THE MAYFLY IS UP – well, almost! On Corrib, a welcome improvement in fishing saw hatches of mayfly becoming more prevalent as the week progressed in the Cornamona area. Anglers fishing the dap became more effective too with increasing availability of hatching mayfly and fly life on the water.
Deirdre Forde from Camillaun Angling Centre in Oughterard said plenty of anglers braved some very windy conditions searching for the elusive mayfly. The annual visit of “Johnny Macs” Welsh party took place at Camillaun – having changed dates to “hit it right”, they managed to boat 67 trout, all to wet mayflies fished beneath the surface.
With the hawthorn flower starting to open – the mayfly hatch is anticipated in earnest in the coming days. There are plenty of boats available ready for the enthusiastic angler. Call Deirdre at 091-552678.
Mixed fishing on Mask
On Mask, it was a similar story with mayfly hatches beginning to improve. Anglers enjoyed mixed fishing, mostly to olives and sedges, with reports of large numbers of small fish encountered.
Best flies for the week were Sooty Olive, Red Tailed Green Peter and Claret Dabbler. For bookings, tel: 087-790 8107 or isham@eircom.net
Spotted beauty
On Wednesday mayfly emerg- ed in good numbers on Sheelin on the northern side in Holly- well Bay and Walkers Bay. While the gulls and swallows enjoyed the occasion, the trout were reluctant to respond. However, I managed to catch a spotted beauty of just over a kilo on a mayfly pattern.
Scattered hatches of mayfly were observed on Conn particularly in sheltered bays on the western shore, but olive and buzzer patterns continue to yield good catches. Ronnie Chambers, Belfast, had five trout over two days, best 2kg from Victoria Bay.
Enjoyed a morning session on Lough Lein in Killarney last Sunday with Timo O'Sullivan and Phil Horan from Lein Anglers' Club. On probably the first occasion this season, the lake was completely flat with little or no wind which made fly fishing difficult.
Nevertheless, close to Heron Island and Mahony's Bay hatches of duckfly and alder brought trout to the surface but most fell short on "the take", except one nice trout for Phil on a Matt Gorman pattern.
First salmon
The first salmon of 2013 was landed last weekend on the Derryclare Butts at Lough Inagh by regular guest, Eileen Magill from Donegal. The fish of 5.7kg took a size 10 Cascade and was visibly marked from dolphins at sea.
Next day, Andy Bowman, Scotland, caught and released a fresh grilse of 2.7kg, also at the Butts on a Yellow Badger. For bookings, contact Colin
at 00353 95 34706 or www.loughinaghlodgehotel.ie
Gates closed on Galway Weir
After three weeks of heavy water, the OPW finally closed 10 sluice gates on the Galway Weir, and with four open the river came into fishable level again last Monday. The river
is still a little high for the fly to be effective, and most of the fish have been taken on shrimp.
Given the relatively dry forecast and falling lake levels, it is hoped more gates will be closed soon, and we will see decent fly conditions. With grilse arriving on time and fresh spring fish being taken in good numbers upstream, prospects look very good for the next couple of weeks, fisheries inspector Kevin Crowley said.
The Golden Olive Rozzer is a very effective mayfly pattern and popular amddong western lough anglers due to its colour variations. Rozzer patterns are tied in a variety of olive shades with a hint of red or orange seals fur added to the second half of the body.
"They are really attractive and a useful pattern to have in the fly box", Jimmy Tyrrell said. See irishflycraft@gmail. com or call 086-845 1257.
Bonefishing
It's time to start thinking about planning a bonefishing trip to Delphi Club in the Bahamas. Bookings are already brisk for the upcoming October 2013 to July 2014 season.
There's great bonefishing to be had throughout the season and, for the third year running, prices remain steady. You don't have to pay more to enjoy one of the best Bahamian bonefishing venues! Contact: mail@delphi-
bahamas.com
angling@irishtimes.com