It's all getting very complicated on the riverbank. Some rivers are now open to all fishing, while some are closed to salmon and sea-trout anglers. Then there are the catch-and-release rivers and those closed but open to sea-trout angling under 40cm. There's the ban on worms, on single barbless hooks and an annual bag limit of 10 fish.
And there's more! Rod licence tariffs have doubled across the board! To be honest, I find the new regulations very confusing. So much so I think I'll hang up the boots this season on catch-and-release rivers. They are, after all, borderline in terms of stock levels. And those rivers closed, but where angling for sea-trout under 40cm is permitted, there will surely cause problems for fisheries staff.
Of course, this is all part of the price to be paid for the mammoth task of restoring salmon stocks to pre-1975 levels. At that time, between 1970 and 1975, approximately 1.5 million one-sea-winter fish returned to the coast.
In contrast, the spawning stock in all Irish rivers in 2005 was 157,870 fish, according to the Independent Salmon Group Report.
So, the rivers open to catch and release for 2007 are: in Waterford District, Nore and Suir; in Ballinakill District, Owenwee (Belclare) and Bunowen; in Bangor District, Glenamoy, Newport and Beltra; and in Dundalk District, Castletown. Copies of a 20-minute video on catch and release are available, free of charge, from the Central Fisheries Board, Swords, Co Dublin. Tel: 01-8842600.
The eastern region has taken the biggest hit. With the exception of the rivers Fane and Castletown in Dundalk area (catch and release only), all rivers are closed to salmon angling.
However, those open to angling for sea trout under 40cm are: the Dee, Flurry, Glyde, Boyne, Dargle, Avoca, Owenavarragh and Vartry. Single barbless hooks must be used and worms are prohibited. The Liffey and Slaney are closed to all forms of salmon and sea-trout angling.
On rivers that are open for angling, an annual bag of 10 fish will apply. Subject to this limit, an angler may take one salmon or sea trout (over 40cm) daily from January 1st to May 12th, three fish per day from May 13th to August 31st, and back to one fish per day from September 1st to the end of season. Almost forgot! Only one tag will be issued with licences up to May 12th.
There are also new rod licence charges for 2007. For example, an annual salmon licence is now €128, a district licence is €60, a 21-day licence is €48, a juvenile licence is €20, a one-day licence is €34 and a Foyle licence is €80. A "conservation stamp" is built into these new tariffs, the purpose of which is to fund the rehabilitation of rivers below conservation limits.
Let us not totally despair. Remember, there are still 45 rivers open around the country for salmon and sea-trout angling, each with their own catch quota.
• One of those to benefit is the Cork Blackwater. Here, proprietor Ian Powell of the Blackwater Lodge Hotel is looking forward immensely to the new season. "The spawning season was superb, one of the best for a number of years, especially in the lower reaches of the Lodge," he says.
Work began last week to convert the upper floor of the Rod Room into a school for his wife Glenda's casting school, which is equipped for computer presentations and video analysis. For reservations, e-mail: info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net.
• Strong southwesterly winds, gusting to 60kpm, sleety rain and mountainous seas greeted 65 brave anglers on Kilgorman Beach in Co Wexford last Sunday, who were competing in the first leg of the Leinster League competition organised by Raheny and District Sea Angling Club under the auspices of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers.
The post-Christmas camaraderie was alive and well in the Golden Anchor Bar in Castletown as competitors checked in under the watchful eye of wellknown angler Tony Byrne. Great credit is due to the Raheny club for their organisational skills, which ensured a trouble-free competition, sponsored by Henry's Tackle of Dublin.
Meanwhile, those hardy souls who braved the meteorological onslaught for five hours were rewarded with some good angling.
The winner, Eoghan Duff from South Shore SAC, amassed a total of 22 fish. Species caught overall included codling to 48cm, flounder to 32cm, dab, whiting, rockling and dogfish. All fish, after a measurement check, were returned to the sea.
Results: Zone A: 1, Martin Howlin (Wexford). Zone B: 1, Eoghan Duff (South Shore). Zone C: 1, Tony Bolger (Wicklow Bay). Best Junior: Stephen Mason (South Shore), 14 fish.