Charlie Cooper’s Cracker
22/06/12: It’s difficult to describe the fishing over the last few days; I would have expected to have more fish landed but for some reason it hasn’t happened, until …..
Since my update last Saturday morning we have had 8 more fish and 2 of those were on Saturday.
Ciaran Boland had a fish from the Rock pool of 4lbs6ozs on a Vanbeck and David Dunne had another from the Whin pool of 6lbs1oz on a Willie Gunn.
There was only one on Sunday, a beautiful 7lbs10ozs sea liced fish taken from the Rock pool on a Conehead Shrimp by Charles Carroll.
We had nothing on Monday or Tuesday and then 2 yesterday. Both fish weighed in at 3lbs14ozs and were taken in the Schoolhouse and Turn pool respectively by Margaret Downes and Charles Cooper, on a Collie Dog and a Gary Dog.
Rubin Vyncke from Belgium who is trying to catch his first salmon has managed at least 6 handshakes and seen a lot more. There are fish there; if I could look into the crystal ball I’d tell you exactly how many but I’m afraid I can’t. Anytime I have looked in the river I have seen fish but they are on strike at the moment. Finlough has been disappointing this week, but hopefully it will pick up as we have had another good flush of water with the river at 65 at lunchtime.
As you all know we are in the most technologically advanced valley in the world!!!!! This blog was ready to be posted yesterday when technology surprisingly failed us. As it happens I went down the river to find out if anything was stirring, and indeed it was.
Charles Cooper who was fishing Francis Ashe’s rod had just landed two fish. His first, which was sea liced was off the Quarry pool and weighed in at 17lbs6ozs. It was taken on a Gary Dog tube. After a titanic struggle between man and fish Charles, finally landed the fish 40 minutes later. He also broke his net in the process.
He then landed another lovely sea liced fish, on the Rock pool of 6lbs8ozs on the same Gary Dog which under normal circumstances would be a cracker but looked like a minnow beside the monster.
His fishing partner Paddy Varian also landed a fine sea liced fish from the Deadmans of approx. 9lbs8ozs. This fish also took a Gary Dog.
Just if there is anyone reading this who is dreaming of 17lbs salmon and would like a little break in July or August we still have some fishing available – for those interested please contact the office.
There is of course the added attraction that you get to meet all the wonderful staff here and experience the ambiance of Delphi Lodge!!! See you then.
25/06/12: Well now that we have come back down to earth after the big un, we are back to catching normal size fish. On this point it is worth noting that the quality of the fish in recent weeks has been excellent. When I was told that someone got a small grilse of 4lbs, I remarked that 10 years ago we would have considered this a big grilse. It definitely is a change for the better.
Since my last update we have landed 8 fish.
On Friday Michael Darling managed to land a fish of 4lbs13.5ozs off Finlough on his last morning of the week. The fish was sea liced and took a Cascade. Paddy Varian also had a fish off the Rock pool of 5lbs9ozs on a Tick Tock. Don’t ring up asking me what it is because I don’t know. Apparently it commonly used on the Owenmore.
Saturday we had 3 fish. Mick Kelly had one of 4lbs2.5ozs off Finlough on a Stoats Tail variant. Philip McGarrity had his first ever Delphi salmon. It was a sea liced fish of 5lbs approx. from the Whin pool taken on a Mini Tube. Martin Ceillier had a fish off the Turn pool of 4lbs on a Cascade. His wife Barbara still awaits that elusive first of the year.
Yesterday we had 3 fish. Michael Tierney from Dublin had his first ever salmon, off Doolough. The fish weighed in at 8lbs13ozs and was taken in the presence of his father Oliver and brother, also Oliver.
The next 2 fish were also a family affair. Reinhard Mittmann managed to land our smallest grilse of the year so far of 2lbs3ozs on a Stoats Tail. His son Nico had a lovely fish of 6lbs9ozs on a Green Highlander. Both these fish came off Finlough.
The river is holding at 30 so hopefully the steady flow of quality fish will continue.
D McEvoy
Delphi Fishery
Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95-42222 Fax +353-95-42296
Web: www.delphi-salmon.com
Explore Connemara & Inishturk
For the summer months while staying at Delphi Lodge enjoy three nights’ Bed & Breakfast, three Evening Dinners and two special days out.
Arrive at Delphi Lodge for the wonderful Delphi Lodge Dinner on your first evening. Next morning, after a truly Country House Full Irish Breakfast, depart by ferry from Roonagh Pier for Inishturk, a beautiful inhabited Island off the Mayo coast, where you will be met by Mary Catherine who explains island life over tea or coffee and scones in her kitchen overlooking the harbour. There are a couple of hours to have a stroll and take in the natural beauty of the island before returning to Mary for a delightful seafood lunch and home baking; time to relax and enjoy the views and perhaps a drink or two before returning to Delphi Lodge for evening Dinner.
A slow start the next morning with time to enjoy the Delphi Estate. Then a short trip to Killary Fjord to board the Connemara Lady, a small cruise liner, for a spectacular cruise along the rugged shoreline of this beautiful inlet – a seafood platter lunch will be served on-board.
Alternatively, for those who do not wish to avail of this particular activity, another option is to visit Connemara National Park with a Delphi Packed Lunch.
Afterwards, just a short distance to Kylemore Abbey for a tour of the Abbey itself and a leisurely walk through the restored walled gardens before returning to Delphi Lodge for evening Dinner.
All inclusive package price €495 per person sharing:
- 3 nights’ Bed & Breakfast
- 3 evening Dinners
- Ferry to Inishturk inc. tea/coffee & scones, plus seafood lunch.
- Connemara Lady Cruise or Connemara National Park with Delphi lunch
- Entrance to Kylemore Abbey
For those interested please contact the office.
Michael Wade
D McEvoy
Delphi Fishery
Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95-42222 Fax +353-95-42296
Web: www.delphi-salmon.com
