Declan Gibbons reports that it was a very varied week in terms of fly hatches with mayfly, sedges & Caenis all in the mix hatching in different locations around the lake at different times & when conditions suit.
Larry McCarthy from Corrib View Lodge (www.corribangling.com) reports that fishing has been a little better this week with good early morning sport. Tony Ling visiting from the UK had 25 good trout up to 4lbs while boated by Larry from Monday to Thursday, all on Caenis patterns. Monday was the most productive day with 12 trout between 1.5lbs and 3lbs. Jim McEvoy from Cork fished for two mornings and had 5 trout up to 2lbs on Caenis.
The water temperature is still well below normal so with an improvement in weather there should be some good fishing to be had on early mornings.
On Sunday last The Corrib Federation hosted The Federation Cup out of Birchall with 62 rods participating in the annual Catch & Release event which sees all funds raised going back into enhancement and development projects around the Corrib. In 1st place was Brian McInerney from Ennis, fellow Ennis man Christy Scanlon was 2nd, and Tipperary angler Paudie O’Brien was 3rd. In 4th was Jim Glynn, Oughterard and 5th place went to Kieran Casey from Tralee.
The Longest Fish prize went to Ennis Angler Brian McInerney Ennis with a fine Corrib trout measuring 66cms, which saw him win the Michael Ryan Cup presented to him by Simon Ryan, Cong – son of the late Michael Ryan who served as an officer and played an active role in the federation. Ennis Anglers won the Best Club section.
In the Cornamona area Richard Molloy(087-2879339) of Ballard Shore Boat Hire & Self Catering reports of visiting angler Ian Scott & partner enjoying an excellent week’s fishing on wet flies in the Carrick & Dooras areas.
Local angler Harold O’Toole had 8 fish for 2 mornings last week on Caenis with the best fish being 3lbs, and on Sunday Harold and his son Harry enjoyed a day out on Corrib catching 2 trout trolling – best fish 1.75lbs.
Frank Butler was in touch with a great report on the recent Galway Windpark Cup, which was run out of Collinamuck on Sunday 29th May. At 11:00am 15 boats took to the water with 42 anglers on board. Conditions seemed very favourable with a good westerly wind providing the perfect dapping conditions. Boatmen from Collinamuck Angling club hosted guests associated with the Galway Windpark including a father and son duo of Paul and Reuben Cooley who travelled from their home in Cavan earlier that morning to fish the competition.
At 1:30pm all the boats landed on Rabbit Island for lunch. As BBQs and Kelly Kettles were lit reports of a few fish being caught gradually permeated through the crowd. There were reports of good fishing to dapped crickets and Green Wulffs with fish rising to dries but not taking too confidently. After a very enjoyable lunch and some liquid refreshments all boats took to the water again with renewed hope and with a flurry of fly changing!
At 6pm all boats landed back to Collinamuck Pier for the weigh in. For a total of 45 anglers fishing a return of 28 trout were weighed in for a total weight of 59lb. In first place was the team of Frank Rigney, Paul Malcolm and Michael Burke with a catch of 10 trout for 21.5lbs. In second place was the team of Noel Carter, Paddy O’Farrell and Galway Windpark guest and now proven angler John Howley, with a catch of 4 trout for 6.5lbs. In third place was the team of John Butler and German visiting anglers Thomas and Ortruid with a catch of 4 trout for 6.0lbs. The heaviest fish was caught by David Connolly with a trout weighing 4.0lbs. The ladies prize went to Carmel McDonagh who weighed in 2 fish for a combined weight of 3.0lbs. The junior prize went to Reuben Cooley who landed his first Lough Corrib trout which he returned to the lake unharmed to fight again another day.
The prize giving took place in O’Hallorans bar where cup filling and celebrations went on until late. The committee of Collinamuck & District Angling club would again like to extend their gratitude to the personnel of Galway Windpark in sponsoring this event and also for bringing along several guests to take part in what was a great day on Lough Corrib.
