English woman Valerie James, on a fishing holiday in the area this week, was delighted when she landed a 14lb salmon on Monday. She then managed to outdo herself on Tuesday - landing a whopping 22 pounder!

Valerie James, an avid fisherwoman from the UK, visits the Ballyduff area two to three times a year with her husband Tim, staying locally at Ard na Ciuin. This week he and her father Barry were on hand to see her land what John Landers of blackwatersalmon.com described as "the fish of a lifetime." In fact, so mighty a fish was it, that Tim had to help her land it. "She was over the moon, there was great excitement," John told The Avondhu.

John who owns Ballyduff Hardware and is involved with Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery as well as blackwatersalmon.com, says Valerie was angling for only an hour when she caught the giant fish. He says fishing is good at present on the river. Valerie caught the 14lb salmon on the Ballygally beat and the 22lb fish on the Ballincurrig beat. Another 14 pounder was caught at Ballincurrig this week by 'Tiger Tooth' Pengelly, also from the UK.

"It's good for the river, it's good for business and it's good for the area," John Landers said.

He is available to advise anyone who'd like to know more about fishing the Blackwater on 086-3197790.

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