The Environmental Protection Agency has appointed the Central Fisheries Board to deliver information on fish stocks required for the Water Framework Directive, the aim of which is to establish a framework for the protection of inland waters, estuaries and coastal waters.
The fish-monitoring programme will evaluate the ecological status of waters using fish and other physical, chemical and biological indicators, and provide information regarding fish stocks at each location.
Monitoring commences this year at specified sites and will continue on a three-year rolling programme in the optimum period from July to October each year. A list of sites is available at www.epa.ie
Minister of State for the Marine, John Browne, earlier this month allocated €3.52 million for 21 important protection works around the coast.
Certain sections of coastline are constantly under threat from erosion and it is hoped the initiative will slow or even halt the process at points where the coastline is most vulnerable. Areas most affected include Ballinskellings, Duncannon and Louisburg, and protection work will continue at Rosslare Strand, Bundoran and Killiney.
The time is opportune for the establishment of a world ladies fly fishing organisation, the chairman of the North Western Regional Fisheries Board, John Walkin, suggested at the Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Co Mayo, last week to mark the inaugural visit of 16 top women fly fishers from the United States.
During the visit, the women spent time fishing on Lough Conn and the River Moy where they alternated between the Ridge Pool in Ballina and Cloongee Fishery near Foxford. On Conn, women from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland joined the team in what was termed "A Gathering of Women Fly Fishers". Beth Morrison from the US took top honours with four trout.
The visit coincided with the commencement of direct flights to Ireland West Airport, Knock, from New York and Boston, which gave access to the Moy catchment and provided a marvellous opportunity to attract more US anglers to the region, Mr Walkin said.
The Lough Agency is offering the opportunity to obtain a National Angling Guide Certificate in pike and game fishing. Training will involve written exams and practical assessment.
The aim of the course is to produce an angling guide capable of delivering a safe and ethical guiding service. Courses will be in three modules each of four days duration commencing in September through to November (dates to be confirmed).
The agency will subsidise the training and the course is offered for a fee of £160 (€240). Application forms are available at lionel.knobbs@loughs-agency.org
Europe's longest running boat-angling festival gets under way on Wednesday in Ireland's tidiest town, Westport. Now in its 51st year, the five-day event attracts anglers from all over the world and is a big boost to the local economy.
The boat draw will take place each evening in the Quays Bar with live entertainment, and the final prizegiving will be held on Sunday. All prizes are sponsored by Port West Limited and include a glittering array of Galway Crystal decanters and glasses.
To register, contact Julie Connolly at 098-42761.
Angling guide Colin Folan caught and released a 3.6kg brown trout on Lough Inagh, Co Galway, last week. The fish was caught on a size eight Humongus (reservoir lure) fished on a sunken line (the weather was against conventional methods, so desperate measures were called for). Folan believes this to be his second time to meet this fish, as he caught one of similar size at the same corner last year - and on the same fly.
The Dell brothers from London, Robert (10) and Erik (8), enjoyed a memorable day on Lough Conn recently where they caught two pike and a fresh 3.1kg grilse. The boys were guided by the watchful eye of Vinnie O'Boyle, a boatman at Pontoon Bridge Hotel.
The annual lawyers' fishing outing took place recently on Lower Lough Erne at Belleek. Although the weather was far from ideal over the two days, the legal eagles took the opportunity to renew friendships away from their usual daily grind.
Local angling operator Sean Maguire supplied the boats and ghillies, and top prize was a beautiful box of hand-tied trout flies presented by Donegal Fly Fishing Company. Next year's event is scheduled for Lough Mask in May. To confirm attendance, contact jvgeary@gmail.com