Declan Gibbons reports from Lough Corrib, where most of our regular contributors are only resuming business due to Covid 19 Guidelines. Mayfly have started hatching again, with sedge hatches already well underway, and fish are responding.
Lucky Escape
Two anglers had a very lucky escape last week then their boat struck a marker and overturned, throwing both into the water. Both were wearing lifejackets, and were quickly recued by jetskiers who happened to be nearby, so it was a lucky escape and neither were seriously hurt. Please – everyone – if you are going on the water, wear a lifejacket or PFD. It’s the law, but more importantly, it could save your life!
Angling
Starting off in the Oughterard area Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091-552550) reports good mayfly and sedge hatches when conditions are right. Cork anglers Tom Murphy and Pat Hoare had 4 fish on wets for their outing on Corrib, while fellow county man Barry Healy had 2 fish for his efforts, all on wet fly.. Larry Kelly from Dublin had 12 fish for 3 days with the best being 5.25lbs on a mixture of wets and dries.
Richard Molloy of Ballard Shore Boat Hire & Self Catering (087-2879339) reported that Meath man Paul Geraghty enjoyed a good day’s action dapping, with a couple of small fish all around the 1lb mark and his best fish 20 inches (estimated 4lbs) long – all fish sportingly released. Dublin angler Tom Ormond and family members had 3 keepers on dapped mayfly and crickets with the best fish being2.5lbs, all released. Tom also reported localised hatches of mayfly and fish showing on them.

#cprsavesfish
Prospects
As we move into July, many trout are feeding on coarse fish fry, but there are still plenty up on the surface. Sedge hatches are going well, and the July hatch of mayfly will be increasing as the days go on. The weather has been broken too, which helps hatches, and without a heatwave in sight, prospects are good for the week ahead on Lough Corrib.