Declan Gibbons reports that changeable weather conditions have had an impact on angling activity, however there were some good catches during the week gone by with mixed methods from wet to dry fly and some trolling.

In the Oughterard area the Oughterard Anglers & Boatmen’s Association hosted the John Gill Cup on Sunday last with 11 rods participating and 14 fish were landed for 20lbs. In 1st place was Gerry Dixon with 4 fish for 6lbs 1oz. 2nd place went to Mikey Molloy with 2 fish for 4lbs 11oz, and 3rd place went to John Deacy with 2 fish for 4lbs 1oz. The heaviest fish  prize was won by Jim Glynn with a trout of 4.00lbs.

 

Also in the Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091-552550) reports a quieter week, but he had Joe McCaffrey from Northern Ireland out Caenis fishing on Tuesday morning last and landed 3 fish for the morning, with the best fish being 4.25lbs, while on Wednesday morning last Basil guided Alan Finch from Limerick and had one fish on Caenis for 2lbs.

Staying in the Oughterard area Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Boat Hire, Guiding & Self-Catering (087-9604170) hosted a group of Swiss anglers on Monday last landing 3 trout on wets for 5lbs, and on Thursday last Dublin angler James McGrane and friend had 3 fish on wet fly with the best fish 1.75lbs.

 

In the Cornamona area Richard Molloy (087-2879339) of Ballard Shore Boat Hire & Self-Catering reports quieter angling activity, but he did have visiting French anglers out and they had great sport on wet flies,  landing and releasing numerous numbers of trout – mainly on dabblers.

 

Larry McCarthy (www.corribangling.com) reports fishing from Corrib View Lodge  has been challenging however on three mornings guests got out to fish Caenis in poor weather conditions and had some good returns. Neil Toft visiting from the UK had 6 trout up to 4lbs on Wednesday morning last in the Greenfields area. Vaughn Ruckley on holidays from Edinburgh had 3 fish up to 2.5lbs on two early morning outings. Owein Mealing & Nick Meesham had good sport on Friday morning guided by Larry when they boated 4 trout, one which was 4lbs plus. Tom Chamberlain from Wales had a fine 3lbs trout in high winds in Ballindiff on Saturday last.

Neil Toft with a nice early morning Corrib trout
Neil Toft with a nice early morning Corrib trout

In the Ballindiff area on Friday and Sunday last Clare duo Brian Madden & Seamus O’Loughlin enjoyed excellent fishing on wet olives and sedges, landing 13 fish over 13 inches with most of them between 2-3lbs, the best fish just under 4lbs and many more smaller fish returned also.

 

In the Galway area father and son Harold O’Toole and his son Harry enjoyed three days fishing on Lough Corrib landing 12 trout for their outings with 5-year-old Harry showing Dad how it’s done!!!

Five year old Harry O'Toole enjoyed a productive day with dad Harold, catching some lovely trout for dinner.
Five year old Harry O’Toole enjoyed a productive day with dad Harold, catching some lovely trout for dinner.

 

The Federation Cup is being held out of Birchall on Sunday 25th June. This is a fund raising competition held on a catch-and-release basis. Entry is €25, with all proceeds going back into enhancement and development works on Lough Corrib. For further details contact Phillip Comber (086-2786301).

 

Nick Meesham with his 4lbs+ Corrib trout
Nick Meesham with his 4lbs+ Corrib trout