ANGLING NOTES:'DONARD National School in Co Wexford deserves to be signed up for a musical following their win in this year's National Something Fishy competition," was a comment overheard at the recent prizegiving ceremony in Wexford Education Centre in Enniscorthy.
Set to song and dance, their winning entry, Something Fishy – The Musical, is a shining example of how children perceive the environment – the damage pollution can cause to our rivers, steps required to put it right and the important role of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
To the delight of fifth and sixth classes, Wexford senior footballer Brian Malone was on hand to present each pupil with a goodie-bag and the overall award to principal Kevin Kennedy.
Now in its sixth year, the Something Fishy programme has grown in stature and more than 160 schools participate, reaching some 7,000 students nationwide.
The programme is the brainchild of Blackrock Education Centre and IFI, who together invited national schools across the country to explore different aspects of fish life based on a series of activity cards and to produce a class project from their findings.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, IFI chief executive, said: “You guys are the caretakers of this environment and if you take this message with you today we will have a much better environment in 20 years’ time.” On his retirement as director of Blackrock Education Centre and founder member of Something Fishy, Séamus Cannon was presented with a bronze fish plaque by IFI chairman, Brendan O’Mahony.
To laughter, he said: “I walked along the riverbank with a fisheries officer recently and found it most interesting the care he portrayed for the birds, animals and the fish. Referring to the trees, he said, ‘They’re great because they stabilise the banks.’ I thought Michael Noonan might have some thoughts on that!” Something Fishy will continue for 2011/12 and packs are available in English and Irish, and supported by an interactive website somethingfishy.ie.
Judd Ruanereports good sea trout angling on the Moy Estuary. Heinz Henchall and son from Germany had nine to mackerel strip and a group from Austria enjoyed their trip, catching 22 on sand eel and mackerel strip. For guided sea trout angling, tel 096-22183.
An International Fly Fairwill take place at Killyleagh, Co Down, next Saturday and Sunday at 10am. The fair celebrates the art of fly fishing with a host of fly tyers and casters from Europe and beyond. Admission is £3.50 (€3.94), under-16s free.
The GreenPeter Hopper sedge (above) is mainly suited for lough fishing, according to flytyer Jimmy Tyrrell. The red butt gives the fly a hotspot and the hopper legs have become increasingly popular.
The two slips of hen pheasant wing feathers are tied in flat over the top of hook shank with the tips facing outward. “I like the fly to look as near to the natural insect as possible,” he said. Available at irishflycraft@gmail.com and 086- 8451257.