Lough Corrib has seen a slow start to the early season, with high water levels and stormy weather in the first couple of weeks keeping most anglers off the lake. Since the end of February, conditions have improved, and fishing has been reasonably good for those anglers venturing out.
Opening day was quieter than normal, due to the inclement weather leading up to the season start, but fishing on the day proved very productive. The Langan Cup, held by the Collinamuck Anglers, produced some great catches, particularly for John and Frank Butler who took top honours with 8 trout for 12.84kgs. The team of Bernard Halloran, Brian Noonan and Ger Regan finished in second, with 5 trout for 7.40kgs. Overall 17 anglers landed 18 trout for 28.25kgs, with the heaviest fish caught by Ger Reilly, a trout of 2.12kgs.
Elsewhere, opening day fished well for anglers trolling in the Oughterard area, with Gerry Molloy, Kevin Molloy and Emmet McGloin landing 9 trout for 13.5lbs. Rory and Mark McGauley had 4 trout for 8lbs, including a fine fish of 4lbs, while Tommy Tuck and Kenneth Ferguson reported 4 good trout to their boat.
Over the following week, strong winds prevented many anglers from fishing, with the only activity in the Oughterard area, Mark and Eamon O Brien landing 5 trout for 10lbs on fly. James Kelly and Cillian Tierney, also fly fishing, landed 4 trout for 6lbs. Raymond Lee landed 3 trout for 5.5lbs while trolling for a day. Donal Connolly reported that he school mid-term break was put to good use by Paul & Shane Joyce, Liam Butler and Cillian Tierney, with some lovely fish being caught over 2 days. They ended up with over 12 fish – best was a nice 3lbs fish but several more in the 2 to 2.5 lb bracket were also caught, nice fishing!
Over the turn of the month the high water levels prevailed, preventing many anglers from even launching their boats, however some anglers enjoyed good fishing, again mainly around Oughterard, Patrick Molloy landing 8 trout for two days trolling. Harold O’Toole 2 trout for 4lbs on the fly, while Kenny O’Toole and a friend landed 5 trout for 8lbs while trolling for one day. Dermot Fitzpatrick from Ballinrobe also landed and returned a cracking trout of 7.5lbs while spinning in Ashford Bay, Cong.
As March came in, the good fishing has continued in spite of the conditions. Mike Shanks from Cornamona fished for 1 day and had a nice trout on fly. Patrick and Kevin Molloy from Oughterard, had 6 trout for 10lbs trolling for one day. Aidan Kelly, also Oughterard, had 2 trout for 3lbs to the fly. Joe Trill, fly fishing the lower lake, reported that the fishing was very good and for 5 days he landed 20 trout up to 3lbs. The T.A.F.I. Connaught Youth Fly Tying qualifier was held on Sunday the 3rd March in Headford. 1st was Caran Reilly, Loughrea. 2nd was Oisin Reilly, Glencorrib. Joint 3rd was Blaine and Matthew Barry, Clifden.
Donal Connolly was again in touch to report on a lovely day on Corrib with Nathan and Katie Eberly from Michigan in the U.S. They ended up boating 4 good fish for an average just under 2 lb., and got another 6 or 7 takes but the fish just didn’t hold. Katie caught the best fish of the day, a lovely fish of just over 2lbs. To book fishing, boat hire or accommodation with Donal, check the website at www.fishingcorrib.com or give him a call at 085 7364830.
Ferox trout
The guys at Corrib Predator Team have been out as well, and as ever producing some fine fish for their clients. Over the first couple of weeks fishing was tough, but they landed several ferox trout into the low double figures. At the start of March, they had their first group of Czech clients, and what a trip it was for Radek Vyhlidal, who struck into his first ever ferox trout, not realising just how big this fish was.
After a hectic fight, the magnificent fish was finally netted, and after being measured and photographed, quickly released again. The fish was a monstrous 93cm long, probably well over 20lbs, although it was not weighed, with the priority being to release it safely. Full credit to the Predator Team guys for this commitment to looking after their fish.
A couple of days later the guys were back it, and after doing a bit of spinning for trout, landing 7 up to 50cm, they went back trolling for the big guns again. Client Robert Maslanka had two good fish, one of 60cm and the other a massive 84cm. Once again the Corrib Predator Team guides are producing the goods. To book fishing, contact Tomi on 085 7318541 or Jack on 085 7741578, or see Corrib Predator Team on Facebook.
