THE current concession to allow fishing on the River Liffey for salmon and sea-trout is much appreciated by club members, according to Pat O’Molloy, secretary of Dublin Salmon Sea Trout Anglers’ Association (DSSTAA).
While angling is strictly on a catch-and-release basis and allowed only in January, nevertheless, the decision is a “good one”, he says.
Scientific advice tells us that the Liffey has probably the lowest level of sustainable salmon in the country. Since the end of drift-netting in 2006 and closure, or part-closure of more than half of the salmon rivers in Ireland, it has remained closed to all forms of game angling.
However, the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Seán Power, in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, agreed to the January concession to keep the club alive.
“We initially sought two months’ grace but the department in its wisdom ruled against this,” O’Molloy says. With just six days to go before closure there have been no fresh salmon caught.
“According to our fish-counter there are presently just four fresh spring salmon in the river. These could be scattered from Islandbridge in Dublin City to Leixlip in Co Kildare, a distance of some 15 miles,” he says.
DSSTAA is one of the oldest and most vibrant clubs in the country and current registration stands at 60 members. The Liffey is also one of only two rivers to open on January 1st because of its early run of spring salmon.
***
For the first time since recorded catches began, the Kingdom county has claimed the first and second salmon of the year. While trolling the Middle Lake in Killarney, Jerry Looney, a retired fishery officer with the south-western board, landed a fresh spring salmon of 4.5kg on a blue and silver Devon minnow at precisely 11am last Tuesday.
News of this historic achievement broke following the announcement of a 4kg fish caught on Wednesday by local angler Tony McCormack on spinner from Beat One on the River Laune.
Entries are “going well” for the Irish Winter Shore Angling Festival that gets under way on Thursday, with top anglers from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland participating in this prestigious three-day event.
Headquarters throughout the festival will be Seán Óg's Hotel, Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford. For further details, contact Warren Doyle at 086-806 9961 or e-mail warrendoyle@iol.ie
***
Dublin Trout Anglers’ Association will hold its agm this Friday in the Limerick Room, Spa Hotel, Lucan, Co Dublin, at 7.45pm. As admission is limited, please bring membership card to assist with identification.
***
Next Sunday is opening day on the Blackwater Lodge Salmon Fishery at Upper Ballyduff, Co Waterford. “As usual, we’ll be gathering at the Lodge for complimentary breakfast rolls and coffee before heading out in eager anticipation to the river for the first time in four months,” says proprietor Ian Powell.
The lodge en suite rooms are almost all booked for the underhand casting course with Thomas Berggren (Loop) from Sweden which takes place from February 1st to 4th.
More accommodation, however, is available in bungalow rooms. (Tel: 058-60235).
***
The first leg of the Leinster Shore League is scheduled for next Sunday at Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, with registration in Byrnes Pub and fishing between 2pm and 7pm. Closing date for this pre-entry competition is this Friday. Prize fund will include Penn league points. Entries to Tommy Fogarty at 087-2846 384.
Correction:Dr Ken Whelan is no longer president of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, as was stated in last week's Angling Notes. His four-year term finished last June. However, he continues as chairman of the International Atlantic Salmon Research Board.