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Western Angling Report August 21st. 2001
by Danny Goldrick

Heavy rain over the week brought up the lough level by at least 12 inches, rising the water from months of a very low summer level. While the water was quite discoloured for several days it didn't seem to hamper the trout angling as lots of trout continued to rise, anglers reporting good catches and plenty of action to both the wetflies and to the dapped terrestrial flies. 22 young anglers fished for the Kevin McQuinn Memorial Cup at Oughterard last Saturday, landing 15 trout for 22.5 lb. Young Joe McGauley emerged the winner with 4 trout for 7.5 lb, with Ronald Sweeney in second place with 3 for 5.5 lb, and 2 trout for 3.5 lb won third place for Alan McQuinn. In addition to the above catch in the Oughterard area, 92 trout for 131 lb were caught by 58 anglers over 90 rod days. Alan Cheevers and his friend had 10 for a day weighing 13.5 lb, all to wet fly and the dapped grasshopper. Eddie McCormack and Shay Welsh had 6 for 13.5 lb to wet fly. Vernan Chapman and Maurice O'Connell took 5 for 13.5 lb. They were using wet fly and the dapped terrestrials. Overall, it was another good week for anglers on the Corrib, many of them remarking on the number of quality trout coming to wet fly along with lots and lots of undersized trout being released again.

The lough continued to rise following heavy rain over several days within the area. However, there was some excellent trout angling on the lough whenever anglers ventured out between the torrential downpours. Hatches of flies including sedge, mayfly and some olives were pretty encouraging, especially in the late evenings when trout were seen to rise well to the various hatches of fly. Most of the trout were seen to rise in the deeper areas of the lough, not an uncommon sight for anglers in recent times as many of the better catches are taken over very deep water. Best wetflies over the week included mayfly and sedge patterns. One of the better catches over the week was by Brendan Smith and his friends from Northern Ireland who had 14 trout for 14 lb in a single day's wet fly fishing. The Partry anglers held a competition on Sunday, a number of them fishing Lough Mask while others fished Lough Carra, making up a total of 220 in all. Cork angler Tom Sweeney landed 4 trout for 5.65 lb to take first place, and in second place was another Cork angler, Frank Brady, who caught 3 trout for 5.10 lb. J. Maroney from Ennis had 4 for 4.20 lb for third place and Tony O'Regan from Headford landed the heaviest trout of the competition, a nice trout of 2.35 lb. The under-21 prize went to Robert Holian from Cross who's trout weighed 1.80 lb. Best Lady Angler prize was captured by well-known West of Ireland angler, Mary Feerick from Ballinrobe who recorded 2 trout for 3.75 lb. The competition yielded 85 trout for 120.61 lb and approximately of the catch was taken on Lough Mask.

Over the week, 236 anglers fished over 247 rod days and they accounted for 123 trout for 184 lb, best 2.5 lb.

While the catch of trout is quite low for the week, a lot of the anglers fishing the lough reported seeing big rises of fish but found them difficult to catch, not too surprising considering the very tiny flies the fish were feeding on, including the red and black ants which descended on the lough on one or two warm, calm evenings. Along with the ants there were also some mayfly, sedge, olives and a host of chironomids at times. The Western and North-Western Regional Fisheries Board held a challenge event on Thursday when the lough was flat calm until near weigh-in time. Only 12 trout were presented for the weighed-in, many others having been released again, the Western Board side having enough to win the day with Tommy Kelly and Frank Reilly having 3 each and Tony McQuinn having the heaviest trout of the competition. Padraic Munroe from Partry had 3 for an evening averaging over 1 lb, and Edwin Finley from Ballinrobe landed 1 for 3.75 for an evening. Over the week 61 anglers fished and they recorded 31 trout for 42.5 lb in 63 angling days.

The heavy rain has brought up the water levels to the stage where very few anglers bothered to fish. This is rather strange as the river holds lots of quality salmon at the moment. Only today the manager of the fishery, Seamus Hartigan, showed a group of young people from the Whitehart Lane area of London around the fishery. On the first cast one youngster hooked into and lost a large salmon. Minutes later another youngster hooked and landed a small grilse, all to the delight and cheers of the 16 other youngsters. Former World Coarse Angling Champion, Dave Coster, who has been involved in teaching and helping youngsters to fish, leads the group on a week's visit to the Moycullen Lakes area.

Both rivers are in perfect condition at the moment for better salmon angling, very heavy rain having lifted the levels to a perfect fishing height. 10 salmon were caught on the Bunowen River over two days last week, six on the Tuesday to fly and all weighing between 5 and 10 lb. Permits and licences from Charles Gaffney, Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66150, or the Fisheries Board office at Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66404.

Terry Gallagher reports from this fishery: days of rain caused a very large flood on the system that made for difficult angling conditions last week. That said, 76 sea trout and 1 salmon were recorded.

When the rain did eventually ease off Mr Peter Hughes (Kildare) was on Formoyle Lough and landed 9 sea trout including a 4 lb fish. The flood brought in plenty of fresh fish and Mr Hughes struck again, this time on Carrick Lough where he recorded 7 sea trout and a 6 lb salmon. Mr Watson and Mr G. Fitzjohn had a succession of productive outings, recording 7 sea trout on Glenicmurrin Lough, 18 on Carrick Lough and 10 on Formoyle Lough.

The system still remains in flood after more rain but should be at its best when the flood starts to fall. For information on bookings and accommodation please contact Terry Gallagher at 091 572 196.

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

The river is at Belclare, near Westport, and anglers can fish there by Contact Tom Bourke for permits at: 086 8331586.

Michael Hayes and Frank Moran and friends landed a number of trout for an evening on the lough. Reports say that fishing has improved considerably, especially in the evening time. Enquiries for boats and permits to McDonnell's, Liscarney, 098 21638.

Colin Folan, manager of the fishery, says that the lough and rivers were flooded out for most of the week, the heaviest rain in months having up the levels to beyond winter height. Strong winds also kept anglers off the waters. However, some sea trout and a salmon were caught, the salmon - one of 8 lb - taken at Derryclare Butts by Paddy Corcoran from Dublin. Colin and M. Trimble caught the 8 trout, best 2 lb. Enquiries for fishing to Colin at: 095 34706.

No report this week

For boat hire and permits anglers should contact John Scott's Shop, Aughergower, telephone: 098 25119.

Nancy Naughton (095 41143) says that lots of rain is required to bring more salmon and trout into Kylemore Lough.

John and Sue Brittain, Sharamore House, Clifden (Tel. 095 21073) sends this report: Jaco van t'Hof from Holland had a group of 9 anglers fishing aboard blue Water from 6th to 11th August and despite windy conditions throughout the week they had good fishing, recording 19 different species. Jaco had the biggest fish of the week, which was a Ling of 23 lbs, just 2 lbs short of a specimen weight of 25 lbs. It took a mackerel flapper fished at anchor over one of John's favourite marks that yielded a 30 lb ling last year. The group also had over 40 Congers, best of which was an estimated 22lbs, one blue shark, a haddock of 5lb and a spur dog. The pollock were, as always, plentiful and 400kgs were caught on group's second day's fishing, mostly on light tackle.

Anglers fishing out of Westport are having a lot of different species of fish including cod, pollock, mackerel, ling, wrasse as well as various species of flat fish. Anglers wishing to go fishing in Clew Bay for a day can contact: Vinny Keogh, The Helm, Westport, Co. Mayo, telephone: 098 28918 or 098 26398.

No Report This Week

This beautiful small lough is giving some good trout fishing as it holds both farmed and wild native trout, some of the wild native trout weighing up to several pounds. The lough is located a few miles from Westport, close to Jigger Jay's Public House, on the Ballinrobe Road. The Western Regional Fisheries Board has improved the mooring and car parking area and anglers wishing to fish there can contact Edward Mannion, 098 35366.

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

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