Western Lakes

The long cold spell has slowed fly life down a lot on the lakes, although duckfly are starting to hatch again now. The olives won't be long behind them hopefully.

Ronan Cusack reports that things are finally picking up on Lough Mask. Anglers on Mask have been a rare sight over the past few weeks. The freezing east winds and single figure temperatures left boats high and dry along the shore lines.

On Tue/Wed last, Burkes Bar, Clonbur, hosted a two-day competition which was a huge success. 72 anglers weighed in 84 trout over the 2 days. First prize went to Nigel Greene, Fermanagh, with 3 trout for 3.56kgs. Nigel also took the heaviest fish prize, with a fine trout of 1.95kgs. Second prize went to John O'Keefe from Cork, with 4 trout for 3.08kgs. In third position was Richie Willis, Cork, with 5 trout for 2.91kgs.

Hall's Angling Centre reported a few good catches over the past week. David McEvoy from Delphi fished from Hall's on Friday last with fishing partner Martin McCoy and they had 3 fish for their day (best fish 1.25lbs). Martin fished again on Saturday and he had a further 5 trout (best fish 1.25lbs). Simon Tarpey from Galway also fished out of Hall's last week and he had 3 trout on sedges in Cahir Bay. Simon reported returning numerous under-size trout throughout the day. To book fishing, boat hire or accommodation contact David or Helen Hall at 094 9541389 or check www.lakeshoreholidays.com

Elsewhere, Tony O'Donnell from Ballinrobe and angling partner Sean O'Loughlin had 8 fish over 2 days on wet flies last week (best fish 1.75lbs).

On Corrib, fishing is also picking up, although reports are slow to come in. Gerry Molloy from Oughterard fished with long-time client Ed Hill, from the UK, who has been visiting Corrib every spring for 23 years. Ed landed 9 trout over 6 days last week for approx. 16lbs, all taken on wetfly. Gerry Molloy can be contacted at 087 9190673 for guiding or boat hire.

The Oughterard Development 50 Competition, which was scheduled for the Easter weekend, was postponed due to the cold weather, and has now been rescheduled for the weekend of thr 13th-14th of April. This competition is a two-day team event, and anglers interested in taking part should contact Mike Faherty at 087 2488964

Galway Fishery

The long dry spell means that water levels have finally dropped in Galway, with 2 sluice gates open on the weir. Even this is difficult to reconcile with the very low lake level presently, and we may see another gate closed soon if we don't get a lot of rain.

Michael Leonard on Thursday the 28th hooked and landed a magnificent 21lbs specimen, a fresh-run cock fish.

Over the last couple of weeks there were good numbers of fish seen in the river, although they certainly were not taking too freely in the sub-Arctic conditions. However, John Diskin from Loughrea, who had just bought his first salmon licence, then managed to land his first Atlantic salmon, a fine 10.5lbs fresh spring fish. Its not as easy all the time John!

John's achievement, however, was eclipsed by Michael Leonard, the dancer from Dublin, whose age will remain undisclosed. Michael was fishing the fly on Thursday the 28th when he hooked and landed a magnificent 21lbs specimen, a fresh-run cock fish that is the heaviest salmon landed in Galway for a number of years. The fish was netted by James Quinn, and weighed on a certified scales for a specimen award. A huge congratulations is due to Michael for his achievement.

John Diskin from Loughrea, who had just bought his first salmon licence, then managed to land his first Atlantic salmon, a fine 10.5lbs fresh spring fish.

With spring appearing on the horizon - it feels positively balmy in Galway today after recent weeks - and water levels perfect for fishing, conditions look good for the next few weeks.