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Western Angling Report July 31st. 2001
by Danny Goldrick

The fine and warm weather conditions over the past week hampered wet fly fishing to a large degree with most of the trout caught either by dapping the grasshopper or by trolling baits. Fishermen trolling dead bait caught several large Ferox trout and there was one unconfirmed report of a 20 lb trout taken on the troll. 16 anglers fished in the Greenfields area where they landed 35 trout for 47.25 lb in 30- rod days, a lot of the trout caught while dapping either the grasshopper or cricket.

Jason Martin from Athlone was the winner of the Tourmakeady Trout Anglers' One-Day Classic wet fly competition last Sunday, having 3 trout for 4.01 lb. Second place went to John Walshe with 2 fish for 3.13 lb and John Martin was third with 3 for 3.11 lb. The winner took away a Burke-built boat with a new outboard engine. Best local angler on the day was Eric Jones who landed 2 trout for 3.01 lb. Fishing conditions on the day were completely against good returns, the highest temperatures of the season having an adverse affect on good angling. However, of the 200 anglers taking part 52 landed 69 trout. 16 anglers earlier in the week landed 24 trout for 29 lb in 23 angling days, mostly all to either the dap or wet fly. 2 anglers who stayed at Peter Roberts' guesthouse at Partry fished for 2 days and they had 10 trout for 12 lb, 5 of which were returned again to the water. Anglers are hoping for lower temperatures this coming weekend when the World Cup Trout We-fly competition will be held, catering for the biggest number of anglers ever - more than 700.

It is reported that the lough is having some of the largest hatches of chironomid fly than ever witnessed before, bringing some great trout to the surface late in the evenings, sometimes just before darkness. Anglers using dry fly are having best results, particularly to tyings of the chironomids and buzzers. Over the week 22 anglers landed 73 trout for 97 lb in 29-rod days, some trout to 2.5 lb. Over 18 rod days, some of which were very hot and calm, 16 anglers who were staying at Peter Roberts' guesthouse had 68 trout in 18 days, most of which were returned again to the water.

Salmon fishing has slowed up a lot in the past week even though water levels were reasonably good most of the time. Only 10 salmon were caught, two by Hans Greasler and Mark Ward, Germany and England respectively.

Salmon fishing has been fairly quiet in the past week, all due to lower water and higher temperatures. However, there are salmon being caught and two North of Ireland fishermen were luckiest having 3 for a day. Permits are available from Gaffney's Bar, Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66150, and from the local Fisheries Board office, 098 66404.

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.

David Felton and Neil Walker from Dublin, Alan Chadwick and a friend from Castlebar and other angler got between 2 and four fish per visit, and they also released a number of trout. Evening time seems to be best on the lough when the trout rise freely to hatches of fly. Permits and boats can be obtained from Michael McDonnell's house close to the lough, telephone: 098 21638.

Weather conditions were very much against good fishing in the past week, the light winds in particular and bright sunshine hampering wet fly methods. Colin Folan landed an 8 lb salmon at the famous Derryclare Butts, taken on a size 10 Donegal Blue. Colin very sportingly released the fish again. Colin reports having seen plenty of fresh-run salmon in the same area. He also reports that Bill Flynn from Dublin landed 6 trout to 2 lb on Lough Inagh, most to the Green Peter. Brian Davy from Dublin had 3 trout using the same pattern of fly along with the Donegal Blue. Enquiries to Colin Folan at Lough Inagh Valley Hotel, telephone: 095 34706.

No report this week

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has recently stocked the lough with trout to over 2 lb. 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, a lot of the recent rain having missed the same area. If rain comes to bring up the levels in the lough, then good fishing is expected.

No report this week

No Report This Week

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has also recently stocked the lough with trout to over 2 lb. For boat hire and permits anglers should contact: Edward Mannion, Aille, Westport, telephone: 098 35366

Over three weeks ago, 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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