The North Western Regional Fisheries Board held its annual Juvenile Angling Day on the Cathedral Beat of the world famous Moy Fishery, in Ballina, on Tuesday, 18 July. Despite sweltering conditions, 37 boys and girls caught a total of eight salmon with many more hooked and lost. The event started at 7.00 a.m with a small number of enthusiastic youngsters making an early start. They were fishing before temperatures soared to the high level which prevailed for much of the day and the early birds certainly benefited from their early start. Adrian Murray, age 15, from Corimbla, had 2 small salmon (2.9 lbs. and 1.7lbs) while Niamh and Conor Finnerty, Attymass, also had one each during this first session (2.1 lbs. & 3.1 lbs)

Peggy Monk, Lancashire, England, withthe heaviest fish which weighed 3.8 lbs.

From 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m., the quantity of salmon showing, and being hooked began to decline as temperatures soared into the high 20’s. One salmon was caught by Peggy Monk, which weighed in at 3.8 lbs., and this was to be the best fish of the day

Christopher Scott, Knockmore, tries his luck with the fly rod on the Cathedral Beat.

The two subsequent sessions (9.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.) produced just one salmon each. The first w s caught by Conor Mc Loughlin, Co. Down, and the second by Jamie Lynch, also from Down. Only one more fish was caught for the remainder of the day and this fell to Dermot Mc Carron, also from Northern Ireland, and weighed in at 3 lbs.

The total eight salmon for the day, was regarded as a very respectable return, given the unsuitable conditions. As usual, the day was rounded off with a reception and prize giving ceremony at the Ridge Pool Hotel. Thanks to the local tackle dealers Garry Piggott, Ridge Pool Tackle Shop, and Paddy Bonner, Ballina Angling Centre, for their generous donation of prizes for the event. Great credit is due to the many Board staff who supervised the angling and provided advice and guidance to the anglers of the future.

A family double as Conor and Niamh Finnerty, Attymass, land one each on Juvenile Angling Day on the Moy at Ballina.

The very low water level, combined with bright, sunny conditions, militated seriously against salmon fishing on most of the Moy this week with only the tidal waters producing fish on a daily basis. The recorded catch for the week was 359 and the Moy Fishery, at Ballina, produced 242 of these with all of the Ballina beats providing some fish. The Ridge Pool did well all week with a number of anglers getting their bag limit of three salmon. Steve Hazeldine, England, had 5 of which he released 4 and John Ryan also had 3 of which he released 1. The Weir Pool had another good week with Jim Ryan getting 4 for his day (1 released) and Gerald Groult and Claude Lemesle, France, each getting 2. On the Cathedral Beat, John Campbell, N. Ireland, caught 5 of which he released 2 and Steve Hazeldine, England, had 3 of which he released 2. The Board held its annual juvenile angling day on the Cathedral Beat on Tuesday and 37 enthusiastic boys and girls accounted for 8 salmon. A separate report is attached. Up river, Mount Falcon, Colcronan, the Foxford Fishery and Rinanney fared best though most fisheries managed to produce a few fish despite the difficult conditions.

The Moy Estuary produced about 90 trout for the week. Judd Ruane, boat hire operator, reported 13 trout while another operator, Malcolm McPherson, reported 6 with the best at 2 lbs. Declan Welde had 3 and David Stanford had 2. Laura Cuffe, aged 12, caught two trout including a fine one of 2 lbs. John Fitzpatrick and Alan Jackson, Ballina, had 6 trout.

Ballisodare had another good week with 122 salmon recorded at the "Butt". Most were small grilse and the best fish, weighing 7 lbs., was taken by Swiss visitor, Jean Chenaux.

Just a few anglers ventured out on Arrow for the Green Peter fishing and some enjoyed success. Peter Dunne had 2 weighing 4.5 lbs. and David Gray had 1 weighing 2.75 lbs.

While there were good signs of fish in Lough Furnace this week, the conditions were poor for angling and just three salmon were reported. Sean Smyth, UK, had 2 and local angler, D. Nevin, had 1.