A TIMETABLE for the review of national pike and trout policies was launched last week by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and, following the appointment of a policy review group this month, the review process will be open to all interested parties.
The group will comprise five IFI staff from the research, operations and business development divisions, and it is expected the updated documents will be available in July 2017.
IFI has long recognised that public policy-making can be enhanced through the involvement of stakeholders and has set out how it will develop programs with stakeholders in its procedure on development and stakeholder consultation policies.
The upcoming protest being staged by pike interests is acknowledged by IFI who can confirm that no decision has been taken regarding the cessation or otherwise of pike management operations in designated trout waters for 2017.
Review of the policies has been accelerated and IFI is working to ensure the completion of this exercise in as consultative way as possible that ensures all interested parties have input to policy formulation.
Meanwhile, work continues regarding examination of the current stock management programme, marketing and socio-economic information and scientific information to provide advice and assistance.
IFI’s chief executive Dr Ciaran Byrne said “An agreed view from angler stakeholder groups would be most welcome. I encourage all domestic and tourist anglers, tourism providers and the general public to provide their views on the important issues regarding the management of our important pike and trout species.”
Pollution incident
Natural Resources Wales is investigating a pollution incident on the Afon Llynfi, a tributary of the river Wye, near Three Cocks, Brecon, mid-Wales. An ongoing assessment reported more than 2,000 fish killed including brown trout and bullheads.
Great grilse fishing
There is still great grilse fishing to be had in the West, with Moy, Ballisodare and Galway Weir fishing extremely well. With a reported catch of 615 salmon, the excellent fishing on the Moy system continued for yet another week. Fresh fish were caught on all fisheries with overall angling effort increasing.
On the Ridge Pool, Northern Ireland fly anglers Robert Logue and John Shaw had five fish each and released six. A Russian group of four, led by Alex Neserove, landed nine salmon over two days on worm and spinner on the Mount Falcon Fishery.
The Cloongee Fishery provided superb fishing, with the Mark Parsley group catching 41 salmon over 8.5 days on worm, spinner, bubble and fly.
Fishing remained very good at Ballisodare with 234 fish caught (78 released). The majority averaged 2-2.5kg with the odd double figure fish. The fly and worm were most effective at the Falls.
The Galway Weir enjoyed a very good week too with a total of 109 fish caught. Weather and water levels were ideal for salmon angling. There was a great show of fish, and anglers and tourists alike were amazed with the amount of salmon pitching and showing in the system. Only nine fish fell to shrimp with the rest caught on fly.
Silver bars delivered
Colin Folan’s opening report from Lough Inagh and Derryclare Fishery tells of a good start to the season with a welcome delivery of silvery bars. To date 31 salmon, 60 sea trout and 250 brown trout have been recorded.
Salmon numbers are above average with some cracking brown trout landed. However, sea trout numbers remain below par. Top patterns for salmon are Jungle Alexandra, Daddies and Badgers; while the trout are flavouring Octopus, Bibios and Claret Bumbles.
Recess Anglers held their annual Tom Joyce Memorial competition recently on Inagh with 15 anglers recording six salmon, eight sea trout and 31 brown trout. Top rod went to Patrick Burke.
“I am delighted with the number of quality salmon, particularly with Andrew Crouchman, Cyril Conlon and myself landing double figured fish,” Colin said. Bookings to hotel reception, 095-34706.
Slowdown on Corrib
On Corrib, Larry McCarthy of Corrib View Lodge reports of a slowdown in caenis hatches but early morning sport still a viable option. UK anglers Tony Ling, Mark Thomas and Tim Gawthorn enjoyed success, catching and releasing 18 trout over three days.
“With some settled weather forecast, hopefully we will see action to sedges or possibly the start of our smaller second hatch of mayfly,” Larry said.
Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Boat Hire (087-9604170) reports of a group of German anglers landing three trout on wets and trolling, with the best fish 1.47kg.
Elvery Cup
I met up with a group of Dublin Trout Anglers last weekend on Lough Lene in Collinstown for the weigh-in of their Elvery Cup competition.
Conditions were good for the 22 anglers with a two-bag fish limit in operation. Dry fly with Daddies worked best early on, and in the afternoon most competitors changed to buzzer fishing with good success.
Results: 1, Willie Scully, 2kg; 2, Bobby Woods, 1.95kg; 3, Frank Nugent, 1.80kg.
Lene chairman Tommy Fagan expressed his annoyance at the proposed closure by Inland Fisheries Ireland of its fish farm operations. “Each year we purchase 11,000 brown and rainbow trout from IFI at a cost of about €40,000,” he said.
angling@irishtimes.com
