FISHING the mayfly season is perhaps the most enjoyable and productive time of year for any trout angler. It is a time when trout go wild for this short-life insect that stimulates its growth and strengthens its body tissue for the winter months.
It is also a time for a host of aquatic wildlife and birdlife to feast on the vulnerable mayfly. But most importantly of all it is a time when the angler - even the novice - will stand a good chance of catching one of our fine speckled friends.
The life-span of the mayfly is short, in fact, less than 24 hours. The egg is deposited on the water surface and descends to the bottom for up to two years. When it eventually breaks the surface the mayfly discards its "shuck" and flies to the water margins. As a "spinner" it then goes through the mating process before returning to lay its eggs on the water surface and so begins the cycle over again.
Last weekend I enjoyed the pleasure of mayfly fishing on Lough Conn as guest of John Geary from Pontoon Bridge Hotel in Co Mayo. Situated on the shores of Conn, the hotel has every amenity for the angler including lovely views of the lough.
Under guidance of top boatman Michael Connelly, expectations were high as we discussed fly patterns at the hotel harbour. "So far mayfly hatches have been sporadic," he said. "I don't like this easterly wind. A westerly with a light drizzle is what we need." Before setting out we met Michael's brother, Kieran who, with Michael Flanagan the previous day, boated 11 trout in Brackwansha Bay. "This is the green wet mayfly we caught our fish on. Take it and the best of luck with it today," he said. My initial cast comprised of Sotty Olive, Green Peter and Grey Wulff.
In overcast weather, Poteen Bay produced numerous "takes" and "boilies" and at Brackwansha I caught a good trout of 0.5kg. Alas, the "green wet mayfly", so devastating the previous day, was not on the "trout menu" for our visit. That's fishing, I guess.
• June is set to become a busy fishing month at Pontoon Bridge Hotel where two of the biggest names in fly-casting are coming to the shores of Lough Conn to link up with instructor Robert Gillespie.
World-renowned spey-caster Andrew Toft of Scotland will hold a two-day course at the lakeside venue on June 13th and 14th. The two-day course is a must for all fly-fishers at any level of experience. The cost is €100 per day.
On June 28th and 29th, three times spey-casting world champion Scott McKenzie will also run a two-day course at the hotel. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in tournament spey-casting to improve fishing techniques. The cost is €135 per day and limited to six persons.
Meanwhile, Robert Gillespie (APGAI, FFF, THCI) continues to offer one-to-one tuition and can be contacted at 086-0536833. To book courses and to avail of accommodation rates at Pontoon Bridge Hotel, contact John Geary at 087-821 7368.
• More than 30 solicitors and barristers took part in the 17th annual lawyer's fishing competition out of Cushlough Bay on Lough Mask last weekend. By all accounts the legal eagles enjoyed good fishing and were high in praise for local man Robbie O'Grady who arranged boats and ghillies.
Top prize went to Martin Foulds of Ernst Young with three trout for 2.1kg on claret bumble and mayfly patterns. Dublin barrister Garnet Orange took second place with two fish for 1.1kg.
• Carrowmore Lake fished well over the week despite testing conditions, with sunny weather and moderate to light easterly winds proving a challenge for anglers. Declan Dooley and Rory Murray, both from Dublin, accounted for five salmon; Uzoz Swart from South Africa landed one fish while German angler Winfred Clanesback managed two salmon, best 3.6kg. Franz Kaiser of Bangor Erris caught a fine brown trout of 1.4kg.