Salmon Angling

River Moy

Water conditions have continued to hamper the mid-river and upstream Fisheries of the Moy, with just a few of these fisheries reporting good fishing for the week. Rain predicted for the coming days coupled with a drop in temperature should assist angling efforts throughout the system. Downstream, the Moy Fishery has had a reasonably successful week, with 95 salmon caught.

The Ridge Pool produced 44 salmon for the week, including four for John Ryan, Co. Tipperary (two released), his best weighing 5lbs. Steve Hazeldine, U.K., had two while Robert Logue, N.Ireland, had two of 4lbs and 4.5lbs. The Weir Pool yielded 14, including three for Brendan Garland, N.Ireland, while on the Cathedral Beat, 28 were recorded. Among those to catch salmon on the Cathedral were Charlton Peters, U.K., who had two of 3lbs and 5lbs, with Ted Walsh, Co. Meath, landing three on fly, his best 9lbs. Ian McShane had one grilse off the Ash Tree Pool, while there were also catches reported from the Point, the Community Beat and the Black Banks.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water had a quiet week compared to other weeks, while Mount Falcon had a successful week, with 22 reported, including eleven for Mike Hornsby and Gary Perks, U.K., for their week. Knockmore, Attymass, Byrne's and Armstrong's all recorded low numbers of fish for the week. Gannon's did however produce some good fishing, where 27 were recorded, including two 4lbs and one 5lbs grilse for Patrick Zolliker, Switzerland, taken on bubble and fly.

At the Foxford Fishery, 34 were caught, 29 of those caught by the Howard Bayliss party of four over four days. Rinanney also had a successful week while the Cloongee Fishery had a poor week, with Garry McNamara (6lbs on worm) and Graham Horlock, U.K., among those to have success. The East Mayo Anglers' water also experienced a slow week (not surprising in the conditions) with just thirteen recorded, six of those released. Max Baker, U.K., accounted for four of the total at East Mayo, with fish ranging from 3lbs to 6lbs, all on fly, with Klaus Arems, Germany, also landing one of 5lbs on fly.

Ballisodare

Despite the poor conditions and low water conditions, 99 salmon were still caught for the week, even though angling effort was low. Monday yielded 13 salmon, 7 to the prawn and 6 on fly, all ranging from 4-7lbs. A very bright and hot day followed, resulting in just 8 caught, mainly on worm. A further 21 were caught on Wednesday, when conditions were more favorable with the majority again taken on prawn and worm.

The fly and prawn were successful on Thursday, when 16 were landed, nine of those released. Friday saw 13 salmon landed, while eleven were caught on Saturday using all methods. Finally, there were 17 caught on Sunday, again on all methods and throughout the week, a large proportion of those caught were safely released.

Sea Angling

Killala Bay

Donal Kennedy of the Leah reports that a group of anglers from Larne & District Sea Angling Club travelled to Enniscrone recently for a weekend of beach and boat angling competitions. The first order of business was to travel to the three mile stretch of beach selected, to fish their shore competition. Flounder and turbot were the main species caught, with Daniel Hagan leading from the start and winning this segment of the competition.

Over the next two days the anglers chartered the Leah, skippered by Donal Kennedy. Many species were recorded during the trip, including fantastic pollock, whiting, ling, coalfish, dabs, plaice, pouting, poor cod, dogfish, ballen wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, red, grey and tub gurnard and finally rays, including thornback, blonde, spotted and small eyed. The boat was positioned well on good ground, with each drift producing a good variety of fish.

Over the two days of fishing an impressive 18 species were recorded with many species returned alive, along with all the ray. Congratulations to William Weir, who came first with 14 species, followed by Samuel Auld, with 12 species and in third was Gannon Robinson with 8 species. Speaking on their time in Enniscrone, Samuel Auld said "Well done to all of the anglers who had probably the best weekends fishing experience in over 20 years, with a special thanks to Donal Kennedy and Jim Regan for their services".

Young angler Michael Auld, Newtownabbey with his fine 7lb 9oz Thornback Ray caught aboard the Leah in Killala Bay.