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Western Angling Report July 17th. 2001
by Danny Goldrick

Fishermen trolling deep and using dead bait recorded some exceptionally large trout during the past week. These Ferox trout were caught in areas of the lough where they were feeding on roach or perch fry. John Gibbons, Oughterard, who already landed 9 this season, caught four trout for 50.75 lb over just a few hours on Sunday evening. The heaviest was 16 lb and the smallest 9.75 lb. The same angler landed 4 for over 52 lb just 12 months ago, a record for 5 hours fishing. Eugene McMahon from Galway fished outside the Cong River area where he landed a specimen trout of over 11 lb. He was accompanied by his 14-year-old son Seamus who two months ago had a specimen trout of 10.5 lb. Harold O'Toole from Galway also landed a large trout while fishing a competition on Sunday. His specimen trout weighed 16 lb.

Apart from a few anglers trolling for large trout and salmon, there has been very little fly-fishing for trout. However, a few nice catches were made by anglers dapping the natural insects and one angler had 5 trout for a day in the Cornamona are when dapping crickets. In the Oughterard area 9 anglers landed 13 trout for 19.5 lb while fly-fishing and dapping, Martin Cassidy from Dublin having 8 for two days' dapping.

12 anglers in the Greenfields and Cornamona area took 22 trout for 35.5 lb in 12-rod days, mostly all to trolling spoon and dead bait.

There are good reports from the lough this week where anglers are having lots of action to both to wet fly and dapping, wet fly being the main method of taking the larger catches. Winds were light to moderate with a lot of heavy rain at times, helping in particular hatches of sedge. There were hatches of mayfly too at times and trout were seen to rise to them in several areas of the lough.17 anglers fished during the week and they took 31 trout for 43 lb, best 2.5 lb. Tom Byrne from Partry landed 3 for a day to wet fly and John Monroe from the same place had 5 for 6.5 lb for a day. Best flies over the week included: Olive Bumble, mayfly, sedge and olive patterns.

The Tourmakeady Anglers' Club are holding a competition from Gortmore Pier on July 29 to raise development funds for the lake and rivers. The Club is offering excellent prizes including a new boat, trailer and loads of fishing tackle. Entries before July 25 to Liam Conroy (092) 44177

We have good reports from the lough this week: Dr. Paddy Gargan and Dr. Martin O'Grady from the Central Fisheries Board fished over two days last week and they have nothing but praise for the trout angling, each day each having a lot of action with both the wet and dry fly and each having landed at least 5 trout over the two days, all between 1.25 and 1.75 lb. Local angler from Ballinrobe Ronan Cusack had 5 for 7.25 lb, and Pat McDonnell from Athlone had 1 for 2.5 lb and broke in a very heavy trout. 3 North of Ireland anglers landed 6 for 7.5 lb and John Monroe from Partry took 3 for 7.5 lb, best 4 lb. Tom Byrne from Partry recorded 7 for 13 lb over two days, and 13 anglers staying at Peter Roberts' guesthouse recorded 23 caught, and they returned 16 again to the water. Over the week 27 anglers caught 59 trout for 78 lb in 51 angling days. Best flies were: mayfly and olive patterns, Invicta, Green Peter, Dabbler patterns and various dry mayfly patterns, including the Mosley pattern.

24 salmon were taken between July 10 and July 16, the heaviest of 9 lb by Eugene Quigley who also had a 4.5 lb fish the same day. Louis Vambeck had two for a day to fly for 6.5 lb and John Menzies also took 2 for a day for 8lb. Jim Dorris landed a 7 lb fish and one of 4.5 lb. Jim Garvey took a nice fish of 8 lb. Enquiries to: Seamus Hartigan at 091 562388.

There's heavy rain falling in the Louisburgh area today and all the rivers will have flood conditions that will suit salmon fishing. Quite a few salmon were caught last week including 2 by Mr. Fleming; 3 by Terry Brown and 3 by Seamus Ball. Enquiries for permits and licences to Gaffney's Bar, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, telephone: 098 66404, or the Fisheries Board office at Ballyhip, Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66404.

The Erriff Salmon River has been giving excellent results during the past few weeks, all immensely helped by the heavy rain in the catchment area. A most recent day's catch came to over 40 salmon, one of the best days ever on this famous fishery. There are rods available during August and September and the newly refurbished Aasleagh Lodge, situated on the fishery, has first-class accommodation and full Board. Enquiries: 095 42252.

This fishery produces around 500-600 salmon per year. It has very comfortable accommodation at its Aashleigh Lodge, providing a high standard of cuisine and specialising in the best quality seafood. The lodge has recently undergone extensive renovations throughout bringing a whole new dimension of comfort to the house. Owing to the timely competition of the renovation programme there is currently availability for fishing at the river with accommodation at Aashleigh Lodge in August and September. This is an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic anglers to avail of fishing on this important fishery. Interested anglers should contact the manager of the fishery, Jim Stafford, Aashleigh Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway, telephone: 095 42252, or E-mail: Erriff.fish@iol.ie

This small river is producing quite a few salmon and a fresh run is taking place at the moment. The river is at Belclare, near Westport, and anglers can fish there by contact Tom Bourke for permits at: 086 8331586.

For boats and permits contact Mrs Mc Donnell, Liscarney, Westport, telephone: 098 21638.

Fresh-run salmon are continuing to enter the fishery and anglers should have a lot more action in the weeks ahead. Last week Richard McMahon from Westmeath landed a good 9.5 lb fish to an Ally Shrimp, and Neil Gilchrist from the UK had one of 5.5 lb to a Bibio, having lost two earlier. Fishing a Bibio Michael Heery from Dublin took an 8.5 lb, and there were other catches too. Enquiries: Colin Folan, Lough Inagh Valley Lodge, telephone: 095 34706.

No report for this week.

Boats and permits can be had from John Scott's Shop, Aghergower, Westport, telephone 098 25119.

While conditions, overall, were quite good all week, not as many salmon were taken as expected. However, as the lake rises with recent heavy rain in the area, there should be a big improvement in salmon and trout fishing. Marty Beatty was one of the lucky anglers last week landing a 4 lb salmon and three sea trout, his best trout weighing 1.5 lb. Enquiries to Nancy Naughton, Kylemore House, telephone: 095 41146.

No report for this week.

No Report This Week

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has opened up a new lake near Westport for brown trout fishing. It is one of the most picturesque lakes in the area and only last week the native trout stock was supplemented by trout averaging over 1 lb. Indeed some of the trout are over 2 lb. The contact for boat hire and permits is: Edward Mannion, Aille, Westport, telephone: 098 35366 (the lake and Mr. Mannion's house is close to Digger Jay's public house on the Westport/Ballinrobe Road).

Last week, The Western Regional Fisheries Board carried out a second restocking this summer of several hundred brown trout at the Galway City Canals. The 300 trout, which average over 1 lb with some up to 2 lb in weight, were distributed throughout the canals by staff from the Board and supervised by Assistant Inspector Sean Francis.

Fishing tackle shops and tackle suppliers in the City, including The Great Outdoors, Freeney's, Duffy's, Gowran & Bradshaw, generously sponsored the restocking.

The main purpose of the restocking is to entice as many youngsters as possible to involve them selves in angling. The Board is asking that the fishing be left for the youngsters and that hopefully adult anglers will return all their catch again to the water.

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