Galway Weir
Spring has sprung in Galway, and water levels are now perfect for all methods, with 2 sluice gates open on the weir. More fish are starting to be seen in the river, although there were just 2 reported for the week. Local angler Sean O'Toole landed his second fish of the season, a lovely 13.5lbs springer, taken while spinning, and Salthill angler Dave Lenihan took an 8.5lbs fish on the shrimp.

With water levels continuing at this good level and beautiful settled weather I would hope for more salmon to report in the next few days.

Delphi

The bright sunshine and warm dry conditions have resulted in low water at Delphi, and while 3 fish were caught earlier in the week, no fish have been landed since then. Peter Joyce managed to land his second fish of the week while fishing with Paul Duffy. The fish was taken in the Rock Pool and again on a Willie Gunn. It weighed in at 10lbs. On Thursday 2 fish were landed. The first was taken by Paul Duffy, and weighed in at 12lbs 12oz and was also taken on a Willie Gunn. Per Axman from Sweden then had a fish of 7lbs 13oz in the afternoon, taken on a Sunray Shadow.

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 exploded with fly life over the weekend, and plenty of anglers took full advantage of the bonanza. Duckfly, olives, sedge and even the odd early mayfly were very much on the menu. Local Ballinrobe anglers Michael Vahey and Kevin Egan had a lively afternoon on Monday last with 7 good trout on a variety of wetfly patterns (best fish 2lbs). Kevin fished again on Sunday and he had a further 5 (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Liam Conroy and his son Ruairi from Tourmakeady fished on Monday and they had 3 trout along with several undersize fish for the day (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). Gerry and John O'Brien from Ballinrobe had 8 trout fishing buzzers on Saturday last (best fish 2.75lbs, all returned). Padraig Kerrigan, Clonbur, also fishing buzzer on Sunday had 6 trout for his day (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Ronan Cusack fished with Mark Rogan from Waterford over the weekend and they had 14 fish in total on a combination of nymphs and buzzer (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Noel Fay from Kildare had 3 fish on wets on Sunday and also reported returning several undersize fish throughout the day (best fish 1.5lbs). Pat Feerick and Alan Dowling, Partry, also fished in calm conditions on Sunday and they had 7 fish for their day (best fish 3lbs).
Overall Mask is fishing extremely well and well worth a visit.

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

Lough Corrib
Eamon Walsh reports that duckfly hatches continued on Corrib over the last week, with bright sunshine and warm summer temperatures making an appearance for the first time this year. Anglers were out in good numbers, also for the first time this year!

Northern Ireland Angler Colin Wilson fishing out of Molloy's, Carraig had 2 fish for 3lbs on dry flies, while a Swiss fisherman also fishing from Molloys had a great week's fishing, keeping 3 fish of an average 1.5lbs and returning many more.

The Cornamona Anglers ran their members competition on Sunday in bright sunshine, not the most suitable of fishing days, a total of 11 anglers caught 7 fish. Peadar Breathnach retained his title with a fine trout of over 3lbs.

Frank Reilly reports that fishing in the Greenfields area has improved with the large hatches of duck fly. 15 Anglers reported 21 fish for 28 rod-days, the pick of them being a 4lbs trout caught by Niall Tonge. Other notable catches included Sean Dixon and Kevin Oats who had 3 fish for 5lbs, and Paul Dignam and Mick Killeen with 5 fish, the best of which was over 3lbs, all to wetfly. Aidan Cahill from Galway also landed 5 fish in one day. Frank Reilly also had good fishing with 4 fish over the weekend.

Good hatches of olives have also begun to appear on the lake in the past few days with some anglers also reporting seeing a few mayfly, which will surely stir some more anglers into life.

The Braithreach na Coiribe club held the annual Greaney Cup Competition on the lower lake, and enjoyed a great day out, as Tommy Kelly IFI reports, with 36 anglers weighing in 26 trout for 69 lbs.

Harold O'Toole from Galway won the cup with 4 trout weighing in at over 11lbs, with Ronan Sweeney, also from Galway, coming in with 4 fish for 9lbs, and third was Tony Tighe from Moycullen with 2 trout at over 6.5 lbs.

A Garda Competition was won by Seamus Kelly who had 2 fish for 3.5 lbs, while Mike Bradley came second with a fine fish of 2lbs.

Donal Forrest and Pat Hoare from Blarney, fishing out of Corrib Wave Guesthouse, had a great day on wetfly, with a catch of 5 trout for 11lbs always a good return. Eoin Kelly and Willie Molloy took 5 trout for 7lbs fishing wetfly. Kevin and Mike Molloy, also fishing wets, had 4 fish for 7.5lbs.

While there is plenty of duck fly hatching, good fishing can still be had while trolling. Tom Molloy had 4 fish for 7lbs while Darren Higgins also had 4 trout for over 7lbs. Patrick Molloy and Padraic Fahy had 6 fish for 11.5 lbs, their best being over 3lbs. Kenny O'Toole and a friend had 11 fish over 3 days.

The warm spring weather seems to have really brought the western lakes to life, and I expect to have more reports of good fishing over the next couple of weeks.