APRIL REPORT · 1 May 2008
April at Delphi was more than a little difficult in terms of fishing conditions. With much of the month dominated by dry, cool weather and with winds either bitingly cold easterlies or too light for lake fishing, anglers struggled for results. But rain on the 25th, followed by a few days of showers and lively breezes, lifted both spirits and catches.
By month end, 33 spring salmon had been taken, to add to the 22 taken in February and March. While the total of 55 salmon so far is vaguely respectable, it is a little below the 10-year average for this stage of 60 fish – and well short of the 2004 record of 142.
Two thirds of the fish caught were tagged fish of hatchery origin that were released as smolts two years earlier.
A striking feature of the month was the small size of some of the salmon. No less than eight weighed only five pounds or less, with two at just 3¾ pounds. Whether these are ridiculously small springers or early grilse remains a matter of conjecture pending the results of scale analysis.
The best tagged fish of the month was taken by Andy Smith from the Holly Pool and weighed a shade over 10 pounds. Just a few ounces behind was one of Willie Cotter’s two fish from Finlough.
There were a number of good wild fish caught but, since all are supposed to be released alive, the weights are mostly estimated. The best of these weighed around 12 or 13 pounds and was taken by Peter Davis on Doolough, one of three fish he caught in his week. Others to catch fish of around ten pounds or better included Birger Hansson from Sweden, Margaret Downes and Joe Tracey.
Of the April fish, 17 came off the river, 10 from Finlough and 6 from Doolough, the latter all wild.
All Delphi anglers are reminded of the conservation imperative of releasing all wild salmon.
— Peter Mantle
last cast - september special offer · 21 April 2008
To motivate people not to hang up their rods too soon, we are offering half price fishing on any day(s) from Sept 23-29 inc. for those who stay at Delphi. And, so confident are we of decent salmon fishing at that time, we will offer a bottle of good 2000-vintage claret to anyone who fishes for 3 days without scoring.
— Peter Mantle
Huge fish lost on Doolough · 10 April 2008
Jonathan Smalley from the Isle of Man lost a very big, fresh-run salmon on Doolough yesterday. The fish took a trolled spoon near the sluice and jumped twice before breaking off when the line got caught around the rod tip. Ghillie Tom Callinan estimated its weight at “at least 16 pounds”, while Hugh Brennan, who was also in the boat, said “it was the biggest fish I have seen in 20 years at Delphi”.
The incident interrupted an otherwise quiet spell at Delphi where river levels are now low and the weather is cold and mostly calm.
— Peter Mantle
March report · 3 April 2008
Despite reasonable conditions throughout most of March, there were just eighteen spring salmon taken at Delphi in the month, which was a little disappointing (the 10-year average catch for March is 22 salmon).
The total catch for the season to date, including February, now stands at 22 salmon, 5 of which have been wild and the other 17 were tagged fish released as smolts from the hatchery in 2006.
The March fish ranged in size from 5½ to 10¼ pounds, the biggest falling to Laurence Lock’s Collie Dog in the Rock Pool. Top rod for March was Werner Zirngibl with five fish to 10 pounds for his week.
The river produced 14 of the salmon, all sea-liced, while Finlough and Doolough each delivered two fish.
Mike Hynes had a fine 10-pound fish and 9-pounders were taken by Harold McGarrity, Heinz Hofler (2) and Heidi Hofler, while John Faith, Chris Huxley and Fabi Zirngibl all took 8-pounders.
— Peter Mantle
Sturgeon landed by David McEvoy · 1 April 2008
An 11-pound queen sturgeon, only the second ever recorded at Delphi (the last was caught in 1879), was taken by accident by fishery manager David McEvoy while fishing the Whin Pool on Delphi’s Bundorragha River. The bizarre-looking fish, which David says played “like a wet paper bag”, took a size 8 Octopussy on a sink tip line.
David attempted to release the fish, but it could not be revived. Excitingly, it was a female and carried nearly 12 ounces of roe. This rare caviar will be made available to Delphi guests as part of the evening canapes.
The capture of the extremely rare fish has been reported to the Central Fisheries Board.
— Peter Mantle
