Fishery manager Tom Bourke reports that the Owenwee River was quiet for the first few days of the week, but has livened up since the weekend.
Mick O’Toole had 2 fish for the week, one of 7lbs from Killenacoff and another of 5lbs from Arnold’s below Belclare Bridge. Vincent Piriou from France returned on 3 occasions and has reported 2, one from Brackloon a small fish on Thursday the 8th, he also had several sea trout within the wooded area of Brackloon forest and hooked and lost 2 grilse in Owenwee and spotted several grilse in this area 8 miles upriver. This is great as it shows many of the fish running throughout the last month have spread throughout the catchment, and bodes well for the coming weeks!
Another fish was reported by Vincent Piriou from the Bridge Pools below Belclare Bridge to a trotted Allys Shrimp on Sunday 11th August, a fish of over 8lbs which was quickly released back to the water. 4 more fish have been reported by the local community but the anglers are not known, one of 6lbs from Kerrigans in Owenwee and another of 8lbs in Knappagh from Sidney Costello’s pool below Knappagh bridge. Another 2 fish were caught below Belclare Bridge.
Vincent Piriou reported another of 6lbs whilst Mick O’Toole reported 4 more below Belclare Bridge, the largest in excess of 10lbs, all to the fly and returned back once more to the water. One fish was approx. 5lbs and was badly injured by an otter or mink but recovered pretty rapidly on returning to the water and swam back freely.
Returns to date have been the best since 1997, with a return for the week of 13 grilse and salmon. The seasonal tally now stands at 79 salmon and grilse.
Go fishing…
The Owenwee, or Belclare River, is a short spate river draining the slopes of Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain, on the shores of Clew Bay. The best fishing is in the last 3km before it reaches the sea. Fishing is by permit only.
Enquiries to Tom Bourke 086 8331586 or by email to [email protected], or to Vincent Bourke at 098 27103. Season permits, day or club membership can be obtained on enquiry.
