After 24 years of dedicated and loyal service, Brian Prendergast has stepped down as chairman of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (IFSA). At the 54th annual general meeting in Carrigaline, Co Cork, last weekend, he handed over the baton to the unopposed Leinster chairman, Tom Lillis.
It was also fitting at the meeting that the outgoing chairman be elevated to the position of president of the IFSA following the vacancy created by the sad passing of Billy Greer earlier this year.
In a moving citation, vice-chairman Grahame Foote chronicled the former chairman's 53 years of service beginning as a member of DúLaoghaire SAC in 1954 before establishing the Garda Síochána club in 1965.
In 1976 he was elected assistant secretary of the IFSA and the following year in Gweedore, Co Donegal, took on the mantle of conservation and pollution officer, a position he held with passionate interest for seven years.
At the Wexford agm in 1983, he succeeded Denis Green as chairman and four years later attended the CIPS world conference in Budapest that lead to many international boat and shore events to be held in Ireland.
His ability was quickly recognised on the world stage and he was elected as vice-president of FIPS-M, a position he held until 2001. At home, he was involved in the establishment of the Angling Council of Ireland and the European Anglers Alliance-Ireland.
"This citation only serves to give a mere glance at the life of one so dedicated to our sport on this island and around the globe, and cannot hope to reflect the many landmarks in a period of 53 years," the vice-chairman concluded.
Throughout his term of office Brian Prendergast succeeded in copperfastening the federation as a main sporting body in Ireland and in promoting the IFSA as a leading light on the world stage.
The general meeting itself was a resounding success, with 10 motions dealt with in record time by the 41 club delegates in the Moonduster Room of the Carrigaline Court Hotel. Perhaps four motions deserve mention.
A reduction of fish sizes to 15cm in Master Boat Competitions will apply from next year, with a limit of 10 of each species to be given maximum points and one point allocated thereafter. Catch and release is to be strongly enforced.
The IFSA is to set up a committee to investigate the decline in the number of junior anglers and to draft proposals to all clubs on promoting junior membership.
Brian Cooke from Raheny SAC was elected as press officer to succeed Tony Gosnell, and all future agms will be held at a venue within the Dublin city area on the first Saturday in November.
A special mention is reserved for one delegate in attendance. As a member of the Knights of the Silver Hook, Peter Masterson, at the age of 89, has attended most agms including the first in 1953 in the Wicklow Hotel, Dublin.
Next year's annual general meeting will be held in the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin on Saturday, November 8th, 2008.
Following the recent article in Angling Notes on the invasive weed known as Lagarosiphon Major, the leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny, e-mails to say he raised the issue in the Dáil with the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley and received a positive reply.
Ref. No. 25291/07 PQ No 23098/07, reads: "It is my intention to make the regulations under section 52(6)(a) of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) in the first quarter of 2008, and to provide for a short lead-in time, after which possession or introduction of Lagarosiphon Major will be prohibited."
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) would like to remind all anglers, charter skippers and guesthouse owners to return their outstanding specimen fish claims, as the committee is preparing to compile its annual report for 2007.
Please return forms to the ISFC, Central Fisheries Board, Swords Business Campus, Swords, Co Dublin, before November 30th.
Tom Burke sends the new website for Edenderry Coarse Ang-ling Club www.freewebs. com/ edenderrycoarseanglingclub.
The third qualifying heat of the Scierra-sponsored flyfishing winter league was held last Saturday week at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co Wicklow. Twenty anglers accounted for 36 rainbow trout with the heaviest tipping the scales at 2.3kg.
Results:1, M. Francis (Wicklow), 6 fish; 2, D. Rowan (Kildare), 5f; 3, P. McDonnell (Dublin), 4f. The 4th Heat will take place this Saturday.
Note:The fishery will be closed on Wednesdays during November, December, January and February. Enquiries to 086-259 8563.