Angling Notes: two Mayo anglers finish the season on a high note

The last few days of this year’s trout angling season on Lough Mask will live long in the memory of two Co Mayo anglers. The season officially closed last Thursday, but what a finale for these well-known Westport anglers Toby Gibbons and Sean Moogan.

Last Monday, while fishing the deeps off the Shintillas, Gibbons got an enormous “take” on his Octopus fly, followed by a nerve-racking 15 minutes before the fish succumbed to the net. The ferox trout weighed a staggering 9.5lb.

“After 50 years of fishing this is the largest fish I have ever caught. It’s a fish of a lifetime and I intend to get it stuffed and mounted,” he said.

Then on Wednesday last Moogan caught another beauty while fishing off Carrigeendauv Island. On this occasion the trout fell for a Fiery Brown Dabbler and weighed between 4.5lb and 5lb, and was sportingly released.

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What a terrific note to finish the season on!

* Still with Mask, the Galway Perpetual Trophy competition was held last Tuesday in good conditions. Most anglers ventured out into the “deeps” for the daphnia feeders. The winner, with three good trout of 2lb 10oz, was Clare angler Eddie Corry.

* Details of 31 locations prioritised for river habitat enhancement works in the wider Lough Corrib catchment have been announced by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Each river listed is based on their hydromorphological condition, which considers how far they have departed from their natural condition.

A review will take into account the ecological characteristics of the water courses and fish status analysis, and a high priority is given to channels with moderate and good water quality; as well as those with low fish status.

It is proposed the 31 locations will be completed over a five-year period, with some work already under way.

Extensive preparations will take place for the remaining sites, subject to availability of resources, to incorporate landowner consultation, a development plan for each site, fish surveys and application for consent.

The prioritisation follows consultation with stakeholders including local angling clubs, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Office of Public Works.

Barry O’Connor of IFI, said: “This prioritisation list sets out where the most urgent habitat rehabilitation works are required in the Lough Corrib area. This is in addition to the annual maintenance of priority salmonid habitats being conducted throughout the catchment, along with stock management and weed-control operations.”

* Following a call for help from two stranded fishermen in a small open punt last weekend, the Fethard-on-Sea lifeboat in Co Wexford launched at Duncannon Strand. The fishermen’s craft had outboard engine difficulties in thick fog off Creadan Head in the Waterford Estuary, and was located off Woodstown, where the pair had tied up to a lobster pot marker buoy.

Helmsman Thomas Stafford, said: “The two lads did everything right. They wore their lifejackets, tied up to a marker when the engine failed and had the means to call for help. All this led to a positive outcome with the two lads being returned to safety.”

* If you have an angling story to share please send it to me at angling@irishtimes.com.