Angling Notes/Derek Evans: A party of nine anglers recently returned from an epic arctic adventure in Norway, with anecdotes of gigantic cod, halibut and wolf-fish.
The group, from Dublin clubs in Howth and Dolphin/Richview SAC, were guests of Paula and Eric Krogstad at Kastnes, Northern Norway, 200-miles inside the Arctic Circle.
Taking advantage of 24-hour daylight, the group often fished until 3 a.m. within the shelter of deep fjords. In sweltering 35-degree heat, they encountered 48lb halibut, 37lb cod, 13lb coalfish, 12lb torsk, 9lb haddock and 20lb wolf-fish. Many cod between 10lb and 22lb were returned alive to the fjord.
Aside from the wonderful fishing, the Krogstad hospitality was superb. How about grouse casserole, elk steaks and reindeer stew washed down with fine Norwegian wine after a hard day's fishing? No wonder anglers are already sharpening their hooks for 2004.
Bass enthusiasts will be interested in the exploits of a regular visitor to Ireland. Each year, John Moorhouse from Barnsley, England returns to Ballinskelligs Bay, Co Kerry to fish.
Having mastered the art of bass-fishing with his own weighted rubber sandeel invention, Moorhouse has ambitions of manufacturing the lure in Ireland.
On one occasion he caught eight bass, one of which had a tag attached (No. E417732). This tag was returned to CEFAS, the centre for fisheries science in Lowestoft, England. During the recent Dorset Fish Festival in Weymouth, a draw of returned bass tags took place and tag E417732 emerged from the hat, netting the prize of £500. For information on tagging, see www.cefas.co.uk
Trout angling almost ground to a halt last week as the hot weather kept most anglers off rivers and lakes. Those who did venture out found it difficult to entice even a few trout.
That said, two exceptional catches were recorded. On the Corrib, Vinny O'Reilly landed a 13.89lb trout, one of the largest trout ever caught on fly, at the northwest point of Inchaghoill.
Wayne Byrne, Edenderry, had an exceptional catch of 10 trout on dry fly from Lough Conn on Monday last. The lough continues to enjoy good hatches of mayfly and sedges.
Salmon fishing on the Moy was slow due to lack of rain and prospects for the week ahead appear bleak. Sea trout fishing at the estuary, however, was reported to be the best for many years with most anglers catching the bag limit.
While the Corrib river at the Galway Weir had plenty of salmon showing, few anglers bothered to fish. Consequently, only five salmon were landed for the week. Inquiries for fishing to Seamus Hartigan, tel: 091-562388.
Fly-fishing instructor Andrew Ryan will hold two one-day courses at Clonanav Fly Fishing Centre, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, next Saturday and on Saturday, September 6th. The cost, including lunch, is €120. Equipment will also be supplied.
The course will include casting techniques, fishing tactics, tackle set-up, safety and hands-on fishing on the nearby Nire river. Numbers are limited, so early booking is advisable. E-mail andrew@flyfishingireland.com
A rare opportunity has arisen to travel to one of Alaska's premier fly-fishing lodges. Frontiers Travel has four rods available for Bristol Bay Lodge, on the shores of Lake Aleknagik, from August 25th to September 1st. The group leader has agreed to discount the normal weekly rate from $5,950 per person to $3,225 excluding flights. For further details, contact Justin Staal, tel: 0044 207 493 0798.
E-mail: angling@irish-times.ie