27TH SEPTEMBER 2011

25 salmon last week, bringing the season total to over 500 fish, a big increase on both last year, and the 10 year average, so things are looking up for the future! 8 sea trout caught as well. Full details of catches to follow. At time of writing, a big flood today saw the river at bank high level, but it is dropping now, and with fairly dry weather forecast for the next few days, the last 3 days of the season should see perfect water levels and good fishing.

18TH SEPTEMBER 2011 - ANOTHER BRILLIANT WEEK - 79 SALMON!

Water levels on the Erriff were extremely high at the start of the week, with a spate of 2.5 metres recorded at Aasleagh Gauge on Sunday the 11th.  The river was unfishable and levels had dropped marginally to just 2.2 metres on Monday. After dinner on Monday saw the first anglers throw a line. Levels dropped to perfect conditions for fly fishing and maintained so throughout the week averaging 1.4 to 1.6 metres. In total 79 salmon were caught for the week with 20 of those caught on Saturday the 17th.  There were 19 sea trout also caught for the week.

 A number of anglers caught their first salmon ever on the Erriff this week, including Alberto Gavigan who caught a fresh grilse on the Falls Pool, Beat 9 to a shrimp pattern fly.  On 18th September Sean Hayde, England caught his first salmon to an Erriff pattern on Beat 8 which weighed 4 lbs. Mr. Bernard Vedrines caught his first salmon on 15th September at the Black Banks on Beat 6 which weighed just under 4 lbs.  Marc Parinot, France caught his first salmon on the 12th September on Beat 4 which weighed 5 lbs. 

The Muckian and Duffy party from Dundalk, Co. Louth had 10 salmon for 3 days angling during the week. The Winthrop party from France caught 7 salmon for 5 days angling while at Erriff Fishery, best fish weighing 12 lbs. The Chambers party had a very successful weeks angling with 22 salmon caught ranging from 4 to 7 lbs.  Most of these salmon were released alive.  The level of catch and release on the Erriff has become more popular of late with anglers more interested in conservation of salmon stocks. 

The Lynas party N.Ireland, had 9 salmon for just 1 day angling, the heaviest fish being 11lbs, likewise all fish were released. Enda Kenny and his father Pat from Enfield had 10 salmon between them for 2 days angling, heaviest fish weighing 9 lbs caught at the Quarry Pool on Beat 2. Most of the salmon were released.  Mr. F Hompesch from Germany caught 3 salmon on Munroe Killer and Kylie Shrimp for 6 days angling. Another fine example of catch and release angling was displayed by Galway man Neil Spellacy who caught 4 salmon at the Tawnyard Pots Beat 3 on an Allys Shrimp and released all fish alive. Tom Gillen from Ballymena had four fish for three days over the weekend all released with the best fish 7.5lbs on a shrimp fly in the Coronation pool. 

Local Erriff Anglers fished Beats 9 and 2 on Sunday 18th with a water level of 1.7 metres. Michael Coyne, Leenane landed 1 salmon just under 5 lbs to an Ally’s Shrimp on Beat 9.

The river is, to put it mildly, fishing its head off at the moment, and with frequent rainfall water levels are perfect for the fly. Fishing could be really good over the last 10 days of the season, so book a rod now if you can! Call the lodge on 095 42252 to inquire about availability.

13TH SEPTEMBER 2011 - Report up to Sat 10th

It was a week of very mixed weather conditions with heavy rains and gale force winds at times. With the heavy rains the river rose very quickly on the night of the 5th.  Levels remained high but very clean for the week.

Peter Huggard, U.K. caught 7 salmon and 1 sea trout for the week. Anthony Luke and Mary Henry, Nunnington N. Yorks. caught 3 fish on Quarry Pool on Beat 2 on a Willie Gunn and a further 3 on the Coronation Pool on Beat 8  - best fish estimated at 13lbs, all fish were sportingly released. Mr. John Martin Smith, Irl. caught 2 in Humps & Hollows and in the Colonel’s Run on Beat 6 on a Silver Stoat. Louis Brody, U.K. caught his first Irish salmon in Yellow Banks on Beat 5. Jim Wilson, Foxford released a fish estimated at 9lbs taken on a Coolrow Killer on Beat 7. Lal Flahery & Alan McGurdy caught 3.

Thomas Gillen with a nice fresh grilse taken off Beat 9 today (13th September)

Wolfgang Sesselmann, Germany and his son Martin caught 6 for the week and the other member of the Party Ingolf Russ caught his first ever two salmon – best fish 7.5lbs taken on a Cascade in the Yellow Banks on Beat 5. Kirsty Anna Macleod, Inverness shire, Scotland fishing the Erriff for the first time caught 3 fish in the Falls and Garden Pool. Urgan Mantle, Clonbur released a 5.5 lbs. fish caught in the Straight on Beat 5. Friday the 9th was a brilliant day for Stuart Price and Martin Davison who caught 5 fish and released 4 of them – all fish were taken on Beat 6. Jack Prendergast, Dublin released a fish taken in the Horseshoe Pool at the top of Beat 3. Liam Maloney from Dublin released one taken on a Cascade in Humps & Hollows. 

At the time of writing the river has dropped after a 2.5 meter spate on Sunday, and is now in perfect condition for the fly.

Total catch for the week was 42 salmon (27 Released) and 8 sea trout.

6TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Water levels varied on the river during the week with a good spate fining down on Saturday. Robert Devriese, Dublin caught 5 fish for 3 days fishing on a Silver Cascade and Shrimp Fly. Tobias Stern, Austria, a regular annual overseas rod on the Erriff caught 7 for the week - mainly on various Cascades and Shrimp patterns. Dr. John Casey, Clifden caught 3 in 1 day on a Collie Dog in Nee’s Run and the Colonel’s Pool on Beat 6. Conor O’Leary, Dublin returned one of 6lbs taken on a Daddy in Yellow Banks on Beat 5.

Patrick Gorman, Cong had 2 in a morning's fishing on Beat 9. Enda Kenny, Enfield, Co. Meath caught a sparkling fresh grilse in the Coronation Pool on a Shadow Cascade. Rene Boutonnet, France another annual overseas visitor to the Erriff caught 5 and 1 good sea trout and lost several more good fish for the week – Rene caught 3 salmon in the one day in the Upper Garden Pool on a Shrimp Fly.

It was a red letter day for Derek Killeen, Dublin who caught his first ever salmon and went on to catch another 2 – all fish were taken on a Claret Dabbler on Yellow Banks on Beat 5. Richard and Hugh Maguire had one each taken on a Silver Stoat and Cascade in the Sally Pool on Beat 7. Local angler Stuart Fleming and Paddy Lynch, Dublin caught 6 brown trout on Derrintin Lough in an afternoon. 

The total catch for the week was 28 salmon (16 released) and 9 sea trout which includes 1 salmon and 4 sea trout from Tawnyard Lough.

At the time of writing the report there is a massive spate of 2.1 meters so water levels will be good for the next number of days

2ND SEPTEMBER 2011

A small spate this morning combined with high tide of 4.7 meters resulted in a run of sea liced salmon through the counter at Aasleagh Falls. Goof fishing for the weekend...?!

31ST AUGUST 2011

The week started off with levels at 1.1m on the  Aasleagh Gauge. Levels dropped slowly until very heavy rains resulted in the river rising rapidly to 2.0m on the evening of the 23rd. Levels were recorded at 1.6m the following morning and the river was somewhat coloured for most of the first half of the day but started to clear in the afternoon. The rise in water levels brought more fresh fish into the river and it was spectacular to see so many salmon trying to jump Aasleagh Falls. Most anglers fishing the river during the week caught fish.

  Patrick Kenny, Enfield caught 2 on a Shrimp fly in the Garden Pool & Sea Pool.  Nicholas Nicholson, Co. Clare had 5 salmon for the week from the Washing Pool on Beat 4, Humps & Hollows, Black Banks on Beat 6 and the Middle & Lower Garden Pool on Beat 9 - all fish were taken on a fly named Flame, one of his own patterns. Brothers Jean & Jacques Calver from France, on a return visit to the Erriff, had a good week catching 10 salmon and 6 sea trout - all fish with the exception of one which was retained for smoking were sportingly released – best fish was estimated at 8-9lbs. Arthur Muckian, Dundalk had two fresh-run fish taken in the Gauge Pool and Sea Pool on Beat 9. Christopher Thornton, U.K. caught and released a fish of 6lbs taken on a Connemara Black in the Broken Bridge Pool on Beat 5. Young Christopher Forde, Oughterard very sportingly released his first salmon of the season - a fresh grilse of 5lbs taken in the Middle Garden Pool on a Cascade.  

A Black Shrimp was successful for Niall Wickham, Drogheda who released a fish taken at the Twin Rocks on Beat 7. Donavin Brinklow returned a sea trout of 1.5lbs taken on a Black Shrimp fly in Black Banks on Beat 6. Nicholas Fenton, N.I. caught 2 fish on a Cascade. John McCullough retained one of 6lbs and released another 2 in addition to 7 sea trout. Aidan Crean landed 4 sea trout and 1 grilse taken in the Sea Pool on Beat 9. Gerry Dooley released one of 7-8lbs taken on a Shrimp Fly and lost another 3 at the Twin Rocks on Beat 7. Mary Harkin, daughter of Rory Harkin of Rory’s Fishing Tackle Shop in Temple Bar Dublin, fishing the Erriff for the first time caught 3 of which 2 were released.   

Total catch for the week was 37 salmon and 22 Sea Trout, which keeps the season catch well above 2010, which was a good year too. With fresh fish continuing to run, September looks like it could be a good month again for salmon on the Erriff.

22ND AUGUST 2011

Angling conditions were good with the water level at 1.2 metres on Sunday 14th. Levels fell slowly to 0.65 meters by Wednesday morning and rains brought the level back up to 0.9 meters by evening time. With intermittent heavy showers levels were at 1.0 meters by Friday and dropped off to 0.9 meters on Saturday – overall levels were good for the week although a little bit on the sunny side with a scarcity of up stream wind at times.

David Mooney, Killimor caught & released two fresh-run grilse taken on a Cascade in the Gauge Pool on Beat 9. It was a first fish on the fly for 12 year old Finlay Caffery, Athy a sea-liced grilse taken in the Sea Pool on a Black Shrimp Fly. Hugh Jamison & Martin Wilson, N.I. had a brace of fish from Mickey’s Run ON Beat 7 - both fish were taken on a Cascade.

The Erriff & District Anglers had a Competition Day on Sunday 14th, with 5 rods catching 6 fish on Beats 2, 6 & 9 - heaviest fish was taken by Stuart Fleming at 5.75lbs while Conor O’Leary had 2 with one from Beat 9 and the other from the Quarry Pool on Beat 2.

Richard Daly (Dublin) with a nice grilse above the falls

Vaughan Lewis, U.K. caught & released 3 fish all taken on a Gold Stoat in Yellow Banks, Beat 5. Kevin Duffy, Dundalk had 3 including a 7lbs fish taken in the Boat Pool on Beat 5. A Black Pennell was successful for Anthony Tindal, Dublin taking a sea-liced grilse in the Garden Pool - his son William caught 2 in the Falls Pool including his first ever salmon and returned another one.

Paul Smith, Co. Offaly returned a grilse taken in the Coronation Pool on an Orange Shrimp. Stephen Jones, Dublin returned one taken in the Falls Pool on a Cascade and lost a big fish after some twenty minutes on a single-handed trout rod. Jeremy Argall, Brest, France fishing the Erriff for the first time had his best ever salmon fishing, catching 6 fish for the week and lost several more including one in the Quarry Pool on Beat 2 – a small Stoats Tail tube variant was the most successful fly.

Fishing a Sunray Shadow Dr. John Casey, Clifden caught and released 4 salmon in a morning session on Beat 9. Malachy O’Callaghan, Dublin released a fish caught on a Shrimp pattern in the Coronation Pool Beat 8. Dr. Eoin Brenham, Oughterard caught and released 2 fish taken on an Erriff Badger.

A total of 34 salmon and 16 sea trout were taken for the week of which 22 salmon were returned again to the water.

Although the main run has peaked nevertheless sea-liced fresh fish continue to enter the river and it is hoped that this reduced but steady run will continue into September. Anglers planning future trips are advised to have a selection of darker flies in smaller sizes such as 12 & 14 and to have a selection of sink tips or an intermediate fly line.

15TH AUGUST 2011 - 80 SALMON - BEST WEEK FOR MANY YEARS!

Water levels were recorded at 0.9m on Sunday the 7th, and with good angling conditions rods there was fantastic fishing with rods catching 18 salmon that day. Water levels and angling conditions remained good for the following two days and a further 10 fish were caught. Levels were recorded again at 0.8m at 8a.m. on the morning of the 10th, however the weather pattern changed dramatically and by 9.30a.m. with extreme heavy rainfall the river level rose to 1.8m.  The spate peaked at 2.1m a few hours later and water levels remained high for a number of days falling slowly to 1.0m by the end of the week.  With suitable water levels a great run of fresh fish entered the river.

Brian Holloway, a regular U.K. visitor to the Erriff, had a fantastic week landing 11 salmon for the week with most of the catchreturned again to the river –  best day 4 fish taken on a Hairy Mary & Cascade. Kenneth Mills, U.K., a regular rod on the river in recent years had 9 for the week, mostly taken on an Orange Shrimp pattern. New rods on the river Michael Whitehead and Tom Byam-Cook, U.K. had 2 each and lost several more.  Mr. Herve Rodrigue, France had 4, best fish 12.25lbs taken in the Falls Pool on Beat 9.  Niall Wickham, Drogheda, Co. Louth caught one of 14.1lbs in the Washing Pool on Beat 4. Dr. Margaret Downes, Dublin had 4 for the week.

Richard Daly, Kevin Glynn and Edward Murphy all from Dublin had 8 fish between them.  Cascades and Shrimp patterns in various sizes were the most successful flies and apart from a few fish all the catch was taken on fly.  This was the best weeks fishing on the river for many years and it was good to see decent sized grilse up to 7lbs featured in the rod catch.  Total catch for the week was 80 salmon and 43 sea trout.   

At the time of writing the report the river is in perfect condition after more rain yesterday, and water levels should remain good for fishing for the next few days.

Jane Beattie (NI) with a nice Erriff grilse

Video taken Sunday August 7th

6TH AUGUST 2011 - RAIN ON THE WAY

There were high tides up to 4.5 meters in the Killary early in the week – salmon and sea trout were continually splashing on the high tides. The high-water mark reached 1.45 meters and fresh fish continued to enter the lower river even though the river levels were recorded at 0.6 meters on the Aasleagh Gauge.  Water levels remained constant at 0.6 meters  from the  31st to the 5th.  Heavy showers on the 6th resulted in levels rising to 0.9 meters.

 Mark Broughton caught 2 in the Falls Pool and Bridge Pool on a silver Stoat. Mandy Broughton caught a sparkling fresh run fish of 9lbs in the Falls Pool on a Stoat’s Tail s14.  John Nelson, NI. Caught one of 5lbs. on a Cascade in the Sea Pool.  Margie Crawford had 3 on a Cascade and Ally Shrimp all from Beat 9.  A Stoat’s Tail was successful for Mr. Charles Lister, UK who caught his first ever salmon – the fish estimated at 10lbs. was returned again to the water.  Mr. Ian Morgan, UK caught a fresh run grilse in the Falls Pool on a Cascade variant.  Mr. Timothy Fairhurst, had 4 grilse including 1 from Jenkins taken on a Jock Scott – all fish were released again.  Dr. Bart & Liam Maloney  had 4 – best fish 7.5 lbs. taken on a Willie Gunn.  Connor O’Leary, Dublin returned a fish taken on a Shrimp Fly in the Coronation Pool Beat 8. 

Angling conditions were poor on Tawnyard Lough which produced a few sea trout and numerous numbers of small brown trout to half a pound.  

Total catch for the week was 21 salmon and 14 sea trout .  At the time of writing the report angling conditions have improved and good fishing is expected this week. Plenty of rain forecast this week which should get fish moving.

Mandy Broughton (UK) with a fine 9lbs fresh salmon

30TH JULY 2011 - LOW WATER!

Water levels continued to fall from 0.7 meters to 0.6 meters for the period and the river was baked in bright sunshine for most of the period.  Water temperatures were recorded between 18 and 20 degrees Centigrade.   There were less rods out on the river and catches were down on the previous week.  Mr. Robert and Annie Rusby, U.K. caught a fish each in the Sea Pool and Garden Pool on Beat 9.  Mr. Jean Boidron and Mr. Gerard Garnier France had one each from the Sea Pool on Cascades. Fresh fish continued to show in the estuary on every tide and with the high water temperatures few fresh fish entered the river

24TH JULY 2011

Water levels and angling conditions were excellent during the week beginning the 18th July with great cloud cover and strong winds. Water levels were recorded at 1.6 meters on the Aasleagh Gauge and with regular very heavy showers the river held up well for several days and fresh grilse entered the river on every tide. Stephen Ward, Tony Uttley, D. Bailey, all from the U.K. and fishing the Erriff for the first time had a good week catching 9 sparkling fresh grilse and 5 sea trout mainly on Cascades.  

G. Garnier, France fishing the Erriff for 25 years had his best day ever on the river with 3 fish from Beat 1 in a morning session and 7 fish from Beat 9 in the afternoon – all fish were taken on Cascades and 8 were sportingly released, best fish 11.25lbs.  Andrew Beattie continued his week beating last years personal best (11) having 13 grilse and 6 Sea Trout  for the week – once again a Cascade was the most successful fly pattern – 10 grilse were sportingly released.  A Red Shrimp fly was successful for Wilfred Foster, N.I. taking a fresh run grilse from the top Square Pool. A. Caffrey, Athy caught a grilse of almost 5lbs in the Falls Pool on a Willie Gunn and another of  7lbs in the Bridge Pool on Beat 9. 

Andrew Beattie releasing one of his 13 grilse landed this week

Nigel Larke, Tipperary caught 2 grilse on Cascades on his first day salmon fishing – both fish were sportingly released. Dessie Edwards, N. Irl. had 3 fish –one from Kelly’s Bend on Beat 4 and two more from the Bridge Pool and the Falls Pool on Beat 9. Jimmy Keogh, Dublin had 4 fish from Poleen on Beat 4 and the Falls Pool on Beat 9 – best fish weighed 6lbs – Jimmy also released a 6lbs coloured fish taken in Poleen.

Gael Kerschbaumer, France had 2 from the Hawthorn Run on Beat 7 and the Sea Pool on Beat 9, and another fish from the Meadow Flats on beat 1 (released). Mike Carpino, U.K. had a sparkling fresh grilse fishing the Bridge Pool from the left bank. D. Byfield, U.K. fishing the Erriff for the first time had one from Deadman’s on Beat 2 and another from Joyce’s Sand Hill on Beat 5. Black Banks on Beat 6 produced a 6.75lbs fish for David Gaffney.   Fergus Crawford released two grilse from the Garden Pool and Sea Pool on Beat 9.  

 A total of 48 salmon and 34 sea trout were taken during the week. At the time of writing the report water levels have dropped off  to 0.7 meters and water temperatures have reached 18C. Grilse and sea trout can be seen splashing on the tide and fresh grilse are still entering the river.

17TH JULY 2011

Water levels were very low from Monday 11th to Friday 15th July. The river was baked in bright sunshine and few anglers fished the river. However despite the poor angling conditions Eva Hompesch, Germany, took a sea-liced grilse in the Sea Pool on Beat 9 on 11th. The weather pattern totally changed on Sat 16th with heavy rains and storm force winds. Water levels rose quickly and soon the river was in excellent condition. Jean Boidron, France caught an 8lbs fish on a Cascade in the Boat Pool on Beat 5. Gerard Garnier also from France caught 4  - best fish 8lbs caught on a Cascade in the Quarry Pool on Beat 2. Ken McMillan and Andrew Boyd caught one each in the Coronation Pool and the General’s Rock on Beat 9. David Williams, U.K. had 3 all from Beat 9 and Will Masterson also from the U.K. had 2 from Beat 6 – best 7.75lbs taken on a Cascade from the Colonel’s Pool on Beat 6. A Bann Special was successful for Steve Smith, U.K. who caught a fish of 8.75lbs in the Hawthorn Run on Beat 7. The following day Steve caught 4 fish in the Sea Pool on a Tosh tube fly. 

                                                                                                           Stephen Ward playing a grilse in the Falls Pool

8TH JULY 2011

Water levels were low for the first few days of July and few anglers fished. Rain on the 5th increased water levels and angling conditions improved. Markus Muller caught a well conditioned sea liced grilse of 5lbs in the Garden Pool on a Black Shrimp fly. David Gaffney landed 3 grilse in the Coronation Pool on Shrimp Fly. The following day (6th July) heavy rain resulted in a massive spate of almost 2 metres on the Aasleagh Gauge. Mr. J. Holden, Dublin had 3 grilse taken on Cascades – all from Beat 9. Sea trout in good condition are also being caught.

Michael Vincent, Athy caught a 9.5lbs fish at Altamont’s Dam on Beat 6 on a Black Shrimp.  Thomas Dolan, all the way from the U.S.A. and fishing the Erriff for the first time, reported one of the best days salmon fishing in his life, catching 4 salmon and 2 sea trout on Beat 6 and landing 2 salmon and sea trout which he sportingly released.

Anthony Holden with a 7.5lbs grilse from Beat 9

27TH JUNE 2011

Water levels were good at the start of the week at 1.2 meters on the Aasleagh Guage. Mr. David Kirk, Dublin caught 2 fresh run grilse on the 17th. in the Garden Pool and Sea Pool on Beat 9 on a Blue Charm & Cascade and also returned a good sea trout.  Mr. Jean Louis Istasse, Belgium has a grilse from the Garden Pool and returned a sea trout.   A Gold Cascade & Claret Shrimp were successful flies for brothers Ken and Niall Wickham, Co. Louth who caught 3 fish two of 7 lbs and one of 6.25lbs from Glenanane Stones and Twin Rocks on Beat 7.  Mr. Michel Winthrop Party, France had 9 salmon and several sea trout  - best salmon 9.25lbs to Mr. Patrick Devilder from Beat 6 – Michel also had a fish of 8.25lbs from the Sea Pool on Beat 9.   

 James Stafford had 2 - best 10lbs from the Falls Pool on an Erriff Green & Gold. 

Mr. David Jourdan, France fishing the Erriff for the first time had 2 on the 18th. - best 8lbs on a Cascade from the School House Pool on Beat 3 – and then had another from Deadman’s Pool on Beat 2 a few days later on returning from a successful pike and trout fishing trip to L. Mask.  

Water levels were recorded at 1.3 meters on the 19th.  Mr. H. Jamison, N. Ireland took a fresh run grilse from the Middle Garden on a Black & Silver Cascade. 

Mr. Selby Knox, UK. caught 2 best 9.25lbs taken on a Silver Stoat from the Black Banks on Beat 6. A Red Shrimp was successful for Mr. Michael Parry who caught a sea liced grilse in the Colonel's Pool on Beat 6.   Joyce’s Sand Hill produced a fish of 5.25lbs for Mr. B. Marshall UK.  Mr. Conor O’Leary, Dublin released a 6lbs fish taken on a s12 Shrimp Fly in King’s Pool on Beat 4.  Fishing the School House Pool two days later Conor released a fish of 12lbs taken on a Cascade – Conor also had good sport fishing small wet flies for Brown Trout  (catching 12) on Derrintin Lough .

                                                                                             Michel Winthrop (Fr) with a nice grilse this week

Water levels were recorded at 1.6 meters on the 25th.  Mr. Paul O’Meara, Dublin fishing the Erriff for the first time caught a fish of 11lbs in Kelly’s Bend Beat 4 on a Yellow Flame-thrower.

Sunday 26th, with water levels at 1.35 meters, local anglers Peter Coyne & Stuart Fleming caught fish of 6.5lbs and 9.5lbs on a Shrimp Fly & Willie Gunn tube from Altamont’s Dam and the Colonel’s Pool on Beat 6.   Mr. C Whitton, UK fishing the Erriff for the first time took 2 fish best 6.25lbs from Glenanane Stones and the Sally Pool Beat 7 on a Stoat’s Tail and Cascade.

Overall there is a vast improvement in the number of Salmon and Sea Trout entering the river.  Sea liced springers up to 12lbs in addition to good quality grilse are still passing through the fish counter above Aasleagh Falls.  Sea trout are not being caught in numbers on the river, which would suggest that many ran straight up to Tawnyard lough which would be well worth fishing. 

15TH JUNE 2011

Good numbers of springers and some grilse moving through the counter this week. Bernd Gregan caught and released a nice 8lbs fish from Poleen on Beat 4. The fish took a black shrimp pattern. Other anglers to score included Urgan Mantle, with a fine fish of 10lbs, and Jim Stafford, with a grilse of 5lbs.

8TH JUNE 2011

The first grilse of the season has been landed by David Gaffney from Dublin, who had a nice fish of 5lbs 2oz, taken in the Garden Pool on Beat 9 on a size 12 Cascade. Water levels are excellent excellent and we have good numbers of springers, grilse and sea trout running

David Gaffney with the first grilse of 2011

30TH MAY 2011

Overall water hevels were high during the week. There was a spate of 2.5 meters recorded on the Aasleagh GaUge on the 23rd. Water levels were 1.9 meters on the 25th. With suitable water conditions the run of Spring salmon continued into the river.

Saturday 28th was a super day for Seamus Nee, Athlone on the river. Water levels were recorded at 1.4meters with the river running clear - Seamus fishing with single barbless hooks caught and released 2 fish estimated at 10lbs and 15lbs taken in the Willow Pool on Beat 6 on a Cascade size 6. He also hooked and lost another fish in the Colonel’s Pool and another in the Sea Pool.

Another angler hooked and lost a fish in the Garden Pool. There is plenty of availability during the coming weeks on the fishery.

14TH MAY 2011

 Friday 13th May was a lucky day for Niall Wickham, Drogheda, Co. Louth who caught a sea-liced 7 pounder on a Cascade in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8. Niall followed this up with another fish of 6.5lbs, which he sportingly released. The fish was taken on a Cascade off Poleen on Beat 4 in the afternoon.

Niall Wickham with his 7lbs fish

7TH MAY 2011 - FIRST SALMON OF THE SEASON!

Great news, the first salmon of the season was landed by local angler, Peter Coyne. The fish weighed 7lbs, and was taken from the Falls Pool on a shrimp pattern. Another fish was hooked and lost in the Garden Pool. Water conditions are suitable for the coming week.