ANGLING NOTES:ANGLER John Murray from Ballymote, Co Sligo, has been announced as the winner of the 2008 Central and Regional Fisheries Boards catch-and-release incentive scheme competition after releasing 30 salmon during last year's fishing season.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, chief executive of the Central Fisheries Board, said, “John has made a huge contribution to salmon conservation in Ireland. Thanks to his efforts, an additional 30 salmon were given the opportunity to spawn in Irish rivers in 2008. In the last two years anglers have returned around 24,000 salmon and this represents an important contribution to the rebuilding of our salmon stocks.”
Entry forms for the 2009 competition are available with the purchase of a salmon angling licence and on cfb.ie. They can also be requested from the CFB project office on 01-8842632.
Prizes for this year’s competition include a first prize of a day’s fishing on the Ridge Pool; second prize of one day’s fishing on the Galway Weir and third prize of one day’s fishing on the River Laune or Blackwater. Fourth prize is a €100 voucher for a tackle shop.
All entries will be entered into a separate draw to win two days’ fishing on the Kylemore Fishery in Connemara. This prize includes river and lake fishing. For more information log on to cfb.ie
-Water levels on the river Drowes in the northern region continued to fall last week due to a lack of rain. A small number of rods were fishing and some notable fresh salmon were observed ascending the river.
On Wednesday, Seán McNeill recorded a 4.6kg salmon on the fly from Briney’s Pool and on Thursday, Jarlath Winters landed a fine fish of 7.5kg, also on fly, from the Blackwater on a Red Ally’s Shrimp.
-Recession fishing. John and Sue Brittain are offering a selection of special offers at Sharamore House in Clifden, Co Galway, and charter boat fishing from Cleggan. Two nights' BB plus one dinner and two days' fishing for €190pps. Four nights' BB plus two dinners and three days' fishing costs €330pps. A group of six of more will get full charter. There are no restrictions on numbers, however, the offer is not open for August and subject to availability.
For booking, e-mail: bluewater@eircom.net or tel 00353-9521073.
-The Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuiv, launched the Lakeland Inland Waterways Regional Guides at the Waterways Ireland stand at the recent Allianz Boat Show in Dublin.
The four guides to Lough Erne; Lough Allen Lough Key; Lough Ree Mid-Shannon and Lough Derg are produced by Waterways Ireland in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism as part of the Lakelands Inland Waterways Initiative.
Launched in 2007, the initiative is used by the various partners, including Tourism Ireland, to promote and develop Ireland’s lakelands nationally and internationally.
The brochures are free and contain essential details covering 30km of the Erne, Ulster Canal to Clones, Shannon-Erne Waterway and Shannon.
A DVD and guide to cruising have also been distributed at the many shows attended by the partners. E-mail katrina.mcgirr@ waterwaysireland.org for details.
-Dull and overcast weather did little to deter 20 qualifiers in the recent Scierra Winter League Fly Fishing final at Annamoe Trout Fisheries in Co Wicklow, with a total of 38 hard-fighting rainbow trout to their credit.
Well-known flytyer Noel Shiels got off to a blistering start with seven during the first hour and went on to win the competition in grand style with 13 fish on a DI5 sink line and his own patterns of black boobies and humungus lures.
Co Tipperary angler Pat Noonan managed five good fish on a selection of green damsel patterns and Derek Wilkes from Dublin landed three for third position using a cormorant boobie.