Mixed fortunes for anglers on Conn and Cullen as the winds play havoc with fishing. However, many anglers are still reporting good catches from the Lakes

The mixed and changeable winds on the Loughs over the past week have led to very changeable conditions, resulting in mixed results for anglers. Small Olives have still been hatching in relatively large numbers in some parts, while Mayfly hatches remain rather localised. Anglers have been having success on both wet and dry flies, depending on conditions with dry Mayflies, Wulffs, Olives, Dabblers and Green Peters all accounting for fish.

The Annual Crossmolina Angling Club Competition was held on Sunday 26^th, where 21 anglers weighed in 17 trout over the size limit. In first place with five trout for a total weight of 3.7kg was Michael Rutledge, Lahardaun. Martin Mulhern, Errew, Crossmolina came second with three trout for 2.8kg, Michael Monaghan. Knockmore, was third with four trout for 1.9kg while Sean Goulding, Dublin was fourth with one for 1.7kgs.

Fishing from the Cloonamoyne Fishery, Canon John Flynn and son had over 40 trout for six days fishing, all taken on small dry Olives, and averaged 1lbs. Peter McAlan, U.K. and John Warren, Errew, averaged ten trout over two days, with their best 2lbs. Ian Wise, Crossmolina averaged three trout a day over the week, all on the Fiery Brown and Sooty Olive.

On the Cloghans / Brackwansha side, Peter Roche reported boating seven trout his best 2lbs with the Olive proving his most successful fly. John Burke, Toomore had four trout, his best 3lbs all on a Bibio. Padraic Traynor had seven up to 1.5lbs, all on dry Mayfly while Mick McNeely, Mullingar, averaged four per evening up to 1.5lbs. Harry McCafferty, Ballina averaged three per evening over the past week, and Michael Ruttledge fishing with Sean Goulding had eight trout each on Saturday past all on Mayflies, up to 2lbs.

Fishing from Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Edward Allen and David Orsler, U.K., recorded ten trout to 2lbs with most falling to the Claret Dabbler. Geoffery Cooke, U.K., averaged six per day for the week with the Green Peter and Olives proving successful. Jack Mellet and Tom Jordan, Castlebar averaged five each per day over two days, with fish up to 2lbs and the Royal Wulff proving successful. Vinnie O’Boyle fishing with Richard Molloy, U.K., reported four trout, up to 2.5lbs all on a Green Peter.

Fishing out of Gerry Murphy boat hire, Massbrook, Paul Connolly and Ray Stewart had six trout on Lough Cullen with their best 2.5lbs on a Grey Wulff. Ronnie Chambers, Belfast had three trout to 2lbs in Castlehill and Victoria Bays. Norman Weil, Austria returned ten trout and retained two while Mike Sweeney and Barry Greham, Co. Offaly, had four each to 1.5lbs. Finally Chris Coonan, Co. Tipperary, boated ten trout, his best 3lbs.

Chris Massey reported on fishing Cullen over two days with Rab Richardson on the 20^th and 21^st. They had 18 trout over the two days, with fish up to 3.5lbs, despite conditions being difficult in a strong northerly wind.