Angling Notes: Concerns raised over smolt decline in Donegal river

Correspondence from the Mill Anglers’ Association concerns the decline of sea trout and brown trout smolts in the Mill river in Donegal.

Secretary Brendan McLaughlin, writes: “A few years ago a pair of herons began nesting along the banks of the Mill river, since then their numbers have quadrupled which has resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of smolts, sea trout and brown trout, on the river catchment area.

“Over the same period our king fishers, dippers and mallards have disappeared along with a sharp decline in our eel population.

“I would like to know if any readers or angling clubs have experienced the same problem and could recommend a solution. If there has been a report published in regard to this matter, I would very much appreciate any information on its findings.

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“The Mill river is a small spate river running a distance of seven miles. It cannot sustain the number of fish being lost to these predators. As I have already stated all our wildlife has been lost and our fish population is in dire straits. As time is running out I would welcome any suggestions or advice on how to solve our problem.”

Suggestions may be sent to my email address below.

Investigation under way into fish kill in Cork river

An investigation is under way following a major fish kill on the Owentaraglin river, a tributary of the Munster Blackwater in Cork, following the discovery of more than 1,200 dead fish over a 2km stretch near the village of Kiskeam.

The cause of the fish kill is believed to be a large discharge of raw slurry into the river. Species affected include salmon, brown trout, eel and stickleback.

In particular, significant numbers of gravid hen salmon were among the mortalities. Damage also occurred to the spawning beds and wider aquatic habitat, which will have implications for fish population into the future.

Inland Fisheries Ireland director Sean Long said: “It will take years for the Owentaraglin to recover to its former condition as a result of this pollution.”

Annamoe Trout Fisheries ‘teeming’ with fish on competition day

Annamoe Trout Fisheries in Co Wicklow is “teeming” with fish. That was the buzzword following last weekend’s final of the winter league. No less than 151 trout were caught and released among 19 anglers during the four-hour competition.

The final was the culmination of four qualifiers which allowed anglers catch four fish on each peg and rotating every 40 minutes. “The water temperature was ideal at 10 degrees which meant the fish were extremely active,” proprietor Brian Nally said.

At the prize-giving in the fishing lodge, thanks were extended to Dave McBride of Southside Angling for sponsoring the league. The soup and sandwiches tasted good too!

Results: 1 – Patrick McDonnell, 15 fish, 605cm; 2 – Ronan Meghen, 15 fish, 590cm; 3 – Nicholas Madden, 11 fish, 420cm and also longest fish at 50cm.

Loughs Agency to issue angling licences online

Loughs Agency is pleased to announce that 2017 angling licences for the Foyle and Carlingford areas will be issued online, making it easier for anglers to purchase a licence.

Chief executive John Pollock said: “Since the 1950s anglers have been purchasing their licences at agency offices and through a network of distributors. Whilst this service will continue to be provided, it will no longer be a paper process.”

Oliver McGauley, of Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation, added: “I attended an excellent presentation promoting the new elicencing system and in my opinion it has a lot of benefits including the fact a licence and tags can be acquired without an angler leaving home/place of business and catch returns can be recorded online.”

The new system went live last Wednesday and can be found at https://elicence.loughs-agency.org. For further details, contact Loughs Agency on 028 71 342 100.

Lough Derg Blueway receives €200,000 in funding

The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has allocated €200,000 under the Rural Economic Development Zones (Redz) initiative for the marketing, development and promotion of Lough Derg Blueway.

The project aims to build on existing tourism and recreational infrastructure as well as improve economic activity by working with communities in the towns and villages in its hinterland.

Tipperary Cathaoirleach, councillor Siobhan Ambrose, said: “The Redz funding will allow us to invest in marketing and promoting Lough Derg as a world-class destination.”

angling@irishtimes.com