Salmon Angling

River Moy

The long awaited rains finally descended on the Moy catchment, providing much needed fresh water for the system. With the raised water level came a very good run of fish, adding new life to many of the Moy fisheries. An excellent week was had by anglers, with the systems weekly catch total exceeding 1000 salmon for the first time this season. Large numbers of fish were caught over the length of the system, as the fresh run fish quickly dissipated throughout.

The Moy Fishery in Ballina had an excellent week, with 191 salmon recorded, 116 of those from the Ridge Pool. Among those to record catches on the Ridge were Ralf Hemmersbach, Germany, who had a 7lbs salmon on fly, Callum Rudd, U.K., who had two of 5lbs and 9lbs and Jesus Ugart, Spain, who released two also caught on fly. The Cathedral beat produced 45 for the week, including two each for Barry Prince and James Dobson, U.K. (on worm) and a further two for Jesus Ugart on the fly. There 8 caught on the Weir Pool, including a first fly caught Moy salmon for German angling celebrity Babs Kijewski, during her first visit to the Salmon Capital of Ireland and at the Spring Wells, Jonathan Betts, N.Ireland, had one of 4lbs on the fly. The Freshwater Beat also produced 16 salmon, including a grilse for Peadar Duffy, taken on the worm. There are still some rods available on the Ridge Pool, Cathedral Beat and the lower Moy Fishery beats throughout August, those wishing to book rods should contact the Moy Fishery Office on +353 (0)96 21332 or email: moyfishery@fisheriesireland.ie.

The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water also had an excellent week, with 167 salmon reported, including three for visiting juvenile angler Ryan McCallan, N.Ireland, and one of 5lbs for Brendan Doyle, Co. Monaghan, caught spinning. The remaining mid-river fisheries all enjoyed great catches during the latter part of the week, with Mount Falcon, Knockmore and Armstrong's all recording catches in excess of 50 fish each, with Attymass and Coolcronan each exceeding 35, Byrne's reported 45 and Gannon's 42. Babs Kijewski landed her first ever Moy salmon while fishing the Mount Falcon Waters', while at Coolcronan, Ollie Brown had two on worm with Roy Quinn, N.Ireland, landing three, his best weighing 6lbs.

At the Foxford Fishery, 68 were caught for the week, with the Barry Saunders party of four (U.K.) landing an impressive 14 fish over two days. Rinanney also provided plenty of sport for anglers, where well over 100 salmon were reported. There was also good fishing around Foxford town, likewise at Cloongee where Keith Purvis had one of 6lbs while spinning, Barry Saunders U.K. had one on worm as did Stuart Simpson. The East Mayo Anglers' water also enjoyed a return to form, with 53 recorded including two of 5lbs and 10lbs for Jim Creehan, Co. Galway on fly and three grilse for Derek Doyle, Co. Dublin, also on fly.

Ballisodare

Yet another very productive week at Ballisodare, where 134 salmon were caught, many of those released. The week started well, with 22 caught on Monday and a further 20 caught on Tuesday. Fish ranged from 3lbs to 7lbs in weight, many taken on the fly, with the prawn accounting for others. The most successful flies over these days were Cascades, Teal, Blue and Silver, and Willie Gunn's.

Wednesday was slow as water levels remained very low, as a result only ten were caught for the day, eight on the fly with two taken on the prawn. Seven of those were released. By Thursday welcomed rain had raised water levels on the system, with 11 caught for the day, five released.

Following the peak of the flood, levels receded leaving the river in better condition for anglers. As a result, a great catch of 33 salmon was recorded for the day, ranging from 3lbs to 8lbs, with the majority taken on fly and worm. A further 19 were caught on Saturday, with the same number taken on Sunday, with a large proportion taken on fly and the prawn proving productive as the water cleared on Sunday. Again, fish ranged in size from 3lbs to 7lbs, with many of those caught safely released.

Burrishoole Fishery

The week ending the 28th July was relatively unproductive at the fishery due to the high temperatures and lack of wind, however, three grilse were caught. Sean Smith boated one and lost another three, while Seamus O'Neill and Matthew Solon also caught one each. Throughout the next four days a further 4 salmon were landed, but good fishing was had on Friday 2nd August, when 11 fish were landed. Sean and Michael Smith, U.K. and Michael Wymes caught their limit for the day, with Austin Galvin and Myles Abraham, Co. Clare and Liam O'Connor, Co. Dublin also landing fish.

Saturday the 3rd was another good day with three anglers accounting for six salmon, three wild which were released and 3 ranched. Mick Byrne from the midlands caught his first ever salmon and Martin Mc Coy had 2 wild fish. Niall Berwick also had one wild and one ranched fish. Bright sun on Sunday hampered efforts, with only one taken by Terry Bradley. Prospects look good for the coming days with a good head of fish observed in the Loughs.

Owenmore River and Carrowmore Lake

The Owenmore has been very quiet up until the latter part of last week, when welcomed rainfall finally put a substantial spate in the system. Following this, anglers enjoyed some good fishing as many fine fresh grilse ran the system.

The Club waters are now catch and release, and anglers fishing here enjoyed some great sport using single barbless hooks, with many fish hooked and landed. Among those to have success were Brendan Corr and Jack Smith, Co. Down, Jack Gillespie (who released three) and Bill Aston who had one of 8lbs.

On Carrowmore, winds have affected angling to a small degree of late however; anglers are reporting some great sport while fishing for sea trout, with a large number of fresh trout reported to be in the lake. For information of fishing Carrowmore or the Owenmore, please contact Seamus Henry on +353 (0)872460776 or visit www.bangorerrisangling.com

Glenamoy

The Glenamoy River fished well following the spate, with ten salmon caught and numerous sea trout also recorded. Mervyn Conway had a grilse of 5lbs and a nice 2lbs sea trout, with Mel Fitzpatrick and Francis Rafferty also accounting for salmon. For information on fishing the Glenamoy River please visit www.glenamoyangling.com or contact +353 (0)97 87961.

Trout Angling

Lough Conn

Lough Conn has been fishing reasonably well for those who have ventured out recently. Out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Paul Ashworthy, U.K. had three over two days with Kevin Egan, Co. Longford, boating three up to 1.5lbs on an Octopus. Young Megan Bothwell, Co. Armagh, caught one trout of 1.5lbs while trolling off Glass Island. During an evening session Daniel Melody, Co. Galway had two while Pat Melody had one, all on Green Peter's. Sean Goulding, Co. Dublin had one of 2.5lbs on a dry Wulff, with P. Traynor also landing one of 2lbs on the dry Wulff. Jim O'Sullivan landed two of 1.5lbs each and Vinny O'Boyle landing one of 1.25lbs on a Claret Bumble.

Moy Estuary

Sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary has been very productive of late, with some good sized fish being reported. German angling celebrity, Babs Kijewski, was fishing with guide Judd Ruane on Monday 29th July. She caught a fine 44cm sea trout and the group landed a total of 13 sea trout averaging 1lbs. Patrick Kennedy, U.K. also enjoyed the sport on board the Pegasus with some fine trout boated. To book guided sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary onboard the Pegasus, contact Judd Ruane on +353 (0)876736969.

A happy Babs Kijewski, with her fine sea trout caught while fishing with onboard the Pegasus.

Anglers are reminded that the national daily bag limit for sea trout is three per day, anglers must be in procession of a valid state Salmon and Sea Trout rod licence when fishing for sea trout and that all sea trout over 40cm retained must have a gill tag attached.