Angling Notes: The Loughs Agency in Northern Ireland recently announced an extension to the commercial fishing season for salmon in the River Foyle area, Co Derry, because escapement targets were achieved upstream of Sion Mills Weir on the River Mourne, Co Tyrone.
A target of 8,000 salmon was set, on the basis of the stock required to fully utilise the in-stream habitat available to salmon in the area upstream of the weir. This target allowed for angling and predator mortality.
According to the agency, two factors contributed to the good run of salmon this season. Firstly, the introduction of carcass tagging in 2001 greatly reduced illegal fishing and secondly, enhancement work in nursery areas coupled with proactive work to prevent pollution resulted in the good returns. The total number of salmon now recorded over Sion Mills Weir is 8,655.
The World Cup Wetfly Championships on Lough Mask, Co Mayo, did not go ahead over the August bank holiday weekend due to a controversy over new safety regulations. Last year the event attracted 677 competitors from across the world.
New regulations, introduced this year by the Minister for the Marine, require boat owners to declare their boat as lake worthy if reward for services is intended. Verification necessitates boat owners to sign a declaration form to confirm safety standards are adequate. But hired boat owners for the Lough Mask event insisted their boats already met all the safety requirements. They maintained that in the 50 years of the world cup, no accidents have occurred and their knowledge of Lough Mask forms a vital cog in the competition.
In its place, the Ballinrobe and District Anglers held a scaled-down version of the world cup by hosting a three-day competition. More than 200 anglers landed 194 trout for a weight of 336.44lb.
On Saturday, August 2nd, fishing was excellent with overcast and windy conditions resulting in 63 anglers taking 97 trout for 161lb. Some outstanding boat catches included eight trout by John Gorman and Paddy Joyce for 11.34lb; seven for Denis Kellegher and Tom Noonan and six for Michael Ferry and John Wilkinson, giving an average weight of 2.63lb.
Similar conditions prevailed on Sunday, August 3rd, and showed 55 anglers with 74 trout for 130lb. Top boat catch went to Freddie Steele and Michael McCarty with three fish, for a total weight of 10.87lb, Steele having the heaviest trout of 5.66lb.
Finals day was disappointing, with no wind and flat-calm conditions resulting in only 15 anglers landing 21 trout. Raymond Kelly and Gerry Nixon were declared winners of the €2,000 prize, with one trout for 5.64lb. Michael McCarthy and Freddie Steele took second place with three trout for 4.51lb and Jim Edgar and Ronan Cusack captured third position with one fish for 3.62lb.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Tommy Matthews, who died last week. He was vice-chairman of Howth Sea Angling Club and represented his country on several occasions.