ANGLING NOTES:ONE OF THE most important decisions in European angling history was taken earlier this month as the European Parliament voted to support a pan-European Cormorant Management Plan with an overwhelming majority. A total of 558 MEPs voted in favour of the report and its resolutions, and only seven voted against it.
The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) and European Anglers Alliance (EAA) have both expressed extreme satisfaction with the outcome of the plenary voting on MEP Dr Heinz Kindermann's report, The adoption of a European Cormorant Management Plan to minimise the increasing impact of cormorants on fish stocks, fishing and aquaculture. This exceptionally strong backing puts heavy pressure on the European Commission and Council of Ministers to put forward a request for a pan-European management plan and basic elements to ensure its effective implementation. These elements should include better data, improved co-ordination between member states, greater involvement of stakeholders and clarification of some legal terms.
With cormorants causing widespread devastation to fish stocks and thereby affecting the quality of recreational angling in Europe, the Kindermann Report was supported at every stage by EFTTA. Jean-Claude Bel, EFTTA chief executive officer, said: "After the committee of fisheries gave such an overwhelming vote in favour of the Kindermann Report, we are delighted that the European Parliament understood just how important it is to have a workable management plan for these birds."
• Paul McQuaid recalls an enlightening anecdote: "On the Rockpool of the Owenduff River in Co Mayo at the end of a great week of spring salmon fishing, as a last hurrah, with the river rising, rain and snow the night before and white-capped Nephins in the background, for the fifth time during the week, a big one was on the line, in the middle of the pool.
"All was going well when, glancing towards the weir, I saw the inquisitive head of an otter. I had brought the salmon to the bank - light rod, 10lb breaking strain and small landing net - when the fish decided to make another traverse across the pool.
"On a second attempt, and just as the net was about to go under, it made a mighty lunge away from the bank, out into the middle of the pool again. At this point I looked to see if the otter was still watching, and noticed that, close to the bank, another otter had its beady eye on proceedings.
"The fish came to the net the third time and suddenly the fish, my line and all control disappeared, as the second otter made off with the prize catch. Frantic efforts to retrieve the fish ended with the line going slack. My favourite Thunder and Lightning size eight fly, the fish - all gone.
"Given the day and the week that was in it - bitterly cold and perhaps a young otter family to feed - it was at least some consolation to know that the otters had their late breakfast."
• An Irish group travelling to the Varzuga River on the Kola Peninsula in Russia was met with impressive 40-foot ice-walls on the beats in the middle of the river.
The Irish group was the first onto the mighty Varzuga at this time of year and the average rod took 35 Atlantic salmon. "Although we had 200 salmon for the week, we hope to treble that in May 2009," says Sean O'Donoghue.
On the island camp the food and company were brilliant and most anglers vowed to return next year. For some it was their eighth trip, but one angler, who had never fished before, caught a salmon almost on his first cast.
The trip is run by Roxton Bailey Robinson and costs £4,000 (€4,482) per week plus private charter ex-Stansted at £1,485 (€1,664).
"The Varzuga offers the best Atlantic salmon fishing in the world," says O'Donoghue. Just two spaces remain for the 2009 trip. For further details, contact Sean O'Donoghue at 087-2630047.