East Mayo 23rd May

[Conor Walsh]

I fished East Mayo tonight from Howley's to Ryan's. Conditions were perfect with cloud, a mild temperature and the river dropping from .75 on the Ballylaghan gauge. I was confident tonight and within a half hour i hooked a fish. The Salmon took a size 8 Bann special and was a stubborn fighter without making any significant runs. I had no net to land the fish and couldn't see anywhere to beach it. I broke the golden rule and tried to tail it with my hand. A harsh lesson was learned when the fish lept from my grip and disappeared into the deep. Upon hearing my story, another angler on the stretch pointed out, that they were hard got to be doing that. He was right, I haven't touched a fish since.