River Moy

A large increase in angling effort for the final week of the 2012 salmon angling season led to a very impressive reported catch of 454 salmon, putting the 2012 season ahead of the 2011 total reported catch.

Both the Ballina Salmon Anglers' water and Mount Falcon Fishery yielded good numbers of salmon, with a high proportion released on these fisheries.

The Knockmore water also had a very good week, while Attymass, Coolcronan, Byrne's and Armstrong's and Gannon's all experienced good catches. The Foxford Fishery and Rinanney each reported good numbers for the final days. At Rinanney, Tomas Murtagh, Germany, had a total of six for the week.

The Cloongee Fishery recorded 37 salmon, while at East Mayo, 60 were caught, 30 of those sportingly released. Lothar Deeg, Germany, had one of 8.5lbs on the fly at East Mayo, Max Delabre, France, had a small grilse and a 9lbs salmon (also on fly) while Swiss angler Pirmin Bucher had one of 8lbs while spinning.

Ballisodare Fishery

Despite a period of high water between the 24th and 26th, the last two weeks of the season at the Ballisodare Fishery saw 17 salmon captured, many of these released. E. Scallon had one of 5lbs on worm, with Clive O'Neill retaining one of 5lbs, caught on the fly, and released a further two of 4lbs and 6lbs (also on fly).

Dennis Barrett also had success with the fly, releasing two of 4lbs and 5lbs while Paddy Byrne and Chris Kitchen both had small grilse on the worm. Fishing the prawn, Mark Sweeney landed one of 5lbs, as did P. Scallon, while Paul Walsh banked one of 6lbs. In the final days of the season, the fly proved to be the winning method for James Breslin (one 4lbs fish), J. Mc Guire who had two of 4lbs (both released) and M. Mullaney who had a small grilse.

River Easkey - Fortland Fishery

Granville Nesbitt of the Fortland Fishery reported on the season on the Fortland Fishery, which recorded an impressive 273 salmon. The first salmon on the Fishery was caught on 15th June and was taken on the fly while the largest taken weighed 12lbs. Conditions were generally good throughout the season, with the exception of a period between mid August and mid September, where water levels affected angling effort. When conditions were right, anglers enjoyed some productive fishing, with up to 24 salmon being caught per day. Approximately 70% of salmon recorded were caught on the fly, with the final day yielding 18 salmon, many of these fresh run. To book angling on the Fortland Fishery for the 2013 season, Email: info@anglingwestireland.com or Tel: +353 (0)86 8032350.

Lough Conn

Two end of season competitions were fished on Lough Conn of late, with the Conn and Cullin Anglers Competition attracting 22 participants. This was won by Michael Monaghan who boated four trout, in second place was Stephen Browne, with two trout and third went to John O'Connell.

Gerry Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook, held the other competition on Saturday, 29th, where anglers competed for the Kieran Lynch Memorial Cup and a first place prize of €500. Thirty-one anglers participated, and the competition was won by Martin Foley. Second place went to Michael Noone with John Burke taking third.