It's been a mixed week on Corrib,The weather conditions have been hard with low temperatures and cold north winds but the fish were still busy. Tim Rowley And Peter DePree from Scotland fished for 5 days and recorded 20 trout, 15 of these were caught in the Greenfield's area on Friday and Saturday on dry May fly patterns and ranged in size from 1lb to 2lb 10oz many other Small fish were also returned. John Cash,Vaughan Ruckley and Bill Brown have accounted for 26 fish for 4 days fishing, again all in the Ballycurran area and most weighed between 1 1/4lb and 2 1/2 lb they also had many undersized fish.A Party of 4 anglers from Andorra caught 22 trout over 2 days with one of the two boats catching 15 of the trout dapping artificial wolfs.Best fish caught by Victor Martinez was 3lb 8 oz. Many anglers are reporting lots of action in the last few days with today Tuesday producing some big bags on May fly Dry and wet.The rising temperatures and light winds should bring on a big hatch of May fly and Buzzer so we should have lots to report over the next few days.I have not fished Carra or Mask as the wind was to strong but I would think Lough Carra should also have some big hatches of fly.
More big Trout of Corrib this week,Jim Mc Evoy and myself fished on Thursday and had 4 trout for 15 lb 8 oz Jim and I both catching fish of 5 lb all on buzzer nymphs. On Friday Jim was joined by fellow Cork man Joe Lynch and we again got 4 fish Jim taking the honours with a 5lb 3oz beauty his personal best, 2 fish over 5lb in two days well done Jim.Lots of olives are hatching all over the lake and the trout are busy in some areas on them.I saw quite a number of mayfly in the middle area of the lake today and would expect that another week will see some big hatches,I have reports of fish caught on dry mayfly patterns already.
At last the new season is here.Yesterday saw the first angling activity on Lough Corrib.I have been watching the water for the last few weeks and could see it should be a successfully opening day as the temperature was in the low teens and on days of light wind fish could be seen rising.About 12 boats ventured out from Greenfield's and reports were very positive most boats moved fish and good numbers were caught.Reports from Kilbeg,Luimnagh and The Lower lake were also good.The first day always brings out the usual gang of anglers who like the excitement of meeting up with each other and wetting there lines if sometimes it is only for an hour or two. I however did not go out but instead started to organise my duck fly patterns as this first fly hatch of the season is almost here.I can't wait to see those lovely wild browns sipping adult fly of the surface in about three weeks.Keep an eye on the reports for news on whats happening and tight lines to you in 2012.
Just what we need to hear, after all the bad weather the rivers are in full flood and the trout are busy doing there thing!.I have walked many local rivers over the last week and I am happy to report that the numbers of spawning fish is very promising.Speaking with Fisheries staff today they are very impressed with the number of fish seen and reds counted,they estimate that the numbers of fish on the rivers this season are the best they have seen in 10 years.The most positive news is this seems to be the story all over the Corrib. The lad's on Mask and Carra are also experiencing good runs of trout.Hopefully this will become a growing trend over the next few years and anglers of the future are in for some exciting fishing.Now back to the fly tying bench to get those deadly patterns ready for next season.