Angling News
Northwest Angling Report - 1 Oct 2006
By Markus Muller
Oct 6, 2006, 08:48

River Moy

A total of 1,041 salmon were reported for the last week of the season and fishing conditions were good throughout the entire Moy system. The Ballina Salmon Anglers water again accounted for the largest number of fish and some fresh fish were caught on most fisheries.

The Moy Fishery had a reported catch of 252 salmon for the week. On the Ridge Pool, Cecil Clifford, Limerick, had a fine 11.08 lbs. salmon on spinner, Alan Clifford also Limerick landed an 8.40 lbs. salmon on worm and Laurent Argard, France, had 3 fish (2 released). The Fresh Water Beat was fishing particularly well with 44 salmon in total, including 5 salmon (4 released) for Rory O’Toole, Northern Ireland and two salmon (both released) for John Plumber, Dublin. Visiting French angler, Fauviain Herve, had a nice 5 lbs. salmon on spinner.

On Byrne’s, Steve Varney & party (7 anglers) had 24 fish for the week. Joan Tomin, Northern Ireland, fishing Rinanney’s had 6 salmon for the week. On Cloongee, Tony Finlay, Kildare, caught a 5 lbs. salmon on spinner. Ester Sweetman also had a salmon on spinner and Francis Higginbottom had 3 fish, 2 of which were released.

The Fortland Fishery also had a good week with 83 salmon reported.

Fishing was at its best during the last week of the season on the Bangor Angling Club stretch of the Owenmore with a total of 120 fish (110 released) reported for the week.

The "Last Cast" was fished on the last day of the season with more than 30 anglers from Ireland, France, Germany, Holland and the UK taking part. The event which is fished on a catch & release basis was a great success and many salmon were reported for the day. This event is organised by the Bangor Angling Club and has been held annually for the past number of seasons. A reception and evening meal was held in Cuff’s Restaurant, Bangor Erris, after the event.

Water levels remained high all week on the river and angling was excellent. The local Community Angling Club reported up to 30 salmon and most fish were returned. Amongst the successful anglers were Mel Parrot, John and Pat Lawlor, John White, Charles Brennan and Connor Lynch (Belfast).

There were no fish caught on Lough Beltra for the week.

On the Newport River, two visiting guests of Newport House had two salmon. Mr Jodelet, France, caught a 6 lbs. grilse on an orange shrimp fly and Dr. Cahill landed a 4 lbs. grilse on an Allie’s Shrimp.

Fishing on the Lough has been slow this past week. Nine rods fished for the week and 6 trout were caught, 4 of which were returned.

Junior angler, Pat McHale, caught 3 rainbow trout, all of which he returned. Mr Tony Grattan, Dublin, and partner landed 2 trout, 1 of which was returned - best fish 1.5 lbs.

Ballinlough Fishery was recently restocked and remains open till the end of October.

The Conn & Cullin Anglers fished the Paddy McDonald Cup on Lough Conn on Sunday, 1 October. Sixteen anglers took part and results were as follows: 1^st Dennis Goulding, Dublin, with 3 fish, best at 2.89 lbs, 2^nd John Warren, one fish at 2.25 lbs, 3^rd Joe Quinn, one fish at 2.03 lbs.

The Foxford Anglers also held a fishing competition on the lake during the week and the Chris Downey Cup for the heaviest bag was won by John O’Connell with 2 trout for 2.33 lbs. The heaviest fish was caught by Dominick McGowan who won the Presidents Cup with a trout weighing in at 1.50 lbs.

The Castlebar & District Anglers’ Association held its usual end-of-season trout angling competition on Sunday, 1 October. Thirty-seven anglers were fishing the Jackson Cup and 21 fish were caught. Local angler, Sean Crane, won the competition with a 2.90 lbs. trout and Mick Dunne, Tourmakeady, was runner up with three fish, best at 2.85 lbs.

Anglers who fished this week’s competitions also reported good numbers of undersized trout which were released.

Two good trout were reported from Lough Arrow for the week. Local angler, John McGann, had fine a 3.75 lbs. trout and Peter Dunne, Drumshanbo, had one for 3.25 lbs. Both fish were taken on wet flies.

The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association (ILFA), in association with The North Western Regional Fisheries Board, is running an introductory course for ladies interested in fly fishing. Introductory courses, which are held throughout the year across Ireland, are aimed at ladies who are completely new to fly fishing or those with a little knowledge.

The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association was established in 1990 promotes fly fishing among women. Its aims are to organise fishing and social events throughout the year all over the country and to select a team to represent Ireland at International Fly Fishing Competitions.

The Connaught course is held on the Ballin Lough Fishery, Co. Mayo, on Saturday, 21 October 2006. Ballin Lough is well signposted and is situated close to Westport just off the N59. It is a rainbow trout fishery managed by The North Western Regional Fisheries Board.

The course will commence at 10.30 am at the Buckfield Inn (signposted on the Newport to Westport road) and take the format of a short indoor session to explain the basics of getting ready to fish and the theory of casting followed by an outdoor session about casting techniques. A qualified NWRFB instructor will run the course and the day will finish with a chance to put newly learned techniques into practice on Ballin Lough. Minimum age is 18 and the cost will be €20 per person.

For more information on how to book and what to bring for the day please email Susan Brown, Hon Secretary, smbrown7058@aol.com or phone Madeleine Kelly Chairman (+44) 28 9064 9022 evening only, or Ruth Mettler, Treasurer 071 9841451.

Further information also can be obtained from the ILFA www.irishladiesflyfishing.com and North Western Regional Fisheries Board www.northwestfisheries.ie websites.

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