Dunn takes overall prize at first major coarse angling competition of season
The anglers competed for total prize money of €4,900 and the total weight for the coarse fish hooked and released by the 27 anglers over the three days of the event was 1169kgs.
Results: Day one winner Rory Dunn, 25kgs 600gms; Day two winner Cathal Hughes, 27kgs 200gms; Day 3 winner Rory Dunn, 23kgs 700gms.
Overall winners: 1 Rory Dunn (Roscommon), 65kgs 900gms; 2 Cathal Hughes (Galway), 63kgs; 3 Shane Dunn (Roscommon), 57kgs; 4 Peter Jones (Cork), 56kgs; 5 Nick Harrison (Cavan), 54kgs 500g.
Elsewhere there is a catch and release policy on the Bandon until May 15. Six kelts were caught and released, using spinners and two fresh salmon were also caught and released using the fly. Five salmon landed on the River Lee averaging 10lbs each, using all methods.
Last week, Conor Arnold fished Kilmurry and caught a 10lb salmon fish at dusk on a size 10 shrimp fly on a floating line. This is more akin to summer rather than spring fishing with the air temperature on that afternoon was up to 16°C.
An excellent week of angling was had on Carrowmore Lake, with ten salmon reported bringing the catch total to 19 for the season. Gerry Carolan boated a fine 13lb fish, while Tony Gibbons, Westport, had one of 11lbs and returned a second.
Lough Mask has exploded with fly life and plenty of anglers took full advantage of the bonanza. Duckfly, olives, sedge and even the odd early mayfly were very much on the menu. Local Ballinrobe anglers, Michael Vahey and Kevin Egan had a lively afternoon on Monday last with seven good trout on a variety of wet-fly patterns, best fish 2lbs.
Duckfly hatches continued on Lough Corrib over the past week, with bright sunshine and warm summer temperatures making an appearance for the first time this year.
