27th June 2012

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.