Erriff

Fishery Manager Jim Stafford reported on fishing last week. The week started off with water levels at 0.8 meters on the Aasleagh Gauge on Sunday 29th July. Extreme heavy rains resulted in a massive spate of 2.16 meters on the 3rd which rendered the river unfishable for most of the day. Although levels were very high the water was relatively clean and levels had dropped to 1.24 meters the following morning.

David Gaffney, Kilkenny, caught 2 grilse on Beat 5 and Beat 9. Anthony Holden, Dublin, caught 2 grilse in the Falls Pool and Upper Garden Pool. 

Congratulations to Penny Tindal who caught her first ever salmon in the Garden Pool on a Shrimp Fly on the 1st August.  A Garry Dog produced a 6.5lbs. fish for Anthony Tindal which was caught in the Gauge Pool . Anthony also had 3 sea trout in the Square Pools which were safely released to the water.

Derek Harrison, Chester, U.K. released 2 grilse of 5lbs. each and his son Simon retained one of 5.75lbs. taken in the Coronation Pool on Beat 8 and released another of approximately 4 lbs. – all fish were taken on Shrimp patterns.  Niall Spellacy released a 4 pounder on Beat 4.  David Kirk released a grilse taken on a Collie Dog caught in Schoolhouse on Beat 3 and Trish Findlater returned a sea trout of 2lbs. caught on a Collie Dog on Beat 8.

James Keogh and Ian Fox, Dublin, had 3 grilse on Beats 6 & 7 – all on Cascades. Roy Craigie caught one on a Blue Charm. Fergus Crawford, Dublin, landed 3 grilse on Beat 7 & Beat 9 with  Tim Keane releasing a 5.5lbs. fresh run grilse caught in the Bridge Pool on a Cascade.  David Mooney, Killimor, retained one of 7.5lbs. which fell to a Stoat’s Tail in Nee’s Run on Beat 6 and released another caught in Altamont’s Dam. 

Greg Forde and son Christopher had their first salmon of the season in the Gauge Pool and in Kelly’s Bend– both fish were caught on Cascades. Local angler Michael Coyne landed a grilse in the Top Square Pool on Beat 9.

Seamus Hartigan and James Stafford had a very sporting afternoon on Tawnyard Lough with 8 sea trout and some 30 brown trout. The best sea trout caught was estimated at a good 4.5 lbs. Most successful flies included Green Peter, Invicta and Bibio – all in small sizes.  Delphi rods also accounted for 8 sea trout and several brown trout in two days fishing on Tawnyard.  All fish were safely returned to the water.

Fish of the week goes to Penny Tindal who caught her first ever salmon – a sparkling fresh grilse – the best sea trout of the season (so far) goes to Seamus Hartigan with a fish of 4.5lbs. from Tawnyard Lough. Total catch for the week was 24 salmon and 26 sea trout.

To book fishing on the Erriff or accommodation in Aasleagh Lodge, contact Fishery Manager Jim Stafford on +353 (0)95 42252, or visit www.aasleaghlodge.ie for details. The lodge and fishery also have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AasleaghLodge

Markus Müller reporting.

IFI Fisheries Information Manager