Castlebar Main Index

Previous Reports:

Western Angling Report August 28th. 2001
by Danny Goldrick

There were many reports of good fishing to wet fly and to the dapped terrestrial flies such as the grasshopper, daddy-long-legs and to the "cricket fly." In recent times, say in the past two years, anglers are using cricket fly for dapping and they are having wonderful success (these flies can be purchased in pet shops and are normally used for feeding to pet birds.) In the Oughterard area, where trout fishing was considered quite good when conditions suited fly fishing, 30 anglers landed 58 trout for 81 lb in 88 angling days, Daniel Kiely from Cork having 6 for 7.5 lb and John Eustace and a friend having 4 for 5.5lb. Mr. L. Downing from the USA had 2 nice trout for 5.25 lb.

There are many reports of very large Ferox trout caught by fishermen trolling the lough with spoon baits and dead roach, and only one week ago a regular French visitor to the Varley family in Cong caught 3 magnificent trout while fishing from shore of Lough Corrib near Cong. His trout weighed 15, 12 and 10 lb, all taken on a worm.

In the Greenfields area of the lough, over the past two weeks, 65 anglers landed 81 trout for 171 lb in 67 angling days, best, 4.75 lb. Brian O'Rourke from Tuam won the Andrew Egan Cup competition last Sunday, weighing-in a 4.75 lb trout; Ronan Sweeney, Galway, was second with just 1 trout for 1.5 lb and Frank Hession had a 1.25 lb trout for third place. There were plenty of fly on the water under certain conditions only, including some mayfly and sedge. Best wet flies recently were: green peter, mayfly patterns and octopus, Murrough and daddylonglegs.

The cloudy and wet weather early in the week suited anglers best for trout fishing on the lough but the weekend conditions of bright sunshine and calm waters brought about poor angling catches. There were mayfly hatches and some sedge early in the week, too, and some trout were seen to take them. 41 anglers recorded 46 trout for 63 lb for about 40 days, best fish weighing over 3 lb. Ronan Cusack and T. Gibb won the Ballinrobe & District Anglers'two-day wet fly competition with 4 trout for 6 lb 9 ozs, and with 5 for 6 lb 6 ozs N. and T. McLoughlin was second, followed by Robbie O'Grady and N. Farren with 3 for 3.25 lb. Best Rod prize went to Harry Smith and Kevin Sheridan took the Heaviest Trout prize. 33 trout for 47.5 lb were caught over the two days. Toby Gibbons, Secretary of the Westport Anglers' Club, reports that 36 anglers fished for the Stephen Walsh and John McKenna trophies last Sunday, Joe Berry emerging the winner with one trout for 2 lb to take the Stephen Walsh cup. Seamus O'Malley was second with a fish for 1.5 lb. Overall, only 7 trout were caught for the day.

Only a small number of anglers fished the lough in the past week and their returns just came to 6 trout for 9 lb in 12 days fishing.

Owing to the construction of a new walk for anglers downstream of the Cathedral Bridge, several disruptions over the past two weeks have taken place, the sluice gates having to be closed somewhat to allow for the construction work. However, despite the river having lots of salmon, there is very little angling being carried out. Local and visiting anglers can obtain salmon fishing at this famous fishery by telephoning the manager, Seamus Hartigan, telephone: 091 562388.

With very heavy rain early last week, the salmon fishing once again improved on the Bunowen River, latest information from the area indicating 5 caught for one day and 4 caught for another. Permits can be obtained from Gaffney's Bar, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo, telephone: 098 66150.

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

Jim Stafford reports that: between August 1-10, there was a lot of bright sunshine, low water most of the time but rain on the 6th and 7th improved water levels, resulting in 21 salmon and 40 sea trout caught.

Included in the catch was 4 salmon by Mr. J. Langdon from the UK; 3 by Mr. P. Wymes from Navan; 2 for 12.5 lb by Dr. Gregory Forde in just 2 hrs fishing at the Washing Pool and King's Pool, on Beat 4; 2 by Mr. Thornton at the Sally Pool & Hawthorne Run; 3 by Mr. Cotton and party from N. Ireland on an Alley Shrimp and Stoat's Tail; and 6 by Mr. J. Keogh & Mr. D. Edwards on Beats 5 & 6.

Over the week ending August 18, 32 salmon and 46 sea trout were caught. During the same week there were several flood levels, resulting in some excellent fishing for the anglers visiting this wonderful salmon fishery.

Mr. R. Pierce from Cornamona and Gillie Angling Centre took 2 fish the only time conditions were poor on the one day he visited the fishery. Over 4 days, Mr. T. Butler, Mr. M. Leaning & Mr. G. Thurlow, Eng. had 11 fish, best 9.25 and 9 lbs. Mr. A. Mathews, Moyard, Co. Galway, caught 5 fish on Beat 4, releasing 4. Master Brendan Duffy, Irl. landed 3 at the School House Run, on Beat 3, and Mr. B. McKeever & Mr. T. Corcoran, Dublin, took 2 salmon on Beat 8, best 11lbs. It was their first salmon ever.

Then, between August 19 -26, torrential rains brought about one massive spate, which rose above the maximum 2.5 metres on the water level gauge at the fishery. There were fewer anglers on the fishery but, nevertheless, 18 salmon and 38 sea trout were caught.

Mr. J. McCullough and Mr. J. Holden, Dublin, took 6 fish during their visit, Mr. McCullough having a fresh-run 8lb while fishing the General's Reach. Lady N. Clarke & Mrs. S. Cotton, N. Ireland, each took a fish on Beats 5 and 6, using a Shrimp Fly. Also having a fish each from the same Beats were Mr. G. Beattie & Mr. D. Patton, N. Ireland.

On his first visit to the fishery, Mr. M. Livingstone, Eng. took a 7.25 fish to a Shrimp Fly, also landing and releasing 9 sea trout on the same beat. Mr. Glennie and Mr. Mike Northcott from England paid a visit to the fishery and on his first day he landed and released 9 sea trout at Beat 9. The following day he landed a 5 lb 2 oz salmon at the Glenanane Stones, on Beat 7, followed by 3 salmon from Beat 2, best 8 lb. Mr. D. Daly, Dublin, took a fish on a Colly Dog from the Hawthorne Run Beat 7.

During his very first visit to the fishery, Mr. T. Barter from England caught two salmon at Beat 3, using a Stoat's Tail & a Shrimp Fly.

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

Toby Gibbons reports good fishing on the lough in recent times, saying he took some youngsters to the lough and they all caught trout, some to near 2 lb. Frank Moran from Castlebar also caught 3; Mr. M.J.Glennie from Southampton also got 3, and Declan Ridge from Connemara landed 2. Permits and boat hire can be arranged through Mrs Margaret McDonnell, Liscarney, telephone: 098 21638.

No report this week

Paul Bedford won the Galway Coarse Angling competition at Lough Down with 5 kilos of roach and small bream. Cathal Hughes, the well-known International anglers, came second with 4.5 kilos and a visiting English angler was third with a similar weight to Cathal's. The next competition is at Ballyquirke next Sunday and anglers wishing to compete should contact Duncan Browne, telephone: 095 32296.

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

No report this week

Jim Kelly, runs a deep sea angling service from the Galway Docks, reports excellent fishing in the past two weeks for a large variety of sea fish, including lots and lots of pollock, quite a few quality cod to feathers (smallest 8 lb), 2 specimen red gurnard, pollock to 19 lb, loads of mackerel, one skate weighing 160 lb taken off the Cliffs of Moher, at least 30-40 shad a day and good catches of haddock. Two weeks ago one of his guests hooked into a massive porbeagle shark, just off Innisheer, and following a brief fish angler and fish parted company.

Jim tells me that he is planning a number of blue shark trips over the next few weeks and would like to hear from anglers interested in taking a trip. He has information that there is tuna roughly 70 miles off the coast and he plans some trips to encounter these much sought-after king of sporting fish. Jim Kelly's boat is purpose-built for deep-sea angling, is 43 feet long and is named "Garnish Glory." Jim can be reached at: 091 589125, 086 2936621.

Recent reports from Westport say that Clew Bay deep-sea angling id first class with about 15 different varieties of fish being caught by the boats fishing between Clew Bay Innishturk. For day or weekly bookings anglers should contact: Vinny Keogh, The Helm, Westport, telephone: 098 26398/26427/26194.

No Report This Week

No Report this week

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

Castlebar Main Index

Lake Reports: