Angling Notes/Derek Evans:The time has come for clubs to take control of our federation, said Brian Prendergast, chairman of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers at the annual general meeting in Creggan Court Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath recently.
"We must give power back to the clubs," he said.
The chairman expressed disappointment at the turnout of delegates and acknowledged that unless "new blood was forthcoming, the federation will go".
Out of 121 clubs affiliated, only 33 clubs were in attendance, nine down on last year.
However, the structures of the federation were solid, he said, with good provincial officers and delegates. Affiliation to the world body of CIPS, SALC, EEA-Ireland and the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI), ensured the IFSA remained to the forefront in sea angling in Ireland.
With regard to the newly formed ACI, secretary Hugh O'Rorke said the council consisted of five angling bodies and boasted membership of more than 30,000 anglers, of which the IFSA had 2,500 members.
In utilising the €30,000 allocation for 2005, a part-time secretary started work at ACI offices in SportHQ at Park West in Dublin last week and "if we come up to scratch, more sponsorship is assured", he said. He appealed for members to contribute €1 per annum to fund the ACI.
The main talking point surrounded the motion to change the method of selection of the shore team at international level. Following a dismal performance by Ireland at recent world shore events, team manager Tom Lillis proposed a radical change to the method of selection.
In short, the top 10 anglers from the previous two years' master anglers' competitions would form a pool of 30 anglers to compete in a "fish-off competition" to select the international team.
"Give me three years and I will get results," he assured delegates. The motion was passed.
Concern was expressed at the recent All-Ireland Master Shore championships in Tralee during which 20 anglers failed to show for the second and third sessions.
At the prizegiving, only six of the first 10 anglers collected their inscribed plaques, the honorary recorder said.
The meeting also endorsed full support for the abolition of salmon drift netting in conjunction with ACI policy.
Drew Lang stepped down as press officer after one year. Tony Gosnell was reinstated as his successor.
Ulster Council will host next year's agm on Saturday, November 4th.
Family, friends and work colleagues gathered to congratulate Alan on his retirement after 40 years dedicated service with the fisheries boards.
An audio-visual presentation characterised his distinguished career, which began in 1965 as fisheries officer with the Inland Fisheries Trust. He was soon promoted to superintendent, technical officer and eventually development controller in 1974.
With the onset of the central and regional boards in 1980, Alan was elevated to CEO of the northern board and six years later to the eastern board where he remained as CEO until 2005. Within the eastern board he was instrumental in achieving improved pay and conditions for all.
In 1999 he obtained a new headquarters in Blackrock, Co Dublin and with great assistance from staff converted the old Garda station into offices and a laboratory.
Perhaps his greatest project related to the Avoca River in Co Wicklow. For the past 15 years he has worked to secure funding to restore what was one of the country's most polluted rivers. Today, the river has its best chance in 200 years to recover.
Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with the fisheries boards, is finalising a strategy to identify areas for future growth in angling tourism.
An action plan is being developed for 2006, focusing marketing efforts on areas of best potential.
Around the fisheries
Annamoe Trout Fisheries, Co Wicklow: Results of third qualifier in Timber Fox Winter League. 1, D Doyle, Wicklow, 7 fish; 2, D Phillpot, Wexford, 3f; 3, A O'Farrell, Dublin, 3f. Heat Four: Saturday, November 19th. (Tel: 0404-45470.)
Corkagh Park, Dublin: Wet flies and lures produced best results for rainbows following a restocking last Thursday. Portobello angling club held a competition on the carp lake the weekend before last and all involved recorded sizeable bags.
The event is organised by the RDS in collaboration with the Marine Institute.