Markus Müller, Angling Information Manager with IFI Ballina office reports from Ballisodare:
Luke O’Connell reported that fishing remained very good at Ballisodare with a total of 234 fish being caught (78 released). The majority of the grilse averaged 4 – 5 lbs. with the odd double figure fish also caught. The fly and worm were the most effective methods with fish at the Falls showing little interest in a prawn. Results were as follows:
Monday June 27th – Jim Keenan had two nice fish on the fly weighing 7 lbs. and 5 lbs. at the Falls. James Kennedy also had a 7 lbs. fish at the Falls on the worm. A visiting group of French anglers enjoyed a good day landing 10 fish between 4 anglers (3 released). The best fish of the group was caught by Loat Paul on the prawn weighing 12 lbs., while the rest of the grilse were in the 3 – 5 lbs. bracket. Juvenile angler, M.J. Graham, caught 2 nice grilse on the worm.
Tuesday June 28th – Noel Fairbanks, Warrick Bowden and Bernard McKeon had a good day on the fly at the Falls landing a total of 6 grilse averaging 4.5 lbs. Leslie Cooper landed a lovely fresh 10 lbs. fish on the worm at the Falls, Donagh McDonnell also had a nice fish on the worm at the Falls weighing 8 lbs., John Connolly released two fish weighing 4 lbs. and 5 lbs upriver. Sean Maye also released a 4 lbs. fish on the fly upriver.
Wednesday June 29th – The group of French anglers continued to be successful landing 8 more, all on prawn and worm. Albert Berry and Pat Foley caught 4 grilse fish between 5 lbs. and 6.5 lbs. on the fly at the Falls.
Thursday June 30th – Thursday was a good day with over 30 fish caught, with a decent number of these released. All fish were caught on the fly and worm and were in the 3 – 6 lbs. bracket.
Friday July 1st – Bernard Mannion had a fine ten-pounder on the worm at the Falls, while visiting anglers, Ciaran McCuddy and Padraig McMahon caught 4 grilse on the worm averaging 4.5 lbs. The French party had another good day on Friday landing 10 fish in total with two good ones of 7 lbs. (worm) and 10 lbs. (prawn). John Connolly released two small grilse under 3 lbs. upriver on the fly. Roy Cooper, Patrick O’Connor and Stephen Moore all had fish upriver on the worm of about 4 lbs.
Saturday July 2nd – Saturday was again a consistent day with 20 fish caught. The two best fish of the day were landed by Damien Quigley (6 lbs. on fly) and visiting angler Robin from Tottenham (6 lbs. on worm).
Sunday July 3rd – Sunday was also a very productive day with a good number of fish being caught. Amongst the successful anglers were: Hugh and Noel McKeever, Joan Bowen-Walsh, Johnny Shields, Gerry McHugh and Albert & Alan Shaw who all had grilse between 3 lbs. and 7 lbs. John Murray caught two sea-liced grilse on a ½ “ Willie Gunn tube, while David O’Connor also had fish on the same fly. Noel Barber caught & released two grilse on the fly upriver.
For information and bookings please check www.ballisodarefishingclub.ie
Markus Müller
Fisheries Information Manager
——————————————–
Iascach Intíre Éireann
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Ballina
