With Christmas upon us, the salmon season seems a lifetime ago already, indeed we are closer to the start of the 2024 season than we are to last season. And as is customary, Delphi fishery manager David McEvoy has produced another gem to get us thinking about salmon again. The Delphi Fishery annual newsletter is now available on their website here, a must-read for many salmon anglers who have fished this little gem of a fishery, or those who are considering it.
Return to Normal
Fishery manager David McEvoy opens with an appreciation for what we all longed for during the pandemic – a return to normality.
As David writes “2023, thankfully marked our second season in which Covid lockdowns were confined to history – forever we hope. As was the case last year, our season heralded a degree of normality, and this was particularly evident, with the return of an
increasing number of overseas visitors, the US in particular“.
Spring
While February was slow, with low water prevailing early on, March proved an excellent month, with 26 springers landed. The last time more springers were caught at Delphi in March was 2009! The first half of April also fished well, with 17 landed by the 18th, but falling water levels thereafter made for tougher conditions. May also proved tough,, low water prevailing, followed by a drought which lasted well into June.
Summer
A heatwave and drought conditions only broke on the 17th, with most of the monthly catch of 31 being caught after that date. This included Joe Burke’s biggest fish of the season, a fine fish of 17lbs 8oz
July was the most productive month with 96 fish landed. In contrast to June, rainfall was heavy, with Delphi being the wettest place in Ireland receiving 333mm of rain!
August started well, but as with elsewhere in the country, fish seemed to switch off, and sport definitely declined after the 19th. there were 40 fish landed for the month.
A heatwave in early September set the tone for a slow first half but sport picked up after that, with 31 fish landed. Sea trout provided some good sport in September with 91 landed; John Deacy having the best of approx. 4lbs.
For the full run-down, with some great writing and even better photos, read the newsletter here.
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
