Declan Gibbons reports on a productive opening few days on Corrib. Opening Day on the 15th of February provided some of the best early conditions in several years, with the lake at a low enough level and mild weather offering anglers the chance of good sport.
There was much activity and enthusiasm amongst anglers from around the lake – both those living locally and those who travelled from further afield to wet a line on opening day with weather conditions favourable in the morning and early part of the afternoon, and notable activity in the towns and villages around Corrib. Most anglers were looking forward to a bit of sport after the long winter break, but truth be told the main point of opening day is to catch up with old friends, usually over lunch and a drop of something strong on one of the islands.
In the Oughterard area Kevin Molloy from Baurisheen Bay Guiding and Self Catering (087-9604170) reported Stephen Barry from Laois enjoyed an excellent start to the season, landing 3 trout with the best fish being 8.5lbs, and Richard Kirkham also landing 3 trout – best fish 2lbs (all sportingly released). Gerry Molloy (www.loughcorriboughterard.com) was on to report a great start to 2017, with Gerry himself, Kevin Molloy and Emmet McGloin landing 7 fish for their efforts on opening day, with the best fish being 2.75lbs caught trolling the “brickeen”. On Sunday last Gerry had a fish for 2lbs also on the brickeen but Gerry tells us that his fish was well out-weighed by a cracking fish caught by Joe Tierney on the brickeen, weighing 10lbs 2oz.
In the Cornamona area on opening day Jackie Coyne along with John Somerville met 6 fish on dabbler patterns with Jackie landing 1 fish for almost 3lbs, and the Renvle man sportingly released his first capture of 2017 back into Lough Corrib.
Mike Shanks fishing along with Kevin Kerrigan got his season off to a pleasant start with a fish of 2.5lbs on opening day and a fish of 3.5lbs on Saturday last.
Also in the Cornamona area Richard Molloy (087-2879339) of Ballard Shore Boat Hire and Self Catering reports on regulars returning to Lough Corrib and making the most of their time, with Derek Evans from the Irish Times landing a nice fish of 1.5lbs on the fly on opening day, and other visitors enjoying reasonable fishing for the time of the year on brickeen, Tasmanian devils and on the fly – dabbler patterns were most productive on intermediate lines having produced a few fish in the 1-1.5lbs range on Sunday last.
See the full report here.