Conor Walsh's Page

I fished from below howley's down to ryan's this evening. Despite the favourable height (.6) and clear water I saw no fish until I hit one at the top of Ryans. I was fishing a size 12 shrimp on the point and a bloody butcher on the dropper. I was suprised to see that the fish had taken the butcher rather than the shrimp fly and I managed to land a red fish of about 6lb which I released. I didn't see or hear of any other fish nor did I get any sea trout. The water is perfect for fly now.

I'm coming clean. Last night I threw the worm out and caught a 2.75lb grilse. It was good fun but the fight reminded me why I fly fish for Salmon. I caught the fish 15 minutes after starting. I've spent over 100 hours fly fishing for Salmon on the Moy and hooked four fish. Of these, I landed only one. Despite this, I'm going back to the fly tomorrow and conditions should be perfect - .55 on the gauge this evening.

The river is nearly clean now and should be perfect tomorrow. Plenty of grilse seen today with some caught too. Reports of people foul hooking fish in Ballina today there were so many going through. I had no luck this evening in East Mayo but saw two fish.

The Moy went into a good flood yesterday. The Gweesteen is very swollen and water came down from Sligo making the river very dirty. It was at .8 yesterday afternoon. Some anglers told me of fish seen coming through Ballina and I heard that Ballisodare has alot of grilse in. There might be good fishing today (Tues.) if it has come down.

I waited for the buzzers this evening. Conditions were favourable and sure enough, the buzzers came out at dusk although not as dense as I've seen before. Not a single fish moved to them. Does anyone have any idea's why this is? Last year an evening like this would have had the lake moving. Is it too early? Too late?