Angling conditions in Galway are perfect at the moment, with low water levels favouring the fly, and plenty of grilse coming in, with numbers increasing by the day. There were 86 fish reported for the week, with many of these taken on fly. Ned Cusack showed he still has it at 95 years young, landing 2 nice grilse on the shrimp. Local angler Dave Lenihan also proved his skill, landing 5 grilse to 6lbs on fly, while long-time visitor from Kildare, Sean McManmon landed 3 to 5lbs on fly. German visitor Werner Meckle had 4 fish to 5lbs on fly, and Athenry man Declan Tuffy had 2 fish to 5.5lbs for his evening fishing the fly. Tom Harrington from Limerick also had 2 to 5.5lbs on fly, while father and daughter Jim and Sarah Doody, from Dublin, had a fine morning on Sunday, landing 2 grilse each on shrimp, all around 5lbs.
The Murphy family kept it in the family alright, with 10-year-old Sean landing his first ever salmon, and dad Eugene also taking a fish, while the following day uncle Adrian and granddad Fintan both had a grilse each!
Laois man Frank O’Hara landed 2 grilse to 5.5lbs on fly, while Seamus Dolan from Dublin had 2 fish to 6lbs on shrimp. Dublin angler Paul Wymes landed 2 grilse to 6.5lbs on fly, while fellow Dub Michael Brown had 2 fish to 6lbs on shrimp, and local angler Phil Donoghue had a nice session on the fly yesterday, catching and releasing 3 nice grilse. With grilse numbers increasing every day, and stable water levels and good weather, fishing prospects in Galway for the coming weeks are excellent. Once again low water levels have prevailed upstream, but fish are running even in low water, and again this week I have success to report for a young angler – Patrick McGrath from Mountbellew, who had never caught a salmon before, landed his first salmon on Monday off the Clare River. Not satisfied with that, he went on to land 2 more fish up to 7lbs, and was clearly delighted with getting off the mark. Well done Patrick!
