Leigh Hookes with his 11.6lbs salmon from the Erriff Fishery
Fishery manager Osgur Grieve reports that last week was tough going with water levels dropping to 0.6m at one point. Anglers fished hard in these conditions and finally Stephen Sayer from the UK caught a nice fresh fish weighing 7lbs on Tuesday 17th, which was caught on a Cascade. Leigh Hookes, also from UK, fished on the morning of the 19th and caught a fresh salmon weighing 11.6lbs on a Black Frances.
Leigh Hookes with his 11.6lbs salmon from the Erriff Fishery
For fishing please call bookings on (095) 42208 as we have beats available.
Fishery manager Terry Gallagher was in touch to say the season is underway at Costello. A 4lbs grilse was landed yesterday evening on River Beat 1, and a splendid 10 pounder the night before, again on beat 1. Another fish was lost over the weekend (always bring your net, oops!)
For bookings and queries please contact Terry at 087 23 999 88 or email terrygal7@gmail.com
Water levels finally dropped to one gate this week on the weir in Galway, with much better conditions for fly fishers and grilse appearing in better numbers in the river. There were 15 fish landed for the week, with anglers enjoying further sport with other fish but unfortunately parting company before meeting on the bank.
The 17th was a good day with 4 fish, including a fish of 4.5lbs for French visitor Jean Le Moal on a spinner. UK visitor Alyn Lynton landed two grilse of 4lbs and 6lbs on fly, while Tuam man Louis Brennan had a 6lbs fish shrimp. Alan Lynton had another fish on the 18th, a fine fish of 10lbs on fly. The following day Ber Gilsenan from Multyfarnham landed a 9.5lbs salmon while spinning, John Anderson had a 5lbs fish on fly, while Jean le Moal scored again with a 4lbs fish on spinner.
Over the rest of the week Jim Kane landed a 5lbs grilse on fly, as did John Ryan from Tipperary, while Navan man Paul O Malley was rewarded with a 10lbs springer taken on the fly. Lady angler Leen Verhoeven from Belgium caught her first salmon on the fly – a nice grilse of 4.5lbs.
Dublin angler Brendan O’Connor, caught a 5lbs grilse on fly, and Ashley Mathews from Clifden took a 6lbs fish, also on fly.
Water conditions and weather are excellent now, and with the grilse run starting, angling prospects for the coming weeks are very good.
Kevin Crowley with a fine 3.5lbs trout from Lough Mask, May 2016
Ronan Cusack says there are mixed reports from Mask this week, as our mayfly season should be in full swing. Sparse hatches of fly, coupled with bright sunshine and a constant change in wind direction, has made traditional mayfly fishing very difficult. Conditions for the latter half of last week suited wets and dries; unfortunately an easterly wind took hold over the weekend and made angling a bit more challenging.
Local anglers Kevin Egan and Michael Vahey had 5 for an afternoon on Friday last on a combination of wets and dries (best fish 1.75lbs, all returned). Ballinrobe anglers Philip McGoldrick and Kieran Biggins fished wet flies for a day over the weekend and they finished with 7 (best fish 2lbs, all returned). Conor Ledwith and fishing partner Kevin Crowley (not your correspondent!) from Headford fished dries for a few hours on Monday evening in Caher Bay and Kevin landed a lovely 3.5lbs trout on a Klinkhamer.
John Young, UK with a fine 5.5lbs Mask trout, May 2016Kevin Crowley with a fine 3.5lbs trout from Lough Mask, May 2016
Ken McCarthy from Dublin had 3 on wets on Monday last (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). Danny Joyce from Ballinrobe also had 3 on Sunday on wet flies (best fish 1.5lbs, all returned). UK angler and regular visitor to Lough Mask, John Young fished with Ronan Cusack on Sunday last and they had 9 trout on a combination of wets and buzzer (best fish 5.5lbs, all returned).
The wind is to shift back to a northerly direction towards the end of the week which is good news for Mask anglers.
Paul Geraghty with a beautiful 13lbs Corrib trout he caught and released is our first joint 'Catch of the Week' winner
It’s been a strange season this year, with growth of many species several weeks behind, and the sparser than usual mayfly hatches have been frustrating anglers no end. Weather conditions haven’t helped, with northerly and easterly winds (or no wind at all!) and bright sunshine hampering traditional mayfly fishing. Buzzer fishing is producing the odd good fish at the moment, but overall the mayfly fishing is poor.
Lough Corrib on Monday 23 May. Not ideal mayfly fishing conditions!
Declan Gibbons reports that in the Cornamona area fishing has been poor overall during the past week, with no significant hatches of mayfly. Many anglers were left frustrated having spent many hours fishing without even seeing any fish.
Patrick Brown, Cornamona had 3 trout , best was just over 3lbs on Saturday. Sean and Cillian Breathnach along with their father Paraic, from Cornamona fished for a few hours on Sunday and landed 5 fish, with 4 released.
Padraic O’ Malley and two friends from Maam had great action on one evening during the week, boating 5 fish in the space of half an hour at Corrnamona Bay. Of the three, Peter Robinson came out best with a fine fish of just over 5lbs.
Richard Molloy of Ballard Shore Boat Hire and Self catering (087-2879339) reports on some visitors having mixed fortunes on the lake. Those who had fish included father and son duo Matt and Paul Geraghty from Ashbourne Co.,Meath who had 16 trout on the dap for their visit, with 12 of them sportingly released and 6 of them around the 2.5lbs mark. Paul also had a cracking trout of 13Lbs trolling which he sportingly released. Local man Patsy Coyne, Cornamona had a fine fish on the dap of over 6lbs. Cork angler Cal Healy had some mixed fishing when hatches were moderate to good – the fishing matched the hatch.
Paul Geraghty from Asbourne, Co. Meath with a beautiful 13lbs Corrib trout he caught recently. The fish was released after a quick photo.
Stephen Lydon of Lydons Lodge Cong (lydonslodge@gmail.com; 094-9546053) says some of their visitors enjoyed some sport for their efforts. Cavan men Cian Murtagh and Vincent Kelly had 13 trout for two days last week with the best fish being 2.5lbs on wet mayfly patterns, and many more undersize fish. Also staying at Lydons for fishing were Tim O’Donnell and David Plumpton, who had 6 trout from 1-2.5lbs in the Dooras area. Steve Palmer had 6 fish from 1.5-3lbs, returning three, all on the dap. John Lydon also boated guests in the Castletown area on Saturday last with several fish caught fish ranging in size from 1.25-2.5lbs.
Mike Holian from Bayview Lodge, near Cong (www.bayviewangling.com, tel. +353 (0)94 95 46385) was in touch to report on mayfly fishing for guests staying at the lodge, and fishing with guide Robert Holian, over the last few weeks. Mayfly fishing was late starting in the Salthouse Bay area. Dietmar Tiefenhaler, Austria and three friends had 27 trout for one week trolling on Corrib & Mask, keeping 3 for the table for 8.5lbs.
Rolf and Walter Bucher from Switzerland spent 18 days trolling on Corrib and Mask, landing 46 trout, releasing all but 5, best 7.5lbs, two of 5.5lbs and two of 4lbs each.
Cian Murtagh, Cavan staying at Lydons Lodge in Cong, pictured with an Inchagoill trout caught durnig the mayfly season, 2016
Paul Ramsey, Cross, had one trout of 4 lbs on dry fly. Robert Holian and David Ryan, Cong, had 6 trout on wet fly. Sean Keenan, Dublin, landed 6 trout over 2 days on wetfly. Simon Williams, Dublin, had 6 trout over 3 days on mayfly. Rory and Cormac Nicholson, Galway, had 5 trout over the weekend on mayflies, including one for Rory of 3.5lbs. Aiden Glynn, Galway, landed 2 trout on wetfly.
Mark Husson’s party from England, guided by Robert Holian and Pat Egan, had a total of 70 trout over 4 days dapping mayfly, with most of the fish released. Philip Bowman and friend from Belfast landed 5 trout over 2 days, best 2lbs, all released.
Alice MurtaghIFI from the Corlesmore office reports:
Angling generally has improved with better bags of fish reported from all lakes. A few Bream have been turning up at Dernaferst Lough Gowna. Good mixed bags are reported from Hollybank, Gulladoo, Kevins Shore, Killykeen and Town Lake Killeshandra. A few Bream have been caught this week during the Ballinamore festival, best weight on Church Shore 17kg, mixed bags mostly Roach and Hybrids. Some small Trout are being caught on the Annalee River.
Vincent Appleby reports on some good fishing at Lough Currane…
18/05/2016 US Angler Mr. Donagh McCarthy takes all the headlines from Lough Currane today and for good reason, while fly fishing with his Gillie Mr. Dominic McGillicuddy of www.fishingwithdom.com caught a 9 lbs. Salmon and for the rest of the angling community they failed miserably in their duties. Wind North light with reasonable cloud cover.
Donagh McCarthy
19/05/2016 Dr.Nick Malpeli of the UK takes fish of the day and for good reason, his first time ever fishing Lough Currane, he caught a fine 7 lbs. Salmon, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com and the pictures tell the story.
And all I can say is Rex Hunt eat your heart out. Wind SW light and overcast.
Dr. Nick Malprli
20/05/2016 The Lough Currane anglers had a hard time of it, it was wild out there with a strong SW wind blowing across the lake, plus there was a good drop of rain falling and has made a good flood but with all the elements against them they battled on but sadly to no avail.
Mr. Eugene Ferris
Mr. Roel Haagmans
21/05/2016 There was some cracking fishing on Lough Currane this morning, so lets get to the rod benders, on the salmon front, We start in the hired out boat department of www.oshealoughcurrane.com Mr. Eugene Ferris fishing with his good friend Mr. Sean Brick caught a 8 lbs. Salmon on the troll. Staying with www.oshealoughcurrane.com UK angler Mr Sean Smith, fishing with Mr . Neil O’Shea caught a fine 7 lbs. salmon on the fly and finished his day with a fine 3 lbs. Sea Trout, which he sportingly returned and Sean’s Fly of the day was a Bibio on a intermediate fly line. Last but not least on the morning session, Dutch angler Mr. Roel Haagmans, while fishing with his Gillie Mr . Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com caught a fine 4 lbs. Grilse salmon on a Silver Stoat and fishing an intermediate fly line and just for the record this was Roel’s first time ever fishing the Waterville fishery, plus he made a bit of history by catching the first Grilse on Lough Currane for 2016 and I’m sure it won’t be his last. Wind SW light with reasonable cloud cover.
Neil takes the lime light
22/05/2016 Lough Currane was on the quiet side after yesterday’s fine action but saying that , Dutch Angler Mr. Roel haagmans , caught a fine 2 lbs. Sea Trout on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Tom O’Shea of www.flyfishingatloughcurrane.com and for the rest of the angling community they failed miserably in their duties. Wind NW light to fresh with reasonable cloud cover.
23/05/2016 There was some good fishing on Lough Currane in all departments. We start in the Salmon department Mr. David Keane caught a fine 8 lbs. Salmon on the troll, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Junior Scully. Now we head for the Sea Trout department and the hired out boat department of www.lakelandshouse.com Mr. Ian Matchett, caught a cracker of a 5 lbs. Sea Trout on the fly. Now we cut across the lake to the North side, UK Angler Mr. Marcel Guillou, also caught a great 5lbs. Sea Trout on the fly, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Vincent O’Sullivan of www.vincentsfishing.com Staying in the Sea Trout fly department, Swiss Angler, Mr. Alex Schwab, caught a fine 3 lbs. Sea Trout on the drift, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of Waterville Boats and at watervilleboats@gmail.com Now for my fish of the day and that goes to Sheerin Wilde, who caught his first ever 2 ½ lbs, Sea Trout on the Bibio fly, while fishing with his Gillie Mr. Terence Wharton Snr. Now back to yesterday, We start on the Commeragh River, an angler caught a fine Salmon. Now we head down stream, an angler who caught 1 Salmon on the world Famous Butler Pool and of www.watervillegolflinks.ie Wind West light to calm with reasonable cloud cover.
24/05/2016 Lough Currane was all quiet on the SW front and if there were any fish caught you can say without any fear of contradiction my Noble Anglers failed miserably in their duties to let their fingers do the talking as Mr. Billy Donegan would say every Sunday on Radio Kerry. Wind SE light to fresh with bright sunshine.
That is your ration from the last week on Lough Currane, from your Gillie and the Waterville Fishery, no spin no fly’s just facts. Vincent Appleby
The rivers and lakes of Waterville drain a large catchment and are regarded by many as the foremost Salmon and Sea-Trout fishery in the country. The lake system is well developed with access to boats and guides being readily available to the tourist angler. The Sea-Trout caught here are renowned for their size and quantity. For more details see
Mini Madcaps – Angling for youth Development, Ireland
On Saturday morning our coached members Simon and John carried out their first session with the Mini Madcaps at the docks. Groundbait mixing was the menu of the day with an introduction to whip fishing.
…mixing bait…
Eager to learn the juniors were soon catching small roach and perch. A great morning and one that was rewarding for all. Thanks to Steve and Frank for dropping by to give a hand.
…and catching fish…
If you are interested in joining the Madcap Mini’s and taking up an outdoor pastime then get in touch here. Not sure if it’s for you then come along and give it a go! All equipment and coaching is provided under the supervision of Angling Council of Ireland certified and vetted coached anglers. #AFYDI
Call John Keogh 087 167 2800
Join the Club…
We are pleased to say our members voted YES to accept some new blood to the club. So, if you would like to join us please get in touch.
MADCAPS, Midlands Coarse & Pike Anglers are steadily growing, have some coached members to take juniors forward and are delighted to be working with other clubs and organisations in the area towards the development of angling venues.
We run a pike league in the winter and coarse for the summer. Our membership is just €10 and we charge no more for our open competitions keeping it affordable for all. Key for us is that we keep fishing fun!
Kevin Lyons of Melview Lodge reports on some cracking pike in great numbers caught by his guests:
David Rousseau from Belgium along with friends Pierre, Claude, Freddy and father and son Marcel and Fredric enjoyed a great weeks fishing at Melview Fishing Lodge in Longford. Fishing three or four various venues they were able to catch some great Pike ( 127 in total ).
Claude Bombaerts happy with his first Pike of the sessionDavid Rousseau with a nice big fat PikePierre Nootens with a nice Pike caught on Jerk bait
Kevin said at times the bright sunny still weather was too good for them making things a little slow at certain times of the day. But the guys fished on and had to worked that little bit harder for the results, but it paid off for them in the end landing some lovely Pike. They Fished mainly with jurk bait lures and David even managed a couple of good ones on dead baits.
Freddy Van Weyenbergen with one of his Pike of the day
Kevin said I had the pleasure of fishing / guiding the guys on two separate occasions and what a great two days fishing and company it was for me also. Thanks guys and we hope to see you again in the future, Kevin.
All fish returned unharmed.
Frederic Degand with another nice Pike on Jerk bait
Kevin has over 30 years experience of fishing in Ireland and is happy to offer a guided tour on your arrival, and to advise where the on-form waters in the area are. We can arrange your bait order so it’s here when you arrive. Melview offers free use of 17ft lake boats with engines to our guests (pay fuel only) and Kevin is happy to assist with any pre-baiting requests. Maps and other information regarding fishing are also available.
