Centenarian angler still reeling in the years!

One of Galway’s greatest anglers has proven that age is no barrier to success – after landing three impressive salmon in his 102nd year.

Ned Cusack from Gorthnahalla, Moycullen, was back on familiar ground at the Galway Weir Fishery – a place so dear to his heart – where, in the company of his son Eamon, he caught two Wild Atlantic salmon and one non-native Pacific pink salmon last week.

The Cork native and former army officer was instrumental in the state acquiring the Galway Fishery, and he managed it for a number of years.

His love of angling stretches back over nine decades to his youth when he learned to fish on his local River Function near Mitchelstown, being taught to fly fish by a lady angler.

And he has not stopped since.

“I was delighted to land not one, but two beautiful, well-conditioned, wild Atlantic salmon – and very surprised to land non-native Pacific pink salmon, one of only five reported in the country this year,” he said.

And in what was a poignant note on a special day, he also attributed his good fortune to his late wife Eileen ‘who was helping me from above’.

Eileen died on July 10 last year, after 76 years of marriage.

Eamon was with his dad last Wednesday, when Ned again showed his angling nous.

“Once the fish were on, he managed them relatively easily,” said Eamon.

“There were a few hairy moments when the first fish headed for the white water, and I thought the salmon would take off down the river, and my heart was in my mouth.

“But Dad calmly kept the fish in the pool and brought it to the net. I guess you learn how to handle fish in 90 years of fishing. To be honest, I did not think he would have the strength to manage the fish, but I was wrong,” he said.

See the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download a digital copy from www.connachttribune.ie