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

Andrew Beattie, a regular visitor from the U.K., had a personal best catching 6 fish in one day – all fish were taken on Cascades. G. Kerschbaumer, France had 2 fish on a Cascade and Alley Shrimp. Jim Laffin, N. Irl. had one on a Gold Cascade from Wanklyn’s Dam. In all35 salmon (many of which were sportingly returned to the river) and some 32 sea trout were taken in the week. At the time of writing the report water conditions are excellent with the Aasleagh Gauge reading 1.5metres.