Ballina Region

Salmon Angling

River Moy

Anglers throughout the system are begging for rain at present, as the River Moy is at an extremely low level at present. Rainfall predicted for mid week may not be enough to alter levels, but any additional water to the system will be welcomed at present. Conditions have meant angling effort has been extremely low, resulting in a catch of 164 for the week, with almost half, 80 of those coming off the Moy Fishery.

Despite the extremely low levels, the Moy Fishery has been producing consistent numbers throughout the week. On the Ridge Pool 32 salmon were caught including one of 4lbs for Gordon Hunter, U.K., three for Richard Ormston, Scotland (all released), and one of 5lbs for John Ryan, Co. Tipperary. The Weir Pool also produced three for Richard Ormston while on the Cathedral Beat, 38 were caught, 26 in the day sessions and 12 in the evening sessions. Steven Orr, Co. Dublin had two grilse on fly, Garreth Byrne, Co. Dublin had one of 5.5lbs on fly, with Rene Gehringer, Germany also releasing three fly caught fish. The Point and Black Banks also produced a few fish.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water yielded 20 salmon, while the mid-river fisheries have had a very testing week due to conditions, and as a result, few were recorded on these beats. At the Foxford Fishery, six were recorded, including one of 4lbs for Kai Puscher, Germany, taken on the fly. Rinanney had a reasonable week, with 18 reported, while at Cloongee, just 9 were reported for the week. Jez Leech, U.K. released three at Cloongee, Uwe Steffen, Germany, had one on the bubble and fly, while William Glover had a nice catch weighing 9lbs. East Mayo Anglers' water has seen little angling effort due to the water level, however, 8 were recorded for the week, 7 of those sportingly released.

Burrishoole Fishery

The Burrishoole Fishery has been open since the 19th June, with 31 salmon recorded to date, a large proportion of those being ranched fish. The average size of fish caught to date has been 5.5lbs, with the Red Arsed Green Peter and Cascade variants accounting for most of the catches. A visiting Lady angler from Kazakhstan, Olga Razzhivina, caught her first ever salmon at Furnace, while Michael Righton, England, landed four during his visit. David Nevin recorded two with visiting French angler Jean Louis Houdard also had two. Others to have success were Kevin McGreevey (2 salmon) and Michael and David Healy (two salmon). You can now follow the action at Burrishoole by visiting their Facebook page www.facebook.com/burrishoolefishery and to book fishing contact Fisheries Manager Pat Hughes on +353 (0)87 237 7078.

Sea Angling

Skipper of the ‘Leah' Donal Kennedy reports that fishing in Killala Bay at present is relatively slow but steady. Hopes are that the weather remains fine as a lot of white bait and sprat are in the bay in large shoals and the bigger fish are feeding on them and sometimes not taking the anglers baits. On Tuesday 16th July a party on anglers organised by Tom Gillespie, Castlebar, set out from Killala Harbour and were greeted with calm seas and fine weather, perfect conditions for fishing. Mackerel were in a plentiful supply but were generally small. The first drift produced some fine gurnard with three species caught, grey, red and tub gurnard. Many other species were also caught including pouting, coalfish, pollock, cod and ling. The catch of the day was a fine 16lbs ling. To organize chartered fishing trips on Killala Bay, contact Donal on +353 (0)86 8174509.

Galway Region

Galway Fishery

Water levels remained perfect all week, with one gate open, although temperatures have only begun to drop back to relatively normal values in the last day or two. Fish are still running in good numbers, and in spite of the hot weather, 26 salmon were landed for the week. Among the lucky anglers were Jim Barry, with 2 grilse on fly, and UK visitor Michael Righton, who also had 2 fish on fly. Gerry Dooley from Dublin landed 2 fish on the fly, while Tom Tynan had 1 grilse on fly, as did John and Eunan O'Connor from Meath, who had a fish each on fly. Regular Dublin visitor Michael Rogers landed 2 grilse on fly, while Danish angler Per Balle, on his annual visit to Galway, has landed 1 grilse so far to the fly.

With cooler conditions and some rain forecast to freshen things up, conditions in Galway are set fair for the coming week.

Lough Inagh

Fishery manager Colin Folan reports that while the lake and fishery is suffering from low water levels, rain arrived yesterday, and with more falling today water levels should recover somewhat this week. Colin reports that with good fishing expected next week, there is plenty of availability at Inagh. To book fishing or accommodation, contact Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel at 095 34706, or check www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie