Corrib
The Corrib system is a vast catchment, more renowned for its wild brown trout fishing, but it also gets a very large run of spring salmon and grilse. It is one of the most prolific salmon fisheries in Ireland, and comprises several fisheries which are large enough to be described separately.
The Galway Fishery
The Galway Fishery, in Galway City, is possibly the most prolific beat in the country for its length. It is a short stretch of river, from the regulating weir at the top to the Salmon Weir Bridge. The top pool is very suited to shrimp fishing, with spinning successful along the beat in high spring conditions, and flyfishing by far the best method when levels drop in summer time. The fishery is managed by the Western Regional Fisheries Board, and visitor permits are available. The number of rods is strictly limited to 6, and the fishing is allocated early in the year as it books up very early. There is a new beat downstream of the bridge, that is often available at short notice, and only fishable in low water conditions. In addition, local anglers are facilitated with fishing at locations upstream and downstream of the main fishery.
FISHERY NEWS
22 June 2010
Water levels are incredibly low, and the OPW have had to partially close the last weir gate open, so we now have just half a gate open. There are still lots of salmon in the river, with grilse arriving all the time.
The underwater camera has gone live again, and can be viewed here.
Salmon
Salmon run the river all year round, and there is always the chance of a fresh fish on opening day, February 1st, although with high water the first fish is usually not taken until later in March. The spring run has been excellent for the past few years, with over 100 springers taken in some years. Spring fish continue to run until late May, and the grilse run usually starts in early June, peaking in early July. When the grilse are running it can be truly fantastic sport, and in 2008 almost 1,100 fish were taken on the beat.
Sea Trout
The fishery gets a small run of sea trout, and salmon anglers catch a few while fishing for salmon, usually in the late evening. However, salmon are the main quarry here, and most anglers do not target sea trout. Current legislation requires that all sea trout are released alive.
Season
Salmon: 1 February to 30 September
Sea trout: 1 June to 30 September
Brown Trout: 1 March to 30 September
Galway Fishery Newsletter 2008
Contact
The Galway Fishery, Nun’s Island, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 562388
Fax: +353 (0)91 566335
Email: shartgalfish@eircom.net
Web: www.wrfb.ie
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib is justly famous for its wild brown trout fishing, however a lot of salmon are also taken every year on the lake. Trolling and flyfishing account for most fish, and fish hold in certain areas prior to ascending spawning tributaries, or to rest after running the main river. The Narrows, the Glann shore and the Carrick shore are noted holding lies for salmon. Most local anglers troll when targeting salmon, although quite a few fish are taken on fly, including on trout flies by trout anglers.
Please note that you must have a salmon licence to fish for salmon, and that trout anglers who catch a salmon must by law release the fish if they do not hold a valid salmon licence in their possession.
Cong River
The Cong River is a short river that flows from Cong Village, about 1km north of Lough Corrib, to meet the lake at Ashford Castle. The Western Regional Fisheries Board maintain a salmon hatchery in Cong, and consequently there is a large run of salmon returning to the hatchery. The fishing is controlled at Ashford by Ashford Castle, and at the top end of the river it is regarded as free. Permits are available from Ashford castle for the lower part of the river. All legal methods are allowed, although shrimp and spinning are most successful.
Owenriff River
The Owenriff River is a large tributary of Lough Corrib that flows through Oughterard and enters the lake on its western shore. The fishing through the town up as far as the waterfall is regarded as free. Upstream of this riparian owners control the fishing rights.
Fishing can be very good during and following a flood from late June, when salmon and lake trout begin to run the river.
Maam River
The Maam River, also known as Joyce’s River, drains a large scenic valley at the northwestern end of Lough Corrib, and enters the lake downstream of Maam Village. It is a very spatey river, which gets very shallow in low water. The fishing is generally regarded as free, although anglers should obtain landowners permission before entering their land. It gets good runs of salmon and trout on floods from July on, and fishes well after a flood. All legal methods are allowed for most of the season, but for the month of September flyfishing only is allowed by law. Anglers are asked to consider releasing fish caught later in the season.
Clare River
The Clare River is a very extensive tributary draining a huge area from Co. Roscommon and east Galway and meeting the lake on its south eastern shore, downstream of Claregalway. It gets a very large run of salmon and trout, and is the most important spawning tributary in the Corrib catchment.
The river was arterially drained in the 1950s, which deepened and straightened the channel. Large spoil heaps alongside the river testify to the amount of material removed during this operation. The river has largely recovered in the interim, and natural holding pools and riffles have re-established.
The Western Regional Fisheries Board manages the fishing on several stretches of the river, including at Cregmore and from Claregalway downstream. Other stretches are controlled by angling clubs, including the Tuam Anglers Association, the Corofin Angling Association and St. Colemans Angling Club. These clubs all issue visitor permits, and membership may be available also. The WRFB-controlled stretches currently offer free fishing, although a permit may be introduced in the near future.
All legal methods are allowed, with different methods more suited to different stretches of river. On the slower stretches, trotting a worm down on light tackle can be very effective, as well as spinning. On stretches with a bit of current, flyfishing and spinning are both successful methods. Shrimp fishing is not practiced much on the river.
The stretch of river from 300m upstream of the footbridge below Corofin to Fahy’s Bridge is reserved for flyfishing only by byelaw.
Contact
Western Regional Fisheries Board, Weir Lodge, Earl’s Island, Galway
Tel: +353 (0)91 563118
Fax: +353 (0)91 566335
Email: info@wrfb.ie
Web: www.wrfb.ie