The welcome drop in water levels, and the arrival of grilse in good numbers, has seen the best week of the season so far in Galway, with 30 fish reported landed, and several more hooked and lost. Veteran angler Ned Cusack, well into his 90s, was first off the mark with a 4.5lbs grilse taken on shrimp. Louis Brennan landed 2 grilse of 5.5lbs each on shrimp, while Michael Leonard, another Galway veteran, had 2 grilse of 4.5lbs each, also on shrimp. Clifden angler Ashley Matthews had a 4.5lbs grilse and a fine 13lbs salmon, both on fly. Tuam angler Henry Cosgrove took a 7.5lbs fish on shrimp, while Brian King had 2 grilse on shrimp and fly. Northern Ireland visitor John Bennett landed 5 fish during his visit, all grilse between 5 and 6lbs, with the best fish taken on fly, while Brian O’Rourke landed 2 grilse of 5 and 6lbs, as well as an 11.5lbs spring salmon, all on shrimp. Jean Le Moal from france took a nice 7lbs grilse on fly, and John Ryan landed a grilse of 5.5lbs and a fine springer of 12.5lbs.
Fishing conditions are excellent at the moment, with 2 sluice gates open and levels hopefully dropping further, and with good numbers of grilse arriving on every tide prospects look very good for a productive month ahead.
