A questionnaire is available on the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) website, www.cfb.ie, or in hard copy from Balnagowan House, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, or from any of the regional boards. Closing date for completed forms is October 1st, 2003.
Prepared by Indecon Consultants for the CFB, the report analyses the commercial and tourism angling sectors and makes recommendations on how Ireland's wild salmon resource can best be managed in the future.
Copies of the main report are available also at www.cfb.ie or from the board's offices at a cost of €20. For further information, contact: Aoife McLoughlin, CFB. Tel: 01-8842686.
- Some 56 junior anglers were given a day's fishing on the River Moy, Co Mayo, at the cathedral beat last Monday. Throughout the day, seven juniors each hour fished for wild Atlantic salmon straight in from the sea. All methods of fishing were allowed for this one-off event, which formed part of Ballina Festival Week. The idea was the brainchild of Moy fishery manager, Declan Cooke. On Saturday, July 19th, three salmon were caught on the cathedral beat and 11 on the Ridge Pool. Most fish fell to a silver stoat.
- The Blackwater Lodge Fishery, Co Waterford, enjoyed its best catch for one rod in one day on Sunday, July 20th, when Jonathan Heron from Edwinsford Estate on the River Cothi in South Wales, caught 14 salmon from Beat 12 in two short stints. The morning session yielded six fish of about 6lb each, one on spinner, the rest on fly. In the evening, he then caught eight on fly (12GP on a floating line), best 18lb, two of 16lb and the rest 5lb. With the exception of a few grilse all were returned alive to the water.
- Ideal water levels and a good run of salmon each day failed to produce the just rewards on the Galway Weir Salmon Fishery over the past two weeks. The sum total amounted to just 59 salmon, mostly of the grilse size. Seamus Hartigan, manager of the fishery, landed the heaviest at 12lb, and Ned Cusack, Moycullen, managed one of 10.5lb. Pat Cleere, Dublin had four for a day, one of which he returned.
- On the Bunowen River at Louisburgh, Co Mayo, John Bennett reports 15 grilse on Sunday, July 20th, ranging in size from 2.75lb to 5.5lb. Sea trout caught and returned were found to have a lot of sea lice, which alarmed anglers greatly. For permits, tel: 098-66404 or 087-9827792 (weekends).
- Two angling guides were recently published as a joint venture by Shannon Development and the Shannon Fisheries Board. A Fishing Kingdom is a colourful 30-page booklet encompassing the catchment area of the Lower Shannon. All facets of the sport are comprehensively covered, from Shannonbridge to Loop Head and east Clare. Advice on dining out, entertainment, accommodation and air and sea access round off the publication. The second guide features the River Fergus system in the Clare region. Detailed information in three languages (French, German and English), highlight key features of the river and its network of 20 lakes. Further details on both publications available at www.shannondev.ie.
- Maharee Islands is Kerry's new sea angling charter service. Deep Cove, skippered by Danny McCarthy, is available for hire out of Scraggane. Licensed to carry 10 anglers, the area is renowned for blue shark, skate, John Dory and a wide range of species. For bookings, e-mail dubinkerry@eircom.net.