ANGLING NOTES:THE River Moy is one of the most productive Atlantic salmon rivers in the world, according to marine expert Dr Ken Whelan. In a good year, rod catches of 10,000 are recorded and the overall stock of fish is somewhere in the region of 115,000, he says.
Comparisons with the Ponoi River in Russia are revealing. The Moy catchment, at 2,000 sq km, equates to a peak rod catch of five salmon per square kilometre, whereas the Ponoi, at 16,000 sq km, accounts for just one.
This, and many more interesting nuggets, can be found in the much-awaited fourth edition of Hooked on the Moy, which is now available and free of charge. No angler should consider venturing to fish the Moy without consulting this comprehensive guide.
Editor John Geary has departed from previous formats and instead rolled out a collection of interesting and informative articles by eminent writers, and also provides a guide to every fishery on the river.
Take, for example, the cover story on John Rocha, the international fashion designer. John, we are told, likes nothing better than getting away from the catwalks of Milan and Paris and unwinding with a fishing rod on the banks of the Moy.
An exclusive interview with the founder and chief executive of Mainstream Renewable Power, Eddie O’Connor, reveals that he treasures any opportunity to leave the meetings and blackberry behind to spend a few hours in search of a salmon on his favourite river.
Robert Gillespie’s understanding of the river is brilliant. His portrayal of the numerous beats from the Moy Fishery to East Mayo Fishery and the various methods from bubble to worming to fly-fishing, are bound to be of great benefit to all users.
To receive a free copy of the magazine, send an A4 self-addressed envelope with pre-paid postage of €1.35 to John Geary, 17 Northbrook Walk, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. A higher postage rate of €3 is required for readers in UK and Europe.
The 52nd World Cup Fly-Fishing Five-Day Competition on Lough Mask got off to a good start last Thursday, with 130 contestants reeling in 60 fish. Conditions were breezy but bright, and sedge patterns were the order of the day, according to committee member Ronan Cusack.
Day 1 results: 1, J Wilkinson, 3 fish, 2.6kg (5.82lb); 2, J Harrington, 2f, 2.4kg (5.34lb); 3, T Ormond, 1f, 2.3kg (5.17lb) (also heaviest fish).
“My prayers for water have finally been answered,” says Colin Folan of Lough Inagh, in Recess, Go Galway. “The lake is high and there is a full flood in the river. The water is not too dirty, so I believe it should fish well this week,” he says.
For bookings, visit inagh@iol.ie.
The caption referring to John Murphy’s “junior” sea trout of 1.25lb in last week’s column provided this informative response from a Co Kerry reader:
“The correct term for the post-smolt sea trout in Lough Currane is ‘Juner’ (derived from the fact that the return migration to fresh water usually starts in the month of June). This term was in use when I started fishing in Currane in the early 1960s,” says Ruary Rudd from Waterville.
“From the paper, which Dr Edward Fahy and I wrote, The Currane, Co Kerry, Sea Trout Fishery, it can be seen that the average weight of post-smolts (Juners) was 12.75 oz (362 g).
“The term should not apply to Mr Murphy’s fish as, at 20 ounces (568gm) the fish would have to be a first sea winter sea trout, not a post-smolt,” he says.
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board has won four court cases for coarse fishing offences on waters in Virginia, Co Cavan. Eight people were convicted at Virginia District Court in July with fines totalling €3,250. The board was also awarded €6,219 in costs.
The new Carlingford Angling Guide is now available from the Loughs Agency in Northern Ireland. Revisions include maps of lakes, sea fishing marks and images of flies tied by Omagh man Peter Kealey. Other features include a length-weight chart and measuring rule. To obtain a copy, tel: 028 (048 ROI) 71342100.
The Pascal Leufer Memorial fly-fishing competition is rescheduled for August 15th on River Clare in Tuam, Co Galway. For further details, contact Paul on 087-1379341.