Congratulations to Ireland’s shore angling teams on winning gold at the home nations’ two-day championships in Montrose on the east coast of Scotland, last weekend. The three teams – women, men and under-16s – swept the board in an unprecedented success story for the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (Ifsa). The under-21s finished further down the field.
Held under the auspices of the Sea Angling Liaison Committee (Salc), the rotating annual event includes teams from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. The teams were supported by Angling Council of Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland. This year saw the women's section included for the first time. "The win will prove a big boost for female angling in Ireland," an Ifsa spokesperson said.
Day one proved challenging on Lunan beach for all teams; however, on the second day conditions improved sufficiently to allow the women’s team and juniors to fish the estuary near Tay Bridge in Dundee. The men fished a rock venue for codling, rockling and conger.
While the involvement and support from Coaching Ireland and the Irish Sports Council (Isc) has had obvious benefits, its chairman, Tom Lillis, said: "It is time Isc opened the purse strings to get behind the Ifsa as we will be hosting the world boat championships in 2015 followed by the world shore championships in 2016."
Teams: (Women): L Gormley, P Johnston, M Hyland, L Manton and A Whitty. (Men): M Curtin, M Howlin, J Carley, N Fogarty and P Whelan. (Youths): E Jones, C McDermott, S Cushin, R Ganley and D Farrelly.
Faughan rainbows
The
Loughs Agency
in Northern Ireland has become increasingly aware that a number of rainbow trout have appeared in both the River Faughan and River Derg.
While generally encouraging catch and release, in the case of rainbow trout the agency is asking anglers to remove and kill all rainbow trout caught; to note time, date and place of capture and to leave samples into agency headquarters in Prehen, Derry, for analysis.
White
-tailed sea eagles
The public can now observe one of the first white-tailed sea eagles born in Ireland in more than a century, courtesy of a new viewing and information point on the shores of Lough Derg in Co Clare.
Located at Mountshannon Pier and operated by the local community council, Golden Eagle Trust and Clare County Council, the new viewing area features information and telescopes and will be open until the end of September.
The breeding pair, Saoirse and Caimin, were collected as chicks on the island of Frøya off the west coast of Norway and released in Killarney National Park before relocating to Lough Derg in 2011.
Grilse are back
The grilse have arrived at Ballynahinch Castle Fishery. After fresh rain, the river rose a little with great results. Thirteen were landed including a hat-trick for Tom McManus, who took another three the next day. The usual traditional flies are working best, ie Silver Rat, Ballynahinch Badger and Silver Stoat.
Salmon showed up and plenty of small sea trout provided good sport even for the novice. For the more experienced, catches into the double figures are a strong possibility. Places are available but booking is advised. Contact reception on 095-31006.
Happy with rain
Lough Inagh fisheries officer Colin Folan is happy to report three days of rain. Before that, the lakes were at the lowest level ever and the bog dried out completely. There are a good few sea trout and grilse running, but this rise in water should ensure good sport over the coming week, he said.
On Leitrim lough
Deep water drifts out from Rossinver across to the Planting Shore on Lough Melvin produced good fishing on wet fly for sonaghan.
World Trout Fly Cup
The 58th
World Cup
Trout Fly Angling Championship
will be held from July 31st to August 4th on Cushlough Bay, Lough Mask. The event includes four qualifying days with the final on
Bank Holiday
Monday.
Entries close on July 18th and must include €130 fee to The Secretary, World Cup Trout Championships, 30 Lakelawns, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. Call 087-2222 867.
angling@irishtimes.com
