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Delphi Fishery Report - 2002

374 salmon caught in moderate year

The 2002 season at Delphi was disappointing, though far from bad. With 374 salmon caught, including an above-average number of big spring fish, there was still plenty of excitement for anglers. But the grilse runs were much smaller than expected, and tagged hatchery-origin grilse were notably less numerous than in most recent years.

The season opened with a very stormy February, which saw just a handful of springers taken from the river. Fishing the fly in such conditions is not for the faint-hearted and lake-fishing was almost completely impossible. Early March proved much more suitable, and productive, but then a drought from mid-March to mid-April reduced the river to a trickle and stopped the run of fresh fish, leaving anglers to concentrate largely on the lakes.

Bad weather returned in the last days of April and from then on we were deluged with rain, right through May and June and into July. A record 10 inches of rain fell in May, leading to good catches of springers in the latter part of the month. Remarkably, this was followed by even heavier rainfall in June, with over 11 inches measured on the Delphi gauge – another record.

There were 81 fish in the book by the end of May, a total that has only been bettered three times since 1986. And the average weight of the springers, at nearly ten pounds, was the best since 1986. With 40 fish over 10 pounds, it was the second best year for big fish since Delphi was acquired in 1986.

June, however, was a big let-down. We had been expecting to catch about twice as many grilse as we actually did. A very large number of smolts had been released in 2001 and the unusually wet weather should have made for exceptional fishing conditions. But everything was late. It appears that the hatchery grilse, in particular, arrived about two weeks later than usual - and after their wild counterparts. This was to prove a crucial difference.

The wild grilse fared relatively well, even though they were late too. They mainly arrived during the stormy early and middle days of June, when drift netting was severely restricted by heavy seas. The river runs, and catches, were therefore above average.

But calmer weather in the last week of June allowed the netsmen greater freedom of manoeuvre and they were able to scoop up many thousands of fish off the Mayo and Connemara coasts in a very short time. It was during this netting bonanza that most of our unfortunate tagged fish seemed to arrive off the coast.
This situation was almost certainly badly exacerbated, albeit unintentionally, by the Government’s new salmon management regime, which encouraged competition between the netsmen for a limited quota and allowed some of them to fish on Fridays – effectively increasing the net fishing opportunity by 25%.

The heavy netting impact was also exacerbated by the larger-than-average weight of the tagged grilse, which meant that fewer than usual were able to wriggle through the nets. A record 45% of all grilse caught by anglers were net-marked. Overall, the average weight of the grilse was just over 4¼ pounds, compared with 3½ pounds the year before. Some of the few early June grilse were huge – up to 9 pounds, and there were only three below 2 pounds (compared to 29 the year before). This size increase was highly significant

Other factors may also have depressed tagged grilse catches. Most of the smolts released in 2001 that were likely to return as grilse this year had, for the first time, been treated with an experimental anti-lice agent or a placebo. This involved mixing additives to their food before release. Whether this in any way impaired the survival of the fish requires further study of the statistics. But netting appears the more likely explanation for the poor returns, and this can be confirmed when the results of micro-tag collections from along the coast are collated this winter. For the time being, however, no more fish will be treated prior to release.

Another factor that may have acted to reduce the apparent proportion of tagged fish was a change in our fin-clipping practice in relation to hatchery smolts. On some fish released in 2001 we only clipped off part of the adipose fin, not realising that this can grow back at sea unless fully clipped off. So some hatchery fish were probably wrongly classified by anglers as wild fish – and duly released. Overall, we doubt this misidentification made a very significant difference.

In all, 111 wild grilse were caught in 2002, along with 24 wild springers, to make the fourth best bag of wild fish since 1986.

In contrast to the success of the drift nets, the estuary draft nets had a torrid season. Most salmon that made it as far as Killary Harbour ran straight up into the rivers, availing of the huge floods. The netsmen are believed to have taken just a few hundred salmon. The high water levels also helped to spread the salmon throughout the full length of the Delphi system, with many running up into Doolough and Glencullin to provide better sport than usual in these lakes.

After the peak salmon season, August and September were mostly unexciting, with much calm and dry weather. September was exceptionally dry and windless, making salmon fishing very difficult. Even the end-of-season party for staff and locals, at which spinning is permitted, only produced 11 fish.

Traditionally the last two months of the season are better for sea trout than salmon, but it was not a great year for trout either. Only 568 were caught, with September being particularly poor. Most were small finnock of ½ pound to 1½ pounds, though 50 fish of 2 pounds or more were taken, mostly from Doolough. In the old days, it was salmon that were a bonus during a day’s fishing. Now it is the sea trout that are relegated to bonus status.

Other important statistics for 2002 include the fact that 91% of all salmon were taken on fly and 68% of all wild salmon were returned alive. Less agreeably, we caught three escapee rainbow trout, which probably originated from farms in Clew Bay. One of these was taken at the bottom of the river just a few days after a large escape was reported on an ISA-infected farm. This potentially devastating disease was hitherto unknown in Ireland and we are praying it does not affect the wild salmon.

Delphi Salmon Catches 1998-2002

Among the more noteworthy individual angling achievements in 2002 were the following:

The biggest three salmon of the season, all wild and all estimated at 14 to 14½ pounds in weight, were caught by Tomas Rohweder (Finland), Jim Jackson (England) and John Mills (Northern Ireland). All three anglers are to be congratulated for returning these wild fish alive. It is possible that the first two were the same fish, since they were taken from the same pool (the Horseshoe) on consecutive days.

Franz Schaefer (Germany) set a new record for a salmon from Glencullin Lough. A gloriously fat 12lb 10oz fish took one of his Petticoat flies 50 yards south of the carpark point and gave a titanic fight..

Top salmon fisher of the 2002 season was Urs Leibundgut (Switzerland) with 15 fish from his two visits to Delphi. He narrowly pipped Laurence Lock (England) who had 14 salmon over his two visits. Alan Dunlop (N Ireland) and Delphi director Werner Zirngibl each had 11 fish for the season.

Angus MacDonald from the Orkney Islands had four salmon on fly in a day on Doolough – and his wife had one too. This was the best bag of fly-caught salmon on this lake for many years.

Ash Mathews (Moyard), the captor of the first ever hatchery salmon at Delphi way back in 1991 and also the captor of the Millenium Salmon in 2000, caught his 50th (and 51st) Delphi salmon during 2002.

Mike Shortt (N Ireland) and Jeremy Hermann (England) had 3 springers in their boat for a March morning’s fishing on Finlough. The fish weighed 30 pounds and were all taken on Minkie flies. Their friend Brian Shaw also got one from the river.

Twelve-year-old Linus Konvalin caught his first ever unassisted salmon – and what a way to start. Weighing over 11 pounds, the fat, sea-liced fish took his Collie Dog fly in the New Island Pool but tore off down river and was eventually landed in Heneghan’s Run. Linus, the son of Delphi director Heribert Konvalin, is now as well hooked as was the fish.,

Syndicate member Dominic Cox (England) at last caught his first Delphi springer – and a fine fish it was, too. Weighing 12lbs 7oz, the sea-liced fish took Dominic’s Ally Cascade fly in the Goat Pool on the last day of April. Celebrations were, um, extensive.

The best sea trout of the season was caught by syndicate member Jack Browne (Dublin). Estimated at over five pounds in weight, this fine fish was taken on fly on Doolough.

The most productive pools on the Bundorragha River in 2002 were the Turn Pool (29 fish), Rock Pool (26), Meadow Pool (20), Whin Pool (20), Quarry Pool (17) and Waterfall Pool (14). In all, 22 different pools produced at least one salmon.

The most popular salmon flies in 2002 were the Collie Dog (which accounted for 75 salmon), Ally Shrimp (34), Willie Gunn (28), Shrimp Fly (23), Stoat’s Tail (15) and Silver Stoat (15). These six patterns accounted for over half the salmon caught.

Delphi 2002: Top 20 Salmon

* = Released

Eileen Kerr

Many past guests at Delphi will mourn the passing of Eileen Kerr, our beloved chief housekeeper for so many years. Eileen died after a six-month illness on 26 June. She was 64, but seemed so much younger. Many guests will have enjoyed her consistently cheery personality, most evident at breakfast-time as she chided and scolded guests with gentle humour. She was the very soul of the Lodge and enjoyed nothing more than to fill it with flowers and good humour. She is grievously missed, not least by her husband John and her three children. An oak tree has been planted at Delphi in her memory.

Frank recovers

Frank Large, our gardener and general handyman since 1989, has sadly been forced to retire from Delphi due to a serious illness. We will greatly miss Frank’s jolly manner, hard work and friendly Yorkshire brogue. And, of course, his expert football analysis - Frank was a professional striker in the old English first division and, among many other achievements on the pitch, scored two goals in a match in which George Best scored six for Manchester United. The good news, however, is that Frank has staged a marvelous recovery after major surgery and we wish him a lengthy and happy retirement.

Smoked salmon

Following the success of our smoked salmon over the summer months, we have decided to expand production significantly next season and to supply customers by mail. All our salmon are wild, bought direct from local netsmen and smoked locally, especially for us, to a gorgeous recipe. Sliced and vacuum packed, the salmon are available by the side or half side and make ideal gifts for companies and individuals. And we can send it direct to address lists supplied by you. We anticipate a price for 2003 of about €20 per pound, plus p&p, with individual portions ranging from about one pound to three pounds in weight.

Houseparties

Not many people know that Delphi Lodge is available for houseparties outside the main fishing season – and at extremely reasonable rates.. It’s a superb place for a civilised party for up to 24 people. The food is first class, the wine list unmatched and the atmosphere most relaxing. And what else is there to do? Wet windy walks, hot whiskies, big log fires, a great library, billiards, beautiful beaches and the usual stunning scenery.

All you have to do is guarantee a group of at least 18 people for at least 2 nights and 2 dinners. You then get the whole house and a full staff - and you can use all the rooms, with no single- or lake-view supplements.

The houseparty rates are:

Weekends (2 nights, 2 dinners) €220pp
Weekends (3 nights, 3 dinners) €330pp
Midweek (2 nights, 2 dinners) €190pp
Midweek (3 nights, 3 dinners) €290pp

This winter, the Lodge will be closed in December for refurbishment of bathrooms.. But normally houseparties are possible any time between October 1st & January 31st, except for Christmas and New Year.

Polo shirts & caps

We have commissioned some good quality Polo shirts featuring the Delphi fly and the Delphi Lodge script similar to that on our letterhead. These come in white, light blue or tan, and in sizes medium, large, extra large and XXL. They cost €50 + p&p. We also stock new khaki baseball caps, again with the Delphi Lodge script & fly logo, and these cost €25 + p&p. Christmas orders must arrive by December 8th .

Makinson prints of river pools

Alastair Makinson, the well-known countryside artist, has painted two new pictures of the Bundorragha. One features the Rock Pool and the other the Meadow Pool – two of the most productive pools on the river. We have some signed, limited-edition prints of these pictures for sale, unframed, at €55 each + p&p. If you are interested, please contact Peter or Tracy. Christmas orders must arrive by December 8th.

Peter O’Reilly’s fly-fishing courses

Peter O’Reilly will be hosting several fly-fishing courses at Delphi in 2003. These are ideal both for complete novices and those in need of a technique makeover:

Weekends (Thursday night to Sunday lunchtime)
March 6th to 9th Max: 8 people
May 8th to 11th Price: €595
September 19th to 22nd Sgl supp’t: €90

Full weeks (Friday pm to Friday am)
April 5th to 12th Max: 6 people
September 12th to 19th Price: €1495 ss €210

Prices include tuition fees and full board accommodation.

Prices frozen for 2003

We have decided not to increase any of our charges for 2003. All fishing, accommodation and food prices at Delphi will be frozen at 2002 levels. A price list and booking form for 2003 are enclosed with this newsletter.

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