It’s been a very windy month of May this year, which has greatly hampered fishing. Hatches of mayfly have been patchy at times, with hugely varying reports from different areas of the lake on different days. Some anglers have had great fishing one day and blanked the next two! The broken weather has meant the mayfly hatch is still going though, with a steady trickle of mayfly coming off this week again. Most anglers will have noticed Caenis on their boats too in the morning, suggesting this hatch is now underway and early risers can expect good dry fly fishing in the next few weeks.

Caenis

In the Headford area, fishing was described as steady, with lots of small fish showing. Wetfly has been working well in the windier conditions, but dries are bringing up some of the better fish when conditions allow.

As always at this time of year, clubs have been busy holding competitions. The Corr na Mona club held their annual mayfly competition last Sunday 22nd. The event was won y Tom Sommerville, with Gerry McDonnell in second and Caolan McDonell in third. Gerry also had the heaviest fish. Maggie Brown was the top lady angler. 31 anglers recorded 31 fish on the day. The club also held a youth development day on Saturday, with all those who took part having a great day out. Well done Corr na Mona!

Tom Doc Sullivan presents Tom Somerville with his winners prize

Another club fostering youth development is Ballindiff Bay, who held a youth day on Sunday. Plenty of fish were caught, the young anglers all received a bag of lures, and everyone was treated to a great cookout on one of the islands. Well done to all the senior anglers who boated and looked after the youngsters.

Mmm!
Toasting marshmallows at lunchtime – it’s not just about the fishing!

Annaghdown Angling Club hosted the annual Paddy Fahy Cup last Sunday 22 May. The conditions were great with overcast skies and a fine rolling wave. Expectations were high for the 13 anglers and in general terms they were not disappointed. 20 fish were returned for a total weight of 18.3 kgs. This was a boat competition and the winners were Adrian Lynch / James Sexton with 6 fish for 5.3 kgs. Second were Joe and Patrick Butler again with 6 fish for 5.15kgs and in Third place were Anthony Ryan / Martin McCracken with 4 fish for 4.10 kgs. Heaviest fish was 1.35 kgs returned by Anthony and Martin.

Adrian Lynch and James Sexton receiving the Paddy Fahy Cup

Collinamuck Anglers are holding the O’Halloran Cup this coming Sunday 29th from Collinamuck Pier. It is a Dapping and Casting competition and takes place from 11am to 6pm. Last registration is at 10.30am at the Pier in Collinamuck and Weigh in is at the Pier at 6pm.

Headford & Corrib Anglers are holding the annual Andreew Egan competition on Saturday 4th June, fishing from 11am to 6pm. This social event is open to all. Register from 10.15 or contact Kieran on 087 6740144.

With the winds easing over the weekend, and May coming to an end, mayfly hatches will start petering out shortly, but if we get broken weather next week fishing should still be reasonably good. Any calm mornings should see big hatches of Caenis and plenty of fish rising to them, so it will pay to be on the water before the sun is up. Tight lines!