ANGLING NOTES:FOR THOSE WHO did not see the programme on RTÉ One yesterday week entitled: Salmonopoly – Marine Harvest with John Fredricksen, you can catch it on playback. The documentary is about Marine Harvest, one of the world's largest aqua-farming concerns, run by John Fredriksen, who describes himself as green, enduring and transparent.
The company operates extensively in Chile, which has minimal environmental legislation, allowing the extensive use of chemicals in rearing salmon, and the programme questions how this fits with the company’s philosophy and its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, which allows the use of the organisation’s panda logo on its industrially farmed salmon.
Water levelsfinally settled on the Moy, in Co Mayo, allowing anglers to enjoy a good week of fishing with 221 salmon reported bringing the season's total to 8,099. Anglers are reminded that from September 1st, if the daily bag limit of one salmon is reached, angling is permitted only on a catch and release basis.
Septemberstarted rather well at the Blackwater Lodge, in Co Cork, according to Ian Powell. On day one, six fish were caught including five on fly. Next day, with the water falling, the lodge recorded their best day so far this season with 19 fish to 12lb (5.6kg). For bookings call 058-60235 or see info@ireland-salmon-fishing.net.
A youngBelfast angler, Jordan Colwell, who fished a northwest Mayo beach recently with his father and members of Galway Buccaneers SAC got a great surprise when a powerful fish took his sand-eel bait. Once landed, it was clear the fish was a specimen-sized Ray's Bream, which weighed 6lbs 1oz (2.8kg), just 3.25oz (0.09kg) short of the Irish record. After a quick photograph with its delighted captor, the fish was sportingly released.
Pete Richardsfrom Bristol rang Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) recently as he sought a guided bass-fishing session from a boat. IFI recommended licensed saltwater fly-fishing guide Richie Ryan. As can be seen from the photograph (above), Cork Harbour was full of brown fresh water. "In these conditions the secret is to have a scented trail to lure the bass," Richie said. The specimen-sized fish was landed and then quickly returned safely without being taken ashore.
The BrownSedge or Red Sedge (pictured) is a pattern often tried as it floats well and sits nicely on top of the water. A slight twitch with the rod-tip will give movement when covering a fish.
There is nothing better than a moonlit night on a river or lough when the sedge is hatching and the trout go into a feeding mode. “Once you have the right shape and colour to match the natural insect you should be okay,” fly-tyer Jimmy Tyrrell said.
See irishflycraft@gmail.com and call 086-845 1257.
The Ministerfor Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan launched the Lakelands Inland Waterways World Pairs coarse competition at the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre last Tuesday. "It is wonderful to see so many competitors from home and abroad coming here to enjoy the excellent fishing. Events such as this have a key role in promoting Ireland's tourism product," the Minister said.
The five-day event gets under way today and has attracted 150 pairs from Brazil, Australia, Germany, UK, Holland and Ireland. The winning duo will take home £30,000 €
Hook Tourismin south Wexford will host a three-day catch-and-release bass angling festival on October 25th-27th at various locations along the peninsula. The event is supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
In the evenings, Neville’s Bar and Restaurant will host talks by distinguished guests on bass angling and local history, and provide an angler’s menu and prize-giving.
The festival will be family orientated as the Hook Peninsula has many historic attractions such as Tintern Abbey, Loftus Hall, Duncannon Fort and Hook Lighthouse. Entry fee is €25 per day or €75 for three days. See info@hooktourism.com or call 051-397502.