Water levels are rising fast in Galway, with 10 gates now open on the weir, an incredible sight in July, when water levels are usually at their lowest, and one open gate is the norm. Prior to this, there were 2-4 gates open for most of the week, and 26 salmon were recorded. Laurence Flood from the UK finished his visit with a nice 6lbs grilse, caught on shrimp, while Laois man John Hetherington also had a 6lbs fish on shrimp. Killian Garvey from Wicklow took 2 nice grilse of 5.5lbs each on fly and shrimp, and Clifden angler Jasper Matthews landed a similar-sized grilse on fly. Paul Wymes from Dublin took grilse of 6 and 7lbs on shrimp, and young Galway angler Cian Gargan, son of former fishery manager Paddy, had a 4lbs grilse on shrimp. Dublin angler Barry Browne took a 6lbs fish on shrimp, while regular visitor from Northern Ireland, Jimmy Davison had 2 grilse to 6.5lbs on fly and spinner. Paul Whelan from Waterford fished the fly and landed a fine grilse of 7.5lbs, and Offaly man Kevin Curran took a 5.5lbs fish on fly, but the best fish this week was landed by local man Dave Lenihan, a cracking 12.5lbs summer salmon, taken on shrimp.
With a massive flood now in the river, conditions are very tough, but it is hoped that water levels will drop by the weekend, and we may see fishing improve next week. There are lots of fresh salmon still coming in on every tide, so any improvement in conditions should provide good sport.
