Lough Mask

Sean O'Riordan (on right) with his dad Emmet and the 9.5lbs ferox trout he caught on Lough Mask, September 2013.

Ronan Cusack reports that we are now in the last two weeks of angling on Lough Mask and the going has proved tough. Other than the prolific hatches of daddy's around the lake, fly hatches are relatively poor, with little or no sedges to be seen. Despite the shorter days and noticeable drop in air temperature, anglers are still out in reasonable numbers in anticipation of better fishing in the deeper water. So far this week, rod averages have struggled to rise above one, even though large numbers of under size trout are still being caught.

Reg O'Keeffe from Cork and his angling partner Paul McQuaid spent a day in the deeps last week with Ronan Cusack. Conditions were poor, with low cloud and wind direction changing several times throughout the day. The day finished with two fish over the 13" limit (best fish 1.25lbs) and also returning 5 undersize fish. Father and son team Eamon and Sean O'Riordan from Limerick fished on Thur/Fri last with Ronan and enjoyed slightly better fishing. Sean had most of the action dapping natural daddys in open water, while his father Eamon stuck with the wet-flies. Day one finished with 3 trout (best fish 1.5lbs). Conditions deteriorated on Friday with virtually no wind, so the lads decided to have a go at ferox. After spending roughly 2 hours without a pull, Sean's rod hooped over and to his delight he landed his first ever ferox which was an impressive 9.5lbs.

Local Ballinrobe angler Kevin Sheridan took his young grandson Theo Bellanger for a day on Mask this week and he had his best ever brown trout of 2lbs. Kieran Biggins and Gerry Moran, Ballinrobe had a good day's wet-fly fishing on Tuesday last. The lads spent the day in a west wind, drifting from the deep into shallow water along the Shintillas and finished with 5 trout (best fish 1.75lbs, all returned).
Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at 087 2869487 or by email at cusackronan@gmail.com

Kylemore Abbey Fishery
Fishery manager Nigel Rush reports that the week ending 14 September proved as ever fruitful, with 13 rod days producing 17 salmon for the week. The earlier part of the week and weekend proved to be the best with the weather midweek presenting us with swarms of unseasonal biting midges.

The storm that was forecast for the weekend arrived with a vengeance and the river rose by a foot and a half to once again give us fishable water.

The usual suspects were this week's culprits, with Geoffrey Fitzjohn landing 5 fish to 5lbs for two days angling, Seamus O'Neil 6 to 7.5lbs for three half days angling and Neil Spellacy 3 fish for one and a half days to 6lbs. Andy Duncans, visiting from the UK landed 2 fish for his one day's visit.

To date we have now 214 salmon landed for the season and with just two weeks left, hopefully an improvement on this figure.

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

Lough Inagh
Colin Folan reports that the water level in the river beats is well up, and the only person to fish the river the last few days has had salmon action. 6 salmon and 128 sea trout were recorded for 62 rod days last week. Henry Harendza (Germany) fished the Derryclare Butts for two afternoons and he was rewarded each time with a 9lbs salmon on a Silver Rat, and a 14lbs fish on a Thunder and Lightning. Both fish were returned and the larger fish was fairly fresh. The Three Mile Water Club from Northern Ireland had a week on Inagh and returned 73 sea trout, 1 salmon, 2 char and numerous browns. Top rod for the week was Gary Crothers, with 18 sea trout and a 6lbs salmon (returned). William Hamilton had a superb day on Inagh, boating 11 sea trout to 2.5lbs, most of the fish fell to a Connemara Black. There were salmon also for Andy Walsh, Billy Grange and Liam Faulkiner. Only two weeks to go!

For bookings and enquiries call the hotel on 095 34706, or Colin at 0868679459, or check www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie