Salmon Angling

River Moy

The Moy system accounted for a reported catch of 630 salmon for the week. This brought the season total, to date, to approx. 6,500 which is up approx. 1,900 on this time last year. Salmon were caught right throughout the system from Ballina to the East Mayo water. With water levels having dropped over the past week, fishing has improved somewhat on the Moy Fishery. Thirty-seven salmon were recorded at the fishery with thirty coming off the Ridge Pool and six from the Cathedral Beat. Amongst the successful fly anglers were Robert Logue & Chris Millar, both NI, and Steve Hazeldine, England.

Ballina Salmon Anglers held their annual Childrens' Competition during the week with thirty-two youngsters taking part. The event was won by Rachael Cawley with Alex Stephens in 2nd place and Aaron Lally in 3rd.

Despite lower angling effort all mid-river fisheries had a good week. At Mt. Falcon, Gery Perks and Mike Ornsbey, UK, caught a phenomenal 41 salmon (31 released) for their week. Trevor Holloway, Wales was successful on the Foxford Fishery where he had his first ever salmon, while German angler, Frank Geib, landed a cracking 16 pounder at Rinanney. Also on Rinnany, Seamus Pike, Co. Offaly, had a salmon weighing in at 15 lbs. Both fish took the prawn.

Cloongee produced over twenty salmon for the week with Chris Davies, Wales, landing three, best at 6 lbs. (all on spinner) and Uwe Steffen, Germany, catching two. The East Mayo Anglers' water provided excellent conditions for fly fishing during the week. Amongst the successful fly anglers were Derek Doyle, Dublin, with 3 grilse (1 released) and John Hiles, UK, with 5 fish (all released).


Owenmore River

Despite low water levels, anglers enjoyed some good fishing on the Bangor Angling Club stretch of the Owenmore River. The best fish of the week, a fine 14 lbs. salmon, was landed by Ken Livingston, NI. Other successful anglers included Jeff Downings, UK, with 2 grilse, Larry McAlinden, NI, with a 6 pounder and local angler Martin Reuland who also caught a fine grilse. Best flies for the week were Cascade and Ally's Shrimp patterns.

With rising water levels prospects for the coming days are looking good. Fishing on the Owenmore can be booked through Bangor Angling Club www.bangorerrisangling.com


Newport River & Lough Beltra

Guests of Newport House enjoyed good fishing during the week.

On Lough Beltra, David Eddis had 9 sea trout and a small grilse, while Fred Buller caught a 5 lbs. grilse and 3 sea trout. However, Margaret Buller landed the best fish of the week - a fine 8.5 lbs. salmon. Most successful flies included Green Peter, Jaffa and Shrimp patterns.

Padraig Farrell was successful on the Newport River where he had a 6.5 lbs. grilse and two sea trout all on shrimp flies.


Burrishoole Fishery

Despite a very good grilse run fishing was fairly slow on Burrishoole with a total of 10 salmon recorded in the past two weeks. However, A. Calvin, Co. Clare, won't forget his day on Burrishoole as he caught his first ever salmon on the fly! Other successful anglers included Tim Aldiss, UK, with three grilse for 5.2kg and George and Helen Westropp, also UK, with 3 fish for 5.5kg.

Permits and boat hire for Burrishoole can be arranged through Pat Hughes, Fishery Manager, Tel: +353 (0)87 2377078.


Ballisodare Fishery

The Ballisodare Fishery accounted for 102 salmon for the week of which 45 were released. The best fish, weighing 10.5 lbs., was caught and released by local fly angler Gerry McHugh.


Trout Angling

Lough Conn

Due to the unseasonal high water levels, angling was again fairly quiet on Lough Conn. However, some anglers who ventured out enjoyed reasonable fishing.

At Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Richard Colby, USA, had 2 trout on the Octopus, best at 1.25 lbs., while Mary and Francis Peters, Co. Monaghan, boated 3 trout, best at 1.5 lbs. Fishing out of Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook, James Conlon, Co. Louth, caught 2 trout, best at 1.5 lbs. on a Claret Dabbler. Elsewhere, Local angler Tim Deasy had a nice 2 pounder to an Octopus.


Lough Arrow

The good Peter fishing continued on Lough Arrow throughout the week with a number of fine brown trout caught. Most of the action took place late in the evenings. Maurice Whiteman, NI, had four trout, heaviest at 4.5 lbs., while John Hargadon boated 7 fish weighing 2 to 3.75 lbs. Paul Cullen, Co. Kildare, had 6 trout between 2 and 5.25 and Thomas Walsh scored with a fine 5 pounder.