15th July 2013
Water levels were favourable at 1.3m on the 1st July. Heavy rain increased levels to 1.6m on the 3rd. With warm sunshine levels fell to 0.7m by the 7th, and slowly dropped to 0.55m by the 15th. Angling conditions were favourable early in the week but with glorious sunshine and temperatures in the mid twenties fishing did become more difficult.
Jorg Newman from Berlin, fishing the Erriff for the first time, caught and released his first Irish salmon on a Black Shrimp fly in the Holly Pool on Beat 8 – Jorg also released 2 sea trout caught in the Sea Pool. Herve Rodrigue, France, caught a fresh-run grilse of 5.25lbs and released another of 4lbs - both fish were caught on a Hairy Mary in the School House Pool on Beat 3. John Dardis, Kildare, released 2 sea trout and retained a grilse of 4.5lbs caught on a Cascade in the Garden Pool on Beat 9. Fishing a Shadow Shrimp, the Twin Rocks on Beat 7 produced a grilse of 6.5lbs for Enda Kenny from Enfield, Co. Meath. David Glazman, Los Angeles, California USA, caught a good sea trout in the Middle Garden Pool - then fishing a Black Shrimp pattern hooked into his first ever Atlantic salmon but was unlucky to part from the fish after several minutes when the fish was almost ready for the net – David was impressed with the power of this good sized fresh run bar of silver.
Enda O’Connell from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, hooked 7 fish in a day on Beats 5 and 6, and managed to land 3 – best fish was estimated at 10lbs and was released. A few days later Enda also released a fish estimated at 11lbs which was taken on an Ally’s Shrimp in the Broken Bridge Pool on Beat 5 – Enda’s son Hugh retained one of 5.5lbs taken on a Cascade in the Garden Pool and released another grilse taken in the Falls Pool on Beat 9.
Accompanied by the Fishery Manager and fishing a Yoshi John (a fly tied by Yoshi Toide from Japan)in the Lower Garden Pool on Beat 9, Chloe Stafford (aged 10) caught a fresh-run grilse of 3.25lbs – this was Chloe’s first ever salmon.
Michael Vincent, Athy Co. Kildare caught a grilse of 4.5lbs in the Colonel’s Run on Beat 6 on a Cascade. Martin Davison, NI, caught a good fish of 8lbs on a Cascade in Joyce’s Sand Hill on Beat 5.
The local angling club had a day on the river on the 7th and Peter Coyne and Gerry Turner caught a fish each in the Sea Pool and Falls Pool on Beat 9.
A very successful Salmon Angling Course was held at Aasleagh Lodge and the Erriff River from the 4th to 7th July. There were 8 participants on the course. Participant Tony Brown from Donegal caught his first ever salmon on fly in the Garden Pool. Brent Vinall, a course participant from the UK, also caught his first ever salmon – the fish was taken on a Cascade in Joyce’s Sand Hill on Beat 5 – Brent went on to catch another one of 4.5lbs on a Green & Gold 3 days later when angling conditions were far from ideal. Rene Janjo, Switzerland also caught his first Irish salmon in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 on a Silver Stoat.
At the time of writing the river is baked in glorious summer weather and while everyone is enjoying the fine summer weather the anglers are hoping for rain.
The total catch for the period given the angling conditions was a respectable 22 salmon and 12 sea trout.