Delphi Lodge presents an opportunity to purchase prime Irish salmon fishing and country cottage accommodation for a fixed week or more each year for five years.
Fly fishing enthusiasts have, for centuries, enjoyed fishing for salmon and sea trout in this most attractive valley. The spring fed lakes and rivers of the estate make it perhaps the most beautiful place in the world to enjoy this historic sport. Delphi often produces the first rod caught salmon of the season in the west of Ireland and often, the first fly caught salmon in Ireland. Its season runs from February 1 to September 30. The spring run lasts well into May and overlaps with the first returning grilse/ summer salmon at the end of May and beginning of June. From late June and early July, the summer salmon are very often accompanied by shoals of fresh sea trout.
One of the most attractive aspects of fishing at Delphi is that you can catch a fresh run salmon from February to August. Fishing is by fly only except for some strictly regulated trolling on Doolough. This trolling tradition on Doolough dates back to the 19th century and has persuaded many a devout fly fisher to take a salmon or two by this method. However over 95% of the catch is by fly. The Delphi Fishery is protected by Delphi staff and ghillies and by fishery officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland. The practice of drift netting for salmon ceased at the end of the 2006 season, and as a result the average weight has increased.
Throughout the ages, there has been a hatchery here in some form or other, dating back as far as the 1880s. The remnants of some of these can be seen in various locations around the estate. The hatchery in its present form was set up in 1990/91, with the help and guidance of various individuals from the private and public sector. The first significant release was in late April 1991. Since then, it has become an integral and vitally important component of our fishery. Its success exceeded our expectations, particularly in ranching MSW salmon (Springers ). Ranching ensures that the hatchery smolts do not interfere with the wild stock of salmon and sea trout. They release approximately 50,000 smolts annually. This ensures a surplus of returning fish to Delphi which means anglers can, in the knowledge of sustainability and conservation, enjoy the sport of fly fishing.
At Delphi, anglers can keep any of the returning hatchery origin salmon they catch. Wild salmon are fished on a Catch and Release basis, unless it is an angler’s first ever salmon. The ratio, of hatchery to wild stock is usually 70% to 30%. At Delphi they tirelessly work to conserve and improve the natural spawning grounds of the system and have in the last few years implemented a native woodland scheme and a bank rehabilitation programme on the Glenummera river, in conjunction with the Salmon Conservation Fund. The woodland scheme involved planting more than 60,000 native species throughout the Delphi Estate, mainly close to nursery and spawning areas. This will further assist they fishery by stabilising the banks and providing large areas of vegetation which greatly improves the terrestrial levels of insect life that will blow into the waters and improve the food source available for young juvenile salmon and sea trout.
With regard to safeguarding all aspects of the Delphi Estate, the team receive great assistance from National Parks and Wildlife Service and from Inland Fisheries Ireland. These State bodies offer both practical and scientific assistance and highly value Delphi's commitment to conservation in this region. The Bundorragha river has Europe’s best remaining population of fresh water pearl mussels thanks to the pristine waters. The protection of this mussel population by National Parks as an EU directive works in harmony with, and guarantees, the continued survival of Delphi’s stocks of wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout. The owners and management are fully aware of their inherited responsibility as custodians of the Delphi Estate and work tirelessly to do all within their power to protect this unique environment
Delphi Lodge and Fishery is owned by a small group of dedicated fly fishermen who are passionate about the conservation of Wild Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout. They fully embrace their collective responsibilities in safeguarding this iconic estate and fishery. They are united in the belief that this precious environment must be protected at all costs so that future generations can enjoy the sport of fly fishing and the wonders and beauty of nature in this unspoilt part of Ireland. Along with the owners, David McEvoy, the Fishery Manager, and Philip Counihan, the General Manager, and all the staff are fully committed to the conservation of Antlantic Salmon and Sea Trout and the preservation of the environement and the Delphi Estate
The cottages
There are four self-catering cottages, adjacent to the Lodge, which are being offered as the accommodation aspect of the new Delphi syndication. Known as the Boat House Cottages these are charming old-world cottages positioned in a really picturesque location. Overlooked by mountains to the rear and mature woodlands to the front, the boat house cottages are both sheltered and scenic
Important notes
• Changeover days Wednesday/Sunday.
• Fishing evenly rotates between River, Finlough, and Doolough on three days/slots, four- and seven-days slots.
• Uneven leftover rotation done by raffle.
• Annual management fee per rod (does not change over the five-year period ): 3 day €165; 4 day €215; 7 days €370
• State Salmon License required and available to purchase at Delphi Lodge.
• Oil, electricity, and firewood are charged as extras according to usage.
• If required, fishery management will source a ghillie/guide.
• Successful applicants will be notified.
Information
The Delphi Salmon Club is an exclusive five-year syndication that offers 7-, 4- and 3-day fishing packages in conjunction with the boat house cottage from February through to September. The fishing rota is over 7 days and consists of allocated beats on the Bundorrahga river in February, Bundorrahga river and Finlough in March and Bundorrahga river, Finlough and Doolough from April to September.
Each syndicated lease has one rod (extra rods can be added at a set fee per day ) and a boathouse cottage which can sleep four/five guests.
For more information contact Delphi Fishery Ltd, Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co Galway, or see www.delphilodge.ie/the-new-delphi-syndicate Reservations can be made through the fishery office - Tel: +353 (0 )95 42430, email David@delphilodge.iel or with the general manager - Tel: +353 (0 )95 42434 or email Generalmanager@delphilodge.ie.
