World toasts bass catch

ANGLING NOTES:JAPAN'S Manabu Kurita now joins US angler George Perry in the International Game Fish Association's (IGFA) World Record Games Fishesas co-holder of the all-tackle record for largemouth bass, each fish weighs 10.12kg (22lb 4oz), but they were caught 77 years apart.

The IGFA has just approved Kurita's application for the fish caught in Japan's largest lake on July 2nd, 2009. The largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides), was caught in Lake Biwa, an ancient reservoir northeast of Kyoto. Documentation was received through the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA).

Kurita (32), of Aichi, Japan, was fishing a Deps Sidewinder rod and Shimano Antares DC7LV reel loaded with 25lb Toray line, when he pitched his bait, a live bluegill, next to a bridge piling. He only twitched the bait a couple of times and after a short, three-minute fight, had the fish in the boat. “I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was that big,” he said.

The fish ties with the current record held by Perry, who caught his bass on Montgomery Lake, near Jacksonville, Georgia, in 1932. That 10.12kg behemoth won Field and Streammagazine's big fish contest and 46 years later became the all-tackle record, now one of over 1,100 fresh- and saltwater fish the IGFA monitors.

The IGFA announced the decision at its headquarters in a live video feed carried on Bassmaster.com, one of the world’s most popular fishing websites, and the official site of the Bass Anglers’ Sportsman Society (Bass).

In the US, the largemouth bass is considered by anglers to be the holy grail of freshwater fish because of its popularity and the longevity of Perry’s record. That fish undoubtedly helped to spawn a billion-dollar industry that today makes up a significant part of recreational fishing.

IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said, “The moment Kurita weighed his fish, word spread like wildfire and we immediately contacted the JGFA for more information. They not only translate applications but also contact the angler if more documentation is needed.” IGFA all-tackle records can be seen on igfa.org.

• Two fresh salmon were caught on the Drowes in Co Leitrim since January 1st. Last Friday week, Thomas Carson caught and released a fish of about 3.9kg (8.5lb) on a Cascade variant fly from below Lennox's Bridge.

Next day, Denis Crerand, from Derry, celebrated his birthday with a 4.8kg (10.5lb) sea-lice fish on a black Rolla Flying C from the Mill Pool in blizzard conditions.

There’s a correction to Angling Notes of December 28th. The Lackagh Fishery (Lackagh River, Glen Lough, Owencarrow River and Lough Beagh) will remain closed for salmon angling for the coming season. However, it will open for brown trout and sea trout under 40cm. All sea trout over 40cm must be released.

Two new boats (with engines) are available for hire on Lough Beagh from April to September. Contact: Owenea Angling Centre, Glenties, Co Donegal, at www.donegalanglingholidays.com or 074-955 1141.

• Tom Molyneux, from Bray, Co Wicklow, responds to a recent article on efforts to establish a reserve population of arctic char in Wales.

“I and a friend, Robert J Gibson, have fished in Lough Dan since the mid-1950s. He once caught an arctic char there, but a survey carried out about 10 years ago by Wicklow Anglers’ Association failed to catch any among 200 trout collected,” Tom says.

Forestry has made the water more acidic and stopped trout breeding in one of the three streams entering Lough Dan, he says. However, the lake may still contain char, he adds, as it is 120ft deep where the tributary comes in from Lough Tay.

Perhaps now is the time to restock Lough Dan with arctic char as in earlier times, he suggests.

The point is well made, Tom. Now over to you all at Eastern Fisheries.

angling@irishtimes.com