ANGLING NOTES:AN INVITE from a long-standing friend of 35 years is sufficient notice to visit the Newport River in Co Mayo. Pat Smith, of Irish rugby and cricket fame, and now wine connoisseur, is keen for me to sample the delights of this fishery and the cuisine of Newport House.
“Derek, this river is one of the finest spate salmon rivers in the country and Lough Beltra is stuffed with salmon,” he says.
On arrival at Newport House we meet Kieran Thompson, proprietor of this magnificent country mansion, lovely Lough Beltra West and the Newport River. He tells of his affection for the house, his liking of good wine and displays a vast knowledge of salmon.
He expresses disappointment that the fisheries board curtailed spring fishing to catch and release, a decision based on catch returns. However, he points out that the installation of a fish counter is likely to reverse this decision.
“We’ll try the river today,” Pat says. “It’s high and clear and with plenty of cloud cover, we should meet a salmon.” Starting at Skerdagh River outflow, we proceed down the Junction Pool, Sheridan’s Pool and McDermott’s Pool. It’s the latter pool where all the action occurs.
With a long-tailed Cascade up, I meet a salmon and the pool erupts into life. Following a good struggle, Pat prepares to land the fish but instead the bank collapses and he tumbles head first into the fast-moving deep water.
With one hand playing the salmon, I manage on a second attempt to haul him up the bank. So, in actual fact, it is a “double catch”. The locals are quick to rename the pool “the swimming pool” hereafter. My fish weighs 3.4kg (7.5lb) and is the first from the river this season.
Over a spectacular dinner of local salmon and turbot we sample the wine list. Newport House has, perhaps, the best wine list in Ireland and boasts special interest in French wine, with emphasis on Rhone Valley wine supplied by Pat Smith. Our bottle of 1982 Burgundy was very palatable.
Our second day is arranged for Lough Beltra. Following an early start we arrive at Annagh cemetery, close to Lough Beltra boathouse, and meet our boatman Joe Donnellan. He is a member of Newport sea angling club and standby ghillie when resident boatman James is unavailable.
Strong south-westerly squalls and heavy rain make angling difficult; however, I rise a fish on a Curry’s Shrimp and before lunch Pat lands a fresh spring salmon on a Bibio on the “bob”. It is a great sight to see the fish take the fly on the surface in difficult conditions.
It should be pointed out that both our salmon are caught on barbless hooks and released unharmed.
Our day is rounded off with a second stint at “the swimming pool”, without success, and soon we say farewell to Kieran Thompson and his staff for a wonderful insight into his hidden gem.
Note: From tomorrow and continuing until August 31st, it is permitted to take three fish on Lough Beltra and Newport River. For bookings, tel. 098-41222 or fax: 098-41613.
- The Western Regional Fisheries Board hosted a most enjoyable afternoon of fly-tying and casting for 35 young people at Cushlough Bay on Lough Mask, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo last Friday week.
Fisheries staff gave a talk on development and protection work in the area and identified different fish species in display tanks. Anita and Dean Kerrigan from Cornamona were on hand for fly-tying lessons, and Ronan Cusack and Denis Kelleher demonstrated fly casting (without the flies).
The afternoon was rounded off with a treasure hunt and those in attendance received a “goodie bag”.
- Conditions were bright and windy, and catches modest, for last weekend’s Ballinrobe District Trout Anglers’ Association fly-fishing competition on Lough Mask. The two-day event attracted 88 anglers and a catch of 52 brown trout.
Fermanagh angler Paddy Corrigan emerged a clear winner with five fish for 5.1kg (11.35lb), almost twice the weight of his nearest rival’s. In second place and fresh from his win in last month’s “Charity” competition on Killarney’s Lough Lein, was Kanturk angler Michael Twohig, also with five fish.
Club treasurer Marie Walsh, assisted by Esther Sweeney, Stella Owens and Margaret Nestor, provided the catering on Sunday evening.