Salmon & Sea Trout Angling

River Moy

Angling catches were down slightly on last week for the River Moy with a reported catch of 158 salmon for the week, bringing the total for the year so far to 738. The settled dry weather of late, and the constant Easterly or South Easterly breeze resulted in less than ideal angling conditions; despite this some good fishing was still to be had.

The Moy Fishery accounted for a total of 13 salmon for the week. Visiting French angler Loyc Barc had the best fish for the week, a fine 7.6 lbs. salmon caught on fly. Other successful anglers included Michael Pfitzing, Germany, Pat Kane, Donegal and Sean Maye, Sligo all whom had fish to the fly averaging 5 lbs.

Further up the river angling conditions were also hampered by low water levels and bright sunshine. However, Armstrong's Fishery proved productive for Co. Meath Angler Henry Brown with a 7 lbs. salmon while worming. From Gannon's Fishery, Louis Cadou, France had a 10 lbs. salmon on prawn and on the Foxford Fishery Simon Ferris, Northern Ireland also landed a 10 lbs. fish on prawn.

Cloongee produced over 23 fish for the week including a 7 lbs. salmon for Charles Noblet, France on bubble & fly. Angling was also good on the East Mayo Association Water where Claude Grosjean, Belgium had two salmon of 5 lbs. and 7 lbs. to the worm. Other successful anglers on East Mayo included German fly angler Manfred Kauert, with 2 fish and Marcel Jacquemin, Belgium who had two while worming.

Moy Estuary

There is a good show of sea trout in the estuary at present and due to improved water clarity the sea trout fishing picked up further during the week, with over 70 trout reported by anglers. Some good sized trout were taken on bait while fly anglers also reported excellent results. Amongst the successful anglers were Judd Ruane and Harry Feeney with 6 fine sea trout in two hours, while Michael Haughton & family had 12 trout on fly and sand eel over two days.

Carrowmore Lake

Fishing on Carrowmore Lake was hampered by the sunny conditions and squally Easterly winds at times during the week. However, some anglers that fished well into darkness were rewarded with nice catches. Local angler, Mervin Corway had two salmon at 10 lbs. & 6 lbs., Granville Nesbitt had one at 6 lbs. so had Bangor Erris angler John Cosgrove. Most successful flies included Claret Bumble, Clan Chief, Black Dabbler and Green Peter patterns.

Lough Beltra

There was little angling activity on Lough Beltra during the week. However, Anthony McGuinness, Dublin "scored" with a fine 11.5 lbs. salmon on May 22nd. It will be a memorable day for Anthony as this was his first ever salmon!

Ballisodare River

Despite very low water levels angling remained excellent during the week on the Ballisodare River, with 93 fish landed and 45 of these being returned safely to the water. The majority of fish being taken during the week were over 5 lbs. with a number of fish in the 8 to 10 lbs. size range. Kieran Kernon, Longford, had the biggest fish for the week, a fine 10 pounder to the worm. Other successful anglers included Bryan McDonnagh (8 lbs. on fly), John Doherty (8 lbs. on fly) and visiting UK angler Graham Tuck (7 lbs. & 3 lbs. worm).

Trout Angling

Loughs Conn & Cullin

The extremely sunny and warm weather impacted on the fishing for some time during the week. However, anglers again reported some great fishing despite the difficult conditions.

All anglers fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel enjoyed good fishing, with lots of small fish released. Annual visitor Stuart Lyon, Scotland had 17 keepers for his trip, best at 1.75 lbs., while Chris Wathen, UK caught 8 trout best at 2.75 lbs. Other successful anglers included Harry Rechfeld, Switzerland with 7 trout (best 2 lbs.) and Jack Mellet, Castlebar who had 4 trout for 4lbs.

Good numbers of trout were also reported by anglers fishing out of Gerry Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook. Kevin Quinn and party of three, Galway, averaged 4 trout each over 3 days, best at 2 lbs., while Chris and Eddie Cooney, Tipperary, had 7 trout each over two days.

Fishing out of Brackwansha, Gary Binley, Foxford boated four good trout, while Peter Byrne, Castlebar, had 3, best at 2 lbs.

Elsewhere, Stephen Brown, Cloghans, had four trout, best at 1.75 lbs. in Castlehill Bay, while Joe Cosgrove, also Cloghans, enjoyed some good fishing during the week with fish up to 2.5 lbs.

Most successful flies during the week included Gray Wulff, Octopus, Bibio and various mayfly patterns (dry and wet).

A number of competitions were also fished during the week:

Foxford Anglers held an evening's competition during the week which was won by John Burke, Foxford. Crossmolina Angling Club hosted the annual Aidan Connor Cup fished out of Gortnorabby. The first prize was scooped by Michael Monaghan, Knockmore with 2 trout for 4 lbs.

Tom Sweeney, winner of the ITFFA championship with his bag of trout.

On Saturday, 26 May the I.T.F.F.A. National Championship was fished on Lough Conn in conjunction with Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers Association. The event was badly affected by strong and gusty Easterly winds. However, a total of 120 anglers accounted for 56 trout over the 13 inch limit. First place went to Tom Sweeney, Macroom with 3 trout totaling 2.25 kg. Other successful competitors who will represent Ireland in 2013 are John Dixon (Coleraine), John Deacy (Culfin), John Willis (Mallow), Gerry Heaslip (Dublin), Terry Walshe (Clane), Danny O'Keeffe (Wicklow), Con Malone (Macroom), Stevie Ellis (Bangor) and Kenneth O'Keeffe (Sheelin). We wish these anglers the very best of luck at the 2013 International Championships.

Foxford Anglers held a second competition on Sunday, 27 May. The President's Cup was sponsored by Murphy's Boat Hire and results were as follows: 1st: Gary Binley, Foxford, 2nd Billy McGee, Ballyvary, 3rd Paul Heaney, Galway.

Finally, Castlebar Anglers held a competition from Healy's Hotel which was one by Peter Byrne, Castlebar.

Lough Arrow

Fishing on Lough Arrow was good during the week with large falls of spent gnat. David Frazer had 2 fine brown trout of 4.5 lbs. and 5 lbs. for an evening's fishing. Spent dry mayfly patterns proved most successful.

Lough Doon

Over the past few weeks Lough Doon provided some fine trout fishing. Gary Rafferty and Michael Ward, Donegal had 6 trout (4 released), heaviest fish 1.5 lbs., Kyle McCallion, Sligo boated 12 fish (10 released) and David Gerrity, also Sligo landed three up to 1.75 lbs. Best flies for Lough Doon included Olive Bumble, Bibio, and BWO patterns. For fishing on Lough Doon please contact the Blue Devon Pub, Dromahair, Co. Sligo, Tel: +353 (0)71 9164134.

Sea Angling

Donal Kennedy, skipper of the Leah, Killala, Co. Mayo reported on some good fishing during the week. On Thursday 24th a party of anglers from Sligo ventured out for a day's fishing. Conditions were ideal with little or no wind. However, the fishing was slow but steady and plenty of Mackerel were caught. The group also had some fine Pollack up to 8lbs. and Ling up to 7lbs. Cod were scarce this time with just two caught up to 4lbs. Other varieties caught included Pouting, Cuckoo Wrasse, Grey Gurnard and Poor Cod.

On Friday 25th Donal skippered a party of anglers from Co. Mayo. Winds were from the South East and conditions were fine. Mackerel were scarce but the group caught quite a few over the day. Some nice Pollack (up to 6 lbs.) were also boated along with a couple of Ling up to 5lbs. Other varieties included Pouting, Cuckoo Wrasse, Poor Cod, Coalfish and Grey Gurnard. Even the skipper himself was successful, catching a fine Grey Gurnard weighing in at 600 grams just short of the specimen weight. 

Donal Kennedy with his fine Grey Gurnard caught in Killala Bay