Nigel Rush tells about his two double figure salmon caught from the Rock Pool on the Dawros yesterday…

Tuesday was wet…very wet and yesterday the river and lakes were well up. I fished the Rock Pool in the morning and landed and released a fine fish of about 10lb, sea liced and all.

In the afternoon fishing the same pool I hooked a fish which took me down the pool well into the backing. It was about five minutes before the fish polarised out of the water. I knew I had something of a lifetime. It’s normal to see a few fish every year arround the 20lb mark but seldom are they caught. They do not attain that size by getting caught!

After about 15 mins the crowd of tourists on the back avenue was nearing 100… the shuttle bus even stopped to let off more spectators!
The fish was ready to be landed but there was no way it was going to fit into my McClean weigh net (Tri net) so I managed to grab the tail of the fish and slide it willingly under water, into the net which eventually held it’s folded body.

Nigel releases his big fish to continue up the river and spawn
Nigel releases his big fish to continue up the river and spawn

The net weighs to 14lb but there is room on the scale to have had another three pounds added… the sliding scale then comes to a halt. So 17lb at least and more than likely 18lb if not more.

Nigel Rush
Kylemore Abbey Fishery

Go fishing…

To book fishing at Kylemore Abbey, contact Nigel  on 095 41178, or mobile 087 9580702, and for latest news check the website at www.kylemorefishery.ie

Hidden away between the mountains of Connemara and the Atlantic ocean, the Kylemore Abbey fishery is a wild and beautiful place. Kylemore Abbey Fishery consists of the Kylemore Middle and Castle lakes, with five and a half miles of the Dawros river which enters the sea in Ballynakill bay.  Salmon and sea-trout run for a good proportion of the year to provide first class fishing on uncrowded waters.

The open panoramas of the lakes contrast with the intimacy of the river to give a variety of fishing combined with stunning scenery unrivalled anywhere in Ireland. Although offering an excellent chance of a fish for most of the season, you will find the real meaning of “a fish is a bonus” at Kylemore.

For info on rates and beat maps see: www.kylemorefishery.ie/rates