It is great to see so many young people enthusiastic about angling and that traditional pastimes are still as popular in the age of computer and video games, the Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, said at the launch of the Emerald World Youth Trout Fly-fishing Competition at Carton Estate, Maynooth, Co Kildare, recently.
To mark the launch, Des Chew of Dublin Angling Initiative (Dai), with assistance from Irish National Casting Instructors, provided casting lessons to children from the Tolka River Environmental Alliance.
The alliance consists of teenagers from Blanchardstown, Corduff and Mulhuddart. It was set up in 2005 to encourage young people to take an interest in angling and their local environment.
After the casting instruction, Brendan Begley, director of the forthcoming Emerald World Master's in Ireland, presented the Dublin Angling Initiative with 10 Bruce & Walker fly rods for the children.
The youth event will take place on the first two days of the Emerald World Masters Championships between September 2nd to 8th at Carton House Estate. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 is invited to participate.
As pre-booking is required for the youth competition, contact Des Chew at 087-6740214 or 01-278 7022 des.chew@erfb.ie.
• Mount Juliet Conrad, near Thomastown, Co Kilkenny will, for the third year in succession, host a residential angling master-class for those interested in learning the art of fly-fishing.
Under the guidance of Noel Molloy, a Stanic certified instructor, beginners and improving anglers can enjoy three days of fly-fishing demonstrations and lessons from August 20th to 22nd.
The course, which costs €505 per person sharing or €700 single occupancy, includes three nights' bed and breakfast in Hunter's Yard, lunch and dinner each evening and fly-fishing tuition. Contact 056-7773011 or www.conradhotels.com.
• A significant spell of rain on Lough Inagh in Recess, Co Galway, brought a small run of grilse and a decent run of good-sized sea trout into the system. The sea trout are in great condition and lice-free, according to Colin Folan of Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel. Contact inagh@iol.ie.
• Irish record pike holder Larry Kelly from Athboy, Co Meath, while spinning for trout on White Lake (where he broke the Irish record) on light gear and small spinner, hooked up with a huge pike just ounces short of 13.6kg specimen weight.
James Nolan from Kilkishen, Co Clare, dead-baiting from the shore of Lough Mask at Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, caught a fine pike of between 9kg and 11.3kg, while on holiday at Tom and Mary Feeny's Mobile Homes.
• Fishing at Carlingford Lough in Co Down is moving into top gear with many enjoying excellent mackerel fishing from the shore at Greenore. Pound for pound they are one of the hardest fighting fish and should be enjoyed on light tackle.
Oriel Angling guide Glenn Rooney suggests deceiver patterns fished fast with standard seven-weight fly rod. Remember to wear glasses, make sure no one is behind you and, most importantly, practice catch and release.
Some good pike were reported from the Newry canal recently including a 13.6kg to Belfast angler Seán Devine. Hot spots include Nelly's Bend and below the "Green Tanks" on the Omeath Road.
Danes Cast Fishery in Jerretspass has now expanded and the ponds hold even more hard fighting rainbows. Day tickets are available from the shop at the fishery. Contact info@orielangling.com.
• Emile Beurikes from the Netherlands caught an Irish specimen coalfish of 10kg while fishing on the Lady Louise out from Courtmacsherry, west Cork. Other fish on the day included cod to 7.2kg, pollack to 4kg, conger to 11kg and ling to 5.4kg. Contact csal@iol.ie.
• Corkagh Park Fishery, Dublin: The trout and coarse lakes continue to fish well, with many quality fish caught including a cracking 6.8kg trout for Tommy Egan, and a 4.5kg mirror carp for Glenn Conroy.
Newcomers are always welcome, with instructors and tutors available to assist. Contact 01-4592622.
• David Overy, chairman of the Irish Pike Society, who died recently, was a passionate leader in defence of Irish pike angling and contributed knowledgably to the pike review hosted by the Central Fisheries Board.
In his lifetime he caught and released more than 100 pike that weighed more than 9kg including his biggest fish of 17.5kg from Lough Mask, according to Paul Bourke, angling information officer with the Central Fisheries Board. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.