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Angling Report
29/06/01

Angling Report
15/06/01

Western Angling Report June 27th. 2001
by Danny Goldrick

Lough Corrib
Reports from the Oughterard area say that angling activity has slowed down very much in the past week with only a small number of trout taken on fly. In one section of the lake 33 trout were caught by 30 anglers for 48.5 lb in 30 angling days, best catch 4 for 6.5 lb recorded by Mark O'Malley from Limerick. A few anglers fished with Donal Connolly from Nonaim Angling Lodge in Glann and they report some nice catches including several salmon to wet fly. Chris Martin from Kent in England, a regular visitor to the area, enjoyed some good sport, as also did Eddie McGill from Islandmagee in Co. Antrim. He landed 7 trout in two outings for 8.5 lb. Mike Taylor from the same place landed a 4.5 lb salmon while fishing with Donal Connolly, and Donal himself also had a 5.25 lb salmon to fly. Well-known Galway angler Ernie Deacy was delighted with his 5 lb salmon to wet fly.

Very few anglers are trout fishing the area between Greenfields and Cornamona where catches were down to 8 trout for 6 anglers over 8 angling days. Alex Ramkins from Scotland had 4 for 7 lb.

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Lough Mask
Mayfly are still hatching in some areas of the lough and trout were seen to take them freely on the wild and wetter days. Sean McManamin fished along with Brendan Begley in the Rosshill area for two days and he had 7 good trout to wet fly, releasing several others and rising a lot of smaller fish. Overall, trout fishing was regarded as quite good for the time of season, 38 anglers having 53 for 69 lb in 57 angling days, and all taken to the dap and wet fly. Robbie O'Grady from Ballinrobe landed 4 for 8.5 lb for a day, best 5.25 lb, and Ronan Cusack also had 4 for 6.5 lb.

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Lough Carra
Dennis Kellegher from Ballinrobe reports some good fishing to wet fly on Sunday last when he rose many trout and landed 3 for the day for 6 lb. Reports from the lough say that large numbers of smallish trout continue to rise. However, there are some quality trout rising too. 11 anglers during the week had 21 for 25 lb in 19 angling days. 7 anglers staying at the Robert's Guesthouse at Partry caught and returned 37 trout over 6 days. The Green Peter was the best pattern of fly for the week, followed by the Golden and Sooty Olive.

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Galway Salmon Weir Fishery
The fishery has produced around 400 salmon so far this season, this despite the fishery been closed for most of the period up to March 30th due to foot and mouth precautions. Runs of grilse were excellent so far and they continue to run well even at this point in time. 73 salmon and grilse were caught last week, the heaviest of 18 lb taken by Raymond Drennan on the New Beat located below the Cathedral Bridge. Jim Stafford had 2 on the same beat and others who fished there encountered good numbers of fish, many of them running through to the higher beats. While most of the salmon over the week were in the 5 to 6 lb range, there were quite a few between 8 and 18 lb. Barry Brown had one of 9; Michael Brown one of 12 and 6 lb; Tom Tynan one of 11.5 and two of 8.5 lb; John McCarty one of 10 lb, and Seamus Hartigan and Dave Lenighan landed 3 each for 14 lb. Enquiries for permits to Seamus Hartigan at 091 562388.

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Bunowen And Carrowniskey
Water levels were good over several days when heavy rain fell within the catchment, allowing for more salmon to enter the rivers and thus help anglers land a few extra fish. Mrs Blake had 3 for a day, returning one again to the water, and Mr. Ball and Mr. Cox had one each, both small fish of around 5 lb. Prospects look good for the coming week and anglers wishing to fish either of the two rivers should contact: Gaffney's Bar, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, telephone: 098 66150, or the Fisheries Board office at Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66404.

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River Erriff:
With the heavy rain last week came a good run of grilse to the fishery. Consequently, salmon angling was considered quite good for the guest staying at Aashleigh Lodge. Recently the Western Regional Fisheries Board carried out extensive renovations to the Lodge giving it a complete overhaul thus upgrading the level of comfort to the highest standard. There are vacancies and rods available at this famous fishery during August and September, and there may be the occassional vacant day in between those dates. Enquiries to Jim Stafford, Aashleigh Lodge, telephone: 095 42252.

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Owenwee River
This small river near Westport is fishing very well for salmon, and sea trout were caught by anglers in recent days. Tom Bourke, the owner of the fishery, says 25 salmon have been caught lately with several sea trout to 3 lb taken on fly. Philip Dyson from the UK landed a few fish there last weekend and Stephen Brewley caught some sea trout and a 6 lb salmon. Enquiries to Tom Bourke at: 086 8331586, or to Gannon's Garage at Belclare, telephone: 098 25239.

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Moher Lake
Reports from the lough say the fishing is excellent with trout to over 2 lb being caught, many of them from last season's restocking. Restocking has taken place twice so far this season and a third will take place in early July. Permits and boats are available from Michael McDonnell, Liscarney, Westport, telephone 098 21638.

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Lough Inagh Fishery
Two grilse were caught at the fishery in recent days, one of 6.5 lb by Nicolas Leroy and one of 4.75 lb by Colin Folan, the Fishery manager. Both fish were caught on a size 12 Silver Jungle fly. It is expected that with the heavy rain within the catchment in recent days that a lot more fish will run the rivers. Colin reports 13 sea trout caught on Lough Inagh, 10 of them averaging 1 lb to Mark Brefka from Canada who found the Claret Dabbler the best wet fly. Tony Bond from the UK had the others to a Peter Ross and a sunken line. Colin also says that sea trout are just starting to enter the fishery and hopefully the runs will improve with time. For permits for the river and boats for the lough, contact Colin at: 095 34706.

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Coarse Angling
Cathal Hughes and Donal McAweeney fished the Moycullen lakes in recent weeks and they report very good bags of skimmer bream, lots of roach and some perch. They also say that the larger bream have become scarce and as very few are showing up at the various swims.
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Kinlooey Lake, Aughergower, Westport
Very little fishing has taken place since the lough was restocked twice this season, therefore there are very few reports from the lough to date. Permits and boat hire can be obtained through John Scott's Shop, Aughergower, telephone: 098 25119

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Kylemore Fishery
Three salmon were caught at Kylemore Lake within the past few days and the word is that anglers fishing the waters saw quite a few salmon. Also, they report several sea trout in the 1 to 2 lb range, all to fly of course. For boat hire, permits and accommodation contact the Kylemore House, telephone: 095 41143.

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Sea Angling
There's a new deep sea angling boat located at the Docks in Galway City anglers can book a day or evening for deep sea angling in Galway Bay, or beyond. Jim Kelly is the owner (086 2936621) and he has plans to spend some time fishing for bluefin tuna beyond Galway Bay where he says there are tuna waiting to be caught. Some of these fish go to over 300 lbs and only last year one of 240 kg was caught in Donegal Bay. Blue shark fishing is taking place around the coast and next month should bring more of them closer to the western shores. All the Boats at Westport and Clifden are having plenty of sport catching mainly pollock, ling, some mackerel and cod, and plenty of ray and other flat fish.

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Cong River
No Report This Week

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