ANGLING NOTES:A STANDING ovation greeted Ronnie Miley on his retirement as secretary of Dublin Trout Anglers' Association at the annual general meeting in the Spa Hotel, Lucan, Co Dublin, last Friday week.
The ovation was fitting for a man who had given loyal and dedicated service to one of the most progressive trout angling clubs in the country. After 26 years as secretary, Ronnie decided to step down and hand the baton over to Cathal McDonnell.
“For the first 20 years, I attended all the duties myself, however, as the years caught up with me and family commitments multiplied, I asked for help from other committee members. This was readily forthcoming,” he said.
I always looked forward to his comprehensive annual report that reviewed the many angling waters controlled by association, the outings throughout the year and the categorised list of competition results.
“The annual trip to Crossmolina will always be high on my list of favourite occasions and the wonderful memories of times out fishing will be precious, and I hope my fishing will continue for some years yet,” he said.
The well-attended agm presented life membership awards to Ronnie and also to Ian Rowand, who completed 40 years service. The evening concluded with an audio-visual display and talk on river and stream enhancement by fisheries officer Fergal Caffrey.
Learn all about fishing at the Ireland 2012 Angling Show this Saturday and Sunday at the National Show Centre, Cloghran, Co Dublin.
Whether you live beside the sea, a river, lake or canal, the Dublin Angling Initiative (DAI) can teach you to take up fishing and improve existing skills. Many of Ireland’s well-known anglers will be present to give freely of their time, knowledge and expertise.
This year a touch pool will be provided by Sealife Centre in Bray where youngsters can identify and handle marine fish, and Inland Fisheries Ireland will have freshwater fish to view.
A free sea-angling guide will be launched for the east coast and teenagers can take part in a free quiz with excellent prizes. Parents can avail of a free fly-casting lesson along with their children from a professional fly casting instructor.
The DAI crew is looking forward to meeting you this weekend: Saturday, 10am-6pm, Sunday, 10am-5pm. See irelandanglingexpo.ie
Mulkear Life have announced details of an amateur photo competition which is titled, “Exploring Biodiversity on the Lower Shannon”. The competition is to mark 20 years of the EU Life programme across Europe and to celebrate Ireland’s rich biodiversity.
Over the past two years Mulkear Life, together with partner Inland Fisheries Ireland and project partners Limerick County Council, Office of Public Works and National Parks and Wildlife Service, has implemented plans to restore the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation for sea lamprey, Atlantic salmon and otter.
While is it not essential, images that portray biodiversity in and along rivers, streams and watercourses throughout the Lower Shannon, will take preference. The competition opened last month and will close on May 1st. There are some fantastic prizes on offer. Contact 061-498769 or Ruairi.OConchuir@fisheriesireland.ie
In calm seas, 74 shore anglers took part in the Raheny District SAC Leinster League (1st Leg) and Closed Gold Medal competition recently at Kilcoole, Co Wicklow. The event was sponsored by Dave McBride of Southside Angling.
Results: Overall winner: Ken Forsyth (Ballybrack). Zone A: JP Molloy (Sea Angling Irl). Zone B: A Mulcahy (Wexford). Zone C: K Forsyth (Ballybrack). Best junior: Andrew Liffey (Raheny).
angling@irishtimes.com