Angling Notes: Trout and salmon fishing slowed down considerably on the great western lakes and rivers last week, thanks to strong, blustery winds and heavy rain.
On Lough Conn, Co Mayo, sporadic mayfly hatches continued in sheltered bays, but few anglers ventured out. Spent fishing was reduced to nil, due to the bad weather. In all, 280 trout and 20 salmon were reported, the heaviest trout, at 4.25lb, caught by Eric Mawbey, England.
Fishing was also poor on Lough Arrow, Co Sligo, with only two fish reported for the week. Noel Fairbanks caught a good one of 4.5lb on a green peter pattern.
Only 17 anglers set out from Oughterard, Co Galway, (low by Corrib standards), and returned 34 trout. M. Plassard from France fared best, with 16 fish over five days to the dap and wet fly. The Defence Forces held its annual competition from Knockferry and Annaghdown, Co Galway, and 93 anglers caught 80 trout, returning about 46. Comdt Noel Loughnane led the field, with three fish for 4.5lb.
Once again, Lough Mask, Co Mayo, was an exception to the rule. Six tourists enjoyed fantastic fishing on the lough. Fishing in pairs with Rod Tye, Ronan Cusack and Frank Reilly, the visitors accounted for 82 trout, best 4.25lb, mostly to wet fly. All fish were returned. Some mayfly continued to hatch, but only in certain areas. Claret patterns and green peter tyings proved best.
John Joe Langan, Shrule, Co Mayo, caught a specimen trout of 7.32lb while fishing the Black River, Co Mayo. The western fisheries board carried out development work here three years ago, providing better spawning areas and holding pools.
Following on from his first video, depicting early-season duckfly fishing for wild brown trout on Lough Corrib, Co Galway, Roy Peirce has released the second in a series of three videos entitled Corrib Seasons.
This latest video focuses on olives and mayfly, and describes the tactics, techniques and boatmanship required to catch trout, and the intricacies of the summer hatches.
The hour-long video takes us aboard Peirce's boat for olive and mayfly fishing, including dapping the natural. Fly-tying expert Paul Douras, assembles appropriate patterns, including the golden olive, the mayfly, green wulff and the French partridge mayfly.
To obtain a copy of Corrib Seasons: Summer - Olives and Mayfly, e-mail: grasshopper@indigo.ie or write to Roy Peirce, Grasshopper Cottage, Cornamona, Co Galway. Price €29.50, including P&P.
On the Costello Fishery, Co Galway, Senator John Dardis landed an excellent salmon of 13lb 4oz on Lough Fermoyle and Michael MacDonagh, Galway, responded with a fine 9lb salmon from Derreen Lough on a black shrimp. The same fly proved effective for John Connolly, Co Clare, with a 12lb fish from River Beat 2.
Stephen Ross encountered a lot of problems with his single-handed fly rod to land a good fish of 10lb from the west bank of the Galway Weir Salmon Fishery. Considering the huge amount of water in the river and six sluice gates open, this was a wonderful angling feat by any standards. In all, 38 salmon were caught for the week, 31 of which were grilse.
E-mail: angling@irish-times.ie
