Fishery Manager, David McEvoy is blown away by the opening day results at Delphi where 4 springers were landed by German clients on a hunting and fishing holiday…
When I wrote my last blog and was waxing lyrically about the possibility of landing a fresh fish on February 1st, it was as much in hope than anything else. There is always great expectations at the beginning of any new season but what transpired here at Delphi today was beyond mine and I think most people’s wildest dreams.
A regular and experienced group of Germans who traveled from Bavaria are to say the least living in a dream this evening as between them they landed 4 springers today. The previous record for opening day was in 2001 when 2 fish were landed, so needless to say I am a little lost for words myself at this moment in time. Our 10 year average for the month of February is actually less than 4 so this year it has been achieved on the first day. It is truly incredible to land 4 spring fish on the fly in the month of February. I may be wrong but I would imagine that these are the first fly caught fish in the country this year.
Three fish were landed by very experienced anglers. The first and second were in the Meadow pool, weighing in at 5lbs5ozs and 11lbs1oz, both taken on Willie Gunn tubes. The third was caught in the Horseshoe pool and weighed in at 7lbs12ozs and was taken on a Delphi Collie.
The fourth fish of the day was taken by Andreas Durr, who managed to land his first ever, a lovely fish of 6lbs11ozs from the Kings pool on a Willie Gunn tube. Needless to say everyone was delighted for Andreas because the first salmon remains with you forever. It was indeed very fitting as Andreas’ son, Florian, with the last shot of the 2014/15 shooting season shot his first ever woodcock. It is a truly memorable occasion and one which they will both remember and cherish for many years to come.
As my heading suggests the “Blast” was also good, with plenty of woodcock flushed. I was even surprised myself as the previous few weeks the birds seemed to have scattered quite a bit, to where I don’t know. But for those of us who cherish this elusive and majestic bird, we all know that woodcock are impossible to figure out and that’s the beauty of them and hopefully they will never change in this regard.
I did say we saw plenty, great sport was had, plenty of shots were fired and we bagged a few as well, but on balance I think you could say that the woodcock won this one.
Even though the “Blast” was good as I have said earlier it was the “Cast” that exceeded all expectations. At this juncture it’s probably worth noting that we have plenty of availability for February, so if I were you I’d get on that phone pretty quick as days like these don’t happen too often!!
David McEvoy
Delphi Fishery
Go fishing…
At Delphi Lodge, with many years of experience with the timing of the best runs of fish, we have in place a price system that offers both great value fishing and lets our anglers know when they have the best chance to catch a fresh run spring salmon or a summer grilse or Delphi sea trout.
Delphi Fishery
Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95-42222 Fax +353-95-42296
Web: www.delphilodge.ie
