Despite the unfavourable conditions of late with rain and gusty winds, there have been good hatches of olives in the sheltered bays, particularly in northern Lough Conn. Angling out of Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Co. Cork pair Sean Murphy and John Finn had four trout for their day, their best weighed 1.5 lbs. and was caught on a Golden Olive Bumble. David Conaghan, Co. Derry, had three trout (heaviest 2 lb.) and a 7 lb. salmon while fishing the Claret Dabbler over two days. David Duggan and Harry Byrne, Belfast, also had trout to 2 lb. while fishing the Connemara Black.
Angling from Murphy’s of Massbrooke, Patrick Mangan, Co. Offaly had one trout of 1.5 lb. while regular visitors Mick Sweeney and Liam McHugh, Loughrea had three small trout. Anthony Gallagher, London and nephew John enjoyed good sport in the Coleman’s Shallows area, with Anthony boating a 4 lb. trout to a Teal, Blue & Silver, and John capturing a 3 lb. grilse on the Connemara Black.
In the Crossmolina area of L. Conn, Gary Crossley and Ian Wise had 4 trout to the boat for an evening’s fishing. Bobby Cording, Dublin, had a 2 lb. trout near Massbrooke Point, Peter Roach had two trout for 2 lb. while Sean Creane had one of 2 lb. to a dry Wulff.
On Lough Cullin, Jim O’Sullivan and son Declan, Co. Dublin, had three trout on sedge patterns, their best weighing 1 lb.
The Foxford Anglers recently held the annual Chris Downey Memorial Cup competition on Lough Conn, with 22 anglers participating. First place was won by Joe Ferguson, Knockmore, second went to Joe Quinn, Cloghans, and in third was Michael Monaghan, Knockmore.
Murphy’s Bar and Boat Hire are hosting a competition on Conn on Saturday 24th September. Registration is at Browns Bay from 9.30 am with angling commencing from 11.00am. First prize for this competition is €500.
Bryan Ward
IFI-Ballina .
email: [email protected]