Angling Notes/Derek Evans: After a protracted spell of hardship, trout angling has finally got going in earnest, with most centres reporting a big upsurge in angling and an excellent response from trout, particularly in sheltered bays.
Lough Corrib, for example, had a bumper week. Hundreds of anglers fished the lough on the last weekend in March, some catching five and six fish per day, mainly to duckfly pupae and nymphs, fished deep and slowly retrieved.
The Ennis and Headford angling clubs held a fly-fishing,catch-and-release inter-club competition at Greenfields, the home club taking the honours with 29 trout. Eoin McMahon caught a magnificent fly-caught trout of 12lb. Oughterard Tourist and Development Committee ran a two-day competition which attracted 42 teams of two for an outstanding catch of 223 for 144.5 kg, easily one of the best returns for a competition on Corrib. The winning team of Martin Butler and Gerry Molloy accounted for 21 trout over the two days.
Lough Mask also showed great promise with anglers reporting good rises in many areas, especially to hatches of duckfly in sheltered bays. Over two evenings, Kevin Sheridan and Noel Moran landed seven nice trout, best 3lb to wet fly.
Two wrecking trips out from Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, with charter skipper Mark Gannon paid handsome dividends for a party of local anglers. John Dennehy caught a specimen pollack of 14lb while renowned international angler John Cronin landed a specimen conger of 54lb. Catches also included approximately 50 ling to 20lb and plenty of pollack and ling.
The Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD) has decided to amend a number of existing regulations to a consultation paper issued in May 2003 on Domestic Passenger Ships (DPS).
Interested parties are invited to tender their opinion on the review of DPS regulations for fishing vessels of less than 15 metres in length.
The document outlines present legislative requirements for domestic passenger ships, outlines proposed changes for passenger ships of Classes III, IV, V and VI, and reviews the effects of proposed new regulations on new and existing domestic passenger ships. MSD is also seeking views on the code of practice for fishing vessels of less than 15 metres to bring them into line with current practice.
The DPS paper may be viewed at http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/files/msConsultFeb2004cover.doc and the code of practice at http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/files/msCodePrac0304.pdf Written observations should be sent to Geraldine Prendergast, MSD, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, before the deadline of April 19, 2004.
Met Eireann has announced a resumption of its small-craft warning service for the marine and aquatic leisure industry from April to September. Boat anglers will be delighted with this news as it provides warning of winds reaching minimum Force 6 (22 knots) on Irish coastal waters up to 10 miles offshore.
In addition, Met Eireann expects to provide a weather bulletin for large inland lakes such as Loughs Corrib, Ree and Derg to take effect this season. When fully implemented, the service will provide forecasts to users over the VHF network.
Meanwhile, RTÉ will broadcast evening shipping forecasts at 4.55 hours, instead of the present 7.55 hours. This decision will undoubtedly assist mariners make prudent judgments on whether or not to put to sea, according to Lieut Cdr John Leech, chief executive officer of the Irish Water Safety Association. For further information email: info@iws.ie
Esat BT announced last week it had developed a portal for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the State agency with responsibility for developing the sea fishing industry. The site, www.bimb2b.com provides the industry with a wide range of information and resources. Marketing manager Helen Brophy said the site will cut costs by reducing the need for printed monthly newsletters and assist BIM towards a more efficient link with offices i n Europe.