Angling News
Angling News - Mayo/Sligo - 18 Apr 2012
By Bryan Ward
19, Apr 2012 - 13:41

Salmon Angling

River Moy
A much better week on the River Moy, with twenty-five salmon reported, the majority of which were taken in the mid Moy fisheries. Downstream at Ballina, the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water produced two salmon, while the Foxford Fishery yielded one of 8lbs to Dessie George, N.Ireland, taken on a prawn. The Foxford Salmon Anglers' water yielded five salmon, with two taken at Rinanney. However, it was the East Mayo Anglers Association water which produced the best sport of the week, with 16 salmon landed, five of which were released. Wednesday the 11th was the best day of the week at East Mayo, with nine salmon caught. Among those to have success at East Mayo were John O'Connor, Foxford who caught two fish of 10lbs (Friday 13th) and 7.5lbs, Enda Conboy, Knock, had one of 12lbs and Matt Murphy, Wexford, had one of 11lbs. Salmon were caught using the worm, spinner and fly.

Ballisodare River
Once again the Ballisodare Fishery enjoyed a good week, with over twenty-five salmon caught, ten of which were released. Early in the week Trevor Goulding had a nice fish of 9lbs taken on an Ally's Shrimp while Sean Maye had one of 8lbs to the worm. Jim and John Doherty, visiting anglers from Co. Limerick, both enjoyed success with Jim landing an 11lbs salmon to the worm and John landing one of 9lbs on the fly. The fly also proved successful for local anglers James Maguire, who had one of 9lbs, and Tommy O'Donovan Jr. who caught one of 6lbs while David Crawley had one of 8lbs to the worm. Visiting angler David Watson released two small salmon taken on the fly with Gerry McHugh releasing one of 6lbs.

Carrowmore Lake
Despite the unsettled conditions of late, Carrowmore Lake continued to produce sport throughout the week. Declan Dooley once again enjoyed success with a salmon of 8lbs, with John McBride boating one of 9lbs. David Kidd and Steven McDonnell, N.Ireland, had one each of 6lbs and 8lbs while John O'Connor, Navan, and boat partner landed one each. U.K angler Dave Maplas boated a fine fish of 13lbs. For further information on angling on Carrowmore Lake, or the Owenmore River, please see www.bangorerrisangling.com.


Trout Angling

Lough Conn
The Lough Conn and Cullin Spring competition was held on Sunday 15th, with 19 anglers competing. The day was won by Padraic Traynor with his catch which weighed just over 2lbs, while joint winners of second place, Peter Byrne and Ian Wise, boated trout of just over 1.5lbs. Many other fish were caught and released during the competition as they did not meet the size limit of 12 inches.

Angling in the Pontoon/Glass Island area, Pat Shiels and Joe Halloran, Co. Cork, boated four trout, while Martin Smith, Co. Offaly had two to the Green Peter off Glass Island. Pat Shivers and Pat McCoughlan, Belfast had two of 1.25lbs to a Bibio, with Ionita Homojdian and Victor Courrard releasing six trout taken on Buzzers and Duckfly. Finally, Stephen Brown, fishing the Cloghans Bay area, had three for an evening's fishing, averaging 1.25lbs.

Lough Arrow
The past week saw the first emergence of mayfly on Lough Arrow, with very small numbers sighted on the Lough. Finian Dodd had seven trout over three evenings, with Colin Dodd boating two. Angela Mohan enjoyed success, boating her first ever trout of just over 1lbs on the fly, followed by her second of approximately 2lbs. Anglers reported hooking trout on Duckfly patterns and Golden Olives.

Sea Angling

Killala Group

Donal Kennedy, skipper of the ‘Leah', reported another successful outing for a party of anglers who departed from Killala Pier early on Sunday, April 15th. Conditions were good for fishing in the bay, with a slow drift, much better than the force 6 northerly wind that hit the bay on Saturday. Fishing was slow but steady, with some good pollack up to 8lbs caught. Coalfish were also taken on the first drift, weighing up to 5lbs, with a few fine grey gurnard also caught. Anglers encountered only two cod, weighing up to 5lbs, along with a few ling of up to 6lbs. The party was busy later in the day as a shoal of mackerel appeared around the boat. For further information on angling in Killala Bay on board the "Leah" contact Donal Kennedy on Tel: +353 (0)96 36644, Mobile: +353(0) 868174509 or Email: dak@eircom.net.