FISHERY FOCUS - IRELAND
THE DAWROS RIVER
&
KYLEMORE LAKES
Silver Run Publishing 2008Silver Run Publishing 2008wwwwww.silverrunpublishing.com.silverrunpublishing.com
FISHERY FOCUS - IRELAND
THE DAWROS RIVER
&
KYLEMORE LAKES
Text and photographs by DANNY GOLDRICK
ALL THE TIME we hear “it’s an angler’s paradise”. Well, let me say, if there issuch a place in Ireland then it must be in the West of Ireland; and getting a littlecloser to the spot, it must surely be the Kylemore Fishery. Of all the wonderfulwaters fished in my years of trout and salmon angling there are few to match thisfishery. Not for its big bags of salmon and sea-trout, purely for the sheer beautyand tranquility found throughout its varied course in the heart of Connemaracountry. From one’s first visit the heavenly peace of its waters and surroundingssink into one’s mind and heart and remains there forever.
The area is dominated by ancient woodlands and soaring mountains. Close to thefishery are two major buildings, Kylemore Abbey, of which more later, andKylemore House.
Kylemore House, built in 1785, commands a magnificent view over KylemoreLake and is situated at the very top of the fishery. Beyond is a range of mountainsto the south, mostly in green with ferns giving a blend of colour in the autumnwhich is hard to match elsewhere in the country. The mountain immediately to the
DADAWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKESWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKES
Silver Run Publishing - 2008
A good wave and the prospect of a fish on Kylemore Lake.
west of the house is blanketed by a magnificent oak plantation, which also addsdramatic colour in the fall season.
At a time when a lot of mountains and hills in Connemara are being excessivelyovergrazed by too many sheep, the ones closest to Kylemore still hold the samebeauty as when the first occupants of the house gazed upon the scene.
Further down the fishery, set on the shores of Castle Lough, near the outflow ofthe Dawros River, sits the magnificent Kylemore Abbey. The abbey is the monas-tic home of the Benedictine Nuns, with a long tradition stretching back over 300years.
Visitors to Kylemore Abbey are always greatly impressed by its majestic beautyand the sense of tranquility found throughout its ancient corridors, rooms, lovin-gly tended grounds, and to the little gothic church hidden away by the lake shore.The classic mansion stands in the midst of great scnic beauty and overlooks alake bordered by ancient woodlands of mature oak, beech, and sycamore.Rhododendrons are widespread on the mountain sides and cast a white andpurple cloak in May and June which is relished by all visitors.
The Dawros River flows through the abbey grounds and has been fished byanglers for hundreds of years. Although quite small in size, the river is easilycovered from the bank with a single-hand rod. This is probably why it is such anattractive fishery for the average game angler.
The nuns of the abbey has had control over 5.5 miles of river and fishing on allor part of the three lakes since 1922, but recently it was decided that the mana-gement of the fishing would be undertaken by a group formed specially to resto-re and develop the fishery. The group’s brochure for the fishery states: “Hiddenaway between the mountains of Connemara and the Atlantic Ocean, theKylemore Fishery is a wild and beautiful place. The open panoramas of the lakescontrast with the intimacy of the river to give a variety of fishing combinded withstunning scenery unrivalled anywhere in Ireland.”
The new managers have purchased new boats and engines for the lakes. Theriver and streams have been improved, casting stands have been restored, and
DADAWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKESWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKES
Silver Run Publishing - 2008
An enchanting pool on the Dawros River.
a whole new approach for the overall betterment of the fishery has been initiated.Some of the greatest assets of the fishery are its spawning streams, said to besome of the best in the country. A programme to ensure they provide the besthabitat possible for juvenile salmonids is now underway.
The Kylemore Abbey Fishery has a variety of fishing to offer. It can produce sal-mon at any stage during the season, which runs from 1 Feruary to 30 September.Fishing is by fly-only and takes place on the river beats and three lakes. Rods nor-mally rotate on a half-day basis.
Spring salmon are usually present from the beginning of the season, andalthough little spring salmon fishing has ben done in recent years, it appears thatthere is a strong chance of a fish early on. Spring fishing requires dedication andnot minding some inclement weather! However, the rewards are worth it for thespring fish run between 7 and 12 lb.
The main run of grilse normally takes place during the last week of May and firstweek of June. (The last couple of seasons have seen the run delayed, like manyrivers elsewhere, until July. Ed.) A fresh spate at this time will bring silver-freshgrilse in from the sea.Although the best of the grilse run is over by early August,there is always the possibility of a later run of fish through to the end of the sea-son. Some of the favourite fly patterns include any of the well-known shrimptyings: Alley’s Shrimp, Bann Special, Curry’s Red Shrimp, along with the CollieDog, and Kylemore Killer.
The fishery produced 137 salmon in 2007, which was an improvement over thepast few seasons, and no doubt the drift-net buyout which began last year alsohelped. The fishery also produced 314 sea-trout, which is good considering therewas little angling pressure at the fishery last year.
Over the years sea-trout were the magical part of fishing the Dawros River andthe Kylemore lakes. Stocks suffered a setback in the 1990s, but seem to be slow-ly recovering of late. Indeed, some worthwhile runs have occurred in recent yearswith catches of 438 in 2001 and 651 in 2004, and many quality fish amongstthem. Sea-trout traditionally begin to enter the Kylemore Fishery towards the endof June, all depending on the tides.
DADAWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKESWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKES
Silver Run Publishing - 2008
Kylemore House stands on the shores of Kylemore L
Kylemore Lake, the largest and undoubtedly the best lake on the system, ismostly owned by Kylemore House and Nancy Naughton. The fishing is sharedwith Kylemore Abbey. The lake is at the head of the system and is about a milein length. It takes but two minutes to walk from Kylmore House to where the boatsare moored, which is very convenient, especially if returning to the house forlunch.
Nancy Naughton has been catering for anglers at Kylemore House for over fortyyears, with Janet McDonnell. They have five boats available for guests and willarrange the services of a boatman for you. The address is: Kylemore House,Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland. Tel: 95 41143. Email [email protected]
The whole fishery is fly-fishing only. I find that a trout rod of between 9 to 10-feetis sufficient for summer salmon and sea-trout. Sometimes a two-hand rod is use-ful in stormy conditions or early season when big flies are used. A seven or eightweight floating line (sometimes an intermediate can be useful) is the most popu-lar, linked to a 6 to 8 lb leader. The flies mentioned previously will suffice for sea-trout as well.
The best time to visit is from July to September, when the fishery has a good stockof fish in it. September is often the most producive month of all. You can catchsalmon there in a lmost any weather conditions but a strong wind is hard to beat,either on the lakes or river.
Over the years I have enjoyed every one of my visits to Kylemore Lake, rarely lea-ving the place without a salmon landed. One evening I shall always remember. Itwas late and quite stormy and as my son Donall got the boat ready I speedilyarranged our tackle. Donall, who had been working with the fishery board in theKylemore district and helping anglers visiting the fisheries, adivsed the use of aBibio and a large Green Peter. However, I had already tied on those flies butselected a size 8 Gosling for the point on both casts. When he saw his cast heuttered “We are not fishing Corrib or Mask, why have you chosen a Gosling.” Itold him to wait and see.
Within half-an-hour he was into a salmon. The storm and high waves sweeping
across the lake from the west pushed our boat towards the shore, despite myefforts on the oars. Meanwhile Donall had to kneel on the bottom of the boat inorder to contend with his leaping, silvery salmon. Eventually the engine was star-ted in order to head the boat into the wind and oncoming waves. Several timeswe tried to land the fish, but each time the salmon evaded the net, its head boringdownwards and away from the fast-moving boat. Finally I took to the oars againand maoeuvered the boat stern first towards the sandy shore. Donall alightedfrom the boat on to the beach, still holding on to the rod and salmon. Withinminutes he beached the fish and then proudly held it up for me to see. He thenremoved the Gosling fly from the salmon’s mouth.
Later, in a calmer part of the lake Donall landed a second 6-pounder, once againon the Gosling! It’s a good fly on Kylemore Lake, but overall no beter than theGreen Peter, Silver Doctor, Bibio, or Claret Bumble fished on size 8 and 10.
I have many more wonderful memories of fishing at Kylemore, but none to matchthis experience because it was my son who caught two salmon this time, and ona Mayfly pattern seldom fished anywhere on a Connemara fishery!
For fishing at Kylemore Abbey Fishery contact Nigel Rush, the fishery manager.His telephone number is 095 41178 and can be contacted there during officehours or at home on 095 41161. Visit the website www.kylemoreabbeyfishery.netThe email is [email protected]
DADAWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKESWROS RIVER & KYLEMORE LAKES
Silver Run Publishing - 2008
