There often comes a time in this business when you wonder whether a person will ever catch that elusive first ever salmon.
Mary Martha Waltz from California came to Delphi for a short visit in 2006. During that visit I gave Mary Martha a fly fishing lesson, which she thoroughly enjoyed and was bitten either by the fly fishing bug or my charm!! As a result of this Mary Martha has been back to us on 6 occasions. During these visits she has witnessed many fish been caught and has also lost her fair share. This as I always stressed to her was through no fault of her own, but just shear bad luck.
As with all anglers she started the week full of hope that she would finally reach the promised land. As the week wore on it seemed like the same old story all over again.
Finally, Friday her last session on the river. She is guided by one of the great fishing guru’s and gentlemen, Peter Joyce. Fishing systematically downstream they come to Cooleens where Mary had one of her mishaps with salmon before. The fly, a size 12 Ally Shrimp. Mary Martha hooks and finally lands her first ever Atlantic salmon, a sea liced 4lbs13ozs fish. She walked on air for the rest of the day and I don’t know if she’s come back down to earth yet.
All I can is congratulations and well done Mary from all at Delphi and all those fellow anglers who were not with you to celebrate the event.
I duly presented Mary with the 12th of July Cup yesterday. This cup has been held in the past by Urs, Hans Peter Thalmann, Bill Jarratt, Richard Yardley, Chris Jarman, Roger Watkins, Oli Watkins and Tiger Woods. Mary, it was well deserved and congratulations again.
Last but by no means least our second fish yesterday was also a first ever, Charmaine Reynolds (John Faith’s sister) landed her fish at Paddy’s Point on Doolough. The fish weighed in at 4lbs and half an ounce and was taken on a Copper and Orange tube.
With the water still holding above 20, there are still fish running but they are proving difficult to catch.
D.McEvoy