It’s been a topsy-turvy Spring, with a very wet March followed by some pleasant days in April, but even at this late date morning frost can mean a cold start and slower fly hatches.

Larry McCarthy from Corrib View Lodge says the bad weather in March badly hampered any chance of good duck fly fishing. Catch returns were low with most days producing an average of 2 fish to the boat. Some exceptions when the weather settled produced good fishing, like when Gareth Jones (Airflo) caught 11 good trout averaging 2lbs, all on buzzer for one day in late March. Malcolm Patrick (UK) caught 8 nice trout on small size 14 traditional wet duck fly patterns on Saturday the 8th drifting over duck fly holes where the hatch had finished but the fish were still in these areas.

With the duckfly over olives started hatching in good numbers, and on the 11th Larry reported 8 fish to the boat on dry olives in torrential rain! This fish measured 21 inches, but weighed an incredible 5.5lbs!

Since then we have had some very bright weather, making for tricky conditions with sparser hatches. Cong Angling Club held a wetfly competition on Sunday in tough brightconditions with very little breeze, but Barry Molloy managed 4 trout with 14lbs 2oz to take top spot. Dan O’Donovan was 2nd witrh 3 fish for 6lbs 6opz, and Stephen Lydon was 3rd with 3 fish for 5lbs 6oz.

Barry Molloy receiving the Ashford Castle Cup from Mark Gibbons, with Stephen Lydon on left and Dan O’Donovan on right.

We recently featured Cong AC on these pages, and their newly upgraded angling facility at Lisloughrey, which got a good response, and the club still have some moorings available for new members. Check out their contact details here for more information.

 

The previous week Corr na Mona and District Anglers held the annual Hospice Catch & Release competition, with proceeds going to the Galway Hospice. Again, a bright day provided less than ideal fishing conditions, but that man Barry Molloy proved his good form, taking top honours in this pairs competition with his partner Mark Gibbons. When converted to weight, the team’s combined catch equalled 16lbs, including the biggest fish, Barry’s 59cm trout which earned him 4.59lbs and the largest fish prize.

In 2nd place were Richie Willis and Darren Curran with 5 trout for 6.5lbs, and Mary and Paul Miller from Clydagh were 3rd with 4 trout for 6.25lbs.

1st place, Mark Gibbons Centre left and Barry Molloy Centre right receive the trophy and their prize from Tom Doc Sullivan left and Eamon Gavin right

With May upon us, the imminent arrival of the mayfly hatch will see a big upsurge in angling on Corrib, and we hope to have a lot more reports to bring you soon. Photos and reports are always welcome to [email protected]