Mayfly hatches are really getting going now on Lough Corrib, with the whitethorn in full bloom too, making for lovely scenery as the hedges around the lake turn white. A report today is of mayfly hatching and trout rising everywhere providing great sport. Air temperatures have been lower than normal, with cold north-easterly winds making it feel quite cool, but the weather is set to improve from the weekend on, and fishing should be more enjoyable by then.

Over the weekend we had very sunny, calm weather, which made wetfly fishing difficult, but buzzer fishing produced some fine fish, particularly around the mid-lake area. Ben Breen and a friend persevered through the sunshine on Sunday and were rewarded with 2 fine trout estimated at 4lbs and close to 6lbs, both sportingly released. Both fish were landed within a few minutes of each other near Ballindiff Bay.

Keep ’em wet! A textbook release from Ben Breen.

 

Elsewhere, Declan Gibbons reports that the Cornamona Anglers held a wetfly competition on Sunday, which was won by Darren Curran with 3 trout for 8lb 5.6oz. In 2nd was Éamon Gavin with 3 fish for 8lb 0.6oz, 3rd place went to Éamon Molloy with 3 fish for 7lb 4 oz and in 4th place was Tom Doc Sullivan with 3 fish for 6lb 10oz. 32 anglers fished with a catch total of 30 fish and an average of 1lb 9oz per angler.

Eamon Gavin with a nice Corrib trout
Eamon Gavin with a nice Corrib trout

 

The arrival of the mayfly, and warmer weather next week should see peak activity on the lake, and hopefully we’ll have a few more reports to share next week. The International Mayfly Festival gets under way in Oughterard this weekend with a junior fishing competition on Saturday. The Taste of the Corrib event will be held in the Lake Hotel on Saturday from 7pm, while the main event, the Dapping Competition, will take place on Sunday. Entries in advance to Tucks Tackle Shop in Oughterard.