Reports confirm a protracted curb on game angling activity again last week. The tail end of the recent fine spell brought gloom for most anglers as rivers remained low and lakes tranquil.
That said, within the last few days rain has spread across the country and winds have picked up sufficiently to arouse even the most slumbersome fish.
At St Mullins on the Barrow, low water contributed to the dismal return of three salmon and in the Goresbridge area, six fish were recorded over the last fortnight. A downpour is required to encourage the grilse to run the river, according to Mr Flynn from the Southern Fisheries Board.
Three fish also for the Slaney, one at Scappawalsh, Kildavin and Kilbride, while the Suir is experiencing a drought of fish with only one caught last Sunday.
June 1st heralded the start of fishing on the Nore at Brownsbarn, following a prolonged closure due to foot-and-mouth, and within three days, club members accounted for eight salmon. The same river in the Lacken area yielded 23 fish since angling restrictions were lifted in March.
Low water was not conducive to good fishing on the Muckross Fishery, river Laune, beats one and two, with only eight grilse for the week, mostly on worms.
On the Kerry Blackwater, a few summer salmon and grilse are arriving over the counters but most are staying in the tide. There was little fishing effort during the week and no catches reported.
Charter skipper Mark Gannon, operating in Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, was among the specimens again last weekend. On Sunday, Joe Scully from Howth SAC boated a conger of 48lb and next day, Bandon angler Mr Twomey caught a specimen cod of 33lb. The group also accounted for good catches of codling and pollock.
Des Chew has been appointed administrator of Dublin Angling Initiative in succession to Geoffrey Donohue. Mr Chew may be contacted at 01-278 7050.
A fishing tackle auction will take place on Friday, June 15th, in Howth Angling Centre. The auction will include new and not-so-new rods, reels and fishing tackle-related items. Admission is free and proceedings get under way at 9 p.m.
Correspondence and fishy photographs to The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Fax: 679 1881. E-mail: angling@irish-times.ie