Salmon Angling

River Moy
Spring fishing on the Moy has begun to come into its own, with 28 salmon reported for the week. All hopes are that things will continue to improve into the month of May.

Ballina Salmon Anglers' water reported four for the week, while upstream at Armstrong's two were caught, including one for Shane Gainley who had a good fish of over 12lbs on the worm.

Gannon's Fishery also yielded two, one each for Patrick Finnegan and Brian Larrigan, weighing 9lbs and 7lbs respectively. At the Foxford Fishery, John Chambers, N.Ireland, had a nice catch weighing 11.5lbs while at Rinanney Owen Brogan banked one of 7lbs. Three salmon were reported from the Cloongee Fishery, including one for Thiery Coulm, France, which was released.

However, once again the East Mayo Anglers' water produced the best sport over the week, with 9 salmon recorded. Mixie Clarke, Bohola, had two fine fish of 10lbs and 11lbs while spinning, with visiting anglers from N.Ireland; Sam Morrow (7.5lbs), Pat McNulty(10lbs) and Michael Kane (8lbs) also having success on the spinner.


Ballisodare Fishery
Another very encouraging week at Ballisodare, where 39 salmon were caught. Early in the week, Monday yielded three for Gareth Norris (5lbs), Patrick Scallon (10lbs) and Eamon Ruddy (10lbs). Better conditions the following day produced eight, four of which were released. Those to score were Eamon Gannon (5lbs), Chris Kitchen (6lbs), Stephen Moore (11lbs and 9lbs, one released), Mark Graham also had two weighing 12lbs and 9lbs (one released). Stephen Cassols and Michael Mullaney also released fish weighing 7lbs and 6lbs respectively.

There were six salmon caught on Wednesday with the majority on fly, with three salmon released. All fish ranged from 5lbs-10lbs and were hooked by John Doherty, Ken Tucker, Dennis Crawley and Noel Barbour.

Mentalist Keith Barry releases a fresh salmon at the Ballisodare Fishery.

With high winds and low temperatures on Thursday conditions didn't look great, although three salmon were caught, one of 9lbs for Ken Tucker, Clive O'Neill had one of 6.5lbs while John Connolly had one of 6lbs. Three were caught again on Friday, with 10lbs salmon for Sean Maye and Jean Bernard Chenaux, while Ken Tucker had another of 9lbs.

The weekend again produced very good sport for anglers, with eight salmon (seven on fly) on Saturday and a further six on Sunday. Among those to fish Ballisodare over the weekend were well known magician and mentalist Keith Barry and his father Ken. The pair caught a very respectable four salmon between them, up to 9lbs and released all but one. The heaviest catch of the season thus far was also caught at the weekend by Vincent Brady, who landed a great 14.5lbs salmon on the fly.

Lough Beltra
Four fish were reported from Lough Beltra over the week; Martin McCoy had one of 9lbs to a Green Peter on Wednesday, followed by a second on Friday of 12lbs, taken on a Claret Bumble. On Saturday past Mel Parrott boated one of 7lbs at the Quarry while on Sunday Dave Malpas took one of 9lbs from the Dock area.

River Bonet
Two good salmon have been reported from the Bonet in recent days, both in the Dromahair area. James Conlon fishing the worm landed an 11lbs fresh run springer, while Conn Kelly also had success, with a fish of 9lbs (also taken on worm).


Trout Angling
Lough Conn and Cullin
Recent reports from the loughs suggest there is as yet no sign of any mayfly hatch, although good hatches of Duckfly, and increasingly Olives have been observed. Anglers fishing have reported reasonable catches, with some boats landing five fish for a day.

Fishing out of the Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Gerard Bell, N.Ireland, had two trout totaling 3lbs on Dabbler's, near Glass Island, while Vinny O'Boyle, Knockfree, had one of 1.5lbs on a Bibio. John Lacken, Co. Galway, had two for 2lbs on the Connemara Black, with Hugh and Peter Burke, Co. Dublin, boating five for their trip, averaging 1lbs all taken on Dabbler's.

Fishing from Brackwansha, Michael Brennan, Charlestown, had three small trout on Bumble's at Castlehill, with Padraic Traynor capturing three averaging 1.25lbs at the Abbey Point. At Cloghans Bay Stephen Gillan, Ballina, reported five trout over two days and Peter Roach had three totaling 3lbs.