Angling Notes: It's not all down to lack of fish, angling effort has also dwindled over the last few years. This is the broad view of Pat O'Molloy, secretary of Dublin Salmon Anglers' Association, following the capture yesterday week of the first salmon from the River Liffey, six weeks after opening day.
At Islandbridge, the fish counter registered a substantial increase on previous years in salmon moving upstream, and sightings of fresh fish throughout the system augurs well.
Flooding and extremely cold conditions thus far resulted in a whitewash for Liffey anglers. Few bothered to venture out and river banks were devoid of anglers midweek, with just a sprinkling at weekends.
At 5 p.m., John Harrington, from Lucan, got the ball rolling with a fine fish of 11.5lb taken at the Strawberry Beds on a black and gold Flying "C". Harrington is chairman of Glenside AC and also Lucan Angling Club.
According to the latest report from Blackwater Lodge Fisheries at Ballyduff, Co Waterford, the season finally came good when five spring salmon, between six and 10 pounds, were taken on spinner between beats two to 17, some 28 miles from the Lodge.
John Anderson, Moycullen, Co Galway, caught the first salmon of the season from the Galway Weir Fishery last Wednesday. The 9.5lb fish fell to a gold-bodied Gary dog tube fly and was donated to a Galway charity.
The trout season opened last Sunday week on Lough Corrib and hundreds of anglers took to the lough to sample the best trout fishing in Europe. The lough has become so popular in recent years that mooring space is difficult as people arrive with boats from every corner of the land.
Wet fly proved difficult in the calm conditions, and those who trolled baits fared best. In all, 40 anglers in the Oughterard area accounted for 76 trout, the heaviest, at 6.75lb, attributed to Pakie Kellegher.
A similar story prevailed on Mask, where 74 anglers brought in 68 trout for 89lb. Light hatches of chironomid fly were observed and some trout expressed a keen interest.
Richard Gibbons from Cong, Co Mayo, sends further news for people with disabilities. Not having full use of his hands and confined to a wheelchair for the past 31 years, Gibbons today enjoys nothing better than setting out from Golden Bay on Lough Corrib in search of those wily brown trout.
Family and friends helped. His brother and in-laws adjusted fishing reels and rods to suit his needs, and a friend from Switzerland designed a chair lift, similar to one described in a previous Angling Notes, to allow him embark and disembark from boats with great ease.
"My wife is my 'boatman'. Sometimes she catches more fish than I do, but thankfully not too often," he said.
The largest media fly-fishing competition ever held in Ireland takes place this Friday at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co Wicklow. Over 30 angling personnel from TV, radio and press will compete in a star-studded line-up for the coveted Fáilte Ireland Waterford crystal trophy.
Fishing times are from 11.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and spectators are invited to attend.
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) annual presentation of awards will take place at the Doyle Burlington Hotel, Dublin, next Saturday at 2.30 p.m. All Irish anglers due for awards are invited to attend along with families and friends. The new ISFC website will be available for browsing on the day.
Leinster Provincial Council of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers is holding an awards presentation on Friday night in the Garda Club, Harrington Street, Dublin, at 9 p.m.
Email: angling@irish-times.ie