany had fish of 12.5 lbs and 11 lbs. respectively.

Cloongee totalled 50 salmon and it was here where Martin Kiely, Limerick landed 3 salmon on worm, best at 9 lbs. Also on Cloongee, Graham Child, UK, had 8 salmon on worm and spinner, ranging between 5 lbs. and 8 lbs. Fishing East Mayo, Hans-Ulrich Bender, Germany had 3 grilse on the fly, best at 5 lbs. Garry Claydon, UK also fishing the East Mayo Association water had a fine 10 pounder on worm, while Brendan Wilson, NI had one of 5 lbs. on fly.

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IFI Fly Casting Day a great success at Ballina Salmon Festival

Inland Fisheries Ireland hosted its annual Fly Casting Day on the banks of the River Moy on Sunday, 10 July. Over recent years this event has become an important feature of the Ballina Salmon Festival. The Fly Casting Day held at "The Point", at Quay Road, was a tremendous success and attracted a significant number of visitors from around the country and overseas despite the very unsettled weather and periods of torrential rain during the day.

Free fly casting tuition for the whole family.

As well as free casting tuition for all, the event featured demonstrations by three times World Spey Casting Champion, Scott McKanzie and a number of casting competitions. These included juvenile spinning accuracy, single hand distance and spey casting distance competitions. The most prestigious event was the Irish Open Spey Casting Championship which was won by Gerard Coyle from Pullathomas. Gerard picked up a prize for €400 and a crystal glass trophy both of which were sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland. Another outstanding result was achieved by Ida Strømstad, Norway, who won the single hand ladies distance competition with a cast of 28.75 meters. Prizes for the competitions were generously sponsored by Mount Falcon Country House Hotel, Ballina Angling Centre, the Ridge Pool Tackle Shop, Tiernan Brothers Foxford and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Another popular attraction was the fly tying marquee, with many availing of free fly tying demonstrations given by expert fly tiers Betty Hayes, Michael Hayes, Frank Reilly and Declan Tuffy. Children were also well catered for with a toddlers' fishing pool and bouncy castle.

A busy fly tying marquee.

Gerard Coyle Pullathomas winner of the 2011 Irish Open Spey Casting Championship.

Three times world spey casting champion Scott MacKenzie.

Young Eabha Walls enjoys the toddlers fun fishing pool.

Ida-Stromstad, Norway, competing in the ladies single hand competiton.

IFI Casting Day 2011 at the Point Ballina.

All who attended voiced their praise for venue and the organisation of the event. The venue was generously made available by Ballina Town Council and a great deal of work was done by many local casting instructors in organising the day as well as staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland who pulled out all the stops to make the event a great success.

The results of the various casting competitions were as follows:

Juvenile Spinning Accuracy Competition
1st Martin Cuffe
2nd Sean Cuffe
3rd James Egan

Juvenile Single Hand Competition
1st Shane Egan
2nd Martin Cuffe
3rd Luke Doherty

Ladies Single Hand Competition
1st Ida Strømstad
2nd Betty Hayes

Amateur Single Hand
1st Sean Armstrong
2nd Mark O'Malley
3rd Luke Doherty

Professional Single Hand
1st Thomas Armstrong
2nd Mark Corps
3rd Cathal Doherty

Irish Open Spey Casting Competition
1st Gerard Coyle, Pullathomas
2nd Martin Kiely, Limerick
3rd Derek Doyle, Dublin

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Ballisodare Fishery
With additional fresh water in the system, salmon angling improved on the Ballisodare Fishery. A total of 139 salmon was caught (58 released) averaging between 5 and 6 lbs.

Lough Arrow
Lough Arrow saw very good sedge fishing during the week with the best of the fishing very late in the evenings. Amongst the successful anglers were David Gray with 5 brown trout up to 3.5 lbs, Garry Martin with 2 fish of 2 lbs and 3 lbs and Dave Cadman also with 2 fish; best at 6 lbs. Best flies included Green Peters and Murroughs.

Owenmore River
For most of the week water levels on the Owenmore were fairly low. However, a medium flood towards the end of the week improved angling conditions considerably. On the Bangor Angling Club water, eight salmon were caught for the week; best a cracking 12.5 lbs. fish for Frank Dooley. John Reynolds was also successful landing an eleven pounder. Most successful flies included Flamethrowers, Cascades and Magenta Shrimp patterns.

Carrowmore Lake
Carrowmore Lake fished very well for the week with a total of 38 salmon caught, 13 of which were released. The bulk of the fish were grilse in the 4 to 6 lbs. range. Amongst the successful anglers were, Mary Harkin and Declan Daly, both Dublin and Larry McAlinden, Northern Ireland all landed fresh run grilse.

On Saturday, 9 July visiting angling journalist, Ida Strømstad from Norway fished Carrowmore Lake together with Mark Corps and Markus Müller, Inland Fisheries Ireland. It was Ida's first time fishing in Ireland and also her first experience of "Lough Style" fishing. After a slow start with just a couple of sea trout Ida hooked into something more substantial and after a 10 minute battle, she boated her first ever Irish salmon. The spring fish had been in the lake a while and was estimated at around 9 lbs. Ida took the fish on a size 12 Clan Chief Muddler fished on a floating line near the mouth of the Glencullin River. Later in the day the party landed another springer making this a memorable day for Ida who stated that she can't wait to come back to the Bangor area to explore more first class game fishing. Both salmon were carefully released to the water.

For fishing on Carrowmore Lake contact Bangor Angling Club www.bangorerrisangling.com or phone Seamus Henry, Fishery Manager on +353 (0)97 83487.

Markus Müller, IFI & Norwegian fly fishing journalist, Ida Strømstad, with her first ever Irish Salmon caught on Carrowmore Lake.

Burrishoole Fishery
Lough Furnace had another good week with a total of 16 grilse caught, 3 of which were released. The most successful angler was Tim Aldiss, England, who had 7 fish over three days; best at 5.5 lbs. Pat Byrne, Cavan, was also successful as was local angler, Joe Donnellan, who had 2 grilse one of which he released. Martin Brennan, Clare, will also remember his day on Lough Furnace as he caught his first ever salmon on a fly.

Most productive flies included Ally's Cascade, Green Peter, Java Shrimp, Goat's Toe and Stoat's Tail. There is a very good run of fish in the lake and prospects for the coming weeks are looking excellent.

For fishing on Lough Furnace contact Pat Hughes, Fishery Manger, on +353 (0)872377078 or pat.hughes@marine.ie

Lough Beltra & Newport River

Despite a good run of salmon, fishing was somewhat quieter this week on the Newport System. However, some anglers fishing out of Newport House had good results mainly on the Newport River. David Nevin caught the best fish of the week, a fine 11 lbs. salmon, while Dave Tucker landed a grilse and 5 sea trout, all of which he released. On Lough Beltra, David Eddis boated a 5 lbs. grilse.

Ballin Lough
This IFI managed fishery continued to fish well with 9 rods catching a total of 18 rainbow trout (11 released). Mattie Foley and boat partner caught 6 trout (4 released) with best at 2.5 lbs, while local angler, Michael Mc Donnell and friend had 3 fish; heaviest also at 2.5 lbs. Best flies for the week were Dabblers and Bibio patterns.

For fishing on Ballin Lough contact Tom Gill on +353 (0)98 26128