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From Castlebar - County Mayo - Angling News Lough Mask Ronan Cusack reports that trout angling on Lough Mask this week has been outstanding, with reports of great catches coming in from all across the lake. Weather conditions have been mixed, but a noticeable increase in temperature has reflected well in the much improved fly hatches. The long awaited olives have finally appeared in big numbers in all the usual haunts. Hatches of buzzer and sedge have also been frequent this week, so the outlook for the coming weeks is bright. Cian Murtagh and Vincent Kelly from Cavan had a three day fishing trip on Mask and Carra this week with Ronan. The lads had a total of 20 trout which exceeded the 13 inch legal limit. They also admitted losing count of the number of undersized trout they returned. Vincent had the heaviest fish over the three days, which was a Mask beauty of 3.4lbs. He also landed a lovely 2.5lbs trout off Carra on Friday, which was one of a bag of 6 while pulling wet flies in stormy conditions.
The Westport Angling Club held a club competition on Saturday last out of Churchfield. There were 29 anglers on the day, with 29 fish over the limit weighed in. First place went to John Campbell from Westport with 3 fish for 7.3lbs. Jimmy Gibson, also from Westport, was in second place with 4 trout for 6.5lbs. Tommy Carroll from Islandeady took third with 3 trout for 6lbs. Philip McGing from Westport had a trout of 3.25lbs which took the heaviest fish prize. Ballinrobe & District Anglers had a 2 day pairs development competition over the weekend. There were 60 anglers competing, with 118 trout weighed in over the 2 days. First place went to Martin Feerick, Ballinrobe and Frankie Guilfoyle, Ennis, with 13 trout for 22.14lbs. In second place were Pat Feerick, Ballinrobe and Brian Rapple with 11 trout for 18.06lbs. Gerry Moran and Ronan Cusack Ballinrobe were in third place with 13 trout for 14.99lbs. Heaviest fish went to Shay Cash, Dublin, with a trout of 2.51lbs. Ronan Cusack also took the best Ballinrobe angler prize. Brian Hall of Halls Angling Centre had 3 nice trout on Thursday evening last while fishing Ballahalla, Brian's best fish was 3.3lbs. To book fishing or accommodation at Hall's, contact David or Helen on 094 9541389 or check www.lakeshoreholidays.com. Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at 087 2869487 or by email at cusackronan@gmail.com This year looks like being the year of the June fly, as mayfly hatches are well behind, and even olives are only starting to appear this week. Fishing has been slow, and anglers are anxiously awaiting a bit of warmer weather to get hatches and fish moving. The Cornamona Anglers held their annual wetfly competition last Sunday, with 20 anglers weighing in 13 trout over the limit. Jackie Coyne from Renvyle was the winner, with 3 trout for 3.21lbs. Second place went to Mike Shanks from Cornamona, with 2 trout for 2.27lbs, and local angler Martin Kinneavy was third, with 2 trout for 2.17lbs. On the Oughterard side, a large Mayfly Festival Competition was held on Sunday as well, with 98 anglers taking part. Hatches and fishing were sparse on the day, with just 16 trout weighed in. Local tackle shop owner Tommy Tuck put local knowledge to best use and took top honours with 2 trout for 2.36kgs. Kevin Molloy was second, with 2 trout for 1.68kgs, and B. Molloy was third, with 2 trout for 1.62kgs. Frank Butler reported that the Collinamuck and District Angling Club held the Dowling and Butt Cups Competition last Sunday. Fishing was slow, with just 4 trout recorded for the weigh in. Winners of the Dowling Cup with 2 trout for 4.5lbs were Mike Keady, Dave Connolly and Gerry Reilly. Second were Paddy O'Farrell and Noel Carter with 1 trout for 3lbs, and 3rd were John Butler, Frank Butler and James Bohan with 1 trout. Paddy O'Farrell received the Butt Cup for the heaviest fish. The forecast for the week is for unsettled, cool and changeable weather. Hopefully hatches will start improving over the next few days and we will have better fishing to report next week. Once again fishing is impossible in Galway, as the OPW have opened 14 sluice gates on the weir following overnight rain, even more remarkable considering anglers on Lough Corrib are remarking on how low water levels are there. It seems being seen to control flood risk is far more important than a tourism angling industry, regardless of whether so many open gates are necessary or not.
Erriff Spring salmon are running the Erriff in good numbers now, and anglers have enjoyed some success. Gerhard Tröster, visiting from Germany, fished Beats 8 and 9 last week and landed 2 good salmon, one of 11lbs and the other 13lbs. Both fish were taken on a size 9 Munro Killer, and were both released safely. Gerhard and his friend Christoph had a great day and have promised to return in the future.
The river peaked at 2.06 metres last night, and should remain fishable for the rest of the week, with excellent prospects for fishing. Fisher manager Terry Gallagher reports that the first salmon of the season, a fine springer of 12lbs, was landed by Geoffrey Fitzjohn while fishing River Beat 1. The fish was taken on a Black Shrimp fly in relatively low water conditions. Jacob Finkelsson landed the first sea trout of the season, a fish of approx.. 15 inches, in the sea pools of River Beat 1. Terry says that 2012 ended on a high note at Costello and Fermoyle Fisheries, with a total of 71 salmon landed, considering the relatively low rod pressure for the season. The sea trout run for the year was below average for the fishery and this was reflected in the rod catch, with only 614 fish landed. Again, rod pressure was down but hopefully 2013 will see runs of fish returning to normal levels. To book fishing, contact Terry at 00353 (0)91 572 196, on mobile at 087 2399988, or by email at terrygal7@gmail.com
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