A KILKENNY man has landed one of the largest salmon ever caught in Irish waters. Bill Canning, Barracore, Goresbridge, hauled in the 12.79kg (28lb 3oz) monster in the river Bandon in west Cork last Tuesday.
The catch has been confirmed by the Central Fisheries Board as the largest salmon caught on a rod and line in Ireland since 1991.
Mr Canning credits last year's legislation banning drift-net fishing for rejuvenating the salmon stocks in Irish rivers. "Ever since drift-net fishing was banned, we've heard rumours of huge salmon running the rivers around here," Mr Canning said.
"It's made a huge difference and this season has been completely different to any other season. You would never normally see salmon of this size before the legislation came in."
The record for the largest salmon ever caught has stood for more than 130 years. In 1874, a Mr M Maher caught a 25.9kg (57lb) salmon in the river Suir.
Mr Canning said it took him about 15 minutes to overpower the salmon, which he caught using a small Mepps-brand spinner.
"We went down to a local shop straight away and bought some scales to measure it," he said. "By then, quite a group had gathered and they watched us weigh it in the car park.
"When we realised just how big it was, we took it down to a local butcher and they used their registered scales to weigh it officially."
Mr Canning is having his prize catch stuffed and cased by a taxidermist and plans to hang it on his wall, or donate it to a local hotel in Bandon.