A trout salvage operation is being carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland staff who are working tirelessly in an effort to remove the many fish which have become trapped in the drought hit Cong canal. The Mayo canal is the main spawning channel for the much sought after ferox trout.  The dry spell has resulted in a significant drop in water levels, and given the porous nature of the limestone within the canal, this happens at an alarming rate.

Funding has been announced for a number of harbours in County Mayo under the Harbours Scheme from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Sinead Doherty from Mulranny has been appointed the West of Ireland Operations Manager for Marine Harvest Ireland. The Mayo native joined Marine Harvest Ireland as a Technical Assistant in May 2005 after completing a degree in Marine Biology in NUIG. Sinead, who has started in her new position, will have overall responsibility for 24 employees and for the running of the three production sites and land based activities in Co. Mayo.

The lower Moy fisheries did not produce many fish over the past week; Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water yielded seven while the Moy Fishery reported no catch for the week. The mid Moy fisheries produced a few fish, and at Coolcronan, Sandra Fleming, N.Ireland, was the first angler to catch a salmon off that fishery, winning her the Coolcronan Cup. Sandra caught a fine 7lbs salmon on a spinner. This was shortly followed by Tommy Whiteside, who took the second of the season, a fish of 8lbs on worm.

Another excellent week of spring salmon fishing on the River Moy, with over 80 salmon reported and fish being taken on almost all of the Moy fisheries. The Moy Fishery in Ballina town produced 7 salmon, with 6 from the Weir Pool and one off the Cathedral Beat. On the Weir Pool, Manuel Lopez, Spain, had one to the fly of 5lbs, while Michael Wymes, Dublin, also had one on the fly of 5.5lbs.

Lough Mask trout jumping Hatches of Olives and Mayfly bring excellent sport on Ronan Cusack reports that Mask remained in top form again this week with some excellent catches reported.

The River Moy has produced some great fishing for anglers of late, and last week was the best week of the season so far, with 70 salmon reported caught throughout the system. Angling on the lower and middle Moy was slow during the week with the majority of fish caught upstream of Foxford. On the Ridge Pool, John Wilson from Co. Fermanagh caught the first salmon of the season, a 5.5lbs sea-liced fish on the spinner.

Ronan Cusack reports on plenty of good fishing on Lough Mask again this week, despite the cold north/easterly winds and icy showers. The majority of anglers reported to be having most success in shallow water on wetfly patterns. The Partry Anglers were the host club for the Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (T.A.F.I.) Connaught Cup held on Lough Mask on Saturday last.

The Connacht Shore Committee of the Provincial Council hosted the IFSA World Championship Qualifiers over the weekend at various venues in the Mayo area with anglers and stewards based at the Helm in Westport and very well looked after by owner, Vinnie Keogh, and his excellent staff.  The beaches selected were Whitestrand on Saturday morning, Enniscrone on Saturday evening, and Keel on Achill Island on Sunday.

The River Moy has produced some great fishing for anglers of late, with the catch of the week on the system undoubtedly going to Mark Parry, U.K., who hooked and landed a cracking 16.7lbs fresh run springer on the fly in the East Mayo waters. Downstream, the worm proved successful on the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water, with Michael Egan Jr. landing one of 5lbs, Tommy Egan Sr. had one of 8lbs while Noel Slowey caught one of 9lbs.