ANGLING NOTES:A NEW aquatic invasive species, the Asian Clam ( Corbicula fluminea) has been found in the River Barrow in Co Carlow. The identity and status of the species was confirmed by Dr Joe Caffrey of the Central Fisheries Board, an expert on aquatic invasive species.
The clam, which originates in southeastern Asia and can grow up to 5cm in length, could severely impact on water bodies and causes up to $1 billion (€760 million) in damages annually in the US.
Dr Caffrey says, “It is ironic that on the day the first stakeholder workshop for the €1.5 million EU Life+ funded Caisie project is to be held in Athlone, a new aquatic invasive species has been identified.”
At the workshop were two UK experts, Dr Trevor Renals from the Environment Agency and Dr Niall Moore of the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), who gave papers detailing their experiences with invasive species.
Aquatic invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity in Irish freshwater and their adverse effect will continue unless control methods are developed, the workshop heard. The primary aim of the Caisie project is to focus on researching and implementing eradication methods in Lough Corrib, the Grand Canal and the Barrow Navigation Line.
See the Life + CAISE project, at caisie.ie
* Rory Harkin of Rory’s Tackle Shop in Temple Bar celebrated his 70th birthday in fine style last weekend. The 200-plus gathering in the Laguna Bar in the IFSC bore testimony to the stature of a man who has been more than 50 years on the angling circuit.
Family and friends came from Scotland, England and all corners of Ireland to pay tribute and to say "thank you" for his sterling service to the angling community. Flanked by his two daughters, Áine and Mary, he said, "It is now time to hand the business over to Mary". He then went on to sing A Jug of Punchand some other popular ballads.
* Top boatman Kieran Connolly landed a salmon of 3.6kg (8lb) while trolling a blue Toby lure on Lough Cullin. On the same evening he lost another two. Promising signs! There are also sightings of early mayfly.
* The Lough Ree International Pike Angling Festival has been a big success. Fished over three days on the 16-mile-long lough at Athlone, competitors had to catch a pike of 8.2kg (18lb) or more to win one of six prizes each day.
More than 60 anglers from Germany, France, England and Ireland competed from boats launched at Coosan Point and Hodson Bay, as they battled to catch the biggest fish and win the €3,000 first prize and share in a total prize fund of €10,000.
The champion for 2010 is Kevin Foley from Clare, who caught a terrific pike measuring 106cm on the final day, estimated to weigh 10.9kg (24lb). Local angler Adrian Quinn was runner up with a fish of 104cm while trolling in the mouth of the River Shannon at the Sunken Island.
There was a conservation slant to the new festival, rather than customary weigh-in procedures, anglers were required to measure and photograph their fish on specially supplied boards, then release the catch immediately.
Wicklow signmaker Pat Byrne said, “I came to the festival because of the measuring system. This is the way forward, because it protects our pike stocks.”
Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland sponsored and organised the festival in association with Athlone Town Council to highlight the outstanding angling potential offered by Lough Ree and River Shannon. Overall winners: 1, K Foley (Ennis), 106cm; 2, A Quinn (Athlone), 104cm; 3, P Byrne (Wicklow), 103.5cm.
* The Loughs Agency is to introduce a suite of amended angling regulations for the Foyle and Carlingford areas applicable to the Finn and Foyle Rivers. The new regulations come into effect on Wednesday and prohibit the retention of salmon, sea trout and brown trout, and the use of any earthworm. A single barbless hook is also compulsory. For details, call 0044-2871342100.