The River Moy enjoyed a very productive week with over 600 salmon reported throughout the length of the system, indicating the grilse are running and travelling despite the lack of fresh water.
In Ballina, more and more fish are beginning to settle into the main beats with 54 off the Ridge Pool, 13 from the Weir Pool and six off the Cathedral Beat. On the Ridge Pool, Colin Farrell and Seán Logan, both from Northern Ireland, landed fresh fish of 4.5kg and 5kg while Seán Maye also had a nice fish of 4.5kg, all on fly.
East Mayo Anglers’ Water again enjoyed great catches, with 115 salmon recorded. Here, visiting angler Dietmar Jansen, Germany, enjoyed his day with three grilse and one salmon of 5.3kg on fly.
The Moy Fishery is hosting its annual Juvenile Angling Day on the Cathedral Beat in Ballina today, starting at 9am. Call 096-22788 or email ballina@fisheriesireland.ie.
Perfect water levels
At Galway Weir, water levels were perfect all week, with the weir operating at one gate open. The run of grilse has been very good with 132 fish landed, mostly to fly. Among the happy anglers were brothers Dave and Declan O'Reilly with a fish each. However, it was Declan who took the family bragging rights with a beautiful salmon of 6.8kg, taken on the fly, the best fish of the week by a long way.
Ballisodare in numbers
Yet another excellent week at the Ballisodare Fishery with 241 salmon, the majority of which were released. The fly, prawn and worm accounted for good numbers with Pat Forkan landing the best fish of 6.2kg, on fly. Bookings: 086-2515064.
Grilse on the run
While water levels remained on the low side, this has not stopped the large run of grilse into Lough Inagh. Fourteen salmon were recorded last week for 40 rod days, the best fish by Andy Walsh at 3.6kg on a Fr Ronan pattern. The sea trout catch is still poor, however, they are entering in good numbers on the fish counter downstream at Ballynahinch. Call 095-34706.
Fruitful tides
Fishing at Ballynahinch over the past few weeks was very fruitful with large numbers of good-sized grilse and sea trout arriving on every tide. Water levels remained near-perfect and anglers enjoyed success for both salmon and trout.
Sna Beg proved the most productive beat with Roseanne O'Grady-Walshe, Stephen Cullinane, Des Lally, Jonathan Broderick and Sean Ryan all having success in recent days. Those anglers who specifically target sea trout and are willing to brave the Connemara midge are enjoying good success, especially in the evening. To book, call 095-31006 or see ballynahinch-castle.com.
Tricky trout
On Sheelin, the number of anglers dwindled as the week progressed and trout proved difficult to catch, a stark contrast from previous weeks. The lake goes relatively quiet for a short while at this time and it can be a difficult period for the angler.
There are still big hatches of caenis and alder when conditions are mild and calm. Sedges too play an important part of the trout’s diet on Sheelin and these will continue until the end of season. The sedge is commonly fished ‘dry’ either singly (calm conditions) or in teams of two, positioned four to six feet apart.
Whilst dry flies are normally fished static, sedge patterns are best retrieved with short pulls to mimic the skittering motion on the water's surface.
Good sport
Many anglers continue to enjoy good sport on Conn, despite a drop in angling effort. Fishing out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, John Costello and Ian Quinn, Co Kildare, boated six good trout and many smaller fish on Olives.
Mayfly up on Corrib
On Corrib, the drop in temperature, along with good winds and showers, provided a chance to once again fish the mayfly. Large hatches were reported in various parts of the lake. A Corrib Federation Cup competition out of Kilbeg was won by Peadar Gavin with five trout, all on mayfly patterns.
Wales nets prize
Home territory paid off for Wales in last weekend's International Fly Fishing Association (IFFA) competition on the River Taff in south Wales, as the team romped to a commanding victory with 43 fish, 23 ahead of Ireland who finished in bronze position.
