The East Corrib Alliance, a group of 4 clubs dedicated to raising funds and carrying out habitat improvement work, held their annual Catch-and-Release competition last Sunday. All fish were measured and released, and a weight assigned to the fish based on the length-weight relationship from previous survey work on Corrib.

Let’s hear their report:

Ready for the off
Many thanks to everyone who supported our catch and release competition last Sunday.
This event is a very important fundraising opportunity for ECA to help support our organisation with the river and stream development projects we carry out each year.
Anglers traveled from all over Ireland north and south with the addition of several entries from the UK.
On the way full of hope. Heading under the causeway into Ballynalty Bay
The committee and members of ECA were delighted with the support received from anglers and sponsors alike.
Running the event catch and release has proven extremely popular and all the feedback we received was extremely positive.
The ECA competition is now firmly on the seasons calendar as a fun and social event that everyone looks forward to.
With an increase of 20% in entries to 120 anglers this year the competition is attracting more support each year.
Mick Mellamphy from Cork was the top man on the day with two cracking trout for 7.53lb.
Chatting with Mick he informed us that his last outing on Corrib was 24 years ago when he won the Irish Masters. He assured the committee he would be moving his boat to Greenfields next season.
Mick Mellamphy receiving first prize with a bag of two trout for 7.533lb .


Jerry O Brien took home the heaviest fish prize for a fish 4.475lb
The first prize winner Mick Mellamphy also had a fish 4.475lb but Jerry won the coin toss on the day.

Davie Kidd presents the heaviest fish prize to Jerry O Brien
UK visitor Bob Holland takes 2nd prize
Ann Mc Williams winner of the ladies prize

The lake has been fishing to the conditions over the last few weeks, with the weather very much playing a part. Fishing guide Kevin Molloy reports that August was very windy, which impacted on fishing a lot. Mayfly and sedge hatches were poor for the most part, with sedge hatches improving towards the end of the month. Most fish were caught trolling. Kevin guided renowned French singer Pierre Perret, who has long connections to Connemara, and he landed 2 trout to 3lbs on the troll.US visitor Guille Salas had 3 trout to 2.5lbs on the troll.

Kevin also reports that the Molloy Cup competition, fished in memory of his father, was a great success with 61 anglers competing. And for the first time in it’s 22 year history, the cup was won by one of the Molloy family, with brother Eamon taking the win with 4 fish for 2.866kg. Seamus Kelly was 2nd, and Steve Walsh 3rd; Steve also had the heaviest fish, a trout of 1.33kg. Lorcan Kelly won the junior prize and Anne Alvarez was the top lady angler.

 

Upcoming Competitions

Many clubs are holding late season competitions, with the end of the season looming it could be a last chance to get out and enjoy some competitive fishing until 2025.

Annaghdown Angling Club are holding the Michael Kavanagh Shield competition also this Sunday. Starting at 1030 and weigh in at 1800, casting and dapping only, entry fee to be paid at Annaghdown Pier.