Fisheries Awareness Week (FAW) is geared up this year to be the biggest and best with 50 angling events taking place in 16 counties across the country.
Now in its fifth year, this popular week of angling is dedicated to encompass all facets of the sport as well as family fun days. The main objective of FAW is to encourage youths and adults alike to take up angling and to work with anglers to heighten their awareness of the environment.
The event is run by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in conjunction with fishing clubs, charter boat skippers and private fishery owners. Keith Barry, Ireland’s top mentalist, is encouraging kids of all ages to get hooked on angling during awareness week.
For Barry, angling is one of the greatest pastimes and he endeavours to get out fishing as often as possible. Minister of State for Natural Resources, Fergus O’Dowd, said: “It’s no surprise Keith loves angling as who could fail to be hypnotised by the magic of this absorbing activity. He has a real love of angling and a genuine interest in the outdoors.”
The full programme, which commenced last Saturday, will run until Sunday May 19th, is free and open to all, with family fun a priority. Check out events in your area by logging on to faw.ie.
Funding for fishing
Meanwhile, IFI has launched a pilot scheme through which angling clubs and organisations can access funding to undertake development works in the midland fisheries group permit area. The fund has an initial allocation of €50,000 created from angler contributions set aside from the permit income received in the midlands area. This scheme will allow for habitat improvement and development projects.
Successful applications will be provided with technical assistance and to foster links between fishery owners, state agencies and land owners. It is exclusive to the midland fisheries group area and only open to clubs in that area. Application forms are available from fisheriesireland.ie or IFI Limerick. The closing date is June 15th. An information evening will take place in Lough Owel Angling Centre tomorrow from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Classic rain and shine
The 2013 Waterways Ireland Classic Festival came to a close last weekend after a week of extremes. The 216 anglers shivered in the cold on Monday, got sunburn on Tuesday and put the waterproofs on again for Friday.
Second day winner Peter Vasey, from Stoke Newington in London, won the competition outright with a total weight of 39.51kg (87lb) netting him the top prize of £5,000, a crystal chalice and a Daiwa rod and reel.
In addition to individual prizes, the popular four-man team event was also held throughout the three days. The winning team, Dads & Lads, amassed a total catch of 74.51kg (164lb), landing them cash prizes and trophies.
The Classic is sponsored for the 10th year by Waterways Ireland and organised by Fermanagh District Council, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries Group and Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Trout are out and about
Dabblers and Green Peters are proving the most productive fly choice on Loughs Conn and Cullin at present.
Last weekend saw the annual competition between Dublin Trout Anglers and Lough Conn & Cullin Anglers. This was a catch and release competition, at which fish over 28cm (11in) only counted.
In total 38 anglers competed and 53 trout were recorded. In first place was Joe Quinn, Cloghans, with seven trout; second place went to Karol Murren, Sligo, also with seven and Joe Ferguson, Knockmore, was third with four fish.
. . . And more on Mask
Ronan Cusack reports that trout angling on Lough Mask was outstanding last week with great catches coming in from across the lake. Although weather conditions were mixed, a noticeable increase in temperature reflected well in the much improved fly hatches.
The long-awaited olives finally appeared in big numbers and hatches of buzzer and sedge were also prevalent. Cian Murtagh and Vincent Kelly from Cavan enjoyed a three-day fishing trip on Mask and Carra with Cusack – collectively they caught 20 trout which exceeded the 13 inch legal limit. Kelly had the heaviest fish, a Mask beauty of 1.5kg (3.4lb).
Spring salmon
Paddy Corcoran from Dublin caught a fine spring salmon (April 28th) of 7.7kg (17lb) from the Clohamon Beat on the River Slaney using a red and yellow shrimp fly, size 6. The fish was released back to the water.
A good May for Moy
Prospects of a good spring run on the Moy are increasing each day as we move towards mid-May, with a respectable 63 salmon reported for the week.
A few good fish were lost to the fly on the Moy Fishery but still no fish landed to date. The Ballina Salmon Anglers’ water yielded 10, including one of 4.5kg (10lb) for Gerry Seck, and a great fish of 7.3kg (16lb) for Peter McHugh. Cloongee also recorded 10 including one for Thierry Colum on bubble and fly, weighing 5.8kg.
However, it was again the East Mayo Anglers’ Association water which provided the best sport with 21 salmon, of which five were released. Paul McGrath, Swinford, had two of 4.1kg and 5kg on the fly while Steven Brown, Knockmore, landed one of 4.1kg, also on fly.