Donal Connolly from Nonaim Lodge in Glann, Oughterard reported on fishing for his guests over the last week. Cold conditions and squally weather has made fishing difficult at times but there were still some good fish being caught. Roy Smyth, John McIlwaine, and Jai and Laurence Wilson, Antrim, had 10 trout on  wet and dry fly, all returned, best was 1.75lbs.

Marc Sims, Lancashire, had a total of 21 trout over several days fishing – all on dry fly and all released – best was 3lbs with several more in the 2 to 2.5lbs bracket. Marc Boesch, France, had 3 trout for a day’s fishing on wet fly. Samantha Benielli, France, had 2 trout for a day’s fishing dry fly, a lovely 2-pounder and a smashing fish of 2.75lbs which was the biggest trout she has caught so far – she plans to break this record next year on Corrib!

Symon Brown and his 15 year old son Aaron, from Tipperary, had 5 trout on the dap for a day’s fishing, all released. Roger Thompson had 2 trout of 1.25lbs  and 3.5lbs in difficult windy and cold conditions.

To book fishing or accommodation with Donal and Connie, contact Nonaim Lodge at Tel: +353 (0)85 7364830, email [email protected] or check www.fishingcorrib.com

 

Guests staying at Camillaun B&B in Oughterard also enjoyed good fishing over the past week , with some excellent trout fishing on a variety of patterns as well as on the dap. Some of the more notable catches was that of father and son partnership Vic and Geoff Goddard, who collectively landed 37 trout to 4.5lbs, all of which were safely returned. James Campbell and Jim Seer had 21 fish to 3lbs and 17 of these were returned. Richard and Robert Kelly from Dublin had 7 excellent fish all to the dap. On Sunday there was a major competition in Oughterard – it was won in dreadful conditions by a trustworthy Welshman who has come fishing to Camillaun for the past 17 years – Alan had 2 fish one of 3.25lbs and the other 1.75lbs, both on wetfly.

Weather conditions continue to be unpredictable – but there are still boats available for the remainder of the Mayfly – to book fishing or accommodation visit www.camillaun.com or call Deirdre Forde at 091 552678.

 

Eamon Walsh reports that fishing in the Cornamona area has been sporadic during the week, with some anglers having good catches while others fared less well.  The best of the fishing was to be had in the early part of the week with some excellent hatches of fly, as the wind was settled from the north. As the week progressed and the weather became more unsettled with squally winds, the fish became more elusive and hatches of fly dropped away a bit.  Dapping the natural mayfly would appear the best method of enticing trout to the surface, especially the larger ones.

Regular visitor to Corrib, Keith Curtis and boatman Pat Egan took 2 excellent fish to the dap, one of 4lbs and another of 6lbs, while returning many more, early in the week.  Martin Quinn from Limerick and local man Mike Flynn both had fine trout while fishing in Cornamona Bay.

A group of Welsh anglers were delighted with their week’s fishing, claiming it was the best visit they had enjoyed in over 15 years.  Des James estimates they boated in excess of 100 trout over the 13″ limit during their 6 days, while also having many more smaller fish. Des himself landed a lovely fish of over 3.5lbs, his best to date off Corrib.  All fish were sportingly released back to the lake.

The reports are much the same in the Headford/Greenfields area, with catches again patchy. Don Stiffe and 2 visiting anglers had 16 trout up to 4lbs over a number of days, all released.  Brendan McGee had 2 fish for 5.5lbs on dry mayfly, both released.  Bill Tully and a friend fishing for 2 days had 10 trout to the dap.

The best of the mayfly hatches may be over, but trout are still switched on to mayfly and are feeding hard, so when a few mayfly start hatching fish are still visible splashing at the surface and taking flies.

 

Tomi Kurman from the Corrib Predator Team emailed to say that himself and fellow guide Jack Gorny spent a few days recently guiding the Shimano Yasei Team in making a promotional video for the new range of Shiamo Yasei rods. They were fishing with world famous anglers Willem Stolk from the Netherlands, and Jurgen Haese and Dustin Shone, both from Germany. Irish waters were chosen by Shimano for their video, after Jurgen’s visit last year, when he was guided by Jack, and they  enjoyed great pike fishing on fly and lure.

The visit coincided with the spell of dry fine weather towards the end of April, which made for difficult conditions, but they enjoyed some fine sport, landing pike up to 27lbs and 117cm.

To book fishing with one of the Predator Team guides, contact them on 085 7318541 (Tomi) or 085 7741578 (Jack), check Jack’s website at www.fishingireland.pl or find Tomi on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001817618251

Willem Stolk (Netherlands) and Jurgen Haese (Germany) with a trophy pike from Lough Corrib. The pike measured 117cm and was weighed in at 27lb before being released again.
Willem Stolk (Netherlands) and Jurgen Haese (Germany) with a trophy pike from Lough Corrib. The pike measured 117cm and was weighed in at 27lb before being released again.

 

Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to take this opportunity to remind anglers that fisheries officers are continually carrying out checks and patrols around Corrib, Mask and Carra to ensure that local bye-laws and regulations are being adhered to.  Anglers should be mindful that since 2008 it is illegal to be in possession of any trout under 33cm (13 inches) and that there is a daily bag limit of 4 brown trout per angler per day.  Contravention of any of these regulations may result in a prosecution or on-the-spot fine.  People involved in the accommodation industry or in the hiring out of boats to visiting anglers are asked to advise all patrons of local fishing regulations.  These regulations were introduced following consultation with the public and are designed to improve the conservation of wild trout stocks in the catchment.