Salmon Angling

River Moy

Low water level and an extremely low angling effort on the river of late resulted in a weekly catch of just 171 salmon for the Moy System. The Moy Fishery produced just 18 salmon, with eight from the Ridge Pool, including one 4lbs grilse for Martin Davidson, N.Ireland on fly. The Cathedral Beat yielded five fish with the Point and Fresh Water beats producing two and three salmon respectively. The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water recorded 16 for the week with Mount Falcon having 23, 18 of those released.

The fisheries between of Mount Falcon and Foxford experienced a very low effort for the week, resulting in reported catches of between one and seven salmon per fishery. Rinanney did however provide sport for some anglers, where 21 were recorded, with the Foxford Town fishery recording 12 and the Foxford Rocks three. At Cloongee 14 were recorded, 11 of those released and there were 13 from the East Mayo Anglers' Association water.

Click to enlarge.

The Mayfly Hotel, Foxford is hosting its Annual Fishing Competition on the River Moy, Saturday, 7th September in aid of the Mayo Cancer Support Association. Registration at the Mayfly Hotel from 8am with angling commencing at 9am until 6pm, with entry for adults €25 and under 17's free. Fishing is open on Gannon's, Foxford Salmon Anglers' waters, Foxford Rocks, Wood Pool, Padden's, Cloongee, Byrne's, Armstrong's and the Foxford Fishery (single bank) to competitors on the day. Weigh-in, presentations, BBQ, charity auction and music to follow in the Mayfly Hotel.

Newport River and Lough Beltra

The Newport River has enjoyed some good sport over the past two weeks, with fresh many salmon caught. The week ending the 18th August, there were 11 recorded, with Martin McCoy, N.Ireland landing three grilse ranging from 3lbs to 4lbs, and four sea trout between 0.75lbs and 1lbs, all of which were returned. Nigel Berick, visiting from Holland also had great sport, with five grilse ranging in weight from 3lbs to 4.5lbs while Barry Kenny, Co. Dublin, had three grilse of 3lbs each and three sea trout.

Over the past week, Richard Moore had good success with three salmon, one weighing 4lbs the other two weighing 5lbs and a few sea trout, while Tristan Moore had three sea trout, a 4lbs grilse and a nice 9lbs salmon also. David Nevin, had a 7lbs salmon and a sea trout of 1.5lbs, with Graham Wright also enjoying the sport, with a 5lbs grilse and three sea trout totalling 4lbs. Fishing out of Newport House, William Glenman returned a nice 10lbs salmon and also landed a sea trout of 1.5lbs, while local angler Martin Hughes had two grilse of 4.5lbs and 5lbs.

Not too many anglers have fished the lake of late however; it should be in good condition for sea trout at the moment. Fishing over the weekend David Patton had two fresh sea trout and rose several others while Alan Patton had a 4lbs grilse at the Buoy earlier in the week.

Ballisodare

Another relatively quiet week at Ballisodare, with just 15 fish caught for the week. Most salmon were taken on the fly (averaging 4lbs) with several of those released. There were also some anglers who had success fishing the worm. There are some good fresh fish coming in with the tides and the prospects of catching one of these still high, although there has been little angling effort of late at the fishery.

Trout Angling

Lough Arrow

Lough Arrow Fisheries Preservation & District Anglers (LAFPADA) will hold a competition on Sunday 1st Sept from 11.00am to 6.00pm. Entries are taken between 10.00am and 11.00am at Flynn's Pier or by text to any of the numbers below before start time (no entries after 11.00am). Alison: 087 9541835 David: 086 3825376 Karl: 086 8343584. Weigh in for single heaviest fish will be at 7.00pm in McDermott's Bar, Castlebaldwin.

Sea Angling

Broad Haven Bay

Belmullet Sea Angling Club and the Broad Haven Bay Hotel hosted the 42nd Annual Sea Angling Festival in Belmullet over the 17th and 18th of August. The competition was well attended, with entrants from England, N.Ireland as well as local angling clubs participating. In the Open Section, The Broad Haven Bay Hotel Perpetual Cup, for the greatest variety caught over the two days went to Tony Lally, Belmullet S.A.C., with second place going to Chris McEleavy, N.Ireland and third won by Billy Turtle, East Belfast S.A.C.

Tony Lally claimed the greatest variety for Saturday, while on Sunday the award went to Kevin Walsh, Belmullet S.A.C.

Jade McKendell, England won the Ladies Section for greatest variety over two day, with Diarmuid O'Donnell winning the Juniors Section. In the Out of State Section, the greatest variety over two days was caught by Chris McEleavy, N.Ireland, while on the Saturday Billy Holland took the honors, with Michael Selfridge, East Belfast S.A.C taking second. This section was won by William Coulson, U.K. on Sunday. The heaviest fish, Saturday, was caught by Rowan Reynolds, Mariners S.A.C. Donegal, with Martin Carey, Belmullet S.A.C. winning the Sunday.

Finally, in the Junior Section, the greatest variety Saturday was won by Robert Barrett, with David Conway in second place. On Sunday this section was won by Kieran Conway, with Liam Carey taking second.

Killala Bay

Donal Kennedy, skipper of the Leah reported that on the 22nd July, a fishing party of family and friends from Foxford set out from Killala Harbour for a days fishing in the bay. The weather was fine, a little over cast with sun shining through at times and the winds were light. The day started with fishing fresh mackerel for bait and they were in plentiful supply.

As we drifted out the bay each drift produced a wide variety of fish including tub gurnard, red gurnard, pouting, scad, L.S.D.'s. A move out to a little deeper produced some fine pollock, the best weighing about 6lbs. Among the other species that were caught were ling, poor cod, grey gurnard and cod. The best fish of the day was caught by Fiona who caught a fine John Dory weighing in at 3.5lbs.

The group from Foxford who fished Killala Bay recently onboard the Leah