Declan Gibbons reports on a week that saw hectic sport at the start, but the heatwave has slowed mayfly fishing right down since the weekend. Anglers out late have been rewarded with good balling buzzer fishing, while the early morning Caenis hatches have started in some areas, mainly from Saddle south. Fishing during the main part of the day has been in Mediterranean conditions, with temperatures up to 25 or 26C and bright sunshine, so fishing early and late may be the solution.
On Saturday last the Jimmy Dunne Memorial Cup was hosted in Collinamuck with 10 rods participating and the Cup went to Sean Madden with 2fish for 4.25lbs, caught dapping. In the Birchall area on Saturday Terry Callinan had 8 fish dapping with his best fish being 3.5lbs. Barry O’Sullivan had 2 fish on Saturday in the Birchall area for 4.75lbs, and also had excellent sport on Friday and Monday, landing 4 fish on both occasions. Padraig Fahy in the same area had 3 fish on dry mayfly. Joe Creane had good fishing on wets on Wednesday last in Birchall with the best fish being 4.5lbs.
In the Oughterard area Basil Shields (091-552550) reported moderate hatches in the area but excellent fishing to be had none the less. Podge Dwyer & friend Foxy had 7 fish for their trip to Corrib with the best fish being 4.25lbs. Colin Wright from Belfast for 3 days had 22 trout on dry mays and buzzer (best fish 4.75lbs). Visiting English Angler Simon Oliphant had 5 fish for his day on Corrib with the best fish being 4.25lbs. Victor & Tony from the UK had 11 trout for 4 days from 1lb up to 2.5lbs on wet fly and dapping. Sam Crawford, Antrim had 16 fish for one day’s fishing on buzzer with the best fish being 5lbs 6oz. Balbriggan man John Gallagher & friend Peter McCann had 7 fish to the boat with the best fish being 8lbs 3oz and for another day’s fishing John & his friend Stuart Killeen had 6 fish to the boat with John landing a fish over 7lbs. Basil himself landed a noble trout of 11lbs 3oz on buzzer which he sportingly returned.
By Kevin Crowley
Read the full report here.