THE GAME-ANGLING season finished on a high note this year for salmon fishing. The first real benefits from the driftnet ban, combined with favourable weather, allowed salmon to run the rivers, were the main factors for the bumper angling season.
Ballynahinch Castle fishery completed one of its most successful fishing seasons in many years. The total catch of more than 110 fish to the fly on the Castle Stretch was very respectable while the total catch of 350 fly-caught salmon for the whole catchment was the best for many years.
The largest fish, a fresh springer of 6.5kg (14.25lb), fell to regular angler Ann Corcoran. Top rods were Tom McManus and Stephen Cullinane. There was a great deal more multi-sea-winter fish in the system than in other years, a trend replicated throughout the country.
Counter figures were slightly down on last year but are still in line with the five-year trend. The numbers of large sea trout increased year on year but the finnock continued to struggle. However, their numbers are still going in the right direction.
At Mount Falcon on the River Moy, the final tally was 592 salmon. September was particularly good, with 219 fish. On the last day Leo Seery had the honour of catching the final fish with a beautiful fresh 3.9kg (8.5lb) salmon. What is even more remarkable is that it was his first of the season.
Mount Falcon is hosting a ladies’ lunch this Wednesday with all proceeds going to its chosen charity, Casting for Recovery. Monies raised will host a fly fishing retreat next year. See info@mountfalcon.com or call 096-74472.
2011 will be a season to remember for Lough Inagh Fishery, with record numbers of salmon landed on all beats and pools.
Due to the high water, the river was perfect for most of the season. Again this season there was a lack of 10lbs-plus fish – only five were caught. However, the average grilse was slightly over 2.3kg (5lb).
The first salmon was landed on May 16th at the Derryclare Butts by Finbar McGreevy, and the largest fell to William Hamilton on Corloo Beat and weighed more than 15lbs on a Sunray Shadow. Top rod was Andy Walsh with 11 salmon, all caught on Lough Inagh.
The sea trout season was far from good. In late June they started to arrive, with three- and four-pound fish caught every day. However, they stopped coming early in July and it is frustrating trying to work out why the run was so poor.
Brown trout numbers were also down. The heaviest was caught on a Woolly Bugger by German lady angler, Anke Kondla, and estimated at 5kg (11lb) and released. Four char were also caught on the lake, a good indicator of clean water.
Catch totals for 2011: salmon 133, sea trout 263, brown trout 81, char four.
Kylemore Abbey fishery can boast its most productive year since 1998, with a total of 143 salmon for just 257.5 rod days. Good anglers returned more than two fish per day and the top rod was Geoffrey Fitzjohn who landed 37 salmon over 17.5 days.
Of the 143 salmon landed, 81 were returned and just two were fin-clipped, against an average of 8 per cent over other seasons. There was a noticeable increase in the amount of salmon parr in the river, hopefully this will reap rewards over the next few years.
Sea trout catches were up on last year with 377 recorded against 214 last year. The average weight was around 12-14 ounces with 2kg (4.5lb), the largest for the season.
The Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) is holding a presentation on current salmon research followed by dinner and mini-auction in the home the Duke of Abercorn, Baronscourt Estate, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, on Friday at 6.30pm.
The evening’s programme will include an introduction by AST chief executive, Tony Andrews, followed by Prof Ken Whelan giving an overview of current research on wild Atlantic salmon. After dinner, an auction of about a dozen items will be held. Tickets are £100 (€114.27) and may be obtained at 0044-1738-472032 or info@atlanticsalmontrust.org
angling@irishtimes.com