15th June 2013

Water levels on the Erriff were very low during the first week of the month. It was brilliant summer weather with bright sunshine and clear skies, with temperatures in the low 20s. There was very little fishing on the river during this time. However, somewhat against the odds with water levels at 0.58 meters, Selby Knox, a regular visitor to Aasleagh Lodge and the Erriff at this time of year, was not giving in and fished the Coronation Pool on Beat 8 in the cool of the evening. Selby fished a small lightly-dressed Cascade and caught a sparkling fresh-run grilse of 4lbs. The following evening he saw success again with the same fly, landing another fresh -run grilse of 6lbs in the Falls Pool on Beat 9.

Rain increased levels to 1.25 metres on the morning of the 11th - water clarity was a little peaty and fresh fish including several good springers were seen running through Beat 9. Once again Selby Knox was successful catching a fish of 11lbs in the Colonel’s Run on Beat 6 – again on that small size 13 Cascade.

At last the heavy rains came on the 14th, with levels rising above 2 metres on the Aasleagh Gauge, rendering the river unfishable. Levels on Saturday morning were recorded at 1.9m - much too high for the lower end of the river. Levels dropped in the afternoon and John Dardis, Newbridge Co. Kildare caught a grilse of 5.5lbs in Poleen on Beat 4. Later in the afternoon John caught and released another sparkling fresh fish, estimated at 6.5lbs, straight in off the tide in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8 – both fish were taken on a Cascade. The same day, celebrating his birthday, Ken Wickham, Drogheda Co. Louth caught one of 8.5lbs in the Hawthorn Run on Beat 7. The fish was caught on a “Birthday Shrimp” tied by his brother and well known trout and salmon fly-tyer and successful angler Niall Wickham – a very appropriate birthday present.

The catch for the period was 6 salmon and 6 sea trout. At the time of writing water levels are still good for grilse to enter the lower beats.

With rain forecast at the weekend, and grilse coming in better numbers by the day, the Erriff should see good fishing over the next week.