“And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain… ”

The season is slowly drawing to a close, with just 12 days remaining, and anglnig effort was considerably lighter this week. Inclement weather and rising lake levels have contributed to that lighter effort, and this week is looking like a washout with Storm Ali about to sweep in off the Atlantic on the jetstream express.

 

Declan Gibbons reports that lower temperatures resulted in smaller hatches of sedges and olives this week, and dapped crickets and wetfly seemed to be the favoured methods, or at least the most successful ones.

Starting off in Woodquay in Galway City the Commerical Boat Club hosted the Last Cast Competition in which 16 boats (32 rods) participated and 17 trout were returned. The inaugural Willie Murphy Memorial Cup (Overall weight of Trout Category) went to the 1st place pair of Nicholas Hanley & Robbie Pittman with 5 fish for 9.15lbs. In 2nd place was Eugene McCarthy & Noel O’Toole with 2 fish for 4.35lbs; 3rd place went to Michael & Niall O’Donoughue with 1 fish for 3.70lbs and 4th Place went to Harold O’Toole & Stephen Greaney with 3 fish for 3.60lbs.  The Greaney Cup (Heaviest Fish Category) was won by Michael O’Donoughue with a fish weighing 3.70lbs.

In the Cornamona area Tom Doc Sullivan http://www.tomdoc.com reports of Chris Oliver from Navan enjoying a day on Lough Corrib and had 3 good trout for his trip which was crowned with a personal best brown trout of 4lbs – measuring 22 inches, a trip to savour with Chris catching his PB on a Green Peter which he tied himself for the day. James Nobel visiting from England fishing with Tom also had a good day when they boated 4 good fish with one 2.5lbs and another beauty in or around the 4lbs mark.

 

Chris Oliver,Navan guided by Tom Doc Sullivan caught this lovely fish
Chris Oliver,Navan guided by Tom Doc Sullivan caught this lovely fish

 

In The Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091552550) reports of Loughrea angler Malcom Naughton fishing on Corrib for one day and had 4 fish from the deeps with the fish averaging 1.75lbs. Cork duo Jerome & Pat Mullane had 5 fish from the deeps for their visit to Lough Corrib with the fish again averaging 1.75lbs in size.

Staying in the Oughterard area Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat hire & Self Catering (087-9604170) reports of Michael & Alan Bowes from Cork along with himself enjoying two days fishing landing 4trout with the best 4.5lbs – sportingly released. Mark Curtin had 2 trout dapping for his day on Corrib with the best fish being 2.25lbs. Kevin himself fished on Monday last and landed 2 fish of 1.25 and 2.5lbs .

 

Kevin Molloy, owner Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat Rental and Self Catering with a fine trout.
Kevin Molloy, owner Baurisheen Bay Guiding, Boat Rental and Self Catering with a fine trout.

Also in the Oughterard area the Oughterard Anglers Association hosted the John Gill Memorial Cup in which 28 anglers participated and 22 trout were caught. First place went to Charlie McCormican with 3trout for 5.5lbs dapping, second place went to Joey Tierney with 2trout for 4.5lbs casting, third place went to Gareth Little with 2 trout for 4lbs casting and fourth place went to Gerry Molloy with 2 trout for 3lbs casting.

This week’s forecast is quite stormy, and it is hoped the weather will calm enough to provide some quality fishing for the final week of the season next week.