David McEvoy reports from Delphi where low water was a real problem last week, but rain is improving prospects…
It’s hard to believe that a good night’s rain could make people so happy. Water levels were getting really desperate here at Delphi in the last week, or should I as few weeks as the last nice fall of rain we had was the 20th and the 21st of May. In the interim rain has been promised on and off but it never materialised. Weather apps on phones were being checked on an hourly basis, so much so that we were all ready to throw the phones in the lake, if it was deep enough!!
For the past few days there has been rain promised but only small amounts fell. The river was still well below 0 and needless to say we weren’t expecting much last night either. I got a pleasant surprise on my way to work this morning especially as I wasn’t expecting much given that the local river the Bunowen was much the same as it has been. Once I could see Doolough valley I thought I was hallucinating as there were cascades of water coming down the mountain. As I got closer I realised it was actually water and I must say I never saw waterfalls looking so pretty in all my life.
Boats had to be bailed which is actually a bit of a novelty and believe it or not the river had risen to 65. There was only 13mms in the rain gauge, but there was obviously a lot more on the hills. The river was very dirty this morning which is to be expected but it was actually flowing!! So hopefully in the next couple of days I will be reporting on shoals of salmon running the river. There is more rain forecast today and then it looks like it will dry up again but at least this water will give us a reprieve for the coming days.
We did actually land two fish here since my last update. Ian Carroll had a fish off Finlough of approx. 7lbs on a Delphi Collie and Kurt Roth having spent all day in the boat on Doolough decided to throw a few casts at the mouth of the Glenummera, even though there was no flow coming into the lake managed to land a fish of approx. 8lbs on a Red Frances.
I should also mention tried hard all week despite the very difficult conditions. Bill Middleton was one of these and his persistence was rewarded with a fish of over 4lbs on the Falls Pool of our neighbouring Erriff river.
There is nothing off the river yet but hopefully it may produce in the afternoon as it should be fishable by then.
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.
World-class instruction at Ireland’s most beautiful fishing lodge
At Delphi Lodge we are able to provide world class tuition through our resident instructor, Robert Gillespie. Fly fishing instruction can be as simple as a short visit for half a day or built into a fully tutored course over a few days while staying in the Lodge. Robert Gillespie is one of the worlds most qualified fly casting/fishing instructors and is available for one to one tuition in addition to offering excellent tuition to small groups and families. Robert was the first person to successfully take all three FFF (Federation of Fly Fishers) examinations at the one testing event, doing so in November 2004 on the Beaverkill river at Roscoe, New York State.
A tutored course at Delphi Lodge, with Robert Gillespie, is a wonderful, relaxing and learning experience for anyone who wishes to take their first steps into this rewarding form of fishing. For many fly fishing becomes a true passion.
YouTube:
Delphi Flyfishing School Robert Gillespie part1
Delphi Flyfishing School Robert Gillespie part2
For further details please contact Anne or Carole in the office on +353 (0)95-42222 or email: [email protected]
Delphi Fishery
Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95-42222 Fax +353-95-42296
Web: www.delphilodge.ie
