Angling Notes/Derek Evans: Minister of State at the Department of Marine, John Browne is seeking tenders from suitably qualified consultants to undertake an independent review of Ireland's inland fisheries sector.
The review is expected to investigate the adequacy of the current governance of the sector and to advise on the future role of the fisheries boards and other agencies in contributing to the development of inland fisheries in Ireland.
Minister Browne said he intended to deliver a root-and-branch examination of the State's role and to explore the involvement of the Marine Institute, BIM, Dúchas, the Environmental Protection Agency and Bord Fáilte in fisheries development in the six-month study.
This review should be seen as an opportunity to improve, evolve and respond to an ever-changing environment, he said.
Closing date for receipt of completed tenders is noon, Monday, October 6th. Assignment details available at inland.fisheries@dcmnr.ie or
www.etenders.gov.ie.
Rain, rain and more rain is needed to rescue the final weeks of the game-angling season. While temperatures dropped last week and winds picked up, a deluge now is the only answer to anglers' prayers.
The Bunowen River in Co Mayo is a good example. The river is extremely low and little could be expected by way of salmon fishing, according to local resident John Bennett.
Fisheries staff have being patrolling the river to protect the salmon and sea trout, some of which are "lying up" for several weeks.
Lack of rain brought angling almost to a standstill upstream of Ballina on the River Moy, Co Mayo. Of the 163 salmon reported, most were caught in the tidal stretches of the Moy fishery.
Three anglers reached the bag limit of three fish: Les Evans, Holyhead; Paul McNulty, Down and G. Owston, Wales, credited with the heaviest salmon of 10lb.
In the estuary, the big numbers of sea trout proved difficult to catch because of northerly winds. Bumper catches are expected once the weather changes.
The Loughs Agency in Northern Ireland reported another quiet week because of the drought. However, some fish crept up the River Foyle, Co Derry. Cecil Davis, Derry connected with a 7lb salmon at the Blackstone beat on Wednesday and the following day he took another of 12.5lb on fly at the Wood Hole. On Friday, Mark McCream had a brace on fly of 6lb and 7lb.
Anglers had excellent catches of skimmer bream, roach and hybrids on Moycullen Lake, Co Galway and some large bream were caught at the Irishtown lakes, near Ballindine, Co Mayo.
Ireland's youth trout fly-fishing team finished second to England at the recent home international competition at Carron Valley in Scotland. Adam McCart, Derry took gold in the individual category with the heaviest basket of 5lb 14.5oz.
Results: 1st: England, 45 fish, 31lb 15oz; 2nd: Ireland, 35 fish, 23lb 5oz; 3rd: Wales, 31 fish, 19lb 5oz; 4th: Scotland, 24fish, 17lb 2.5oz.
The Banagher Coarse Angling Festival 2003 begins today and ends on Thursday. Late entrants should contact Ray Duthie at 0509-51504.
angling@irish-times.ie
