A NEW fish pass at Blackweir in Cardiff was opened earlier this month by Wales rugby great and keen angler Gareth Edwards CBE, and rural affairs minister Elin Jones. It will enable free migration of fish along the River Taff. A smaller pass opened at Blackweir in 1989, but recent monitoring discovered that salmon found it difficult to locate the pass in high river flows.
In the autumn, officials said the smaller pass often became blocked by debris, which was affecting recovery of fish populations. But the new pass, built by the Environment Agency Wales, will bring improvements to the migration of species such as salmon, trout, eel, grayling, chub, lamprey and barbel.
Chris Mills, EAW director, said: “The freedom of movement of fish is an important component to maintaining good ecological status. In light of new European Union targets for water quality, we are continuing to remove man-made barriers to fish migration and constructing fish passes on weirs, such as Blackweir.”
Enjoy an evening of chat with Steve Estela of Ponoi River Company on how the Ponoi on Russia’s Kola Peninsula is run and the challenges of operating in such a remote location.
Meet the man behind one of the most respected fishing camps in the world at 6.30pm tomorrow evening in the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair, 44 Grosvenor Square. Estela will be joined by Tarquin Millington-Drake and the Frontiers team.
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee presentation of awards will take place in the Red Cow Moran’s Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin 22, this Saturday (Feb 20th) at 2.30 pm. All anglers due awards are invited to attend.
Sean McManmon, estate manager at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath, will host a day of ladies’ fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout on Saturday March 6th, 2010, at Killeen Castle lakes. Registration will commence at 9.30am followed by fishing 10.30am to 4.30pm, with intermission for lunch.
A gala dinner will be held in clubhouse at 5 pm. The cost is €85 per person. Ring Jackie at 01-6893000 for further details. Closing date for entry is Wednesday, February 24th.
The first salmon of the season on the Galway Fishery was caught last Thursday. At 2.30pm, local angler Eoin Trill hooked into the fish in Jimmy’s Pool (Weir Pool) while fishing a floated shrimp. After a good battle between angler and fish, the fresh run bar of silver was finally grassed, much to the delight of Eoin, who after many years of endeavour, has finally managed to catch the first salmon of the season on the weir.
The spring salmon was fin-clipped and micro-tagged having probably been released from the board’s hatchery in Cong two years ago and tipped the scales at 4.44kg (10lbs). If the present weather pattern continues and water levels remain low, anglers can expect more spring salmon in the river in the coming weeks. For bookings contact: The Manager, Galway Fishery: 091-562388 or email: shartgalfish@eircom.net
Delphi Lodge in Leenane, Co Galway, has issued its fishing availability dates for 2010. The list includes 15 full weeks starting March 14th through to September 5th. Please note: It may be possible to split some of these weeks.
There is also a suite of three-day, two-day and one-day fishing breaks and good availability on most Saturdays. Fishing in February is river only; March, river and Finlough; April (onwards), river, Finlough and Doolough on half-day rotation.
The cost is €120 per rod day plus ghillie (€100 normally shared) and priority will be given to those staying in lodge or cottages. Call Carole Eyles at +353-9542222 for further details.