The South Western Regional Fisheries Board (SWRFB) has expressed serious concern about the findings of a survey showing an increase in sea lice on some salmon farms in the region.
Random checks on wild sea trout smolt from the Owenshagh River (Kilmakilloge) indicate fin and skin damage caused by sea lice. This, coupled with numerous reports of wild sea trout smolts prematurely returning to rivers flowing into Kenmare Bay, has given rise to great concern.
But the country's premier sea trout angling venue at Waterville has not yet revealed any evidence of an upsurge in sea lice levels.
All necessary steps to tackle the problem are in tow, according to the chief executive of the SWRFB, Mr Aidan Barry.
"We are meeting with a commercial operator to express our concerns and liaising closely with the Department," he said. Meanwhile, samples have been sent to Trinity College Dublin for a more detailed analysis.
I suppose it was inevitable that the recent heatwave would curtail most angling activity. Certainly, the phenomenal catches experienced the previous week on the trout scene dipped somewhat. Still, the mayfly season is very much in contention on most, if not all, river and lake fisheries. A lull has also emerged on the salmon front as anglers eagerly await the grilse run.
One facet of the sport to benefit from the becalmed conditions is deep-sea boat angling. Charter skippers are working flat out at present. In fact, early booking is advisable as demand almost supersedes supply at this time.
Charter skipper Mr Walter Foley, operating out of Duncannon, Co Wexford, took a group from The Irish Times boat angling last weekend aboard his boat Orenoko. Drifting off Hook Head, the group encountered an abundance of codling, some to 6lb. An example of catches included three codling of 4lb, 2lb and 2lb to the one trace for Mr Ed Higo. For bookings, Mr Foley can be contacted at 051-389242.
Eighteen members of the Prison Service enjoyed a weekend of top-class angling at Union Hall, West Cork. Fishing over two days with charter skipper Mr Gerard O'Neill aboard his boat Sea Breeze III, catches included conger to 21lb, cod to 9lb, ling, pollock, bull huss and a specimen pouting of 3lb 14oz for Howth SAC member Mr P.J. Coleman. Contact Mr O'Neill at 028-33510 for bookings.
The story of the week relates to an incident aboard Blue Water, a charter boat owned by Mr John Brittain operating out of Clifden, Co Galway. One of his anglers fishing a sandeel on 100lb mono struck into a fish which moved off at astonishing speed taking 50 meters of line. As this was insufficient to hold the fish, the engine was started and the boat followed in pursuit.
After about five minutes, the fish had not tired despite a very tight drag setting. Moving to within 300 yards of a cliff face it suddenly turned and headed into the rocks. Manoeveuring the boat as close as possible to the rocks, the inevitable happened and the line snapped.
Mr Brittain is convinced it was a porbeagle, and a big one at that. "We put a lot of pressure on for the 10 minutes. Any other fish under 100lb would have slowed down", he said.
The close season for bass angling is from May 15th to June 15th. It is illegal to fish for bass during this spawning time. The complete ban on commercial fishing for bass continues unabated.
Correspondence and fishy photographs to The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Fax: 679 1881. Email: angling@irishtimes.ie