16th July 2014

The early part of the week was mainly dry with low water conditions. However the excellent run of sea trout continued with 849 sea trout passing through the counting facility at Aasleagh Falls between the 7th and the 13th! Then the rains came on the morning of the 14th with the level rising to 1.35 meters on the gauge by mid-afternoon. The combination of the increase in water levels accompanied by high tides up to 4.6 meters brought in an additional 600 sea trout and 100+ salmon into the fishery. After the dry period the river was somewhat coloured during the morning and early afternoon but it did clear by late afternoon. Overall angling pressure was relatively light on the river during the period.

French anglers Francois Tartaguino, fishing the Erriff for the first time, and regular visitor Gerard Garnier had a successful first few days of their visit with Francois catching his first Irish salmon in the Bridge Pool on Beat 9 – they went on to catch a further 10 sea trout and 2 grilse during the period. Regular UK visitor Andrew Beattie caught 4 sea trout and a grilse of 7.75lbs – all fish were taken on a size 14 Cascade. James Keogh, Dublin caught 3 grilse - with the first coming from the Lower Garden Pool and the other two from the Falls Pool on Beat 9 – again a small dark Cascade was the successful pattern. Garret Beattie, Northern Ireland caught 2 grilse in the Lower Garden Pool and the Bridge Pool on a Golden Shrimp Fly and a Willie Gunn.

Local angler John Flaherty caught a sea trout in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8 and 2 grilse in the Falls Pool on Beat 9. At the time of writing the report (Tuesday evening) heavy rain is coming in from the west which should favour angling conditions for the coming week.

Total catch for the week was 13 salmon and 23 sea trout.

Regular French visitor Gerard Garnier releasing a nice grilse he caught on Beat 9