Angling does not seem as important this week, when spring was overshadowed by news of the death of angler Michael Ruane from Salthill, Galway, on Lough Corrib on Monday. Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to offer its condolences to the family and friends of Michael.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Galway Weir

Brian O'Rourke 8.5lbs MArch 2012.

Water levels remained good all week, with just 4 sluice gates open on the weir, and a second fish of the season was landed on Tuesday by Brian O'Rourke from Tuam, a nice spring salmon of 8.5lbs. Settled weather this week and continuing nice water should see more fish coming into the river, and I hope to have more salmon to report from Galway soon.

Delphi

Water levels dropped away last week, but heavy rainfall of 35mm on Thursday gave a nice flood, bringing fresh fish into the system. Gareth Byrne from Offaly took full advantage on Friday, landing a fine salmon of 15lbs off Finlough on a Cascade fly. More heavy rain on Saturday gave another flood, and on Monday Thomas Dehlin had a fresh fish off Finlough of 7lbs on a Norwegian tube fly, while local angler Peter Joyce landed a sea-liced fish of 6lbs 10.5 oz in the Whin Pool on a Willie Gunn.

Gareth Byrne with his 15lbs Delphi salmon caught on Friday 16th March.

It looks like Delphi is getting a good run of spring salmon at the moment, and would be well worth a throw. To book fishing or accommodation, contact Delhpi Lodge at 095 42222, or check www.delphilodge.ie

Lough Mask Still Fishing Well

Ronan Cusack reports that Mask produced very good fishing again this week, with the majority of fish being caught in shallow water on wetfly patterns.

Duckfly hatches are still sparse and only small numbers of trout have been taken on buzzer so far. Ballinrobe angler Frank O'Hara had 2 fish on Thursday last (best fish 1.75lbs). Frank mentioned rising and returning numerous small fish throughout the day. Adrian Armitage and Johnny O'Malley from Mullingar fished on Wednesday and they had 5 fish for their day (best fish 1.75lbs). Joe Fitzharris and friend, Ballyhaunis, also fished on Wednesday, and Joe reported boating 21 fish, including 7 good sized trout, which were also returned. Their best fish on the day was approximately 2lbs. Pat Winning, Cork, fished on Wednesday and Thursday this week and he had 6 fish over the two days (best fish 1.75lbs). Sean O'Loughlin, Galway, fished on Wednesday with Tony O'Donnell and they had 2 fish for the day (best fish 1.75lbs). Ballinrobe anglers Conor O'Mahony and Mick Byrne had 8 fish on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend (best fish 1.75lbs). Sean Maloney, Ballinrobe, fished on Saturday with Noel Farrer from Dublin and they had 10 fish for the day (best fish 2.25lbs). Sean fished again on Sunday and he had a further 5 (best trout 1.75lbs).

Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at cusackronan@gmail.com or on 087 2869487.

Lough Corrib

Duckfly hatches are going well on Corrib at the moment, and most anglers are reporting trout every day they are out. Frank Reilly reports good hatches in the Greenfields area, with some early olives and even some premature mayfly fluttering about too. 14 anglers reported 20 trout for low fishing effort, with retired fisheries inspector Pat Day landing 3 trout in one evening on fly. Sean Dixon took 2 fish on a Sooty Olive, while Pappy Cotter and a friend landed 6 trout for a day on wetfly patterns. Frank himself was out for 3 short sessions over the week and landed 7 trout on wetfly.