Ronan Cusack reports that there was plenty to report from Lough Mask again this week, as the good fishing continues. Tomás Burke, of Burke’s Bar and Restaurant Clonbur, organized a fund raising development competition this year, the Burke Open (in memory of the late Ignatius Burke) which was fished on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. The event was supported by 84 anglers from all across the country and a total of 225 fish were weighed in over the 2 days. The competition was also run on a 3 fish bag limit. First place went to Loughrea man Malcolm Naughton with 6 trout for 4.56kgs. In second position was Derek Evans, angling correspondent with the Irish Times. Derek also had 6 fish for 3.79kgs. Third place went to Fermanagh man Nigel Greene with 5 fish for 3.22kgs. Well known competition angler Patsy Treacy was on tenterhooks on the first day of the competition when he hooked into what he thought would surely land him the heaviest fish prize. Unfortunately, after a long careful battle, Patsy’s trout of a lifetime, turned out to be a 14lbs pike!
Regular visitors to the area, Martin McCoy and David Nevin were joined by friends, Niall Berwick and Paul Lunny, for a 2 day trip to Mask before the weekend. The lads had a total of 28 trout over the 2 days (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Martin fished again on Tuesday and he had 10 keepable trout pulling wet flies in the Cahir Bay area.
Ballinrobe angler Denis Kelleher was on a high on Wednesday evening last, when he spoke about his day on Lough Mask. Denis said that he and boat partner Cyril Biggins had one of the best days wetfly fishing in years, despite the freezing cold and strong south easterly winds. The lads had 14 trout from 1.5 – 2.25lbs, plus numerous undersize.
There is high pressure coming in which should bring a bit of milder weather and sunshine, water temperatures are set to rise over the next week and hatches should begin in earnest, keeping the excellent early season fishing going.
Ronan also guides on Mask and can be contacted at [email protected]
