Angling Notes/Derek Evans: Over the past number of years much progress has been made in providing angling facilities for people with disabilities.
Many fisheries have responded magnificently to the need for greater awareness and to encourage people with disabilities to participate in angling.
Wheelchair access, parking and toilet facilities, safety procedures and hands-on assistance all form part of the amenities necessary while fishing at the river or lake bank or from boats.
The first development in Ireland (to my knowledge) to acknowledge the need for such a facility is the National Disabled Angling Facility at Aughrim, Co Wicklow.
This eight-acre park, containing a four-acre lake stocked with hard-fighting rainbow trout, is in an area renowned for its wildlife and scenic beauty. The fishery is open all year round, is fully wheelchair accessible and has parking and toilet facilities.
Here, in 1995 and again in 1996, under the chairmanship of Stewart McGrane, 160 people with disabilities from all over Ireland took part in a highly successful angling competition over six months, sponsored by Bank of Ireland. "This competition was as much about changing attitudes as catching fish," says McGrane.
Back in 1990, Norman Dunn of Bangor, Co Down, vigorously promoted his hoist chair for disabled anglers. As chairman of Ulster Disabled Angling Club, he designed a chair lift that enabled anglers to embark and disembark from boats with great ease.
An L-shaped pole, secured two feet into the pier, swung like a derrick over the moored boat. A chair hooked onto the pole and, in a pulley style, the angler was lowered onto the deck.
After five years of tireless effort, and apart from his home town of Bangor and Port Ballintrae, in Co Antrim, Donegal was the only real breakthrough, with five sockets fitted at ports in the county. The complete package, which cost a modest €3,000, was sponsored by British Telecom.
Sadly, Dunn died a short time later and his invention became redundant. Lack of funding and a successor to take up the baton remain the stumbling blocks.
Oaklands Coarse Fishery, at New Ross, in Co Wexford, also has the necessary facilities. The 60 angling stands are all wheelchair accessible and parking is adequate. Oaklands is on the shortlist to host the World Special Coarse Angling Championships of 2004.
While fisheries continue to recognise the need for change, much work remains to be done. Colm Whooley, chief executive of the Spinal Injuries Action Association, at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Co Dublin, expresses concern at the lack of access to fishing in Ireland for people with disabilities. "With a little more public airing, access could be greatly improved," he says.
Three weeks into the season and the salmon tally from the main players stands at 30. Surprisingly, the Lennon Fishery in Co Donegal tops the poll with 18 fish, all from Watt's Pool. The first "fly" salmon fell to Robert Logue from Belfast, on a two-inch Gold Willie Gunn, tied by local fly tier John McLoughlin.
The River Drowes, also in the northern region, can account for about 12 fish. Conditions deteriorated somewhat after opening day and water levels rose six inches. Levels are dropping fast however, and with the onset of spring tides, prospects look good for the coming week.
Trolling produced the first salmon of the season last Saturday week on Lough Gill in Co Sligo for Noel Reddy from Sligo Anglers Association. The fish weighed 11 and a half pounds. There are, as yet, no reports of any salmon caught from the River Liffey.
Newbridge & District Pike Anglers Association is holding an open pike competition on Poulaphouca Lake, in Co Wicklow, on Sunday, February 8th. All proceeds will go to the National Children's Hospital, in Tallaght. Full details next week.