The Western Regional Fisheries Board
Western Region Angling Report
Lough MaskThe World Cup Trout Fly Angling five-day competition held over last weekend was the most successful since the event first started in 1953. And this despite only mediocre weather conditions, much of the time having light winds and flat-calms. 605 anglers competed during the four heats, the successful ones going forward to the final on Bank Holiday Monday.
A record 774 trout were landed for a total weight of 1109.280 lb., all taken in 759 angling days. Some of the Heats gave outstanding results including Saturday's which produced 261 trout for 345.19 lb. During this qualifier, Frank Reilly landed 9 trout for 13.29 lb., a record individual catch since the competition started in the 50's. That same day it took no less than 3.3 lb to qualify for the final. Some of the outstanding flies included such patterns as the Green Peter, Murrough, various mayfly patterns, the Octopus, Olive and Claret Bumble tyings. A lot of the fish were taken by anglers fishing the above patterns on the surface - dry fly fishing, in other words.
The overall second-time winner was Carlow angler Derry Ryan who had 4 trout for 7.51 lb during the final. With the very same weight and one trout less was Sean Irvine from Belfast, and third place went to local angler Dennis Kellegher with 5 trout for 7.34 lb. Heaviest trout of the competition weighed 4.83 lb and it was caught by Derek Kenna. The winner received the World Silver Cup, a 19' Burke-built boat, an electric motor, a 10 H.P. Duffy-sponsored Evinrude outboard, and engraved Waterford Crystal trophy and a 10.7 ft. Delta fishing rod.
Including the above results plus other catches for the week on Lough Mask came to a total of 842 trout for 1201 lb to 656 anglers over 821 days.
Lough Cara
Anglers are taking more trout to wet flies than previously, the week's returns coming to 57 for 79 lb to 33 rods over 69 days. All of the better angling is late in the evening and the trout are being caught on sedge patterns.
Galway Weir
While there is ideal water levels, very few salmon are being caught, the heavier runs having finished towards the middle of the month.
Bunowen And Carrowniskey
The two rivers are in flood at the moment and with the clearance of heavy rain in the area, there should be excellent salmon fishing from to-morrow onwards. For salmon licences and permits apply to: Charles Gaffney, Gaffney's Bar, Louisburgh. Telephone: 098 66150.
Moher Lake and Kinlooey Lake
Fishing on the lough is regarded as very good with most anglers getting their bag limit of 4 trout. Declan Ridge and a friend were two that enjoyed lots of sport on the lake, as also did Donie Quirke from Westport. Boats and Permits from Michael McDonnell, Liscarney, Westport, telephone: 098 21638.
Lough Inagh Fishery
The Silver Dabbler, the Bibio and the Green Peter provided good angling for Peter Wyer, A. King, K. Power and a friend and for Colin Folan, who landed a 5 lb grilse to a size 12 Claret Shrimp while fishing at the Derryclare Butts. The water levels have risen and should bring about better results within the next few days. There is both salmon and some sea trout fishing at this fishery and anglers can contact the manager, Colin Folan, at 095 34706
Kylemore Fishery
Torrential rain in the area has brought a huge flood into the catchment so salmon and trout angling should greatly improve within a few days, just after the flood drops. Enquiries to: Janet McDonnell, Kylemore House, Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway, telephone: 095 41143.
Costello Fishery
July was a very dry month at the fishery and temperatures reached 26.5C on the 22nd of the month, the hottest for a long time at the fishery. Despite poor fishing conditions 15 salmon were taken for the month, three of them coming to M Murphy from Ennis, and Mrs McDonnell from Drogheda landed her first-ever, a nice grilse of 4.5 lb. 161 rods over the month caught and released 446 sea trout, 14 of them for a day on the river by Rene Lachenmeir from Cavan. For salmon and trout fishing apply to the manager, Tim Moore, telephone: 091 572196.
Coarse Fishing
There is excellent coarse fishing for roach and some skimmer bream at Ballyquirke Lake, Moycullen. Only last week Ronan Ryan and Cathal Hughes were kept busy with mainly small roach and managed to take one with every cast over a period of several hours. They also reported some fish to .75 lb as well as lots of half-pound roach.
Lake Reports:
Lough MaskLough Carra
Galway Weir
Bunowen And Carrowniskey
Moher Lake and Kinlooey Lake
Lough Inagh Fishery
Kylemore Fishery
Costello Fishery
Coarse Fishing