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Delphi Fishery Report - 1998

A truly grand summer

Extremely wet weather and exceptional runs of grilse combined to produce yet another record salmon season at Delphi. The total catch for 1998 was 1,043 salmon, easily surpassing the previous year’s record bag of 765.

Spring salmon fishing was again difficult, though better than in 1997. Up to the end of May, only 47 springers were caught, though a further 17 were taken later in the season. However, the huge run of grilse or one-sea-winter fish redeemed the season, providing truly great catches in June and July as well as new record totals for August and September.

The big catches were very predominantly of fish that had been reared in the Delphi hatchery to the smolt stage. An exceptionally large batch of smolts - 68,000 - had been released in the spring of 1997 and their above-average marine survival, combined with the super-wet conditions that greeted them on their return, made for an unprecedented 1.3% rod catch.

Never in our wildest dreams did we believe such a return rate was possible. When building the hatchery, we were told to expect only 1 or 2% back to the river, of which we might perhaps catch 10 to 20% on the rod. This year’s return to the river looks more like 5 or 6% overall, with some individual batches of fish doing even better.

The total wild salmon catch of 134 was also good, and the fourth best of the past 13 seasons. This was especially pleasing, given that the springer component (30) was so mediocre.

Less pleasing was the average size of the fish. The grilse averaged just 3.2 lbs (compared with 5lbs back in 1986) and there were record numbers of fish under 2lbs (61 compared with just 20 in all the preceding 12 years put together). The smallest weighed only 1lb 2½oz. The springers, too, were far from big, with an average weight of 8.2lbs (compared with 10.3lbs in 1986).

Straight comparisons between the 1980s and the 1990s are not really valid, owing to the presence since 1992

of our hatchery fish (some of different stock origin, which are generally smaller than the normal Delphi fish). Furthermore, many of the wild fish weights in recent years are (probably optimistic) estimates due to the advent of catch and release requirements. Nonetheless, there has undoubtedly been a very significant and remarkably steady decline in fish sizes.

There has been much speculation as to the reason for these smaller fish, which were commonplace throughout Ireland. The fact that several Scottish rivers also experienced a drop in fish size appears to rule out drift netting as the main cause (It had been suggested, quite reasonably, that the persistent culling of larger grilse by drift nets over the past 30 years had led to a gene pool alteration).

More plausible are suggestions of an oceanic food shortage caused either by industrial fishing for fodder fish or climatic changes resulting in the shrinkage of feeding grounds or other food chain alterations. However, a lack of food should perhaps have led to higher-than-usual mortality at sea, which does not seem to have occurred. The cause must therefore remain a mystery for the time being.

A record 93% of the fish were taken on fly. And if the 43 hatchery fish caught on spinner during the madcap end-of-season party for local farmers and staff are excluded, the ratio rises to 97%. We are pretty sure that no other Irish fishery, let alone one of the tiny size of Delphi, produced more salmon to fly this season than Delphi’s 970.

Though 1998 did not seem to offer good conditions for local salmon netsmen, neither the estuary draft nets nor the marine drift nets fared especially badly. The Killary Harbour draft nets caught an estimated 1,500 fish, which was good for such a wet year, while many Mayo drift nets had extremely big bags of fish.

At one stage in the season, we bought 150 fish from north Mayo netsmen. These fish weighed an average of 6.3lbs. Even more worrying, 68% of them were female, whereas only 22% of the grilse rod catch was female (in previous years the females have ranged from 35% to 58% of the grilse rod catch). Samples of hatchery fish on release have shown a 50:50 male:female ratio. This strongly suggests that not only did the nets take out the larger grilse but also a very large proportion of the females. This startling discovery has only been possible because Delphi is one of the very few fisheries where all fish brought in are definitively sexed.

The relative absence of females in the grilse rod catch can be explained in part by the tendency of Delphi females to become springers. But even in the Burrishoole-origin tagged fish (a strong grilse-only stock), the females were sadly lacking and comprised just 23% of the catch.

The high number and proportion of netmarked fish would also suggest that the drift nets were pretty effective in their coverage of the runs, despite the netting restrictions introduced two years ago. With 38% of all grilse marked or badly damaged, the proportion was the third highest in 13 seasons (the highest being 43% in 1997).

Despite the nets, the summer angling was little short of stupendous. Regular Swiss guest Urs Liebundgut achieved a never-to-be-repeated bag of 55 fish in a July fortnight. Other spectacular weekly and daily catches were taken by individual fishers, with many of the usual names dominating the tables.

The old friendly rivalry between Walter Langenberger and Werner Zirngibl has now reached an interesting stage, with just one salmon separating them after ten years of fishing at Delphi. Walter, a talented but laconic angler who generally declines to fish before 11am or after 5pm, has 188 to his credit, while Werner, who fishes 24 hours a day over much shorter visits, has bagged one less. Werner, as those who know him, is a brilliant and fanatical fisher - and a jammy whatsit, the latter part of his reputation having been reinforced by a very recent visit to the Tweed (with Walter); on the only afternoon they were able to fish in high water, Werner landed fresh fish of 27 and 22lbs on fly, the biggest two salmon caught on that beat over the whole season. Walter had to content himself with three coloured grilse.

At Delphi, some of the individual catches of fish were phenomenal. A new record individual bag for one day was set by Fredo Dietrich on June 18. He caught seven fish in the morning on the River and six more in the afternoon on Finlough. But this record lasted just three days, as Werner Zirngibl (yes, him again) landed 15 fish on the 21 June, all but one off the river.

Other good bags were too numerous to mention, but a record 42 people caught their first ever salmon during the season. No less than 17 people lost their piscatorial virginity during the end of season party. On the last day of September we traditionally invite all the staff and all the local farmers to come fishing. Since very few of them can fly fish, they are allowed to spin, provided any wild fish are returned. They caught an incredible 41 fish on Finlough, one on Doolough and one on the River, only two of which were wild.

The new pools on the river continue to fish well, with the Dynamite Pool in particular proving to be a good new discovery. This year the Meadow Pool topped the table, with the Quarry Pool, which used to produce a load of fish from mid-July on, slipping way down the league for mysterious reasons (see back page).

The table of Delphi’s biggest fish in 1998 is far less impressive than usual. The best salmon weighed only 12 pounds, though there were probably three of them (two of them honourably returned). There were of course the usual stories of monsters lurking or lost in Finlough and Doolough, but nothing to prove them anything other than apocryphal.

Very pleasingly, anglers responded well to our request that wild fish be returned. In the spring, we suggested that all wild fish should be returned unless they were a person’s first fish of the season; this led to the release of 10 precious multi-sea-winter fish. In the summer, we asked that all wild fish be returned and the great majority (86 out of 104) were put back. As discussed elsewhere, we are now inviting suggestions on a suitable policy for 1999.

Fishing effort at Delphi amounted to 2,083 rod days, the highest total since we started recording such things in 1993. So, aking the season as a whole, one salmon was caught every two rod days - exactly. But taking the summer on its own, an average of just under 10 rods fished each day with 996 salmon and 769 sea trout being caught in 1204 rod days. This, we suspect, is just about as good as it will get at Delphi.

Sea trout numbers up

1998 saw a further improvement in sea trout numbers, with a total catch of 769 fish weighing from ½ pound to 4½ pounds. This compares with 447 fish last year and thus represents a 72% increase, only a minor part of which can be explained by increased rod effort.

While the increase is welcome, we are still a very long way off a full recovery. Even assuming the upwards progression continues with no further setbacks, we believe it will be at least another 3 or 4 years before all age classes can reach normal levels.

Disappointingly, the numbers of bigger fish hardly improved at all, although finnock numbers were much improved. This table below compares 1998 and 1997 with the results from our first year at Delphi, 1986, which was itself a disappointing year and probably the natural low point of Delphi sea trout catches.

The main highlight of the sea trout season was the excellent bag of fish caught by local hotshot anglers Tom Byrne and Joe Crane on Doolough in August, with David McEvoy acting as ghillie. They caught 35 trout, 24 of which met the minimum size threshold. Four of the fish weighed between 3½ and 4 pounds, with a further 9 of 1¾ pounds or better. This was much more like the good old days, but unfortunately no other similar bags were taken thereafter, despite extensive effort by seasoned Delphi sea trout anglers.

Doolough fished the best but trout were taken right throughout the system and were nicely spread over July (261), August (260) and September (248).

Sea trout fighting fund

Donations are again invited for the Sea Trout Fighting Fund which was set up in 1996 to help finance the lawsuit being brought by five fisheries against the State and various salmon farming companies..

The Fund has been a huge help in defraying 50% of the enormous costs of the litigation to date. All contributions are most welcome and those who have pledged funding over four years will shortly be receiving a request for the third tranche, as well as an update on what has been happening.

Donations or pledge instalments may be sent to The Sea Trout Fighting Fund, c/o Michael Cosgrove & Partners, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo.

Rain, rain, rain

The year from November 1997 to October 1998 was extremely wet, with almost no prolonged dry periods except during the last two weeks of May and the first few days of June. The table shows the monthly rainfall figures for 1997/98 compared with the average for the 25 years to 1986. It was nearly 20% above normal.

New pictorial river map

Included with this newsletter is a flyer advertising Tim Scott Bolton’s marvellous new pictorial map of the river and Finlough. The signed limited edition prints cost £35 (unframed). See the enclosed order form.

Weekend tuition courses

We will again be holding a series of flycasting tuition courses with expert Peter O’Reilly. The courses, which run from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon, are limited to a maximum of 8 participants to ensure plenty of individual attention.

The weekends are designed for complete beginners, though past participants have included an occasional person with experience but no technique. The all-in price, including accommodation, tuition, all meals and wines, is IR£395 per person (single room £50 extra).

The 1999 courses are tentatively scheduled for:

Wrens Cottage completed

During 1998 Wrens Cottage, which overlooks Finlough, was restored and we are pleased with the end result. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage has stunning views and bags of atmosphere. It is fully equipped and features a large open fireplace, a Rayburn stove, oil-fired central heating, power showers (as well as baths) and a charming kitchen.

Wrens Cottage sleeps six people. One bedroom has a Kingsize bed, while the other two are twin-bedded. It is not suitable for small children or for dogs.

Erriff & Kylemore improve

The neighbouring River Erriff had a good season, with nearly 600 salmon landed and much improved sea trout catches. The Kylemore Abbey fishery also had a better year, with nearly 300 salmon and around 800 sea trout caught.

For 1999 we will have two permanent rods on Kylemore from June onwards. Giles Fraser will again be in charge and he is currently working on further improvements to the river. We also hope to be able to arrange some rods on the Erriff for those who would like to try a day..

Catch & release?

Readers will doubtless be aware of the proposed new law requiring all spring salmon to be returned alive in England and Wales from next season. There have been similar mutterings in Ireland, though no official proposal has yet emerged.

Clearly spring salmon are in trouble and new conservation measures are desirable. We would prefer that these were voluntary rather than enforced by law, unless voluntary measures are subsequently seen to be widely ignored.

Delphi has been one of the pioneers of Catch & Release in Ireland. It is easier for us than for most fisheries to restrict killing of wild fish - we also have the tagged hatchery fish, which must be killed anyway in order to protect the wild gene pool. Since 1993 the majority of Delphi salmon, both springers and grilse, have been tagged fish.

We do, however, have some misgivings about catch & release which have nothing to do with the debate over whether or not it is right to fish solely for pleasure. We have found that, for macho reasons, some people claim to have caught fish that they have not, thereby distorting catch records. Others may conceal the fish they kill to avoid a catch & release requirement, again distorting the records. And almost everyone is over-optimistic in estimating weights of fish.

We are also not in favour of rewards for people who return fish - not due to meanness, but because it doesn’t seem necessary. It can also be abused.

We invite readers’ suggestions as to which of the following four options is appropriate to Delphi, given the clear need for urgent action of some kind (if only to fend off State intervention):

1. Compulsory (Delphi rule) release of all wild fish.
2. Voluntary release of all wild fish
3. A bag limit of one wild fish per angler per week
4. Allowing anglers to kill one wild fish if it’s their first (& maybe the only) fish of the week

Option 4 is the current Delphi policy. We are sufficiently cynical that we do not think Option 2 would work - politically or in practice. What do you think? And what should we do if, with a no kill rule in place, someone does bring in a wild fish?

Gift Ideas from Delphi

Tim Scott Bolton’s River Map
The marvellous new pictorial map of Finlough and the River. See the flier enc.. Limited edition prints, signed & numbered by the artist.
IR£35 (Postage & packaging: Ireland £5, UK £7, Europe £10, USA £15)

Frame of Delphi Sea Trout Flies by Frankie MacPhillips
Superbly tied flies an acknowledged genius. Walnut frames.
4 x Delphi sea trout flies    IR£49 (P&p: Ireland £7, UK/Europe £10, USA £18)
12 x Delphi sea trout flies    IR£89 (P&p: Ireland £10, UK/Europe £21, USA £23)

Niall Holland’s Delphi Watercolours
A super series of prints of Delphi from this great artist. Limited edition prints, signed. Framed & mounted. 8 different prints:
Delphi Lodge & Finlough (S & L), Doolough in sombre mood (S & L),
Finlough from the north (S only), Fern Rock, Doolough (S), The Whin Pool (S), The Turn Pool (S) Finlough from the South (S), The Quay at Doolough (S)
Smaller size (40 x 35 cms):    IR£66 (P&p: Ireland £7, UK/Europe £10, USA £18)
Larger size (63 x 50 cms):    IR£99 (P&p: Ireland £10, UK/Europe £21, USA £23)

The Delphi Salmon Fishing Handbook
The tried and tested guide to where the fish lie at Delphi.
30 pages. Waterproof. A5-size with spiral binding.
Not available until February.
IR£25 (Postage & packaging: Ireland £3, UK £4, Europe £5, USA £7)

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