Ronan Cusack reports that lots of happy faces were evident around the shores of Lough Mask again this week as the good fishing continues. Anglers persisting with wet flies regardless of conditions are doing particularly well, with some fantastic bags reported. Dries and buzzer are also catching quality fish when conditions allow.
Partry angler Conor O’Mahony had 5 fish on Tuesday last. Conor spent the day fishing various wetfly patterns among the islands towards the middle of the lake (best fish 1.5lbs). Headford angler Andrew Boyd fished with Ben Watson from the UK for a day last week and they had 6 fish again on wets (best fish 2lbs). Ballinrobe angler Michael Vahey fished with a French visitor on Wednesday last and they landed 7 fish over the legal limit and numerous undersize. Jim Connell from Manchester fished with Ronan Cusack on Saturday and they had 6 keepable fish and again countless undersize (best fish 1.5lbs all returned). Denis Kelleher from Ballinrobe and Noel Fay, Kildare fished wets in Ballahalla Bay for a day during the week and Denis had a lovely trout of 4lbs.
The Garda social club held a two day competition on Mask last week. 27 anglers took part and 31 fish were weighed in over the two days. First place went to Aidan Kelly (Blackrock)with 5 fish for 6.5lbs. In second place was Les O’Rourke (Blackrock), with 3 fish for 6.25lbs. Third position went to Stephen Neylon (Tallaght) with 2 fish for 4.75lbs.
The Kilbride Anglers also had a 2 day visit to Mask last weekend and reported excellent fishing, particularly on the Saturday. The competition was run on the heaviest single fish rule and was won by Dublin angler Peter McRory with a fine trout of 3.8lbs. 18 anglers took part in total.
Good fishing was reported at Hall’s Angling Centre as Darren Maguire from Fermanagh landed 12 keepable fish and several undersize for a day’s fishing last weekend. David Hill, also from Northern Ireland had 7 trout for a day (best fish 1.75lbs, all returned). Father and son team Rune and Sven Dolan from Norway had 8 on dries over 3 days (best fish 3.5lbs all returned).
Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at [email protected] or at 087 2869487
Margaret Gorman from Isham Self-Catering at Dringeen Bay reported on some great fishing for guests, including 8 year old Keith Corrigan who caught his first ever trout on Lough Mask, a fine fish of over 3lbs, fishing from Dringeen Bay.
All anglers continue to report lots of small fish with some decent fish here and there in excess of 3lbs. Isham guests, Florian Keller & friends from Germany have returned for a two week stay. They have encountered up to 15 fish some days. Florian also caught his first salmon of the year on Sunday morning in Cong, a beautiful fish weighing 8lbs 12oz.
A party of 4 anglers from Northern Ireland fished for 2 days with both dry and wet fly patterns. They found conditions challenging but managed to average 4 fish per day. Their best fish was just under 3lbs. Dennis Moss and a friend from Lough Sheelin fished on Saturday with wet flies. They boated more than a dozen trout, all of which were returned. Their most successful fly was a “Humungous”. Stephen Neylon and Aidan Kelly fished the 2 day Garda Competition on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th April launching from Dringeen Bay. They had the winning bag of fish and the heaviest fish for the competition. Congratulations and well done to both of them. Brian Jamieson and a friend from West Meath fished for 1 day from Dringeen Bay with some success.
For further information on accommodation and angling advice, contact Margaret at 094 9546582 or email [email protected]
