Giant salmon were a normal catch in Killaloe a century ago

The following is an extract from our Archives of huge salmon of up to 44lbs being a normal catch for anglers on the River Shannon at Killaloe a century ago. The following appeared in The Guardian issue of June 16, 1923.......

Anglers on the Killaloe waters have met with unique success during the present season despite the unfavourable conditions of the weather. Colonel Baker and General Sir Victor Couper (two English visitors), fishing at Killaloe from April 15th to the end of May, killed 74 salmon on Forthenry water. They had several large ones of 29, 36 and 39lbs. Mr Whipps, on the same water (his preserves), killed 80 salmon weighing from 14 to 44lbs.  A great number of these were killed on the fly and prawn.

On the Upper Clare water and the Mill Pool, Messrs J. and P. Grimes had 80 salmon, and the men on the free water had 60 fish from 12 to 34lbs each. Salmon and trout fishing at Killaloe this year has been carried on with considerable success, and tourists and anglers alike are pleased.

The head water bailiff at Killaloe (Mr Grimes) denies that poaching has been systematically carried out in Killaloe, and in confirmation he states that at least 800 salmon have been caught there during the present season. Recently, there was a raid of a kind that, despite all the vigilances of the water bailiffs, takes place occasionally. Last year a similar raid was attempted and frustrated by the timely intervention of Mr Grimes and his brother.