Monday 21st May  to Sunday 10th June 2018 (3 weeks).

The gauge read 0.40m on the 21st May. Decent rain meant the river rose to read a fair 0.44m on the 22nd but thereafter, the river fell over the next 3 weeks and ran at low summer levels. By the 10th June the gauge was reading only 0.33m. Allied to the bright, hot, windless and cloudless weather most days brought, salmon angling was not easy and rod attendance well down. Early morning and late evening offered the best opportunities for those able to fish at these times. Despite the hot sunny weather and the low water conditions, the river fished very well given the challenging conditions with salmon caught most days. Given here are some of the catches from the Register.

Andreas Langeder reported a 7lb salmon caught on fly from the Blackwater
Andreas Langeder reported a 7lb salmon caught on fly from the Blackwater

On the 21st, Stephen Grew recorded a 6lb grilse caught on a Flying ‘C’ lure from The Grazing’s. On the 22nd, Gary Morrow reported an 8½lb salmon caught on prawn from the Blackwater. John Parkinson registered a 9lb salmon caught on prawn from Melly’s High Bank and Tom Colgan caught and released an 8lb salmon. On the 23rd, Peter Cook recorded a 3lb grilse caught on fly from Upper Mill. On the 24th, Andreas Langeder reported a 7lb salmon caught on fly from the Blackwater. Frederick Rollin logged a 6lb grilse caught on fly from Red Roof and Darren Haire accounted for two grilse weighing 5 & 6lb caught on prawn from the Sea Pools. On the 25th, Paul McCausland recorded a 6lb grilse caught on fly from The Corry. On the 26th, Michael Joyce recorded a 3lb grilse caught & released on a Flying ‘C’ lure from Lennox’s. On the 27th, Nigel Abraham reported 2 salmon both weighing 7½lb caught on worm from Lennox’s and Perch Hole.

On the 31st, Davey McKee had a good day with 3 salmon weighing 5, 5 & 11lb caught from the Sea Pools on prawn with one of the 5lb fish and the 11lb fish being released. On the 1st, Jenz Frey recorded a 6lb grilse caught on fly from Red Roof. On the 3rd, Frederick Rollin accounted for 2 salmon weighing 7 & 9lb caught and released on fly from Two Islands.

Yves Metayer reported an 8lb salmon caught on a spinner from Red Roof
Yves Metayer reported an 8lb salmon caught on a spinner from Red Roof

On the 4th, Julian Ciconte recorded a 7lb salmon caught on a spinner from Red Roof. Johhny Ciconte reported a 5lb grilse caught on a spinner from Red Roof and Paul McCausland accounted for an 8lb salmon caught on a spinner from Red Roof. All 3 of these fish were caught from the same spot whithin half an hour. The benefit of being in the right spot at the right time! On the 5th, Jean Yves Metayer registered a 3lb grilse caught on fly from Red Roof. On the 8th, Michael Joyce recorded a 3½lb grilse caught on fly from Briney’s and George McBride accounted for an 8lb salmon. On the 10th Jean Yves Metayer reported an 8lb salmon caught on a spinner from Red Roof.

A break in the good weather is forecast for mid-week which may bring the river some much needed rain. But even given low water conditions, the river is producing good numbers of salmon. Prospects remain good.

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River Drowes

The Drowes Fishery is one of Ireland’s premier spring salmon and grilse fisheries. The river is some 5 miles in length, with over 70 named pools, flowing from Lough Melvin at Lareen Bay and entering the sea at Tullaghan, just outside Bundoran. The Drowes has a wide variety of water suitable for all fishing methods, including several miles of good fly water and deeper slower moving pools suitable for spinning and bait fishing.

For information and bookings on the Drowes Fishery & Lough Melvin see http://www.drowessalmonfishery.com
Tel: 071 9841055 (8am to 12 noon).
Mob: +353 (0) 87 8050806

For info/Guides/boat hire on Lough Melvin contact Sean Maguire’s Tackle Shop, Main Street, Garrison.Tel. (048) 686 58194

Lough Melvin, Rossinver Fishery: For info/Guides/boat hire/bookings etc. contact Sean Carty. Tel: 083 1197428.