Report From Pontoon Bridge
Pontoon comes from the English translation of the Gaelic name of the ridge of land separating Loughs Conn and Cullin in wonderful County Mayo . Conn is long, deep and narrow covering 12,000 acres while Cullin is round and shallow covering 5000 acres. Most of the takes place on Conn , in which live an estimated 500,000 brown trout as well as perch ,pike and other coarse fish.
A Mecca for in Ireland, Lough Conn produces 400-500 salmon and 8000-10000 brown trout. The Moy drains Lough Conn into Lough Cullin and passes under the Pontoon Bridge in doing so.
By the bridge is the Pontoon Bridge Hotel which is run by the Geary family and is the ideal spot to stay for a wonderful fishing or touring holiday so you can sample the delights of some of the best in Ireland while your family samples the delights of Counties Sligo, Mayo and Galway. The hotel has its own fleet of fishing boats on Lough Conn, has its own ghillies, casting school and has rods and equipment to hire. Check out the facilities on: Pontoon Bridge Hotel
There is a good service by Ryanair from Stansted to Knock-you can hire cars at Knock.
Trout fishing is mainly with wet flies-Olives, Mayflies and sedges. Dry is very effective in certain weather conditions-the ghillies will advocate dry fly when the conditions are right. in all the big Irish Loughs is practised from a drifting boat. in Ireland starts in late March, improves through April and May culminating in the big mayfly hatch in May and June.
in Ireland on the loughs picks up in September when the water is warmer and dapping with daddy long legs can bring good results-fish of over 20lb have been caught this way.
Fly fishing in Irish loughs involves a floating line and three wet flies size 10 to 12,two of which are attached to the leader with the third fished at the tail or point.
As well as arranging fishing on Loughs Conn and Cullin, the Hotel can arrange fishing on the Moy itself plus many of Moy tributaries,( the Gweestion is a great trout water) plus other Mayo rivers .
Fishing for sea trout in the tidal waters of the Moy can also be arranged. If you do stay at the Pontoon Bridge Hotel you must take time to visit the famous Ridge Pool in Ballina. In the summer you can look over the bridge to see the hundreds of grilse waiting to run the weir. You must also visit Docherty’s Bar by the Ridge Pool in Ballina and the Anglers Bar in Foxford
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