Ronan Cusack reports that fishing on Mask was tough this week, with a warm breeze and blazing sunshine making angling very difficult. BBQ’s, steaks and cold beers seemed to take the place of tackle boxes in many cases!

Reasonable mayfly hatches were reported in the Bay of Islands and the Saints Island areas of the lake towards the middle of the week.

Ronan Cusack fished with Padraig Kerrigan, Cornamona, for a half day on Thursday last and they finished with 13 fish on buzzer (best fish 3lbs all released).

John Webb, Scotland, and Phil McGinnity  from Westport fished with Ronan Cusack on Friday and Sunday last. Friday was very windy with blue skies all day, and resulted in only a few undersize fish to wet flies. Sunday saw a drop in wind strength and the lads finished with 7 decent fish on buzzer (best fish 2lbs, all released). Trevor Stafford, Ballinrobe, fished with Jimmy Keogh, Dublin, for a day this week and they returned 17 fish for the day with just 2 exceeding the size limit. Kevin Sheridan had a quiet week this week with only 8 trout (best fish 2.5lbs, all released). Stephan Boyd and Alex Hill, UK, fished on the Tourmakeady side of the lake for 4 days this week and they returned 11 fish for their trip (best fish 3lbs).

IFI staff members Gearoid Kirwan and Pat McDonnell had a day on Mask on Friday and they returned 11 fish on a combination of wets and dries (best fish 1.5lbs). Billy Graham and his 3 fishing buddies Laurence Gibb, Stephen Ellis and Dennis Hall from Northern Ireland spent the week at Hall’s Angling Centre and enjoyed some excellent sport. Laurence Gibb took the top prize that week with a cracking trout of 7lbs. Christy Crotty and John Ronayne, Waterford, had an excellent day on buzzers and nymphs in bright conditions on Sunday last. They returned 6 fish (best fish 2lbs)

To book accommodation or boat hire at Hall’s, contact David Hall at 094 9541389 or visit www.lakeshoreholidays.com

Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at [email protected] or on 087 2869487.