Ronan Cusack reports that we are now into the last 2 weeks of angling on Lough Mask and the going remains tough. Despite the shorter days and noticeable drop in air temperature, anglers are still out in good numbers in anticipation of better fishing in the deeper water. So far this week rod averages have struggled to rise above one, however, a big contrast to the superb fishing earlier in the season.
Clonbur was a hive of activity earlier on this week, as the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) held yet another very successful competition on Lough Mask. 120 anglers competed over the 2 days for the top prize. Conditions were excellent with fresh westerly winds on both days.
Malcolm Naughton from Loughrea finished on top with 7 trout for a total of 4.21kg. Second place went to Nigel Greene (Fermanagh) with 2 trout for 3.98kg. Third position went to Stephen Kelleher (Cork) with 6 trout for 3.27kg. The winning team of 4 were Malcolm Naughton (Loughrea), Tom Mulvey (Ballinrobe), Michael Polin (Fermanagh) and John Rochford (Cork) with 15 trout weighing 8.11kg. Second place winner Nigel Greene also had the heaviest fish which was a cracking 3.42kg.
Celebrity World Cup Champion Mick Dunne still has the edge on Lough Mask. Mick finished in poll position again last weekend in Tourmakeady, as he won the Molloy Cup (catch-and-release competition) with 5 trout measuring 157cm. Second place went to club chairman Eddie Gibbons with 1 trout for 38cm.
Gerry O’Brien (Ballinrobe) fished on both days of the weekend and had one fish over the limit each day. Richard Cameron and Tom Mulvey (Ballinrobe) fished both shallow and deep water on Sunday and they had a trout each and also returned a few undersize fish. Joe Deery from Belleek had 2 fish for a day over the weekend (best fish 2lbs). Brian Hall of Hall’s Angling Centre fished with two anglers on Friday last and they had 2 fish (best fish 2lbs). Brian also reported returning a number of undersize fish.
