THE SPRING run has arrived in earnest on the River Moy with 107 salmon recorded last week. The upper beats fished particularly well with many fish in double figures, according to fisheries information officer, Bryan Ward.
Cloongee produced 21 salmon on the fly, spinner and worm. Neil Spellacy, Co Galway, caught and released a fine salmon of about 5.4kg (12lb) on the fly and French angler Bernard Caloni had two on the bubble and fly.
East Mayo Anglers Association’s water proved the most productive beat with 23 salmon, five of which were released.
It is worth noting that the total number of salmon recorded on the Moy last year was a staggering 12,083.
Water levels have started to rise on Lough Inagh, according to fisheries manager, Colin Folan. While there is little angling effort so far, some large fish were seen passing the counter last week.
This year will see the offspring (grilse) of the drift net ban harvest, as it is four years without nets at sea. Folan is also delighted that salmon farmers in the bay decided to take fish out of the cages for the critical period when the smolts and kelts return to sea – lice free.
Finally, he extends gratitude to Culfin Anglers. On Good Friday, 15 club members took to the shores of Inagh with bin bags to clear rubbish. In all, 40 bags were collected.
Sea trout guide Judd Ruane reports excellent fishing in the Moy estuary over the past two weeks, with water clarity very good. Visitors Pete Hannon and his son, Richard, enjoyed two days with Judd, boating 34 sea trout to the mackerel strip.
Paul and Michael Dunne, Derry, and John and Martin McLaughlin, UK, also enjoyed success catching about 30 using sand eel and mackerel strip.
For guided sea trout angling, contact Judd, tel: 096-22183.
Loughs Conn and Cullin are both fishing well for brown trout, with good hatches of mayfly in most areas. However, high winds and heavy swells severely hampered angling efforts. Fishing out of Cloghans Bay, Padraig Kelly and Dermot Dunne had five fish for a day, their best weighing .9kg (2lb). Good catches also at Massbrooke, where Vincent Roche found success in Colman’s Shallows with three trout, and Alex Bond caught two on the Claret Dabbler out from Pontoon Bridge Hotel.
Fishing was impeded on Melvin with rough conditions coupled with bright sunlight and easterly winds. Mayflies are starting to hatch and the lough is well worth a try this coming week with wet and dry flies, according to fisheries officer, Lindsey Clarke. For bookings, tel: 071-984 1055.
Misty Dhillon, the recognised expert on flyfishing for mahseer, recently caught a new record at 15kg (34lb) on the Kali River in South India. “The fish was very co-operative in letting us take some wonderful pictures before releasing her back into the Kali”, he said.
The National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland is pleased to announce a major sponsorship deal with Tubertini Srl (Italy) and Tubertini (UK Ltd). The package is worth €30,000 over three years and will cover world championship teams (float and feeder) and Celtic Cup teams.
angling@irishtimes.com