It was yet another week of momentous firsts in Galway, as we celebrated first salmon for several more young anglers this week. Over many years staff at the Fishery get to know anglers from near and far on their annual, and more regular visits to Galway, and then these anglers grow up and have their own little anglers, and the little anglers start coming to Galway to catch salmon too!

Conor Liddell from the UK was one of our lucky young guests this week, fishing with his dad Ian he caught his first ever salmon, shortly followed by the second – one on fly and one on shrimp, and weighing 5 and 6lbs. Well done Conor!

Conor Liddell from the UK, on a fishing holiday to reland with dad Ian, caught his first 2 salmon ever at the Galway Fishery, including one taken on fly and one on shrimp. Well done Conor!
Conor Liddell from the UK, on a fishing holiday to reland with dad Ian, caught his first 2 salmon ever at the Galway Fishery, including one taken on fly and one on shrimp. Well done Conor!

 

Next to feature was the son of one our regular anglers – Tony Kavanagh from Salthill. Tony’s son Denis (7) landed his first salmon over the weekend, which I’m sure will be the first of many in Galway.

Denis Kavanagh (7) from Galway, who caught his first ever salmon at the Galway Fishery last week, with dad Tony, who is a regular angler on the fishery.
Denis Kavanagh (7) from Galway, who caught his first ever salmon at the Galway Fishery last week, with dad Tony, who is a regular angler on the fishery.

 

And last but by no means least, Alex Dinn, fishing with his granddad Dr. John Casey from Clifden, another Galway regular, managed to catch no less than 3 salmon on his first attempt, with 3 grilse to 4.5lbs taken on fly and shrimp. Definitely one to watch for the future!

Young Alex Dinn proudly displays his first salmon, caught at the Galway Fishery while fishing with granddad Dr. John Casey from Clifden
Young Alex Dinn proudly displays his first salmon, caught at the Galway Fishery while fishing with granddad Dr. John Casey from Clifden

 

Not to be outdone, the rest of the anglers on the Weir managed a fine tally this week, landing 122 salmon for the week in perfect conditions conducive to flyfishing. Barry Browne from Dublin had 3 grilse to 5lbs on fly, while Clare man John Liddy had 2 grilse on fly. Moycullen angler Neil Spellacy broke his recent duck with a nice catch of 3 grilse to 5.5lbs on fly for an evening, while Tuam man Louis Brennan took 2 grilse to 6lbs on fly.

Erriff fishery manager Jim Stafford had a rare break from duty at Aasleagh Lodge and managed 3 grilse to the fly for his morning on the weir, while Pat Gorman also had 2 fish for his outing. Laois man John Hetherington landed 2 grilse to 6.5lbs on fly and shrimp, and Galway man John McCarthy had 3 grilse to 6lbs, also on fly and shrimp. Annual German visitors Manfred Wilke (now 89 and coming to Galway for many years, and Wolfram Hoppe (not yet 89!) are enjoying their week-long visit to Galway, with over 10 salmon landed so far, including several fish sportingly relased.

With water conditions in perfect order, temepratures not too warm, and plenty of grilse running the river, prospects for fishing in Galway for the coming week are once again, excellent!