ANGLING NOTES:AS PART of Fisheries Awareness Week to create interest in fish and the environment among children and adults, the central and regional fisheries boards and national angling associations held events last week. The following are reports from three such outings.
A group of 23 children from St Kevin’s Boys National School in Finglas held their day at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co Wicklow, organised by Dublin Angling Initiative (DAI).
The event started with a talk from Des Chew of DAI on conservation, safety, flies and fish available at the fishery. The boys were divided into groups and a tutor assigned to instruct on casting and catching fish. Amid untangling of tackle and shrieks of excitement, 14 fish were caught and safely released. Keith Williams (10), caught the biggest fish at 2.7kg (5lb).
Thanks were extended to Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery for providing the fishery free of charge, and to Alan Doolan, Chris McGregor and Tony Lackey who volunteered on the day.
Newport Angling Club and Westport Trout Anglers with North Western Regional Fisheries Board hosted a juvenile day on Ballin Lough Fishery near Westport, Co Mayo. Twelve youngsters participated and the event included instruction on fly-casting by coach John Fahy.
Cathal Hoban was the only angler to land a trout, a good rainbow of 0.9kg (2lb). The day ended with refreshments at the lake shore and each participant was presented with a badge to remember the day.
Bilberry and Lannagh Angling Club, Castlebar, Co Mayo, held their annual under-18 fly-casting day also on Ballin Lough Fishery (on a different day). The competition was keen and Bernard Kennedy won first prize with three trout, weighing 3.4kg (7.5lb). The heaviest fish prize went to Edward Kennedy who had a rainbow of 1.8kg (4lb).
*Excellent sea-trout fishing is reported from Lough Inagh, Recess, Co Galway, with 52 fish reported for 21 rod days, many in the 1kg bracket. Kevin and Emma Barnett (UK) caught 19 over three days while Mike and Joe Maloney (Galway) had nine for one day. Top flies were Daddies in different colours. Contact: Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel, 095-34706.
Meanwhile, a three-day fly-fishing course will be held at Inagh from October 9th to 11th. Learn to fly-fish with the professionals and enjoy the art of all things fishy in the old world atmosphere of this 18th-century fishing and hunting lodge.
The course begins at 1pm on Friday and continue until Sunday afternoon. All meals, lodgings and equipment are included. Cost is €650 per person. To register, contact Colin Folan at 086-8679459.
*Heavy rain and storm-force winds rendered Lough Currane in Waterville, Co Kerry, almost unfishable towards the end of August. The few anglers who did venture out had good fishing. Don Malcolmson and his party had 37 sea trout to 2kg (4.5lb) while Anthony Buckley accounted for one grilse and a salmon of 4.1kg (9lb). Guests with guide Neil O'Shea had five sea trout, and Donie and Denis Collins caught a number of sea trout to 2kg (4.5lb).
Prospects for spawning sea-trout for the rest of September are good. However, the scarcity of salmon and grilse is worrying for all concerned with conservation, says fisheries manager, John Murphy.
*Fortland Fishery on the Easkey River in Co Sligo continued to fish well, with 34 salmon reported and eight released. Robert Rountree and his party of three from Northern Ireland had 16 fish (six released), mainly on fly. Contact: 086-8032350.
*Carsten Norgaard is now taking bookings for salmon fishing in Iceland 2010. Whether you prefer light fishing in clear water or traditional salmon fishing in rivers, Lax-a is Iceland's biggest sporting outfitter with 21 years reliable service.
There is one rod available for tiger fishing at the Caborra Bassa Dam in Mozambique from October 22nd to the 29th and a few rods left to Angola for tarpon in January 2010. Contact: carsten@lax-a.is.