Galway Fishery

Water levels remained slightly on the high side, with 2 gates inexplicably being kept open all week, in spite of dry conditions and falling water levels throughout the catchment upstream. However, the run of fish has been excellent, with large numbers of fish entering on every tide. 123 salmon were recorded for the week, with many more fish hooked and lost also. Fly and shrimp were both successful this week, and as water levels fall further the fly should come into its own.

Among the many anglers to strike it lucky this week were Hans Geisler, who took 3 grilse for visit, all on shrimp. Michael Rogers, a regular visitor from Dublin, landed 3 grilse including 2 fine fish of 7lbs, on fly and shrimp. Donegal man Kevin McCrossan took 2 grilse to 6lbs on fly, while Dexter Lynas from Northern Ireland, another regular visitor to the west, landed 2 grilse to 5lbs on fly. John Stevenson from Northern Ireland had 3 grilse to 4lbs on shrimp, while local angler Declan Tuffy landed 3 grilse on fly. Limerick man Gerry Hartigan landed 2 fish to 6lbs on shrimp, and Eugene Murphy had 3 fish to fly and shrimp. Dublin angler Brian Howard landed 3 grilse to 6lbs on fly, and James Carney had 2 grilse of 5 and 6lbs, also on fly. Michael Browne took 5 grilse over his visit to fly and shrimp, while midlands angler Liam Gilsenan landed 3 grilse on fly and shrimp. Local angler Phil Donohue landed 2 grilse on fly, while Northern Irish angler Dessie McWhirter had 3 grilse to 6lbs on fly.

With such good runs of fish, and conditions heading for perfect, fishing prospects in Galway are excellent for the coming week.

Lough Corrib

Eamon Walsh reports that activity on the lake has gradually reduced over the past few weeks with the ending of the may fly. There are still those who are always willing to give it a try if for nothing else but the peace and serenity that the lake offers.

Brian McDermott from Carraig-on-Shannon had an enjoyable day fishing around Inis Dooras while taking a nice trout to wet fly. A visiting English angler, Willie Marty had 3 fish also to wets, fishing out of Molloy's on the Carraig shore. Another regular visitor to Molloy's, John Coffey from Tipperary, managed 2 trout for one days fishing after having 8 the previous week. A German fisherman, Thomas Foerg was delighted to hook into a beautiful 3.5lb trout along with 3 other up to 1lb.

Larry Mc Carthy of Corrib View Lodge & Angling Services report some excellent early morning fishing to Caenis patterns tied on size 18 and 20 hooks. Two anglers from Wales had 28 trout for 4 mornings.

Tomi Kurman from the Corrib Predator guiding team reports on an improvement in pike angling. After the recent hot spell with high water temps ended, the water temp went down to 16 degrees, and pike became more active. They are happily taking lures and flies, especially in the mornings.

Pike fishing has been very good recently with many fish over 20 lbs caught from the start of June. The best fish was landed on the 19th of June, when client Maciej Krajewski, hooked a monster pike of 30lbs 9oz, which measured 117.5cm! The fish was caught on one of Tomi's home-made lures, and after a few photos she was carefully released to fight another day. The same day they had several more fish, mostly mid-doubles and one more fish at just over 20lbs.

For information on guided fishing with the Predator Team guides, contact Tomi Kurman on 085 7318541 or check his FB profile at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001817618251, or contact Jacek Gorny on 085 7741578, or check his website at www.fishingireland.pl

Maciej Krajewski with a fine pike of 117.5cm, that weighed 30lbs 9oz, landed on Lough Corrib, June 2013. The fish was carefully released after the photograph.

Maciej Krajewski with a fine pike of 117.5cm, that weighed 30lbs 9oz, landed on Lough Corrib, June 2013. The fish was carefully released after the photograph.

Connemara

Low water levels prevail in Connemara at the moment, with rain badly needed for many fisheries. However, the grilse run is beginning to arrive, with fish making their way into some fisheries on this week's high tides. I called into Ballynahinch Castle today on my way to Clifden and met a couple of anglers with fresh grilse. Simon Ashe also reports good numbers of sea trout starting to run here, with a lot of fish showing on the fish counter, and sea trout fishing should pick up here in the next few days with the run of fish. To book fishing contact the castle at 095 31006, or check www.ballynahinch-castle.com

Nigel Rush reports that the week ending on 22nd June resulted in the Kylemore Abbey fishery recording 11 salmon and 13 sea trout for just 13 rod-days. Geoffrey Fitzjohn landed 6 grilse to 5lbs for two days, Colm Gallagher landed two 4lbs grilse and Nigel himself had a further 3 grilse. Sea trout are now starting to enter the river in mixed sizes and condition. Unfortunately there have been some sea trout smolts forced back to fresh water covered in large numbers of juvenile lice.

The lakes should start to fish well for sea trout in a couple of weeks' time when the incoming stocks start to build up.

The two fishery leaders Geoffrey Fitzjohn and Seamus O'Neil are now level pegging with 9 fish each.

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

Fishery manager Trevor Down with a nice grilse from the Salmon Pool on Screebe Fishery, June 2013.

Fishery manager and top chef Trevor Down reports that Screebe has started to see its first good run of salmon this year. The first salmon of the year was caught and released by Trevor himself, on a Francis fly - it was approx. 5lbs and sea-liced. On the 16th Tom Morrison from Northern Ireland had a 4lbs fish from Screebe River; also on the 16th Jon Lucas from France had a 5lbs grilse from the Salmon Pool. From the 16th to the 22nd of June , fishing just 1 to 2 hours a day Trevor had a fish every day, and 2 on the 22nd, all between 5 and 7lbs bringing his total to 9 fish to date. All were wild fish, and all released. On the 20th Kevin Cronin had a 4lbs grilse and a 2lbs sea trout from the Salmon Pool. On the 21st Patrick Delap, Screebe's new shooting manager, had 2 fish from the Salmon Pool between 5 and 6lbs - both released. On the 22nd Neil Seales from Northern Ireland had 2 sea trout around 2lbs from Screebe Lake. With rod pressure very low and sea trout starting to appear things look very promising for the next few weeks.

For fishing bookings contact Trevor on 0831044429 or Screebe House at 091 57411