Angling notes: Mask was fishing brilliantly, with trout rising freely

The media angling group was quick to accept an invitation from Tomás Burke of Clonbur, in Co Galway, for a fishing weekend on Lough Mask, coupled with all the trimmings – we jumped at the idea.

For some it was a first time visit to the picturesque Gaeltacht village and they were high in praise for the friendliness of its townspeople, all willing to stop and have a chat.

From the moment of arrival, with the customary céad mile fáilte greeting, Tomás went to great lengths to ensure our stay was enjoyable and memorable, and succeeded on both counts.

Clonbur, or An Fhairche, is renowned for its wild brown trout and salmon fishing because of its close proximity to Loughs Corrib and Mask. Accommodation, food and boat hire are all at hand.

The word was out. Mask was fishing brilliantly, with trout rising freely to most patterns. “The lake is enjoying its best season for years. It was a very good mayfly season but few boats were out on the lake,” according to former fishery officer Joe Cusack.

Conditions were ideal on our first day. I was drawn with Paddy O’Flaherty of BBC Radio Ulster and boatman Mike Hegarty from Killarney. We tested drifts along Inishowen Shore, Inishocht Bay and Saints’ Island, meeting fish at most junctures and finishing with three counters.

For me, lunch on Saints’ Island was the highlight of the day. The banter was brilliant and with “billycan” tea you could trot an elephant on, plus a swig of homemade sweet wine, sure it was difficult to get going again!

Later, in Burke’s award-winning restaurant, I opted for a starter of loaded potato skins with bacon and melted cheese followed by slow-cooked rump of lamb served on a bed of roast vegetables with mash potatoes and rosemary gravy. Scrumptious, especially after a day’s fishing.

The evening music session was special and one which I will always remember, with Paddy on the fiddle, Diarmaid Fleming on accordion, Brendan Begley on uilleann pipes and Cyril Boggins on guitar, all top musicians in their own right.

Because of time restraints and gusting winds our second day was short-lived. Along with boatman Tom Ormond and Betty Hayes of Irish Country Sports and Country Life magazine, we stayed close to Burke's Bay, venturing to Ferrybridge and Kilbride Rock.

Here I met lots of fish, boating four with two “keepers”. Yellow Mayfly with two International Dabblers proved to be my winning combination.

Accommodation for our stay was provided free of charge by the Burke family (087-9099593), Lakeshore House (094-9548311) and Clonbur Angling Centre (087-0537791). Of the latter, Dick Warner of the Irish Examiner said: "My room was excellent. I intend to return soon with my two sons."

Special thanks is extended to our four boatmen, Tom Ormond, Cyril Boggins, Declan Gibbons and Mike Hegarty for their boating skills, advice and time, all of which they gave free of charge. And to Brendan Lynch, manager of the local Centra shop for an excellent hamper.

Of course, it just leaves me to thank most sincerely Tomás and his wonderful staff for a fabulous weekend. As he said: “I don’t do problems, only solutions!”

The Drowes River fished very well with the continuing good run of grilse totalling 80 for the week.

Lough Lene, in Collinstown, Co Westmeath, is enjoying a good season with cracking rainbows and triploid browns providing great sport. Ask Ray Duncan of Mullingar: he recent caught a beauty of 10.5lb. According to club chairman Tommy Fagan, there are even bigger fish to be caught.

Ireland took top honours at last weekend’s Home International Boat Championships, in Weymouth, with a commanding win of host team England. Notable catches were undulate ray and sea bream. Results: 1) Ireland, 883 points; 2) England, 847pts; 3) Wales, 718pts; 4) Scotland, 650pts.

angling@irishtimes.com