3rd August 2013
Fishery manager Jim Stafford reports on fishing from the 29th July to the 3rd August. The much needed heavy rains which were forecast resulted in a spate of 1.9m. Levels held at 1.4m for the following 2 days and water conditions were perfect for angling from Beat 9 right up to and including Beat 1. Henri Hosinger, Luxembourg, caught one in the Colonel’s Pool on Beat 6 and another the following day in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8. Norbert Meir, also from Luxembourg caught 3 – best fish 6lbs in the Falls Pool on Beat 9 – all 5 fish were taken on Shrimp patterns. R Page caught 2 of 4.5lbs in Humps & Hollows and the Willow Pool on Beat 6.
Ralph Tindal, Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow, caught a nice fish of 5lbs on a Cascade in the Coronation Pool. Johnny Couchman, Co. Carlow, released 2 on Beat 6. Frank Martin, Co Meath caught one in Joyce’s Sand Hill (Beat 5) on a Cascade. Gary Connolly caught one on Beat 8 on a Black Shrimp pattern. Eoin Bresnihan, Oughterard took one of 6lbs in the Tawnyard Potholes on Beat 3 and released another estimated at 4lbs – both fish were taken on Cascades. Kevin Attride had 2 fish on Beat 9, also on Cascades. Fishing the Falls Pool on Beat 9, Clifford Shaw, UK, caught one of 7.75lbs again on a Cascade. Donal Chambers, Athy landed one of 6lbs on a Black Shrimp fly. John Dardis, Newbridge took one in the Srathloe Pool at the bottom of Beat 5.
A Bann Special produced a grilse of 4.5lbs for Mick Burt, UK, from the Quarry Pool on Beat 2. Clement Vaur, France had a very good day on Beat 4, catching sea trout of 1lb and 2lbs, and retaining one salmon of 7.5lbs and releasing another estimated at 3lbs. Babs Kijewski , Germany, fishing the Erriff for the first time, caught one in the Horse Shoe and another in the Bridge Pool at the top of Beat 3. Fishing the Holly Pool on Beat 8 Greg Forde released a grilse of 4lbs and his son Christopher retained one of 4.75lbs – both fish were taken on small Cascades.
Gearoid Muldowney and Glen Harmon caught one each in the Hawthorn Run and Mickey’s Run on Beat 7. Peter Thompson, Australia released a good sea trout of 1.5lbs and a salmon which he caught in the Long Pool on Beat 1.
The fish of the week, an 11.5-pounder was caught by Noel Fitzpatrick on a Kenyaman fly in the Colonel’s Run on Beat 6 - Noel also caught 2 other fish the same day. Catch of the week goes to young Joseph Martin from Co. Meath who landed 4 salmon in 2 days and returned one to the river – all fish were caught on Cascades tied by Joseph himself.
Total catch for the week was 36 salmon and 12 sea trout.
Clifford Shaw, UK, with a nice salmon of 7.75lbs from the Erriff Fishery at Aasleagh Falls, July 2013