Declan Gibbons reports the last week of angling on Lough Corrib has been of mixed fortunes for anglers availing of the last bit of action before the end of the season. Daphnia and sedge patterns have been producing the bulk of activity and results. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch & release as fish will be congregating to run rivers for spawning in many areas of the lough.
Starting off in the Cornamona area Tom Doc Sullivan (087-6113933) had 5 fish for two outings during the week, with the best fish being 3.25lbs on the south side of Dooras peninsula. Also in the Cornamona area John Somerville was guiding Darragh Musgrave from Cork and John Watson on Saturday and Sunday last, Saturday producing the best fishing with Darragh landing 2 trout of 3.82lbs and 2.6lbs. John Watson has been fishing Lough Corrib since 1972 when he was guided first by John’s late grandfather and well-known boatman Paddy Somerville, and hasn’t missed a trip to Corrib every year since, with John being the third generation to guide him!

Also in the Cornamona area on Thursday last Peter Walsh, Kevin Cronin & Marcella Senior had good sport dapping grasshoppers and daddies landing a few fish with one fish over three pounds.
Larry McCarthy reports from Corrib View Lodge (www.corribangling.com) that even though the weather conditions were difficult the trout were still accommodating anglers. On Monday Larry caught 3 trout on wet fly in the Greenfields area with the best fish being 2.5lbs. Ian McKenzie and Martin Cottis from the UK had three days fishing being boated by Larry, and had their best day on Tuesday with 6 fish to dry sedge patterns in the Ballycurrin area. The best fish was caught by Ian and weighed 4lbs. Frank Reilly guiding Steve Whittaker over two days returned 6 good trout on wet and dry fly patterns.

On Sunday last Annaghdown Angling Club hosted the Michael Kavanagh Cup in which 11 rods participated and 5 trout were weighed in. Top rod on the day went to Ronan Sweeney with 4 fish.
In the Oughterard area Basil Sheilds of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091-552550) reports reasonable fishing mainly in the deeps and on Daphnia. Michael Keogh had 2 fish on wets for one days fishing and Michael Gallagher also had 2 fish for one day’s fishing. Jim Flynn had 1 fish for his outing. John Tormey and friends had 6 fish for their day fishing on Lough Corrib, all on wetfly. Basil himself and friend Tom Coyle had 6 fish on Sunday for their efforts. Kevin Molloy (087-9604170) reports on visiting USA anglers enjoying a day’s fishing on Tuesday last, landing 3 fish with the best being 2.5lbs. On Wednesday Kevin had visiting French anglers out and they had 2 trout for their day. On Thursday Ian Cregg had 4 trout with the best fish being 2.5lbs.
On Friday David Donnelly and Kevin had 4 fish on wet flies with 2 of the better fish being around the 3lbs mark.
On Saturday the Ennis Anglers club fished from Greenfields which saw 11 anglers weigh in 4 fish. Michael Killeen was the winner with 1 fish for 0.83kg (winner on length), pipping Ernie Callan who also had 1 fish for 0.83kg. Patrick O’Loughlin was 3rd with 1 fish for 0.81kg, and Tim Queally was 4th with 1 fish for 0.76kg.
On Sunday the same club hosted the Harry Kelly Cup out of Greenfields which saw 14 anglers weigh in 7 trout. Harold O’Toole took first prize with 4 fish for 6lbs 9oz; Paul Dignam was second with 2 fish for 5lbs 11oz, also winning the Harry Kelly Cup for club members, and third was Sean Naughton with 1 fish for 1lbs 10oz.
On Sunday last The Commercial Boat Club in Woodquay hosted their Last Cast Competition in which 18 anglers participated, weighing in 7 trout for 19.5lbs. All catches were in the lower lake area. First place went to Stephen Greaney and Harold O’Toole with 1 trout for 4.35lbs. Second place went to Nicholas Hanley and Robbie Pitman with 1 trout for 4.20lbs.
Finally, Paul Geraghty and three pals from Ashbourne, Co. Meath fished Corrib on Saturday 24th, trolling roach for Ferox Trout over deep water in the Inchagoill area.
They had 4 trout for the day, weighing in at 13lbs, 12lbs, 7lbs and 4.5lbs. All fish were weighed, photographed and carefully released.

