ANGLING NOTES:INLAND Fisheries Ireland, with assistance from the Office of Public Works, University College Dublin and trout anglers, has commenced a study of the genetic make-up of trout stocks in large riverine catchments. The first two to be examined were the Suir and Boyne and results are now available.
In the case of the Suir, trout samples of young fish from the tributary sub-catchments were examined genetically. The analysis showed that trout were discrete, ie those from the Drish were genetically different to those in the Anner, the Tar or any other tributary.
The next stage was to examine samples of adult fish from the main stem of the Suir and relate these back to the tributary. At this point the fisheries sought the assistance of angling club members from Templemore down to Carrick-on-Suir.
Anglers were asked to take a few scales from fish they caught and record the date of capture, location and length. Many of the fish scaled were returned alive.
The enthusiasm of anglers was key to the success of the project and hundreds of scale samples were collected. Results were of significant value in managing the Suir which is Ireland’s premier riverine brown trout fishery. A brief summary of the findings are as follows: There are seven different families of trout in the catchment. Although some live in more than one tributary, a more detailed analysis allowed the fisheries to distinguish fish from individual tributaries.
There is no distinct stock of trout that are born and spend their life in the main stem apart from one family born in the headwaters north of Thurles.
Apart from this group, all adult trout caught in the main stem could be traced to one of the tributary stocks. In other words some fish born in tributaries migrate to the main stem, live there until adulthood and subsequently return to their tributary of origin to spawn.
The results show that trout in the Suir comprises one large complex fishery reliant on contributions from many of its tributaries.
* Why not benefit from the two- and three-night special offers at Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough, Co Monaghan, and avail of the fantastic pike fishing on the estate’s 100-acre lake? I had heard about the quality fishing and got the opportunity to sample Glaslough Lake, the name derived from the Irish translation “calm and green lake”.
Along with Josie Mahon and Des Chew from Inland Fisheries Ireland, we arrived at the 1,000-acre estate on a wet and windy day to be greeted at the boathouse by our guide, George Watson. “Because of the prevailing wind today, we’ll fish the eastern side by the reed beds,” George said. Equipped with spinning rods, selection of lures and electric engines, our two boats were soon pushing out into this majestic lake.
I opted for a 3” bronze Toby red-tailed lure with barbless treble hook and found a slow retrieve worked best. Within minutes George was into a good fish and I soon followed with a pike of about 3.6kg (8lb).
This pattern of fishing continued apace and by close of play the two boats had accounted for at least 40 fish to the boat, each between 2.7kg (6lb) and 5.4kg (12lb), and as many lost. Phenomenal fishing by any standards! Throughout the day, George was keen to point out the magnificent wildlife in the surrounding forest, the buzzers overhead, herons nesting nearby, mallards, water hens, swans, etc. The lake itself not only has an enormous head of pike but also perch, roach, bream and wild trout.
Castle Leslie is one of the last great Irish estates still in the hands of its founding family and continues to offer old-style hospitality at competitive prices and with authentic original interiors .
Its slogan: "Eighty miles from Dublin, a million miles from anywhere," is a true reflection of what's on offer. For booking details, contact castleleslie.comand 047-88100.
angling@irishtimes.com