ANGLING NOTES:AT LAST I get my chance to fish the lake that most salmon-anglers talk about, Carrowmore Lake on the outskirts of Bangor Erris in Co Mayo, regarded by many as the finest spring salmon lake in the country.
Another first is to meet Seamus Henry. Everybody knows Seamus. As fishery manager he looks after boat hire, guides and accommodation, and provides a daily update on catches and conditions on the lake.
Our two boats are manned by Des Chew of Dublin Angling Initiative and Declan Little, while angling guide Paddy McDonnell takes the helm with me. My cast comprises an Octopus lookalike on the top dropper, Claret Dabbler and Green Peter.
Conditions are perfect, with overhead cover and a stiff breeze that changes direction three times throughout the day. We head straight for Paradise Bay. “Quite a few salmon taken here last week,” Paddy says.
We cover every inch of the bay – in out, in out – without a take. Moving eastwards to the mouth of the Glencullin River puts a different perspective on the day.
First up, our two rods get a “follow” and a swirl (the size of a dustbin lid). Then a bar of silver grabs my Octopus fly and takes off at breathtaking speed. Around the boat a few times and then safely netted. Not a big salmon, about 2kg (4lb), but in mint condition.
Simultaneously, the boat behind is also busy playing and landing a bigger fish of 4kg or 9lb. This window of opportunity lasts just 10 minutes. Safely ashore, we call to the West End bar in the town to say our farewells to Seamus Henry, the proprietor. “A total of seven salmon caught today,” he says.
A photograph on the wall depicts former US Masters’ golf champion Mark O’Meara pulling a pint behind the bar alongside renowned fly angler Sean McManmon.
Meanwhile, 16 salmon were reported from Carrowmore last week.
* The mayfly is well and truly up on Corrib, with large hatches reported from a number of areas over the last few days. Fishing has really picked up at last, although not many anglers are out. The early hatch this year may have taken many anglers by surprise.
* Following my fishing trip to Tampere in Finland in 2009 for zander, perch and pike, my friend and guide Ismo Kolari emails with news of a new Zanderland Stories video now available at http/zanderland.fi/video. The 12 episodes introduce the major lakes of the Tampere region and show fishing for the important species with different methods in beautiful lake scenery. Tampere Fish Fair and the making of fish delicacies are also included.
Ice has now melted from the lakes of the Tampere region, he says, and a new open-water fishing season has started.
* Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has recently won a court case against a Co Louth man for illegal salmon fishing. He was fined €600 and ordered to pay €880 in costs to IFI at Drogheda District Court. Fisheries officers apprehended him with a fixed net at the shores of Annagassan at the tidal section of the Dee and Glyde rivers.
Judge William J Hamill convicted the man under Section 97 of the 1959 Fisheries Act, for using a fixed engine capable of taking salmon or sea trout and under Section 301 for refusing to give his name and address when lawfully demanded.
IFI has a freefone number to enable the public to report poaching and pollution – 1890-347424 or the easier to recall, 1890 FISH 24.
* The new email address for John Murphy of Salmon Watch Ireland, is john@kerrysalmon-seatrout.com
* Oughterard Anglers Boatmen’s Association present an international mayfly competition next Sunday on Lough Corrib. Start and weigh-in at Oughterard Pier with fishing 10.30am-6pm. Registration fee is €20pp. Entries to Tommy Tucks, Main Street, Oughterard.