2004-04-06
by Danny Goldrick
Lough Corrib: Despite some stormy and very wet weather trout fishing continued to show good returns over most of the week, especially in the Cornamona, Greenfields and Oughterard areas. However, some of the areas that normally fish well during the duckfly period this time round showed little promise even though hatches of fly were good enough to entice them to feed. Overall, though, anglers were happy enough with results in most areas of the lough. Hatches of duckfly were good on the calmer days and some olives were seen to hatch in certain bays including Salthouse Bay, one of the more famous bays on the lough for big hatches of olives in season.
30 staff and Board members of the Western Regional Fisheries Board took part in a competition fished from the Derrymoyle shore and they accounted for 33 trout for 18.859 kilos, first place going to local man Tom Kelly who had 6 trout for 2.990 kilos. Martin Butler was second with four for 2.745 kilos, and John Kelly had 3 for 1.430 kilos to take third place. A group of ten Welsh anglers fished over 8 days from Lakelands guesthouse and they recorded 99 trout weighing approximately 150 lb, heaviest of 2 lb 10 ozs by Terence Lambert. Co. Cork anglers Rory Quiligan and David Walsh landed a 9 lb and a 10 lb trout to the troll. Eddie Chapman from the UK had a trout of over 10 lb and a friend with him the same day landed one of 7.75 lb.
One of the best returns for a day's wet fly fishing was by Joe O'Neill from Newry who recorded 7 trout for 10 lb. The strong winds at the weekend hampered fishing in the Greenfields area where the Irish Ladies International Team held a competition that was won by Madeline Kelly with 3 trout for 1.299 kilos. Martin Murray won the Ballindiff Anglers' competition on Sunday with 2 trout while Joe Trill was second and P. Murphy was third. 17 anglers in the Greenfields area had 32 trout for 52.25 lb in 23 angling days
52 anglers fished the Commercial Club's competition from Galway on Sunday, Paddy Gargan taking the honours with 3 trout for 3 lb 9 ozs. Garda Sergeant Michael Bradley from Galway and Whitehall, Dublin, had 2 trout for the same weight but the first prize of a boat went to Paddy Gargan, he having one more trout than Michael.
Lough Mask: 26 anglers landed 27 trout for 34 lb in 49 angling days, not a good return because of the stormy weather conditions at the weekend. Michael Gallagher won the Dargle Anglers' competition from David Hall's Angling Centre with two trout for 4.45 lb. Second was Brian Ridel who also had two for 2 lb 45 lb, and Sean Gilroy landed 1 fish for 2. 15 lb. An excellent bag of trout was taken by Sean Corry and a friend from Dublin when they caught 7 for 9 lb in just a single day's wet fly fishing. Reports say that duckfly hatches were scarce during the past week but should be really well on by this coming weekend.
Galway Weir Salmon Fishery: Six spring salmon were caught in the past few days, heaviest of 13 lb by Sean O'Toole, Galway. Michael Rodgers from had one of 12 lb and Kevin Hannon's fish was 12.5 lb. Paddy McNamara landed a nice fish of 10.5 lb and Henry Cosgrove took a fish of 9 lb. All fish were either caught on spinners or shrimp.
Cong River: The first salmon of the season was caught in recent days by a German angler who is visiting the area on a fishing holiday. It weighed 14 lb and staff from the Western Regional Fisheries Board took full particulars of the catch.
Bunowen River: The Western Regional Fisheries Board has carried out a lot of repairs to the footbridges and stiles along the river in recent times and the Board appreciates the co-operation by the landowners, as always. There are signs of some salmon in the river and hopefully anglers will soon land the first of the season. Permits and licences can be had from the Board's office at Ballyhip, Louisburgh, telephone: 098 66404.
Moher Lough: The lough was restocked with adult trout on April 5 th and anglers can obtain boats and permits from McDonnell's, Liscarney, Westport, telephone: 098 21638.
Aille Lough: This very beautiful lough was also restocked on April 5 th . By the Western Regional Fisheries Board. Permits and boats can be had from Edward Mannion's house at Ayle, beside Jigger Jay's Pub, off the Ballinrobe/Westport road. Telephone: 098 35366.
Kinlooey Lough: The Western Regional Fisheries Board restocked the lough on April 5 th with large trout averaging over 1 lb. Permits and boats can be hired from John Scott's Shop, Aughagower, Westport, telephone: 098 25119.
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