ANGLING NOTES: The chief executive of the Central Fisheries Board, John O'Connor, has complimented the commercial salmon fishing sector for its high returns in relation to the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme.
In 2003, the sector returned 99 per cent-completed logbooks. In contrast, he expressed disappointment at the dismal angling return of 52 per cent in 2002.
The objective of the tagging scheme, first introduced in 2001, is to provide a database of catch statistics to ensure wild salmon and sea trout are exploited consistent with their sustainability on a regional fisheries basis. It is also intended to identify illegally caught salmon, eliminate sales outlets and introduce traceability into the distribution chain.
All fishermen (commercial or recreational) are obliged to attach a coded tag to each salmon or sea trout caught. A logbook entry should then be made giving details of fish caught and, in the case of commercial fishermen, disposal of same. Logbooks and unused tags must be returned at the end of the season. On the angling front, the River Moy, Co Mayo, accounted for the largest number of salmon in 2002, with a raised catch of 10,524, with 37 per cent of the national catch taken in the Ballina catchment area.
Nationwide, returned logbooks showed 68 per cent of anglers caught no salmon, 29.7 per cent caught between one and 10, whereas 1.7 per cent reported a catch of between 11 and 20 fish.
Work has already begun to analyse the data with a view to advising the minister with responsibility for inland fisheries, John Browne, on the best management options for these species in the future.
Commenting on the report, O'Connor said: "This scheme is essential in providing valuable information for fisheries management and greatly assists in designing successful policies for the conservation of salmon stocks in Ireland."
Copies of the report are available at www.cfb.ie or tel: 01-8842684.
The third and final video in the series Corrib Seasons is now available in most tackle shops throughout the country, and concentrates on the latter end of the season. The autumn patterns, i.e. sedges, daphnia and terrestrials, take centre stage in this trilogy of fly-fishing techniques on Europe's largest wild brown trout lake.
Roy Peirce must surely be the envy of every game angler. His Grasshopper Cottage abode, overlooking Corrib at Cornamona, Co Galway, enables him to spend most days on the lake. The boat-angling prowess of Peirce as he forages for trout, set against a stunning Connemara backdrop, the voiceover by Dick Warner and the fly-tying demonstrations by Paul Douras, as he assembles patterns appropriate to the time of season, all contribute to make Corrib Seasons compelling viewing.
To obtain a copy of Autumn - Sedges, Daphnia, Terrestrials, e-mail: grasshopper@indigo.ie or write to Roy Peirce, Grasshopper Cottage, Cornamona, Co Galway. Cost €29.50 including P&P. The set of three, Spring, Summer and Autumn, costs €74.99.
A group of eight anglers from Howth Sea Angling Club enjoyed a day's fishing with charter skipper Yan Smits aboard the Lady Maureen out from Clifden, Co Galway, last weekend. Anchored close to Crow Island, the group encountered cod to 10lb, ling to 12lb, coalfish, pollock, conger eel and wrasse. Philip Nolan landed a specimen pollock of 13.18lb on a slip of squid and mackerel.
Weather permitting, the Lady Maureen is available for bookings at 095-21787.
E-mail: angling@irish-times.ie