Salmon Angling

Anglers should be aware that the rivers at present still contain large numbers of kelts, which have spawned and not yet returned to sea. The following link will direct you to an identification chart which should help in the identification of kelts. www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/learning-zone-assets/atlantic_salmon_recognition.pdf

River Moy

Mark Beattie, Ballina, who caught a fine springer of 9lbs at approximately 04.30pm on 7 March 2012.

The second and third confirmed fresh run salmon of the season were caught on Tuesday, 6th March in Ballina, just upstream of the Salmon Weir. Ballina native Stephen Ginty, caught a fine 8lbs 12oz fish using worm at around 09.30am. This was followed later in the day by Mark Beattie, Ballina, who caught a second fine springer of 9lbs at approximately 04.30pm.

Carrowmore Lake

The first salmon of the season was caught on Carrowmore last Tuesday, 28th February. Richard Holmes, Tourmakeady was the successful angler who boated the 6lbs salmon using a Green Peter. For further information on angling on Carrowmore Lake, or the Owenmore River, please see www.bangorerrisangling.com.

Trout Angling

Lough Conn

Stephen Ginty, Ballina, with his 8lbs 13oz salmon caught 6-Mar-2012

Milder weather for a period last week allowed more anglers to venture onto Lough Conn, many enjoying reasonable success for the time of season. Mick Sweeny, Loughrea and boat partner had a total of 6 trout in the Victoria Bay and Massbrooke areas all to the Fiery-brown. Ian Wise and John Warren also had success, boating 7 trout, their best weighing1.5lbs. These were taken in the Bog Bay and Enniscoe areas, and fell to the Green Peter and Fiery-brown. Joe Quinn, Cloghans had one of 2lbs to a Buzzer and while fishing the Brackwansha Shore, Stephen Brown caught two of 1.5lbs, on the Bibio. Joe Ferguson, Knockmore also had one at Brackwansha, weighing 1.25lbs and taken on a Minkie.

Trout anglers are also reminded that it is quite common at this time of year to hook and catch kelts in Loughs Conn and Cullin. These fish, if hooked, should be quickly played and unhooked while still in the water and released unharmed.


Lough na Leibe

A week of mixed and windy weather led to generally low temperatures on Lough na Leibe. However, there was good angling reported by a few brave individuals who made it out to fish. In total throughout the week, 20 fish were landed by six club anglers. All of the reported fish were caught by fly-fishing. Despite the downturn in temperature small hatches of insects were again witnessed by anglers on the lough; these included some small duck-fly, brown and dark olive buzzers and small lake olives. The first round of the Sunday Fly-fishing competition took place on Sunday the 4th of March during which 10 more trout were caught. Conditions were difficult on the day, with the fish taking sporadically. First place was won by Francis Brady with 7 fish, second went to Anthony Walsh with 2 fish and Martin Lawrence took third with 1 trout. Congratulations to Francis who also won a fly rod, reel and line generously sponsored by Barton Smith Sports of Sligo.

Successful fly patterns on the lough included the Sooty Olive nymph, Duckfly emerger, Pheasant tail nymph, Black Pennell, the Invicta and lure patterns such as the Nomad, the Orange Blob, the Booby and Woolly-bugger, orange or black with lime green tail.