ANGLING NOTES:FOLLOWING a fish stock survey on Lough Carra, Co Mayo, in 2009 by teams from the former central fisheries board, Dr Martin O'Grady, senior research officer, said: "The current trout stock is one of the largest and most balanced ever recorded in a survey of an Irish lake in the last 30 years. Trout anglers should keep a close eye on Carra in the coming seasons."
The report went on: “Enhancement works of Carra’s spawning streams in the 1990s has led to increased recruitment of juvenile trout and a doubling of adult stock to the lake.” The results are sure to provide a welcome boost to the local rural communities of south Mayo as Irish and overseas anglers look to visit Carra, the report concluded.
To further enhance prospects of a good catch on Carra, Inland Fisheries Ireland-Galway has recently produced a comprehensive trout-angling guide of the lake. The centre spread depicts a map clearly identifying 11 vantage points from Brownstown to Roberts’ Pier, northwards to Castleburke and back to Moorehall.
Recommended fly patterns, boat hire, accommodation and indeed, a host of information to get the best possible fishing from the lake are neatly laid-out and presented in a weatherproof laminated format. Kevin Crowley of IFI-Galway did a splendid job on design.
The guide costs €2 and is available from tackle shops in the area, or by post (€1 extra) from IFI, Teach Breac, Earl’s Island, Galway.
- Salmon reports tohand speak of some magnificent spring fish so far this season. Are we beginning to see the fruits of the drift-net closure? Prospects do look good for the grilse run this year. It started on Delphi for German angler Werner Zirngibl with a ranched fish of 7.7kg (16lb 9oz) on a Collie Dog from the Rock Pool. This was followed by Howard Williams's fish of 16.25lb on a yellow Cascade Shrimp from the Owenduff River.
Brendan Burns from Derry then stepped up with his 8.4kg (18.7lb) salmon from the Crooked Hole on the River Drowes. And now, read on for another terrific fish.
- Lough Beltra fishedvery well over the past week, with James O'Hora's boat accounting for three fine fish in one day. Richard McDowell and Jonathan Murray from Northern Ireland each had one early in the day and Murray followed up with a cracking salmon of 7.7kg (17lb). All fish caught recently were released in line with the catch-and-release system in force until May 12th.
- Carrowmore Lake producednine springers for the week. Angling instructor Paddy McDonnell and Granville Nesbitt enjoyed a good day's fishing in calm conditions near the Glencullin River. Paddy caught a salmon on a Claret Bumble and released several sea trout kelts. Granville also found success with a fine springer of 5kg (11lb) which ran into the backing line on its first run.
- Trout fishing haspicked up on Mask with the first sightings of olives in Cushlough Bay. Cork anglers Ger Linehan and Pat Winning had four nice fish on Tuesday, and Ronan Cusack also landed a good fish on Tuesday evening of 1.7kg (3.75lb).
- John McLaughlin willhost a flycasting course this Saturday at the Meadows Rainbow Fishery, Rossnakill, Co Donegal. Tuition will include single and double-handed casting and is limited to six people. The cost is €35 pp.
Details at 087-2929888 or jmclswillyflies@eircom.net.
- Lough Ree InternationalPike Festival has taken on a new tag with inclusion of the Pike World Cup in Athlone, Co Westmeath, from April 13th-15th. While the festival format will not change, the World Cup will go to the boat with the longest total length of pike over three days by counting one fish each day.
Maximum entry is 100 boats (200 anglers) and total prize money will reach €28,000. The tournament is open to all anglers. Details pikefishinginireland.com or Dave Houghton at 071- 9642743.
angling@irishtimes.com