Peter Gleeson reports on the mayfly situation at Lough Derg…
The cold spring has meant that the mayfly hatch on Lough Derg is up to a month behind on recent years. It was only last weekend that the first hatches were seen in the shallow areas where the mayfly traditionally first appears – Youghal Bay, Luska and Dromineer Bay.
Anglers have been out seeking trout with wetflies in shallow areas, but the results have been very poor. Some 52 anglers took part in the Crocks Cup organised by the Mountshannon Angling Club on Sunday last, but only four fish were weighed in.
Garrykennedy Angling club held two competitions – one last Saturday and the other on Sunday – producing a total of just five fish over the legal limit of 14 inches.
Anglers are hoping that Mayfly hatches will have improved over the coming days, but the unusually cold weather has not generated much optimism.
Peter Gleeson
Patrick McDonnell from Inland Fisheries Ireland adds some more detail…
John Ryan, Nenagh had a fine fish 3.5lbs on wets, Danny Flynn and Mike Maloney both from Garrykennedy reported trout of 2.7lbs and 2.4lbs both on the wets. Eddie Ryan, Newtown had one for 1.5lbs from Youghal bay.
Mountshannon angling club held their competition on Sunday 5th May with 54 anglers taking part for a first prize of an outboard engine. 4 fish were weighed in with Andrew Brown, Dublin taking first place with a fish of 1.5lbs.
