I have been working beside the Galway Fishery for 13 years now, and in that time I’ve seen the weir with half a gate open on a handful of occasions, usually in August/September after a long dry summer. Never have I seen water levels so low in May, but that is the reality this week, with rocks showing in places many anglers would never have seen them.
Despite the low water, very bright sunshine and air temperatures over 20C on most days, a few salmon have been caught this week. Dave O’Reilly from Dublin tempted fate by teasing local expert Sean O’Toole, but managed to land a 9lbs fish on fly.
Clare man Michael Brown took an 8.5lbs fish on shrimp, while Athenry angler Declan Tuffy had a 6lbs grilse on fly. Dublin visitor Paul Wymes landed an 8.5lbs salmon on the shrimp, while Athlone man Seamus Nee had a 9.5lbs fish on fly, which he released. German angler Werner Meckle, who has been visiting the fishery for many years, landed a fine 11.5lbs fish on the fly. Local man Fergal Cormican had a 4lbs grilse on shrmp, while Gort angler Colman Counihan landed a near 10lbs fish on the fly.
Some rain is forecast for the weekend, but whether it will be enough to raise water levels remains to be seen. Imagine complaining about low water in Galway in May!
