DROWES AND MELVIN
ITS a quiet period on the lough and river, with trout already spawning and salmon to follow suit. Over the past few weeks, there has been ample water, so the spawning process hasn't been adversely affected by low levels thus far. In this part of Ireland, most of our salmon spawning occurs over the final six weeks of the year. Many people make annual pilgrimages during this time to specific locations where they can watch fish either heading for, or already on redds.
Witnessing these substantial numbers of fish often leaves one pondering where they were throughout the year. Given this season's poor catches, one can only hope that significant numbers make it to the redds.
As you read this, we will be amid the festive season. I would like to extend warm wishes and a Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.
ERRIFF
DONAVIN Brinklow reported on the last ten days of the season on the river starting from September 20. During this time J Murry landed a 7lb salmon in Poleen Pool using a Bann Special.
On the 21st, Owen Trill caught salmon weighing 6lb and 5lb on Beat 3, while H Arce landed a 5lb salmon on the same beat using a red Ally's Shrimp. P Hunt landed salmon weighing 3½lb, 4½lb, and 6lb on Beat 5. C O’Leary caught an 11lb salmon on Kelly’s run using a Cascade, and landed 3lb and 6lb salmon in Poleen, all on Beat 4 with a Cascade. B Miller caught a 1½lb sea-trout and a 6lb salmon on Beat 3's School House Run using an orange shrimp, and a 7lb salmon on Beat 6 at the high bank. D Convery landed a grilse on Beat 9 at Fall’s Pool. On subsequent days, B Miller landed a 6lb salmon on the Black Banks using an orange shrimp, while I Ferris landed a grilse using a Cascade on Beat 6. P Chew landed a 4½lb grilse on Beat 3's School House Run with a red shrimp. I Ferris also landed two grilse and a 6½lb salmon on Beat 3's School House Run using a Cascade on the 23rd.
The fishing was quieter until the 27th when A Vonderhaar landed two 4lb grilse on Beat 6 with on a Cascade, and T Neilenberg landed a 4lb grilse on Beat 8. The following day, D Flynn landed an 11lb and a 7½lb salmon on Beat 4, while D Edwards landed a 4lb grilse on Beat 3 and a 7lb salmon on Beat 7 at Mickey’s Run.
The last two days of the season were eventful. On the 29th D Edwards landed salmon weighing 11lb, 5lb, and 6lb at Gowlan Pool on Beat 3. B White caught a 7lb salmon at Kelly’s bend on Beat 4 with a Garry Dog. M Witort caught a 6½lb salmon at the Willows on Beat 6 with a Cascade. P Errity landed a 4lb grilse at the Oaks on Beat 3 and another 6lb salmon below the Broken Bridge on Beat 5 with a Cascade.
On the last day of the season, September 30,
M Witort landed a 4lb grilse on Beat 6, and S Skinner landed his first-ever salmon on Beat 9, weighing 5lb with a Cascade. Mr O’Leary landed salmon weighing 4lb and 7lb on Beat 4 in Poleen using a Cascade. N Wick
