I do not pretend to have an indepth knowledge on the ecology or indeed the entomology of our salmonid rivers. However, having read Dr Martin O'Grady's book, Channels and Challenges: the Enhancement of Salmonid Rivers, I now have a better understanding of how to improve the natural habitats of our fish species.
The publication is timely, particularly as the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (Nasco) under its Salsea programme begins to try to understand what is happening to salmon in the marine environment.
In the meantime, we must ensure our rivers can support and enhance the reproduction cycle to maintain maximum output of salmon smolts.
As senior research officer with the central fisheries board, O'Grady has put his 30 years as a freshwater biologist into producing a master work on Ireland's salmonid fisheries.
"I would hope the young person, having read this text, will not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to fishery enhancement exercises," he said.
Billed primarily as a training manual, the 142 pages cover almost every conceivable river situation - good, bad or indifferent. All 11 chapters are packed with colourful photographs depicting rivers prior to enhancement, post-enhancement and a projection of the situation seven years down the line.
Take, for example, the section dealing with channel constrictors in small streams. These, we are told, are designed to increase the flow in the central channel area. Build the structure downstream of a break point; protect the banks downstream, place large rocks in the pool area, anchor logs at least 0.5m into the bank and dig out the pool area if the stream has a hard boulder clay bed. Sound advice, indeed.
I would recommend Channels and Challenges to all game-angling enthusiasts and, in particular, to those working in the field of stream enhancement. The publication was financed by the fisheries boards National Research Programme and costs €30, plus postage. Contact sandra.doyle@cfb.ie for further details.
The Minister of State for the Marine John Browne, has instructed Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the regional fisheries boards to extend the closing date for receipt of completed application forms for the salmon hardship scheme, to Friday, April 27th.
The decision to extend the deadline for qualifying fishermen - which expired last Friday was taken because of the strong interest shown in the scheme, with more than 600 applications received to date.
"As the original deadline approached, I noted significant numbers of applications were being made from around the country in the last few days. The extension will facilitate all those concerned to have additional time to evaluate the scheme and make an informed decision," the Minister said.
First reports from the Great Western Lakes arrived in my e-mail during the week - a sure indication that the game-angling season is underway.
Kevin Crowley said the week started off cold and showery on Lough Mask but ended in glorious sunshine and light winds.
There were small hatches of duckfly, which should increase over the coming days, especially as the weather warms up. Fair hatches of olives were also evident in a few bays. Wetfly and trolling took most fish and fly anglers found chironomid patterns worked best, he said.
On Corrib, duckfly hatches came on strong as the weather improved with reports of good sport to wetfly and nymphs. Most fish were taken on the troll and wetfly fished in the shallows, with dabblers the most successful.
The Western Regional Fisheries Board is commencing a public consultation process on conservation of wild brown trout on Corrib, Mask and Carra, and tributary rivers and streams. Submissions are invited from interested parties and stakeholders on measures necessary for the conservation of wild brown trout in these catchments.
A number of public consultation meetings will follow that will lead to proposals for the introduction of conservation measures.
Submissions can be sent to the Western Regional Fisheries Board, Weir Lodge, Earls Island, Galway or e-mailed to info@wrfb.ie. Closing date is Thursday, May 17th.
A group led by Peter McCartin ventured out from Courtmacsherry in west Cork on a two-day charter with skipper Mark Gannon last Wednesday week and encountered shoals of mackerel, the first of the season! Greg Matthews also landed a specimen conger of 25.4kg.
angling@irish-times.ie