Water quality remains the most serious threat facing fisheries in the Shannon region, according to Mr Eamon Cusack, chief executive officer of the Shannon Fisheries Board. Speaking at the publication of the board's annual report for 2000, he said habitat regeneration programmes were required for many rivers because of poor water quality.
While fish kills were down on the previous year (nine reported), this number only reflected the serious pollution events when fish are present. Reports indicate an increase in moderate pollution cases which have the capacity to destroy stocks silently and cause degeneration of fish habitat.
On a brighter note, the report highlights the continued success of the Mulkear Catchment Management Programme. Formed in 1999, the pilot project involves local groups and government agencies coming together to manage the development of the river and the surrounding area.
The fruits of a £2 million Tourism Angling Measure investment for the region were borne out with the completion of 24 angling projects. These included facilities for disabled anglers, footbridges, stands and car-parks. Juvenile stocks also received a boost with improved living quarters on a number of fisheries and an advertising campaign sought to promote the region as a prime angling location.
Mr Cusack said 2000 was a challenging year for the board. "Unless we all work together, particularly in relation to water quality, the future of our inland fisheries will be in doubt," he said.
The season has reopened on the Munster Blackwater and some lovely salmon were taken and seen, according to Mr Ian Powell, proprietor of Blackwater Lodge. The river is in perfect fly order and both double-figure springers and grilse have travelled as far as 20 miles up from the lodge, he said.
Last Saturday, a local rod took a 9lb salmon on beat 13 and next day, Mr Powell took a sea-liced 10 pounder on a floating line and size 8 fly from beat 12. Not to be outdone, his fiancee swiftly landed a sea-liced 11lb salmon on spinner at the same beat.
The Tullow section of the Slaney yielded 12 salmon on opening day (April 28th) and throughout the accessible beats, 100 salmon are reported thus far. Generally fish range from 7lb to 12lb; however, two exceptional fish are worthy of mention. Over the past two weeks a local angler landed a 22pounder at Sallsborough, about three miles upstream of Enniscorthy, and a 21-pounder was reported from James Doyle's fishery.
Should readers experience difficulty in obtaining copies of The Sound of Many Waters, the author, Mr Peter Powell e-mails to say the book is available directly from him at 087-939 3201 or 046-32571. Make sure to get a copy; you will not be disappointed. The book retails at £9.95.
Friends of Loch an Dochais (Lake of Hope) will host an AllIreland trout competition for anglers with disabilities at the lake, Kilcormac, Co Offaly, tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All legitimate methods are allowed and bag limit is four fish. Entry fee is £1.
This will be followed by a junior competition from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the same rules will apply. Contact Brian McManus for details on both events at (0509) 20883.