A chara, Nick Harman's fishy tales (letters, October 7th) about the sea trout that got away typify the faulty conclusions that are being drawn from such incomplete observations. He fails to mention that the two rivers on which he owns private fishing rights suffered from extreme low flows these last two drought summers. Of course the sea trout there were affected.
In contrast, I've spoken to two anglers who in this past season have caught as many as 11 sea trout in one day on the Delphi Fishery, in the same region. The difference is that this private fishery has large lakes to provide adequate water flows during droughts.
The fishery conservation by law requiring the return of all sea trout caught by rod has discouraged most anglers, and helps to perpetuate vanishing sea trout tales. Sea trout numbers have always fluctuated enormously from year to year and no doubt will continue to do so.
The Clare Island salmon farm is the largest employer on both the Clare and Achill Islands. Nick Harman should be more careful not to jump to such conclusions, aimed at jeopardising so many livelihoods. - Yours, etc.,
Manager.
Cliara Development Company
Ltd
(a company owned by the island community),
Clare Island, Co Mayo.