ANGLING NOTES:FOLLOWING results of the pilot fishery undertaken last year, the Minister for Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has announced plans to re-open licensed commercial fishing in Castlemaine Harbour, Co Kerry.
In announcing the statutory 30-day public consultation on amendment to the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme, the Minister has asked Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to ensure enforcement of the conservation bylaws and the quota set for the commercial fishery in the harbour.
As part of the pilot, a monitoring programme ran for the duration of the salmon season and covered all areas of the harbour, its main objective to investigate whether stock proportions varied. Genetic samples were also analysed by UCC to identify the proportion of salmon from rivers entering the Castlemaine Harbour area and, if present, rivers from outside the area.
A concluding report compiled by IFI on the pilot project indicated that a commercial fishery should be permitted within specified areas in Castlemaine Harbour inside the rivers Laune, Maine and Caragh.
The minister added: “I am satisfied that it is safe to reopen this fishery under controlled conditions. The consultation period will give those who disagree [time] to put forward their views and I will pay close attention to what they say before reaching a conclusion. I will take account of the extent to which these limitations have been respected by licensees in 2011.”
The opening of the fishery will require an amending of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations to insert a Total Allowable Catch for the common estuary in Castlemaine. A 30-day consultation period on this change, as required by the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, commenced on Thursday 19th May, 2011.
Renier Blignaut from South Africa got the season under way on Lough Inagh with the first grilse at Derryclare Butts. The fish took a one-inch Pot Belly Pig on a floating line. It was only his second day fly-fishing ever for Renier. According to fisheries manager Colin Folan, Renier is now under the illusion that “this fly-fishing game is easy”.
By all accounts the recent lawyers’ fishing trip to Ballinrobe and Lough Mask was a resounding success. Over two days the group of 18 solicitors and barristers caught and returned 120 trout, 35 of which exceeded 13in, with the best about 1.5kg (3lb). While mayfly hatches were poor on the day, most fish came to the Stimulator, Green Peter, Dabblers and olive patterns. There was an exceptional number of small trout (under 13in). “This augers well for the future of the lake,” John Geary said.
Headway Newry is a charity Frank Dolaghan and his wife set up to support brain injury survivors and their carers following a severe brain injury to their son when he fell 40 feet over a cliff in Bundoran, Co Donegal.
Another member, who had a keen interest in angling until his head injury robbed him of the motivation to fish, has donated all his equipment to raise funds for the charity. Much of the equipment is almost new and geared towards sea and coarse angling.
Headway Newry is open to offers as one lot or individual items or perhaps a group may be interested. To review the list, see headwaynewry@tiscali.co.uk or 0044-774-082 3713.
The Welshman’s Button (above) comes on from late May until August and is recognisable with its dark chestnut-coloured wings. It is tied by Jimmy Tyrrell and very useful on Corrib and Mask, and midland loughs. The body is of sooty olive and yellow seal fur with red fluorescent rib and stands out under the brown wing.
A very good pattern to have in the fly box. To purchase, contact irishflycraft@gmail.com or 086-8451257.
anglingirishtimes.com