Angling Report/Derek Evans:The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crews in Ireland launched 408 times this summer, down from 477 on the same three-month period last year, according to the institution's Niamh Stephenson.
Dún Laoghaire lifeboat, with 27 call-outs, was again the busiest station, followed by 23 for Bangor in Co Down, and Crosshaven in Co Cork next with 20 launches over the summer months. The two inland stations at Lough Derg and Enniskillen received 31 call-outs between them.
To coincide with the statistics the RNLI has launched an education drive for young people to become more safety conscious on or beside water. Specially trained education officers will speak in schools about water safety, the work of the lifeboats and the training of volunteer crews. A new website www.rnli.ie/shorething features sea and water-safety information.
To assist people in using the sea safely, the RNLI offers five safety tips: first, always wear a lifejacket; second, check your engine and fuel; third, tell others where you are going; fourth, carry means of calling for help; fifth, keep a close eye on weather and tides.
Kevin Rahill, RNLI divisional sea safety manager, said: "While it is always difficult to predict trends, I would cautiously welcome the slight drop in the number of launches over the summer. As always there is no room for complacency and it is vital we promote sea-safety with young people and adults who use the water for leisure and commercial activities."
• Perhaps a drawback to the catch-and-release system for salmon during September is the inability to record exceptional fish using the tagging system. Peter Derbyshire makes an interesting case.
While fishing the Ballyduff Bridge Beat on the Cork Blackwater with ghillie Len Tomlinson last month, Derbyshire caught a salmon of more than 9kg on shrimp. This exceptional fish was played for at least 20 minutes, netted and returned successfully in autumn livery. "I offer this in the context as to how big fish are recorded," he said.
The tag system does not allow an opportunity to record such fish released by responsible anglers. Considering the poor season on the Blackwater, this was a fish of a lifetime. Unfortunately, there is no photographic record.
• Ireland's Robert Reilly produced the best basket at last weekend's autumn match hosted by the International Fly Fishing Association at Llyn Brenig in north Wales. His basket of 12 fish, with a respectable weight of 10.1kg, outflanked the 56 competitors from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.
Ireland, with 85 fish, finished in runner-up position to Scotland. England's Keith Nicholson caught the heaviest trout of 1.6kg. Results: first, Scotland, 94 fish; second, Ireland, 85f; third3, Wales, 81f; fourth, England, 62f.
• Some of the highest tides seen in more than 18 years are expected over the next few days, according to Lieut Cmdr John Leech, chief executive of Irish Water Safety. There is a high risk to the public of stranding so extra caution is required to avoid drowning. "Do not be tempted out to new and unknown areas of the seabed not normally exposed. Water-related tragedies happen in the blink of an eye and it is a fact that 131 lives were lost to drowning last year," he said.
The Loughs Agency in Northern Ireland delivered a one-day introduction to fly-fishing for women at its headquarters on Victoria Road, Derry. The workshops included tackle and knots, entomology, fish biology, fly tying, casting and a fishing trip. Women interested in taking up the sport should contact lionel.knobbs@loughs-agency.org
Around the fisheries
Ballinlough, Co Mayo: Considering the lough was stocked recently, angling was slow last week, with only nine rods venturing out. The fishery remains open until the end of October and boats are available for hire at 098-41107.
Corkagh Park, Dublin: Alan O'Duffy caught a terrific rainbow of 4kg and John Daly had five to 2.7kg followed by Gar Murphy with 10 fish.
On the coarse lake, Portobello Anglers held a club competition at which Mark Davis took top honours and a "Golden Peg" cheque for €500. Visit www.corkaghparkfishery.com for more details.
Donneybrewer, Co Derry: Reports of regular catches to this weekly stocked rainbow fishery with fish to 4.5kg. info@anglingadventuresireland.com