Water levels finally dropped to one gate this week on the weir in Galway, with much better conditions for fly fishers and grilse appearing in better numbers in the river. There were 15 fish landed for the week, with anglers enjoying further sport with other fish but unfortunately parting company before meeting on the bank.
The 17th was a good day with 4 fish, including a fish of 4.5lbs for French visitor Jean Le Moal on a spinner. UK visitor Alyn Lynton landed two grilse of 4lbs and 6lbs on fly, while Tuam man Louis Brennan had a 6lbs fish shrimp. Alan Lynton had another fish on the 18th, a fine fish of 10lbs on fly. The following day Ber Gilsenan from Multyfarnham landed a 9.5lbs salmon while spinning, John Anderson had a 5lbs fish on fly, while Jean le Moal scored again with a 4lbs fish on spinner.
Over the rest of the week Jim Kane landed a 5lbs grilse on fly, as did John Ryan from Tipperary, while Navan man Paul O Malley was rewarded with a 10lbs springer taken on the fly. Lady angler Leen Verhoeven from Belgium caught her first salmon on the fly – a nice grilse of 4.5lbs.
Dublin angler Brendan O’Connor, caught a 5lbs grilse on fly, and Ashley Mathews from Clifden took a 6lbs fish, also on fly.
Water conditions and weather are excellent now, and with the grilse run starting, angling prospects for the coming weeks are very good.