Declan Gibbons reports that mayfly hatches have slowed dramatically, and the first mayfly hatch appears to be over for the year. It was a disappointing mayfly for the most part, with some days providing good sport, but hatches and fishing were considered very patchy. The last couple of years have provided excellent fishing during the second mayfly hatch in July-August, so perhaps we may see some good fishing to mayfly yet this year. On the plus side, early risers are now being rewarded with good Caenis hatches. There simply is nothing to beat being on the water as the dawn chorus swells and the sun comes up, waiting for the Caenis to start hatching and the lake to come alive with feeding trout.
In the Oughterard area Colin Wright from Belfast stayed with Basil Shields of Ardnasillagh Lodge (091-552550) for 5 days and had 22 fish on mayfly patterns, best fish just shy of 4lbs. Tony Newman, a visiting angler from England had 7 fish, all weighed and released for a total of 26.5lbs , including his best – a cracking fish of 7lbs 2oz. Simon Chapman, also from England had excellent sport buzzer fishing for a day and landed 5 trout – best fish 5lbs 2oz, all sportingly released.
A Dublin group of anglers enjoyed good sport at Ardnasillagh Lodge for a day’s fishing, including Robert Lalor with 3 fish (33cm,33cm & 34cm) Michael Gallagher with 3 fish, all measuring 33cms, Declan Keogh with 2 fish both measuring 33cm, Eamon O’Nuallain with one fish of 48cm and Les Nicholson with one fish measuring 42cm. Kevin Molloy (087-9604170) reports a quieter week gone by, during which he guided French father and son Antoine & Simon and they landed a 5lbs trout trolling on Friday.
In the Ballynalty area Ted Wherry of Mayfly Lodge (087-4305957) reports Peadar McAvinney from Clones, Co Monaghan enjoyed good sport on Saturday last, landing 3 trout to 2.5lbs.
Cornamona Anglers hosted their Mayfly Competition on Sunday last with 50 anglers participating and just 9 fish weighed in for a total of 20.76lbs. in 1st place was Fr Michael Reilly with 2 fish for 8.00lbs, 2nd place went to Peter Walsh with 1 fish for 3.04lbs, and in 3rd place was Keith Curtis with 1 fish for 2.25lbs. Best Lady Angler on the Day went to Noreen Gavin, and the Heaviest Fish prize went to Fr Michael Reilly with a fish of 6.00lbs.
On Saturday last the Cornamona club also hosted their Annual Youths Competition with 23 rods weighing in 5 fish with an average weight of 1.12lbs. in 1st place was Conor Curran with 2 fish for 2.26lbs, in 2nd place was Brendan Curran with 1 fish for 1.22lbs (also heaviest fish), and Calvin Kinneavy took 3rd place with 1 fish for 1.19lbs.
On Sunday last Collinamuck Angling Club hosted the O’Halloran Cup in difficult conditions – 10 boats were on the water for the day with Moycullen man Mike Keady the winner on the day with a fish of 2.5lbs.
Larry Mc carthy from Corrib View Lodge (www.corribangling.com) reports that fishing has been early and hectic over the last two weeks. Visiting UK anglers Tim Rowley and his daughter Anna had a mixture of early morning Caenis fishing with some day time mayfly fishing too, and they had 17 trout to 3lbs for the week.
Ronald Ray and Garry Campbell, also from the UK had 13 trout between 1.5lbs and 3lbs on mayfly in the Greenfields area. Most anglers staying at the lodge caught an average bag of 2 to 3 fish per outing but it is very noticeable that the mayfly is at an end. Larry himself has been busy early mornings doing what he does best – chasing Caenis feeders which are in full swing. Boating regular client Jeremy over 3 days last week they caught 27 trout between 1.5lbs and 4.5lbs with 4 of these fish weighing over 4lbs. The early starts are producing some magnificent fishing according to Larry.
