ANGLING NOTES:MEMBERS OF Howth Angling Club put to sea last weekend for a small-boat competition to participate in the Paul Lynam Memorial Cup, with the proceeds going to the local lifeboat station, run by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Conditions were ideal and expectations high as anglers competed in the six-hour competition to claim the coveted title. Now in its fourth year, the event is held in memory of the club’s popular secretary who died in a tragic fishing accident.
Fishing on the day was remarkably good, with 280 fish recorded and released across eight species. The appearance of starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) in good numbers off Howth is a relatively new phenomenon and appears to have replaced the once-popular spurdog.
At close of play, Gerry Clarke, the club’s master angler for 2012, emerged as the outright winner with just one point to spare over nearest rival Tony Conway.
All anglers caught fish, which included ray, gurnard, codling, pollock and bullhuss.
Accepting a cheque for €700, lifeboat chairman Russell Rafter says: “Down through the years Howth Angling Centre has been extremely generous in supporting the RNLI. This was borne out this year with the centre receiving the national supporter award, one of the highest fundraising accolades within the service,” he says.
Howth AC acknowledged the sponsorship of Wrights, Nicky’s Plaice, EBS-Sutton and Goslin Stores.
* In an effort to preserve the water quality of Lough Mask, with particular emphasis on this week’s world cup championships, Inland Fisheries Ireland, in conjunction with the organising committee, is to implement a biosecurity initiative throughout the five-day competition.
The initiative aims to prevent invasive species and harmful aquatic pathogens introduced into the lake. Central to this is that all anglers must disinfect landing nets and boots before registering for the competition.
Anglers are requested to dip landing nets and boots in disinfection tanks at the registration centre where they will receive a stamp from the steward. Only those who show this stamp will be registered to fish the competition.
In recent years, despite considerable efforts, the zebra mussel was introduced to Mask. The new initiative aims to alert anglers to the fact that other damaging invasive species are also present. Information packs will be available during the competition.
* It was another excellent week in Co Mayo on the River Moy, the best so far this season, with more than 1,000 salmon reported for the system.
Angling effort was very high on some fisheries and, as water levels continued to fluctuate, conditions suited all methods at different times.
* At the Galway Weir, water levels rose fast, with 10 gates open, an incredible sight in July. Prior to this, two to four gates were open and 26 salmon recorded. Best fish was landed by local man Dave Lenihan, a cracking summer salmon of 5.4kg (12.5kg), taken on shrimp.
With a massive flood now in the river, conditions are very tough, but it is hoped that water levels will drop and fishing will improve. There are lots of fresh salmon coming in on every tide, so any improvement in conditions should provide good sport.
* In Co Kerry, the Waterville Development Fisheries Group will again host a sea- trout angling festival on Lough Currane on August 10th and 11th. This year’s event will include evening talks at Tec Amergin by Prof Ken Whelan on Nomads of the Tides and Dr Willie Roche will give an update on the Celtic Sea Trout project.
For bookings, contact secretary@loughcurrane.com or tel: 087-688 9775.
angling@irishtimes.com