8th July 2012
Weather conditions and clear water levels at 1.3 meters were very favourable on Sunday Ist July – the levels then fell slowly to 0.75m by the end of the week. High water conditions combined with spring tides of 4.7m brought a run of salmon and sea trout into the river.
Michel Winthrop, France caught a grilse of 5lbs on a Lady Fallacia in the School House Pool on Beat 3. The following day Michel Le Paire caught a sea-liced fish of 7.75 lbs in the Sea Pool on a Shrimp Fly. John Lyons, Clonbur caught a grilse of 5lbs in the Sea Pool on a Cascade. A Willie Gunn was very successful for Urgan Mantle, Clonbur who caught and released 3 sea-liced fish - two of 5lbs and the other estimated at 6lbs – the fish were caught in the Garden Pool, Gauge Pool and the Sea Pool on Beat 9. Dr. John Casey, Clifden released a sea trout of 2.5lbs taken on a Silver Doctor in the Quarry Pool on Beat 2 and also a grilse of 5lbs caught in the Garden Pool. The Cattle Pass on Beat 1 produced a 6lbs fish for Philip Clesham – a few days later Philip caught another 7lbs fish on a G.P. in the Dog Pool on Beat 2.
Mick Brown, Dublin released a fish of 7lbs taken on a Yellow Shrimp Fly on Beat 7. Dermot Seymour released a fish of 4.5lbs taken on a Cascade in the Cottage Pool on Beat 4 and lost another 2. Michael Wade, manager of Delphi Lodge, caught 3 fish on Beat 5 on a Collie Dog – best fish 8lbs. Alan Hartnett, Dundalk, fishing for sea trout on Beat 2 caught and released 6 sea trout for 5lbs and landed a salmon of 7lbs in the dark at 11.30pm – all fish came to a Bibio.
Fish of the week, a sparkling fresh-run fish of 10.5lbs, was caught by Frank Hughes, Dublin on a Cascade in the Quarry Pool on Beat 2. Derrintin & Tawnyard Loughs produced some 20 brown trout up to 1lb for Donavin Brinklow in 2 afternoon fishing trips. The best fish was estimated at 1lb – all were caught on a Bibio & Daddy Long Legs and all were sportingly released.
Total catch for the week was 16 Salmon, 17 Sea Trout and 22 Brown Trout.
Although water levels have dropped off a good run of sea trout all in excellent condition continue to enter the river and salmon can be seen coming in on every tide.