May is the height of the season here in Mayo with so much going on for anyone interested in the outdoors it is hard to fit in such necessities as work and sleep. The long, long winter has finally released her grip and we can look forward to the softer weather of spring and summer at last.Here is how this past few days have panned out.
It was a Bank Holiday on Monday so Helen and I went for a long walk around Lough Furnace. This is a lovely walk with some great views across the loughs and mountains of Burrishool. Despite living in the area for many years I have never fished Furnace. This fishery does not open until the middle of June and can provide exciting fishing for grilse on its day.
We walked along quiet single track roads from the community centre at Derrada, out past the research centre, along a short section of the ancient road that used to link Newport with Bangor and finally on a short stretch of the new Greenway.
On Wednesday evening the wet and wild weather tempted me and Ben out on to lough Beltra. The conditions could not have been better, a strong blow from the south and dark overhead conditions looked to be exactly what the salmon enjoy and we met up on the shore in high spirits and full of hope we would meet a salmon or two. Unfortunately the fish had other ideas and we failed to rise a single fish. Four other boats which were out on the Glenisland Coop side also came in fishless.
So it is back to the drawing board again! I hear that Lough Mask is fishing well, with Toby Gibbons winning the Westport club competition last weekend. He had a nice bag of 4 trout on the day. I will venture out again this weekend to try my luck.
Claretbumbler 
Hi, Do you still go to Achill? It is a long time gone since i left you a post.
I still have my Abu 423 & blue 443s. As you say the 423 ( which i have used every year since the purchase of it in 1972,/3), is a mighty spinning rod and i just love it to bits and i have caught some nice sea trout with it, one can feel the fight of a mackerel right down to the butt, i would have loved to try a longer version, (6-12 inches) but as you say, the balance might well be affected.
I have a 6500c which i use on the 443s but the 423 zoom is my fav choice. All are still in good condition.
When the time comes, i would like somebody like you, who appreciates quality, to be the recipient of my Abu rods.
Regards Keith Woodside,Achill.
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Hi Keith, Like you I still love those ABU fibreglass rods. 2024 will see them back in action again, spinning on the Moy for salmon or trying for mackerel and pollock in the saltwater. My 443 sees a lot of action as I do a fair bit of trolling on Lough Conn. The poor old girl is showing her age with scars and chips aplenty, but it remains a wonderful rod to fight a good salmon or pike on. There are other, newer rods in my collection but nothing beats the old 443 and 423. I am retiring this coming spring so am planning much more fishing, including Achill. Would love to meet up for a few casts with you in the summer if you are up for it?
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