THE Celtic Sea Trout Project (CSTP) has launched a drive to encourage anglers on the east and south coast to submit scale samples from rod-caught sea trout from priority Irish rivers and other systems.
As part of this encouragement, CSTP has sponsored an array of valuable prizes to anglers submitting most scale samples in 2011. The top prize of €582 tackle voucher will be awarded for the most samples from any CSTP priority river.
A further three vouchers of €407 will go to three runners-up and 10 vouchers of €116 will be drawn at random. Winners will be chosen on April 1st, 2012, and contacted directly.
While the initiative is open to anglers in Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales and north-west England, the priority rivers in Ireland, are: Shimna, Castletown, Dee/Glyde, Boyne, Dargle, Slaney, Colligan, Bandon, Argideen and Currane.
Scales from sea trout of all sizes are requested and can be taken easily using the basic sampling kit which is provided free of charge at celticseatrout.com.
There are many unanswered questions in the understanding of sea trout. Where do they go at sea? What is their marine ecology? What environment are they exposed to? How do they respond to environmental variation? Interpretation of scales will contribute much to answering some of these questions and provide vital information for analysis of river-specific life histories and growth rates.
“This is an extremely important element of the project and anglers are encouraged to participate fully so that sea trout can be better understood, which will help to conserve this fascinating migratory trout,” CSTP said.
The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland-Wales Programme (Interreg 4A). The main project partners are Inland Fisheries Ireland, Bangor University, University College Cork and Environment Agency Wales.
By all accounts, the second season at Delphi Club in the Bahamas was highly successful, with a substantial increase in bonefish catches and greater number of guests attending, according to proprietor Peter Mantle.
More than 2,000 bonefish were boated along with an assortment of barracudas, jacks, snappers and sharks. And the weather was mostly glorious too, he said.
Highlights of the season included Dai Roberts’ 4.1kg (9lb) bonefish, Paul Brett’s 7.7kg (17lb) jack crevalle off the Club beach, catches of 20 bonefish to a boat in a day, sighting of a huge tarpon and first ever bonefish for another 42 guests.
Prices for the coming season (Oct. to June) are posted at delphi-bahamas.com/prices.html.
Having been at Delphi Club last year and with more than 50 years of angling under my belt, the experience was the most spectacular, rewarding and enjoyable I have ever had. If you wish to read my article in The Irish Times’ travel magazine Go, please email me.
Colin Folan reports from Lough Inagh that salmon and sea trout fishing have at last taken off, with some great catches. A big flood following the heavy rain saw large numbers moving upstream. Fishing prospects for the coming weeks are excellent. To book fishing or accommodation, call Inagh Lodge Hotel at 095-34706.
A fly-casting day will be held next Sunday at The Point, Quay Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, from 11am. The event will include an Irish Open Spey and single-hand casting competition; demonstrations by three times world spey champion Scott Mackenzie; free casting tuition and fly-tying demonstrations. All welcome.
Rathmullan Charters in Co Donegal has commenced midweek evening trips during July and August from 6 to 9pm. These are suitable for adults and children. Rods and reels are supplied. For bookings, call Angela on 087-2480132.
angling@irishtimes.com