WRBD Galway Angling Report 27 June 2012

Galway Weir
Water levels have been very up and down all week, ranging from 2 gates open up to 4, and back to 2 again, although after this morning's heavy rain and seeing the forecast I won't be surprised to see that go up again. Salmon are running the weir in very good numbers now, with many running straight through in the high water. Flyfishing has been difficult due to the conditions, although fly anglers are still getting fish, with many also being caught on spinner or shrimp.

There were 35 fish landed for the week, and among the anglers to score were Conor Haughey from Dublin, who had a 4lbs grilse on shrimp, and fellow Dublin angler Dermot Quinlan who had 2 grilse to 6lbs on shrimp. Michael Rogers from Dublin landed 3 fish over 2 days, all grilse and all caught on spinner, while his friend Andy Smyth landed a 7lbs grilse on fly and a 5.5lbs fish on shrimp. Northern Ireland angler Dexter Lynas, a longtime visitor to Galway, caught a nice 6.5lbs fish in high water on the fly, while Jim Ryan from Tipperary took 2 grilse to 6lbs on fly also. Kildare man Sean McManmon took 2 grilse on fly, while Offaly angler Liam Dunne landed a 7.5lbs fish on shrimp.

Damien Nolan from Clare landed a 5lbs grilse and the best fish of the week, a 10.5lbs salmon, both on shrimp, while Dublin angler Brian Howard took 2 grilse on fly. Local man Dave Lenihan showed his expert knowledge of the fishery by landing 3 grilse, including 2 on fly and one on shrimp.

Fishing prospects depend very much on water levels over the next week, but runs of fish are very good at the moment and should produce good fishing.

Erriff
Fishery manager Jim Stafford reports on fishing last week. Water levels on the Erriff were perfect at 1.4 meters on Sunday 17th. The local angling club held a competition on the river - Peter Coyne came first with 2 fish which weighed in at 16.75lbs, which were caught on an Orange Shrimp and Collie Dog in the Falls Pool on Beat 9. Second was Brian Graham with one fish of 8.25lbs, which was caught in the Black Banks on Beat 6 on a Shrimp Fly. Several other fish were hooked and lost on the day.

Alain Metayer, France, a member of Michel Winthrop's party, grassed a beautiful fresh run springer of 12.75lbs on his first day ever salmon fishing - the fish was taken on a Lady Fallaci in the Garden Pool on Beat 9. Changing beats in the afternoon Alain sportingly released a 10lbs fish taken on the same fly in the Black Banks Pool on Beat 6. Rene Boutonnet, a member of the same party, caught a sea-liced fish of 10.25lbs, which was taken on a Cascade in the Falls Pool from the right hand bank.

Alain Metayer with his 12.75lbs salmon.

James Keogh, Dublin had one for 9.5lbs taken on a Cascade in the Boat Pool on Beat 5, and he also released another estimated at 8.5lbs. The following day he had a fresh run grilse of 4.75lbs from the Sally Pool on Beat 7.

Heavy rains resulted in a huge spate of 2.2 meters on the morning of the 21st, which rendered the river unfishable for the rest of the day. The river was in good order the following day - Stuart Woodhead, Scarborough, U.K., had a grilse and 2 good sea trout taken in the Holly and Coronation Pools on Beat 9. Tom Harrington, Limerick, had a fish of 5.75lbs and released another of 5lbs which were caught in Altamont's Dam and Colonel's Pool on Beat 6. The following day Tom caught another of 7.5lbs in the Cottage Pool on Beat 4.

Bill Aston, Ballinrobe, released 2 fish estimated at 5lbs each, which were caught on an Orange Micro Tube in Toad's Pool behind the island on Beat 4. Alan Hartnett, Dundalk released a fish estimated at 5.5lbs and 2 good sea trout which were taken on a Cascade on Beat 6. Peter Hunt, Clonbur, released a 6lbs fish taken on a Collie Dog in the Broken Bridge Pool on Beat 5.

Overnight rains increased levels to 1.5 meters on the 23rd. Stuart Price, fishery manager at Mount Falcon, released a 9lbs fish taken on an Orange Shrimp in the Mering Pool on Beat 7 and also went on to catch fish of 5lbs and 6lbs in the Guage Pool on Beat 9.

The total catch for the week was 18 salmon and 12 sea trout. At the time of writing the report sea trout in excellent condition continue to enter the river and the grilse run is promising with the main run expected in July.

There are still places available for a casting and flyfishing course for ladies, which will take place from Thursday the 5th to Sunday the 8th of July, led by qualified casting instructor mark Corps. All accommodation and meals are included, as well as tuition in all aspects of flyfishing and salmon fishing, and plenty of time on the river to practise the skills acquired. The cost for 3 nights B&B, lunch and dinner, and fishing tuition is €500 per participant. Partners can stay for €300, and may fish the river on the other beats for free. Contact Aasleagh Lodge for information and booking.

To book fishing on the Erriff or accommodation in Aasleagh Lodge, contact fishery manager Jim Stafford on 095 42252, or visit www.aasleaghlodge.ie for details. The lodge and fishery also have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AasleaghLodge.

Delphi
David McEvoy reports that 16 salmon were landed over the last 10 days or so, including a cracking fish of 17lbs 6oz! Water levels have been good, supplemented by frequent rainfall, and good numbers of grilse are running the fishery.

Among those to score were Ciaran Boland, who had a fish from the Rock pool of 4lbs 6oz on a Vanbeck, and David Dunne had another from the Whin pool of 6lbs 1oz on a Willie Gunn. Charles Carroll landed a beautiful 7lbs 10oz sea-liced fish, taken from the Rock pool on a Conehead Shrimp.

David took a trip down the river to see what was stirring and was in for a nice surprise. Charles Cooper, who was fishing Francis Ashe's rod, had just landed 2 fish. His first, which was sea-liced was off the Quarry pool and weighed in at 17lbs 6oz! It was taken on a Garry Dog tube. After a titanic struggle between man and fish, Charles finally landed the fish 40 minutes later. He also broke his net in the process! He then landed another lovely sea-liced fish of 6lbs 8ozs off the Rock pool on the same Garry Dog, which under normal circumstances would be a cracker, but looked like a minnow beside the monster.

Charles Cooper with his 17lbs 6oz salmon.

His fishing partner Paddy Varian also landed a fine sea-liced fish from the Deadmans of approx. 9lbs 8oz. This fish also took a Garry Dog.

Michael Darling managed to land a fish of 4lbs 13.5oz off Finlough on his last morning of the week. The fish was sea-liced and took a Cascade. Paddy Varian had another fish off the Rock pool of 5lbs 9oz on a Tick Tock. Mick Kelly had one of 4lbs 2.5oz off Finlough on a Stoats Tail variant. Philip McGarrity had his first ever Delphi salmon. It was a sea-liced fish of 5lbs from the Whin pool, taken on a Mini Tube. Martin Ceillier had a fish off the Turn pool of 4lbs on a Cascade. His wife Barbara still awaits that elusive first of the year.

Michael Tierney from Dublin had his first ever salmon, off Doolough. The fish weighed in at 8lbs13ozs and was taken in the presence of his father Oliver and brother, also Oliver.

Reinhard Mittmann managed to land the smallest grilse of the year so far of 2lbs 3oz on a Stoats Tail. His son Nico had a lovely fish of 6lbs 9oz on a Green Highlander. Both these fish came off Finlough.

To book fishing or accommodation at Delphi, contact the lodge at 095 42222, or check www.delphilodge.ie

Kylemore

Fishery manager Nigel Rush reports that there were 8 salmon landed for just 6.5 rod-days during the week up to the 23rd, bringing the season total to 33 and well ahead of last year's catch at this stage. Most fish were taken over the two days of the 22nd and 23rd. Brian Davy started the ball rolling with 2 fish from the middle river, both over 6lbs, Seamus O'Neil landed 4 fish over 4.5lbs and Geoffrey Fitzjohn had 1 fish of 4.5lbs. The previous weekend Paddy Walsh landed a cracking 13.5lbs salmon from the shore of the Upper Lake.

Sea trout are beginning to show here in greater numbers, and with all the fresh water this week runs of fish should be increasing all the time.

To book fishing at Kylemore Abbey, contact Nigel on 095 41178, or mobile 087 9580702, and for latest news check the website at www.kylemorefishery.ie

Ballynahinch Castle
Simon Ashe reports from Ballynahinch Castle that the favourable water conditions accompanied by a late run of spring fish and an early run of grilse has given us the best start to our season in over a decade. Given the fact that angling pressure has been quite low over the past few weeks, the catch per unit effort has been very high for this time of year. The daily increase in the grilse run over the fish counter, along with perfect water height in the river bodes well for the coming weeks at Ballynahinch.

Stephen Cullinane landed a beautiful 9lbs salmon on 16th June after local guide, Jonathan Broderick, had taken a 12lbs fresh fish. Jonathan was teaching a client to roll cast with a trout rod and 6lbs nylon when he hooked into this fish. After 45 minutes (and with a very tired arm!) the fish was landed by the short pier on Beat 1.

A number of smaller grilse in the 4 - 5.5lb bracket have been taken by guests at the hotel with quite a number lost.

The numbers of sea trout finnock entering from the estuary has been quite low at this stage and we were expecting more to run this past week. Hopefully the run should pick up in the coming weeks. Watch this space!

To book fishing or accommodation at Ballynahinch, contact the castle at 095 31006, or check the website at www.ballynahinch-castle.com

Lough Corrib
There are still a few sporadic mayfly hatches coming off Corrib this week, and several anglers have reported enjoying good sport to dry flies when a hatch is observed. Otherwise the lake is very quiet, and very few boats are out at the moment. Trolling for salmon is also picking up, with locals starting to meet a few fish.

Lough Carra
Joe Flanelly from Keel River Lodge reports that Lough Carra fished very well over the weekend. Paul Murphy from Westport (originally Ballinrobe) had 2 nice trout including a 2.5lbs beauty. Conditions were good with blustery showers and moderate southwest winds. Thomas Flannelly fishing from Keel River Lodge had 4 good trout weighing 6.5lb, best fish 1.75lbs. The most successful patterns were the Green Peter, Golden Olive and Alexander.

Paul Murphy was clearly delighted with his 2.5lbs Carra trout.