Grayling in the valleys

ANGLING NOTES: For the first time in 21 years, Ireland took the Ladies Fly Fishing Home International Competition.

ANGLING NOTES:For the first time in 21 years, Ireland took the Ladies Fly Fishing Home International Competition.

In ideal fishing conditions on Lough Lein, Killarney, Co Kerry, the 15-strong team emerged clear winners.

Catch and release was the order of the day, with all 450 fish returned safely.

Results: 1, Ireland, 138 fish; 2, Scotland, 112f; 3, Wales, 107f; 4, England, 93f.

READ MORE

- THE first release of 100 artificially reared grayling ( -) in Wales took place at Chirk in North Wales last Thursday. The fish were released downstream of Pont Faen Bridge by fisheries scientist Richard Cove of Environment Agency Wales (EAW).

The experiment evolved following a request to EAW from local angling club Ceiriog Flyfishers to stock grayling in a section of the Afon Ceiriog (a tributary of the River Dee) between Brynkinallt Weir and Afondale Weir. The two weirs prevented free movement of the species into and out of club waters.

Adult grayling from the Dee were stripped and the eggs fertilised in the Maerdy Hatchery at Corwen. The release means grayling are now occupying a stretch of river previously inaccessible and will reduce the need for brown trout stocking by the club.

As this project is the first of its kind in Wales, the agency, in conjunction with Countryside Council of Wales, is anxious to ensure the introduction does not impact on other wildlife in the river. The fish are tagged behind the eye using numbered visible implant tags.

Tributes were flowing in Hedigan’s, The Brian Boru, in Glasnevin, Dublin, last Friday week as a large gathering assembled to pay tribute to Norman Dunlop on his retirement after 31 years as sea-angling adviser with the central fisheries board.

Ironically it was a day I received in the post a copy of A Guide to Sea Angling in the Eastern Region produced by Norman. This is a brilliant publication depicting the many locations from Dundalk in Co Louth to Ballyteigue in Co Wexford and provides in-depth information on each venue.

I had the pleasure to fish with Norman on several occasions including a memorable few days at Kilmore Quay in February last year to ascertain the angling potential of this great venue in winter.

The experiment proved highly successful, not least for the capture of mackerel (in winter!). More importantly it was Norman’s fishing expertise and his friendly companionship that I found most rewarding.

Norman contributed to many publications down the years – his chapters on Ireland in Collins Guide to Fishing are brilliant.

Well-wishers on the night included Pat Doherty, chief executive of Eastern Regional Fisheries Board; John McLaughlin, chairman, Northern Fisheries Board; charter skippers and a host of angling personalities associated with Norman during his distinguished career.

Best wishes to Norman, his wife Mary and son Philip for a healthy and enjoyable retirement.

Question: With the retirement of Norman and his close associate Peter Green a few years ago, who can possibly replace more than 60 years of experience in sea-angling and maintain “hands-on” contact with the 50-odd charter skippers around our coastline?

- Youghal’s first deep-sea angling competition in 20 years was held last weekend in Youghal Bay. The event attracted more than 100 competitors in seven boats drawn from Youghal, Dungarvan, Ballycotton and Crosshaven. Entrants in the charter boats battled it out for a share of the €2,500 prizefund while Youghal RNLI benefited from the private boats section.

Event organiser, Gavin Tivy, said: “We had anglers from around the country fishing this weekend and promising to return. I would like to thank most sincerely all the business people that gave their support.”

Results: Charter boats: 1, G Darker (Stella Maris), €500 (Quays Bar); 2, B Murphy, €250 (Walter Raleigh Hotel); 3, P Gahan (Snr), €200 (Perks Entertainment Centre). Private boats: 1, M Murphy; 2, P Twomey; 3, P Power.

- A specimen John Dory was caught by Francie Walsh, Waterford, last Saturday week south of Hook Head, Co Wexford, on board charter boat White Swan. The fish weighed 2.810kg and fell to a green hawkeye.