Salmon Angling

River Moy
The water levels on the Moy dropped off quickly throughout the week, as a result conditions are now much more favorable on the lower Moy fisheries than they have been in previous months. More and more grilse are being observed in catches, with fresh spring salmon still featuring.

The Moy Fishery has now come into good order, with three fish caught over the weekend, including the first off the Cathedral Beat, caught by 16 year old David Andrews, Co. Meath, weighing 7lbs on fly. Further catches were recorded over the remainder of the Bank Holiday Weekend. The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water enjoyed a good week as the water levels dropped, with 37 salmon reported.

Erwin Kunz, Switzerland with his fine 16lbs salmon taken on the worm at East Mayo

Upstream, Mountfalcon, Knockmore and Attymass all recorded a few fish, while Byrnes had five and Armstrong's 11, including one of 14lbs for German angler Emily Breun (on worm). At the Foxford Fishery, 6 were caught including two grilse for Thierry Del-Roue, France. Rinanney yielded 13, and at Cloongee, 30 were reported. Among those to have success at Cloongee were Keith Miskelly, N.Ireland, who had two of 7lbs and 9lbs on worm, and Jez Leech, U.K., who had three of 8lbs, 10lbs and 11lbs.

The East Mayo Anglers water recorded 57 captures, 6 of which were released. Marcel Jacqueim, Belgium, had a great week, with two grilse of 3lbs, two more weighing 7lbs and a further two of 8lbs, caught on spinner and worm. Herve Le Do, France, had one of 7lbs and two 11lbs springers on worm, with Erwin Kunz (pictured above) landing a fine 16lbs springer.

The river continues to drop, suiting the lower fisheries, with the Ridge Pool and Cathedral Beats expected yield good results in coming days.


Ballisodare Fishery
Another good week at the Ballisodare Fishery, with 109 salmon caught for the week. Monday produced 17 in the range of 3lbs to 7lbs. Six were taken on the fly, five of which were released, while eleven were caught on the worm. Anglers who scored were Liam Cushnahan and Owen Cushnahan (Junior anglers), Dennis Barret, Michael O'Kane, Clive O'Neill, Eamonn Ruddy, Tom Sharkey, Michael Henry, Noel McGowan and Francie Kerins.

Tuesday yielded a similar number of fish with 16 caught, eight of which were released. Fish started to take the prawn with several caught using the method. Those who had success on the day were Michael Wymes, David Kearns, Michael Callaghan, Jim Connell, Noel McGowan, Michael Henry, John Connolly, Vincent Henry, Bill Clinton and Stephen Cassols. Conditions were slightly more challenging the following day due to the dry weather and sunshine, however, 11 fish were caught, three of which were released. All fish ranged from 3lbs to 11lbs. Successful anglers included Damian Marren, Noel Burns, Vincent Roche, Eamonn Ruddy, John Scanlon and two visiting anglers from Wales. One of the Welsh anglers, a Juvenile, caught his first ever salmon, a fine fish of 11lbs taken on fly.

Thursday was a more promising day with better conditions and a slight rise in the water level. These improved conditions led to 20 fish landed for the day, eleven of which were released, with the majority taken on the fly. Among those to enjoy success were Leslie Cooper, Michael Lynn, Noel Moloney, P. Richardson, Peter Reitjens, Frank Adams, P. Marshall, Roy Cooper, Stephen Moore and Francie Kerins. Fish were in the range of 3lbs to 6lbs, however, James Cuffe landed a fine springer of 11lbs on the fly.

Few anglers fished on Friday due to dry weather and low water, however those who were not deterred managed to land 13 salmon between them in the range of 3lbs to 9lbs, 6 of which were caught on the fly and released. Saturday saw good sport at the Fishery, with 20 salmon caught, 12 of which were released. A further 13 were caught on Sunday, 5 of which were released. All fish were in the range of 4lbs to 9lbs. Anglers who scored were Ricky Fabozi, Larry Mitchell, Adrian Hudson, Louis Dowder, Oliver Neil, Tom Kearney, Pat Molloy and Anthony McCann.

Lough Beltra
Beltra has continued to produce good sport for anglers, with more fresh fish reported as having entered the system of late. Derek Killian had one of 5lbs at the Quarry while Jackie Deffley captured one of 7lbs at Morrison's and a second at the mouth of the Glenisland River the day before. Chris Bucknell also captured one of 7lbs near the Boat House on a Green Peter. Later in the week Ian Conn had three salmon of 6lbs, 8lbs and 9lbs on the Road Shore, Eamonn Kennedy had one of 10lbs at Flanagan's Bridge which was returned. James Byrnes had one of 6lbs at the Dock, and reported rising many more to the fly.


Trout Angling

Lough Conn and Cullin
Angling has improved somewhat on the Loughs with Mayfly hatching in reasonable numbers, as well as hatches of Olives continuing. The warm settled weather predicted should improve late evening fishing. Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, long time visitor to the area Jeffery Cooke, U.K., reported 18 trout over six days. Harry Richfield, Switzerland boated six trout to Wulff's over two days, while Brendan Walsh, Co. Galway, had two fish for 3lbs on Mayflies. Richard Bell, N.Ireland, fishing with daughter Denise (who caught her first ever trout) and son James, had four trout and two pike over three days.

Angling out of Gerry Murphy's Boat Hire, Massbrook, Colin Wilson and John Rowan, N.Ireland, had six and three trout respectively, over two days, while Larry O'Reilly, Co. Dublin, had three for one day. The Bell family, Co. Tipperary, averaged six trout each over three days, with their best weighing in at 2.5lbs. Graham Williams, U.K., and Jack Lynch, Co. Donegal, had three each over two evenings on Mayflies on Lough Cullen.

Anthony Gallagher and party of six anglers from the U.K., fishing three boats averaged four trout per day, plus one 20lbs pike! Bob Alias, U.K., boated four trout and one salmon while fishing the Bumble Olive and various Dabblers, while Andrew Mackin, Co. Meath and party of four recorded four trout all taken on Dabblers.

Visiting anglers Mark Wilson and brother Martin, Co. Antrim, along with friends Archie Robinson and Davy Smyth, Ballymoney, fishing from Cloonamoyne fishery with Ian Wise had over 35 trout for the week both on wet-fly and dries. Best flies were Green Peter, Golden Olive Bumble and dry Green Mayfly.

At the Crossmolina end of L.Conn, James Melvin and Jonathan Whelan, U.K., had six trout over two evenings averaging 1 lb, taken on dry Mayflies. Anthony Lynott, Co. Limerick and Michael Johnston, Co. Clare, reported 8 trout to Mayflies over a day and a half.

Fishing from Brackwansha, Peter Roche had seven over one evening while Stephen Brown boated two. Harry McCafferty and Mick McNeeley landed four for an evening on Mayflies and Olives.

Competition Results
Foxford Anglers hosted the Annual Foxford Lodge evening competition on Lough Conn on Thursday past. The competition, where catches were limited to those in excess of 13 inches saw five trout returned for weigh in. In first place was Stephen Brown, Cloghans, with two trout for 3.45lbs, second place went to Michael Monaghan, with one of 1.73lbs, in third was Peter Roche with one of 1.72lbs and fourth was Ryan Binley with one of 1.63lbs. The Club also hosted their Presidents Cup competition on Sunday, where 19 anglers returned 6 trout. Taking first place on the day was Billy McGhee, Ballyvary, with one trout of 1.15kg, second went to Peter Roche, Cloghans, with one of 0.80kg and in third was Gary Binley with one of 0.55kg.

Lough Conn and Cullen Anglers held their two day Whit Weekend competition, again with a 13 inch minimum limit. Eighty anglers fisher over the two days, with 63 trout weighed in. First place was won by Seamus Kelly, Cloghans, who had 6 trout for 3.01kg, Garry Piggott, Ballina, claimed second place with four trout for 2.7kg and Ivor Cox, Co. Laois took third with two for 2.5kg.

Lough Arrow
With conditions finally settled, Arrow is now enjoying some good fishing on Mayflies and Spent Gnat, with Buzzers and Murroughs now also featuring. Anglers fishing out of John Hargadon's, Lough arrow Boat Hire enjoyed good sport, where Dirk Zonnekein and Wim Schooners, Belgium reported 12 fish over five days ranging from 1 lb to 2.25lbs. Tom Nolan, Co. Carlow, had two of 1.5lbs and 2.5lbs while Michael Hargadon, U.K., and Brian Hargadon, Co. Dublin, had four between 1.5lbs and 3lbs.

Elsewhere on the lake, Simon Steel, Croghan, had on of 2lbs on a Buzzer and a nice 4lbs trout on a G&H Sedge, with Brian and Shane Kelly, Boyle, boating five trout up to 1.75lbs.