Angling Notes: The drought that persisted for most of the outgoing game-angling season brought hardship to many rivers and lakes, writes Derek Evans.
Reports suggest the grilse run was down on previous years and the rod effort plummeted by 40 per cent on some fisheries.
Lack of water meant salmon were unable to run the rivers and instead were confined to the lower reaches. Here they became vulnerable to excessive poaching and were easy prey for animal and bird predators.
Likewise, the drought caused mayhem on many lakes. One example relates to an incident during September in which fisheries staff rescued thousands of trout from death after they became trapped in the upper part of the Ballynalty stream, near Cross, in Co Mayo.
Using electro-fishing equipment, more than 7,000 trout were saved from just 600 metres of stream and safely transferred to a section of Lough Corrib's rocky shoreline, where they stand a real chance of surviving to adult stage.
Ballynalty is a spring-fed stream and one of the best spawning stretches in the catchment. In previous years as water levels dropped to a dangerous level, fisheries staff acted in a similar fashion to transfer the trout to Corrib. The same quick response applies to many streams where more than 30,000 trout are saved annually.
Patrick Day, assistant inspector and supervisor of the project, said: "Without these development methods applied, Lough Corrib would not be able to withstand the angling pressure as we see it today. The streams are natural hatcheries and must be protected for the future of the lough."
Lough Corrib is the best wild brown trout angling lake in Europe, producing between 10,000 and 12,000 trout to rod angling for tourist and home-based angling every year.
In response to a recent Angling Notes article about angling tuition and subsequent enjoyment available to young anglers, a Co Dublin lady writes to enquire if similar classes are available for senior citizens.
"My late husband Peter Owens was a wonderful fishing man. His greatest joy was getting ready for a trip to Mayo; he fished Beltra - and never returned without a trout or salmon. Needless to say, I have all the paraphernalia needed, kept in great order for the past 10 years, hoping one day to learn the necessary skills. I would love to share, in a little way, that absolute happiness that was part of Peter's life."
Perhaps if sufficient senior citizens require angling tuition a course could be arranged! For more information call 087-2409135 or e-mail the address below.
Details of a media competition were announced last Wednesday at Annamoe Trout Fishery in Co Wicklow. The competition, scheduled for February next year, will comprise representatives from national newspapers, TV and radio.
The finer details are still sketchy, but fishing times are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Prizes, including a perpetual trophy, will then be presented.
Annamoe is a first-class trout fishery with ample parking, set in magnificent surroundings. With a background in fish management, proprietor Brian Nally has perfected the art of producing rainbow trout to a very high standard. Further information from Nally at 0404-45470 or annamoefishery@ eircom .net. Website: www.annamoetrout fishery.com
... Bray promenade provided an ideal venue for 20 anglers from Howth Sea Angling Club last Sunday. On a clear and mild evening, the Co Wicklow resort produced a variety of fish, including whiting to 35cm, codling, flounder, three-bearded rockling and dogfish. Catches also included six small school bass, returned to the water unscathed.