Angling Notes: Following much deliberations, the Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB) has recommended the removal of the Lacken Weir on the River Nore in Kilkenny as the best way to solve problems for salmon migration over the past two years.
According to scientific advice submitted to the National Salmon Commission, the Nore is 80 per cent below its conservation limit. Lacken and its subsidiary Ormond are not functional and do not drive industrial processes, according to the fisheries board. Nor do they help or hinder the impacts of floods, it said.
Therefore, the board believes the removal of the weirs is the only sensible approach to meet national and international objectives regarding conservation of salmon stocks. This measure will reduce salmon being lost to the Nore catchment in future years, the board concluded.
I personally was horrified watching salmon attempting to ascend the fish pass that was built too high and too narrow to enable them complete their epic journey.
For a weir that formed part of a €48 million flood-relief drainage scheme, its design was an absolute disgrace.
Michael Cosgrave e-mails with valid points in relation to catch and release, particularly in competitions. As a regular visitor to Loughs Mask and Corrib, he believes the number of competitions and participants is increasing each year and resulting in a huge amount of fish being taken out of the lakes.
"I know some people have concerns around the policing of catches but most of the bigger competitions have a boatman. Even where this is not the case surely the same ethic as golf could apply, you put in your score and people take it on face value. If someone wants to cheat they'll do it anyway," he says.
"The fact is there are far more competitions, far more people fishing, far better equipment but sadly less fish in our lakes. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against people taking a few trout out to eat but that is not the focus of competitions. There are already enough forces eroding our fish stocks without anglers doing it themselves," he concludes.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water was fined £10,000 (€14,765) after a leak from a public sewer entered the Nant Mychydd watercourse at Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in South Wales. The incident resulted in the deaths of more than 800 fish. The company, which pleaded guilty at Llwynypia Magistrates' Court, was also ordered to pay full costs of £6,686 to Environment Agency Wales, which brought the prosecution.
Fishery manager Nigel Rush got the season under way at Kylemore Abbey Fishery in Co Galway recently with the first salmon of the season on a size 10 Waddington "Kylemore Killer" (sort of a Willie Gunn variant). While more fish enter the system on each tide, some clearly viewable in the 3kg to 5kg region, there are few anglers trying their luck, according to Rush. For bookings, contact Nigel at 095-41161 or www.kylemoreabbeyfishery.net.
Meanwhile, fishery manager Colin Folan caught the first Lough Inagh salmon at the Derryclare Butts last Wednesday. The fish weighed 5.4kg and opted for a size 6 Green Highlander on a sinking line. Water levels were ideal after the rain and he missed two fish before landing his prize. For information on fishing Inagh, tel 095-34706 or e-mail: inagh@iol.ie.
A fly-casting seminar will be given by leading fly-casting instructor and author Peter O'Reilly in the showrooms of Michael Moore Volkswagen Car Sales at Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath, next Sunday at 11.30am. Admission is free.
Lunch (sandwiches and finger food) will be served, after which guests will adjourn to Hodson Bay Hotel where Peter will demonstrate his casting techniques on the River Shannon. One of only 107 anglers worldwide to gain a Masters Certificate from the International Federation of Fly Fishers in the United States, he has written numerous books on salmon and trout rivers and lakes of Ireland. For further information contact Tara Mooney at 090-6474620.
Tuam Anglers' Association is hosting an open trout competition for the DesO'Donnell Memorial Trophy at Greenfields on Lough Corrib next Saturday. Entry fee is €20 for members and €30 non-members. Registration forms available from Ian Callender on 086-0566405 and must be submitted before Thursday.
Ballinrobe & District Anglers will hold its ninth Annual Two-Day Development Competition from Cushlough Bay, Lough Mask, Co Mayo, on April 29th and 30th. Entries must include a fee of €100 made payable to Tom Mulvey, Rahard, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, by 24th April. Contact 094-9541200 or 087-6251122.
The Lombard On The Water Boatshow will take place in Malahide Marina, Co Dublin, from April 28th to May 1st. Up to 180 boats, varying in sizes from 10ft to 82ft luxury cruisers, will be on display with an estimated value of €35 million. The boat show, held on behalf of Irish Marine Federation by Expo Exhibitions, will also feature ancillary exhibitors including chandlery, clothing, training schools and cruising holidays. Brona Cusack has further details at 01-6781460.
angling@irish-times.ie