Angling Notes: The North Western Regional Fisheries Board (NWRFB) organised two enjoyable days' fishing recently as part of its strategy to encourage women and young people to take up angling.
Ladies' day on the Cathedral beat of the Moy fishery in Ballina, Co Mayo was open to members of the National Ladies Fly-Fishing Association and while many had not fished for salmon before, a high standard of angling skill was evident.
Gwen O'Kelly from Grange, Co Sligo opened the action with her first salmon on a Silver Stoat's Tail fly. This fish was lost but she landed her second fish, a grilse of 3lb.
Julie Gerry from Co Kildare rounded off the action with a grilse of 4lb and a superb salmon of 7.96lb, both taken on a single-handed trout rod.
Other participants included Julie McGeever (Foxford and Dublin); Madaline Kelly (Belfast); Mary McKee (Derry); Rosemary King (Derry) and Myra Cosgrove (Co Clare).
The following day, the women fished Ballin Lough, near Westport, Co Mayo, a lively rainbow fishery. Despite poor conditions, the group managed to land a number of trout.
The juniors enjoyed an outing to Lough Doon, Co Leitrim, organised by the NWRFB in conjunction with Dromahair Anglers' Association.
Twenty-six participants took turns to share four boats on the lake and also fished from the shore. Supervision was provided by the Dromahair Angling Club and fisheries staff.
There was a competitive edge among those who managed to catch fish, and the overall winner, Jamie Conlon, was presented with a fly rod and reel and a perpetual cup, sponsored by The Blue Devon, Dromahair. All participants received prizes, donated by the Fisheries Board, Dromahair AC, Barton Smiths and Doherty's House of Value, Sligo.
Commenting on the event, NWRFB chief executive, Vincent Roche, said: "The board is anxious to encourage more juveniles and ladies to take up angling and, in this regard, the fun days proved very successful."
The 18th Rosslare Small Boats Festival was held in the Co Wexford town from September 20th to 27th. Thirty-two boats from Britain and Ireland participated and the event attracted some top UK sea anglers.
Primarily a species competition, the festival produced some wonderful fishing, with a total of 41 species recorded.
Overall winner for the second year running was the boat Nirvana, whose crew, Richie Stead, Keith Pemberton and John Grundy from Wirral SAC, recorded 28 species for a weight of 46.7lb.
Two specimen rays were caught at Kilmore Quay during the competition, a thornback of 21.45lb landed by Irish angler Martyn Rayner and a painted ray of 10.60lb, caught by Paul Backhouse from Cardiff, Wales.
The festival, sponsored by Burrow Park Holiday Homes, Sea Angler magazine, Cushen's Public House and Rosslare Service Station, was organised by staff from the Central and Eastern Fisheries Boards.
The first heat of the Airflo winter league at Annamoe Trout Fishery in Co Wicklow takes place next Saturday.
The draw for peg positions is scheduled for 10 a.m., with fishing from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. The entry fee is €20 and Brian Nally, tel: 0404-45470, has booking details.
A few spaces still remain for the two one-day fly-fishing courses at Rathbeggan with instructor Andrew Ryan, which take place on November 15th and 16th.
The course fee, including lunch, is €120. For bookings tel: 01-8240197.