Angling Notes: Annamoe Trout Fisheries in Co Wicklow took on an air of Russian culture recently with the visit by 36 Moscow citizens to sample the delights of this splendid rainbow fishery in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. The visitors were taking a break from a business trip to Dublin.
To cater for the large group, proprietor Brian Nally in conjunction with Des Chew of Dublin Angling Initiative wavered the fly-fishing only rule in favour of the bubble-and-fly method in an effort to provide a respectable catch for the visitors. For many, it was their first time fishing.
Fishing commenced at 11am and by lunchtime 17 rainbows had fallen to Muddlers, Baby Dolls and Montana Nymphs. Catch and release was the order of the day but six fish were kept for the barbecue. While most opted for the barbecued version some decided to adapt home-from-home cuisine.
This entailed carving the fish into cutlets, adding some onion, a dash of salt and pepper and eating the fish raw, yes, uncooked. It's called "gravelax" back home, they said. Ideally, fillets are placed in a dish with spices and left overnight with a heavy weight on top. The taste is similar to smoked fish, I'm led to believe. The afternoon session proved equally productive with a further 11 trout bringing the total to 28 for the day, 22 of which were safely released. The winner with a cracking 2.3kg rainbow was Vladimir Petrov from Moscow. He received a framed Irish fly collection sponsored by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.
Meanwhile, the fishery received an e-mail last Thursday from Alexander Andreev, marketing director of Hitachi Powertools, Moscow Branch: "Thank you very much for the wonderful day spent at your lake. This became one of the top events we had during our week stay in Ireland. I will recommend your place to our other branches in case they send people to our plant tour in Dublin."
The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association (ILFA), in association with the North Western Fisheries Board (NWRFB), is holding an introductory fly-fishing course at Ballin Lough Rainbow Trout Fishery, Co Mayo next Saturday, October 21st.
Events get under way at 10.30am in the Buckfield Inn (on the Newport to Westport Road) with a short explanatory talk on the basics of fly fishing followed by an outdoor session on casting techniques under the watchful eye of a qualified NWRFB instructor. Minimum age is 18 and the cost per person, €20. E-mail smbrown7058@aol.com for details.
The Central Fisheries Board (CFB) has recently appointed two new angling advisers. Mark Corps, a biologist from Wales and Shane O'Reilly from Dublin with a background in printing, have both joined the existing angling staff.
The news will be greeted with great interest, particularly in light of the retirement of Hugh Gough as coarse angling officer (some years back), Peter O'Reilly as game angling officer, and next month, Peter Green's retirement as sea angling officer. Both Mark and Shane will be based at CFB, Swords, Co Dublin.
Six crew members from Kinsale and Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat stations are to receive gallantry awards for two search and rescue operations last year. These are the first bravery awards for both stations and presentation to the recipients will be held at local ceremonies at a later date. Three members from Kinsale station are receiving awards for their actions when a young woman fell from the cliffs and tragically lost her life at Old Head, Kinsale in September 2005. The three members from Crosshaven are receiving bravery awards for saving the life of a surfer in Fennel's Bay.
Waterways Ireland Erne International Pike Competition will take place this Friday to Sunday on the River Erne at Enniskillen. The three-day event will consist of one day shore fishing at Enniskillen and two days' boat fishing from Portora gates to Carrybridge and Innismore Viaduct. For an entry form, tel: 0044- 2866322008.
Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Co Wicklow: Second Heat of Scierra Winter League will be held this Saturday, October 21st, fishing 10.30am to 2.30pm. Entry fee is €24 and top four rods will qualify for final on December 2nd. Contact 0404-45470 to register.
Cashel Trout Fishery, Co Derry: Vasilys Komamov from Latvia landed a fine rainbow of 4.2kg on a Mayfly variation, and two Limavady anglers had a total of 15, all on Daddies. The annual competition is scheduled for October 28th. Contact casheltrout@hotmail.com.
Rathbeggan Lakes, Co Meath: The Larry Myler Memorial Fly Fishing Competition will be held this Saturday, fishing 10am until 4pm. Entry fee is €30. Perpetual trophy and cash prizes on offer. Rathbegganlakes@clubi.ie