Sport

Angling Notes: In search of elusive trout on Lough Mask

Derek Evans enjoys a fishing holiday in Mayo; plus a crackdown on poachers threatening our wild Atlantic salmon

Derek Evans with three good-sized brown trout from Lough Mask.
Derek Evans with three good-sized brown trout from Lough Mask.
Derek Evans
Mon Jul 11 2022 - 06:00

I enjoyed a few days last week on Lough Mask with my friend Philip Kavanagh. Starting out from Cushlough Bay, we first tried the deeps off Devenish Island for the daffnia trout. While conditions were really good with cloud cover and a warm stiff breeze, the fishing was slow.

Plenty of “splashes” and “follow-ons” but little to show for it except a few undersized fish and one keeper at 39cm. Moving to the western side of Strawberry Island for the last hour or two, we found some great action, finishing with a further three good-sized trout.

For our second day, with conditions a step-up from the previous day, we headed for the islands – Inisgléasta, Inishowen, Inishocht and Carrigeen, but alas, the fish decided to take a day off, finishing with just one “counter”.

Leaving the fishing aside, it was terrific to be out on one of the largest lakes in Ireland, all 20,000 acres of it, to enjoy the wildlife and spectacular scenery.

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My stay at Burke’s Bar and Restaurant in Clonbur was most enjoyable, particularly with their award-winning food selection. Why not check it out?

Watch out for the popular Gone Fishing TV series with Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse. An episode was shot in Burkes Bar last month and is scheduled to be aired in September, with fishing on Corrib and top-class traditional music, with guests, in the bar.

Poaching patrols

Wild Atlantic salmon are the most poached fish.
Wild Atlantic salmon are the most poached fish.

Fisheries officers carried out over 36,000 patrols last year resulting in 103 prosecutions, according to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Boosted by a new mobile support unit and Delta sea-going fleet, offences included seizure of 14km of illegal nets, 293 fixed-charge penalty notices and 715 cautions issued under legislation.

The mobile unit is made of trained crews who support protection and enforcement along rivers, lakes and coastlines where illegal fishing is deemed high. Launched in June 2021, the unit undertook 127 patrols in its first six months, seizing more than 2km of illegal nets.

The Delta sea-going fleet undertook 232 patrols last year and achieved an increase in illegal nets seized (60 in 2021, compared with 45 in 2020). To enable the fleet to be deployed for night-time patrols, nearly 40 fisheries officers are now trained as coxswains.

The peak months for seizure of nets are June, July and August. Crucially, this coincides with peak salmon runs as they enter rivers. Wild Atlantic salmon continue to be the most poached fish and IFI is concerned at the persistently high level of illegal fishing activity.

The most common methods for patrolling riverbanks, rivers, lakes and coastlines in 2021 were: Vehicle and foot patrols (33,409); Bicycle patrols (1,564); Boat patrols (797); Drone patrols (406); Kayak patrols (161); Personal watercraft patrols (33); Quad patrols (five); and Irish Air Corps patrols (four).

IFI’s chief executive officer, Francis O’Donnell, said: “We’re in the middle of a biodiversity crisis and Ireland’s freshwater fish are in real danger. Our protection programme protects stocks of vulnerable fish species such as wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout, as well as promoting biodiversity and sustainable angling for the benefit of future generations.”

If you have an angling story to share, please send to me at angling@irishtimes.com