Angling News
Angling News - Mayo/Sligo 11 Sep 2011
By Bryan Ward
19, Sep 2011 - 12:04

Salmon Angling
River Moy

High water levels on the Moy, particularly below the Lake River, have hampered angling over the past week, particularly for fly anglers. However, the fisheries in the mid and upper stretches have continued to produce good numbers, resulting in a total catch of 334. Very low angling effort on the Moy Fishery beats, coupled with water levels, has meant that only three salmon were caught for the week, with two off the Ridge Pool to worm for Robert Irwin and Ian Carroll and one from the Freshwater Beat for John McKinley, Athlone.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water, and Mount Falcon both enjoyed a productive week with good numbers reported, including 16 salmon for Ian Trayer, U.K. over 4 days, at Mount Falcon, all of which were released. The middle fisheries, up as far as Foxford all experienced a relatively good week. Those who had success included John Slater, U.K, who had one of 5lbs at Coolcronan, and two of 6lbs and 9lbs for Rory O'Toole, N.Ireland, at the Foxford Fishery.
At Cloongee, Maxi Schiedt, Germany, had one of 6lbs to spinner, with Donal Vaughan, Co. Cork, also landing a grilse to spinner. The East Mayo Anglers' water also produced good fishing, including a fine fish of 14.5lbs taken on a spinner by Dave Pickhard, Isle of Man. Others to have success at East Mayo were Manfred Fauert, Germany, who had two on fly, and Leonard Thompson, Co. Dublin, who had one of 8lbs while spinning.

Angling effort throughout the week has been low, yet with many salmon continuing to migrate through the system, good sport can be had for the remainder of the season.

Newport River
Good sport was had over the past week on the Newport River, with 9 anglers reporting a catch of 13 salmon and one reasonable sea trout. Peter Varin, Co. Dublin, returned one grilse of 8lbs, while Walter Tarleton, U.K., had a smaller grilse. Fergus Rothwell and William Falter both banked grilse of over 6lbs, with John Onions landing one of 5lbs. Jimmy Lawlor had two grilse of 4.5lbs and 6lbs, Michael Graff landed a sea trout of 2.3lbs and also a grilse. Jimmy Laffey and Peter Alsworth also enjoyed double success, with each angler capturing two grilse each.

Burrishoole
Reports indicate that there have been encouraging signs on Lough Furnace of late, with lots of fresh grilse observed. However, weather conditions have not been suitable for angling over the past week, with only one angler venturing out during the four day open period. Brian Lovering, U.K. was the only angler to fish, and was rewarded with one wild grilse which was returned.

Owenmore River
Despite being unfishable for three days over the past week, the Owenmore has produced good sport recently. Eddie Murphy, Co. Dublin, had one grilse of 6lbs to a Cascade, while Mark Mason, Belfast, had two, releasing one. Joe Denny, Belfast, returned one grilse as did Rocky Moran, Castlebar, with Larry Mitchell returning two. Trevor Morrow also had success, with two salmon caught, one returned. Joe Hutton, Co. Tyrone, returned one of 5lbs and retained a fine fresh run salmon of 11lbs.

Glenamoy River
The heavy rainfall received in the catchment over the past week, has allowed anglers to enjoy some excellent fishing in the dropping spates. Anglers from all over Ireland and abroad have enjoyed success during the recent run. Most fish have been in the 6lbs - 7lbs range, with the occasional larger fish also being caught. Due to the quota system in operation in the system, many fish are being returned. Early in the week, Alan Martin, N.Ireland, had one of 7lbs, as did Richard Burgrass, Co. Carlow. Four salmon were reported for Tuesday 6th, with John Long, Glencastle, Eamon Little, Co. Galway, Will Whitler, Co. Wicklow and Brian Fitzgerald, Co. Wicklow, all having success. Pedar Little, Ballycroy, and D. Potes, Germany both had fish on Wednesday. A further three were caught on Thursday, with Trevor Morrow, Ballina, landing one and the Co. Wicklow pair Will Whitler and Brian Fitzgerald once again landing fish. For information on permits for the Glenamoy, please see www.glenamoyangling.com or contact +353 (0)9787961.

Ballisodare
Extremely low angling effort of late, and unfavorable water conditions has allowed only 15 salmon to be caught for the week at Ballisodare, 11 of which were released. Hubert Henry caught and released two, Michael Breslin and Tom Sharkey both released a grilse each, while Frank Adams retained one and released one.

Trout Angling
Loughs Conn and Cullin
High winds deterred many anglers from venturing out on the lakes last week. Some however, did avail of the brief breaks in the winds to fish. Angling out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Eamon and Marcia Carroll, Co. Dublin, had two trout at 1.1lbs each for a day, caught on the Golden Olive. Jack Mellet also had one of 1.5lbs. Fishing the Cloghans Bay area, Peter Roche had 5 trout for 6lbs for a day on the Claret and Mallard, and also lost a Salmon. Stephen Brown also boated one trout of just over 1lbs on a Bibio.
In the Crossmolina area John Lynn had two trout for 2lbs on the Wulff, while Mark Flynn, Co. Kildare, had one of 2.5lbs on a Connemara Black.

Lough Arrow
Few anglers have been fishing Arrow recently. However, some are enjoying good sport throughout the day fishing wet flies. Francie White reported boating four trout, his heaviest 3.1lbs while Francis McSharry had one fine trout of 3.7lbs.