Angling News
Western Angling News - 20 Sep 2012
By Kevin Crowley and Bryan Ward
20, Sep 2012 - 21:10

River Moy
Another relatively productive week was had on the Moy, with a total of 199 salmon reported. The Moy Fishery yielded seven, one from the Weir Pool for John McKinley, Athlone, on worm and one on the fly for U.K. angler Michael Revington who fished the Cathedral Beat. On the Ridge Pool five salmon were caught including one for Jim McCooey, N.Ireland, of 4.6lbs, who also had a nice 2.5lbs sea trout. Fly anglers Paul Christie, Scotland, and Tom Coote, Co. Clare also had salmon from the Ridge.

Mount Falcon Fishery and the Knockmore waters' both enjoyed a productive week, as did Armstrong's Fishery. At Gannon's, Ingrid Keller, Germany, was among those to enjoy success, landing a nice 10lbs fish on a spinner. The Foxford Fishery also enjoyed a relatively good week, where Stewart Longhurst, U.K., landed two of 6lbs and 7lbs to the fly.

The other fisheries all produced their fair share, and on the East Mayo Waters the vast majority of those caught were released. Here, Steven Herve, Germany, had a small grilse on the fly, with Stewart Longhurst again having success with a further two grilse to the fly.

Ballisodare Fishery
As the season draws nearer to a close, angling effort and catches have decreased significantly on the Ballisodare Fishery. Among those to catch fish this last week were local anglers Mike Mullaney who had one of 4lbs to the prawn and Stephen Moore, who released a small grilse taken on fly. Visiting angler Padraig O'Callaghan landed one of 4lbs on worm, Larry Donegan also had one of 4lbs taken on fly while Peter Sweeney caught a small grilse on the worm.

Newport River and Lough Beltra
The Newport River has been relatively quiet of late, although some anglers have had good angling on Lough Beltra. On the River, Graham Wright had one grilse of 4lbs, Tony Murtagh, fishing a Red Flamethrower, landed one of 6lbs while David Nevin caught one of 5lbs, fishing with an Ally's Shrimp, and also returned a sea trout.

On Beltra, fishing the Glenisland Co-op side, David Nevin had a further two salmon, while Graham Wright had one, with all fish sportingly released. Declan and Frank Dooley also reported some good sea trout fishing on the lake, boating and releasing over 12 for an afternoons fishing.

Lough Conn
Some anglers have reported good angling of late on the lough, with Dabblers, Peters and Olives proving successful in tempting the trout. Fishing out of Gortnorabbey, Brian Skully and Jack Keane, Co. Monaghan, had three trout to the boat for a day taken on Claret Dabbler's, their best was 2lbs. Also fishing from Gortnorabbey, Chris Fleming, Co. Dublin, and Barry Cox, Co. Kildare, had four small trout, their best weighing 1.5lbs, all taken on Green Peters. Ronan McHale, Co. Galway, and David McCabe, Co. Cavan, had two each for a day, their best was 2lbs.

Fishing the Brackwansha shore and Cormorant's Rock area, Colin Cahill and Johnny Murray, Co. Westmeath enjoyed two great days fishing. In total they boated 21 trout, 14 of those over 30cm length and were taken on Stimulators and Dabblers.

Finally, angling out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Myles Butler, Co. Wicklow, and Andrew Cassidy, Co. Kildare, had five trout, up to 1.5lbs also taken on Dabblers. Eamon McGhee and Harry Bale, Belfast, also enjoyed success, with three trout each, up to 3lbs, caught on various Olives.

Ballina and Cloghans Angling Club will host the Lodge Cup competition on Saturday, 22nd September from 11am on Lough Conn. Weigh in will take place at the Lodge Bar, Cloghans, accompanied by food at 6.30pm. Please confirm entry by texting +353 (0)871 802636.

Erriff

Fishery manager Jim Stafford reports on fishing for the first 2 weeks of September. Water levels and angling conditions on the Erriff varied through this period, with some big spates, and several days of strong gale force westerly winds.

Inigo Tellaeche and Jesus Cabeza from Spain visited on an annual fishing trip to the Erriff, and Inigo landed a fish of 10lbs on a Collie Dog in the Black Banks on Beat 6 while Jesus caught one of 8lbs in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 on a Shrimp Fly. Christian Muller, Germany, caught a grilse in the Sally Pool on Beat 7 on a Green Highlander. Kevin Mitchell had a grilse in the School House Pool on Beat 3 on a Cascade and also 2 sea trout taken on a Daddy. Jean Francois Calver, France had 3 salmon in the one day from Beat 5 - best fish 10lbs taken on a Black Shrimp and 3 sea trout taken on Beat 3.

Ash Mathews, Moyard released a fish estimated at 12lbs which was caught on a Cascade in School House, and another of 4.5lbs caught in Gowlans on Beat 3. Dr. Eoin Bresnihan, Oughterard released a grilse of 4.5lbs and a sea trout - both were caught on a Yabbie in the Willow Pool on Beat 6. Rudy Van Djuinhoven and Mario Sanz from the Netherlands and Germany caught a sea trout each on Beat 4. Fishing the Tawnyard Potholes Pat Nolan, Nenagh, caught and released 2 salmon of 9lbs and 5lbs, as well as 5 sea trout to 1.5lbs. David Dugdale, UK, caught one in the Yellow Banks on a Willie Gunn while Steve Andrews, UK, fishing a Bibio on the General's Reach released a grilse of 4lbs. Simon Westwood, UK, released a grilse caught in the Tawnyard Potholes on Beat 3.

Joe Pilkington, Clare released a hen fish of 10lbs caught on a Cascade in the Dog Pool on Beat 2 Humps and Hollows on Beat 6 produced a fish of 9.5lbs for Freider Hompesch, Germany and Eva Hompesch released a nice sea trout caught in the Quarry Pool on Beat 2 on a Muddler.

Total catch for the period was 18 salmon and 32 sea trout, of which 8 were caught on Tawnyard Lough. A total of 12 salmon were released, and all 32 sea trout were returned to the water again.
To book fishing or accommodation during the last weeks of the season, contact Aasleagh Lodge at 095 42252, or check the website at www.aasleaghlodge.ie

Delphi

Fishery manager David McEvoy would have been disappointed last week if no fish had been landed and in fairness to the "guru's" they delivered. 4 of the 5 fish landed last week were by long time Delphi regulars who between them have approximately 70 years experience here.

Mark Corps was first on the score sheet with a nice grilse of approx. 4lbs from the Sluice at Doolough on Wednesday. The fish was taken on a Silver Horn. Mark also had another fish of 4lbs 6oz from the stream in Finlough on a Collie Dog. Jeremy Orme also had a fish on Wednesday off Doolough of approx. 4lbs on a Green Peter. Mike Shortt had a fine fish of approx. 12lbs in the Stream on Finlough on a Red Francis. Finally another one of Mike's party - Chris Cromey Hawke - had one off Finlough of 9lbs 3oz on a Collie Dog.

There were 28 sea trout reported for the week, which was disappointing, although fishing at times was difficult due to adverse weather conditions. Martyn Gregory's party including himself, Jeremy Orme, Somerset Moore, Sandy Moore and Raoul Moore accounted for 8, including one fine trout of approx. 3.5lbs. The remainder were taken by Mike Shortt's party.

To book fishing or accommodation, contact Delphi Lodge at 095 42222, or check their website at www.delphilodge.ie

Kylemore

Fishery manager Nigel Rush reported on the 16th that "it was this day last year that we hit 123 salmon. 3 weeks ago I was boasting that we were four weeks ahead of the previous year with regard to comparative salmon numbers. How quickly things can change! September last year we added a further 51 fish to the years tally... just 6 so far this September."
The week was slow and of the 2 fish that were landed a fish of 9.5lb fell to Andrew Crouchman from the Rock Pool on a Gold Head Hares Ear, and the second to IFI's Kevin Crowley from the Upper Lake whilst guiding angling journalists from Germany.

There was an improvement with the sea trout, with 32 for the week reported for 12-rod days (lake fishing).
Some overnight rain on the 15th has lifted the water and with a relatively busy week ahead, hopefully some good news to ensue?

To book fishing at Kylemore Abbey, contact Nigel on 095 41178, or mobile 087 9580702, and for latest news check the website at www.kylemorefishery.ie

Lough Mask

Ronan Cusack reports that we are now into the last two weeks of angling on Lough Mask and the going remains tough. Despite the shorter days and noticeable drop in air temperature, anglers are still out in good numbers in anticipation of better fishing in the deeper water. So far this week rod averages have struggled to rise above one, however, a big contrast to the superb fishing earlier in the season.

Clonbur was a hive of activity earlier on this week, as the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) held yet another very successful competition on Lough Mask. 120 anglers competed over the 2 days for the top prize. Conditions were excellent with fresh westerly winds on both days.

Malcolm Naughton from Loughrea finished on top with 7 trout for a total of 4.21kg. Second place went to Nigel Greene (Fermanagh) with 2 trout for 3.98kg. Third position went to Stephen Kelleher (Cork) with 6 trout for 3.27kg. The winning team of 4 were Malcolm Naughton (Loughrea), Tom Mulvey (Ballinrobe), Michael Polin (Fermanagh) and John Rochford (Cork) with 15 trout weighing 8.11kg. Second place winner Nigel Greene also had the heaviest fish which was a cracking 3.42kg.

Celebrity World Cup Champion Mick Dunne still has the edge on Lough Mask. Mick finished in poll position again last weekend in Tourmakeady, as he won the Molloy Cup (catch-and-release competition) with 5 trout measuring 157cm. Second place went to club chairman Eddie Gibbons with 1 trout for 38cm.

Gerry O'Brien (Ballinrobe) fished on both days of the weekend and had one fish over the limit each day. Richard Cameron and Tom Mulvey (Ballinrobe) fished both shallow and deep water on Sunday and they had a trout each and also returned a few undersize fish. Joe Deery from Belleek had 2 fish for a day over the weekend (best fish 2lbs). Brian Hall of Hall's Angling Centre fished with two anglers on Friday last and they had 2 fish (best fish 2lbs). Brian also reported returning a number of undersize fish.

Lough Corrib

Eamon Walsh reports that with the season drawing to a close, anglers are making the best of the last few opportunities for a spot of fishing. The high southwest winds over the weekend made the fishing uncomfortable at best in many areas of the lake. Those fishing on the western shore of the lake fared best. John MacGyver and a friend from Northern Ireland landed 8 trout for a weight of 13lbs over 3 days to wet and dry fly in the Oughterard area. Mark Couch took two fish of 5 and 2 lbs, while releasing many more, also to wet fly. The best catch must surely go to Gordon Swan who had 4 fish, the best a stunning 9.75lbs trout on a wet fly.

A Garda competition run out of Greenfields yielded 6 trout for 12 rods. Christy Reilly took 1st prize with 2 fish, while Seamus Kelly claimed 2nd, also with 2 fish.

In the Corrnamona area, Peter Curran took one trout of over 2lbs while releasing two more of over 1.5lbs.
Gary Costelloe from Lakelands Angling Centre, Oughterard, reports that the DADS (Dublin Amateur Dapping Society)held their annual September fishing outing last weekend from Lakelands. Fishing was a little slower than the previous weeks but they still managed to catch some nice trout
David Buggy had a nice trout of 3lbs 2oz, Aidan Brophy one of 2lbs 5oz ,Paul Murphy one of 2lbs 10oz,Peter Kidney had a trout for 1lb 5oz ,Eric Logan one for 1lb 4oz and Bernard Kennedy had 2 trout for 3lbs 4oz which won him the DADS Perpetual Trophy for biggest bag.

Also fishing was Douwe van Sinderen and friend from Holland who had some good action on wet fly . All saw plenty of small trout showing, which looks good for the future.

For further information on accommodation and boat hire at Lakelands please see www.lakelandanglingcentre.com or email mayfly@eircom.net

Sea Angling

The 7th leg of the Grauvell West Coast Shore League took place on Saturday 15th September. Originally scheduled for Streedagh beach, it was moved to Mullaghmore beach due to weed on Streedagh. Conditions were pleasant with a southwest breeze and a mild, dry afternoon. Fishing was reasonably good for the first hour, with fish coming in all along the beach, but died off completely as the tide pushed in, with very few fish landed after that. Flounder and turbot were the main species, with sea trout (not counted in competitions) also freely taking bait.

The winner on the day was Frank Rixon (Newport SAC) with 9 fish for 321 points. The winner in Zone A was Shane Gilvarry (Newport SAC) with 4 fish for 121 points. Second was Stephen O'Sullivan (Galway Bay SAC) with 6 fish for 118 points, and third was Boris Siegel (Mullaghmore SAC) with 5 fish for 11 points.

Winner in Zone B was Ed Kilroy (Newport SAC) with 6 fish for 144 points. Second was Mike Varley (Belmullet SAC) with 3 fish for 83 points, just pipping Andrew McDermott (GBSAC) with 3 fish for 82 points.

The result leaves the league standings delicately poised going into the last leg, with just 4 points separating the top 3 anglers, and 2 more anglers just 5 points behind. Taking the best 5 out of 7 legs (each angler can drop their worst 2 scores), Stephen O'Sullivan leads on 488 points, with Ed Kilroy just 2 behind on 486, and Joe Birney Jr. on 484. Peter Atkins and Kevin Crowley make up the top 5 currently, both on 479, with James Devers on 478. With just the final leg on Enniscrone to come on October 14th, its all to play for!

Next up is the Connacht Closed Gold Medal competition, fished over 3 legs on the weekend of the 29-30 September, based in Killala. Open to all club anglers in Connacht, this should provide stiff competition ad anglers battle to make the Connacht team for next year's Inter-Provincial Competition, as well as the prestigious Gold Medal itself.

Galway Bay SAC are hosting the All-Ireland Open Shore (Jimmy Smith) competition on November 10th, with fishing on Enniscrone beach from 3-8pm. This competition is pre-entry only, and entries can only be made through club secretaries, with the closing date for entries October 26th. Anglers wishing to fish the competition should notify their club secretary as soon as possible.