THE Dublin Angling Initiative continues to lead the way in promoting angling – and since 1995, has introduced thousands of teenagers to the sport. This year is no exception as almost 300 youngsters avail of coarse, sea and game fishing courses at popular venues in the DAI catchment area.
Groups come from Mulhuddart and Whitechurch Development projects, Dublin 15 Services, Dublin’s Inner City and Sphere 17 projects. The youths, aged between 12 and 16, are taught casting techniques, safety aspects, presentation of bait and how to handle fish, most of which are released.
In October, groups will participate in an end-of-season competition and also get an opportunity to fish with DAI in the winter months to further their angling skills. “Many of the youngsters come back year after year and it’s great to see them develop their fishing skills and become more involved,” DAI co-ordinator, Des Chew says.
At Neath Magistrate’s Court in south Wales last Wednesday, a man was ordered to pay over £1,400 (€1,600) after pleading guilty to receiving salmon which he should have suspected were illegally caught.
The case followed a raid by Environment Agency Wales on the man’s property where 14 salmon portions from different fish were seized. Officers also seized three spear guns, four spears, three short nets and a home-made snare for poaching salmon and sea trout.
Three fresh grilse were landed at Ballinahinch Castle on Tuesday last. Terry Wood took her first Irish salmon from the stream on Beat One and regular visitor James Haddon took a fine grilse from Greenpoint Two in bright sunshine on a Silver Rat. James continued his success next day on Beat Four with a fish on a General Practitioner.
Local guide Jonathan Broderick, while fishing for salmon on Beat One, hooked into a large trout. After a 20-minute struggle he landed and released a fantastic trout of about 2.7kg (6lb).
“We took a few scales and look forward to getting them read to determine whether the fish had spent all its life in the freshwater or migrated at some stage to sea,” fishery manager Simon Ashe says. (see info@ballynahinch-castle.com). Counter figures are less than at the same period last year, however there is confidence that the large number of salmon below the counter and in the estuary will make up for this shortfall in the coming days.
Colin Folan at Lough Inagh said it was “absolutely lashing, with gale force winds” last Wednesday. “We will have a full flood later and water levels will mean Corloo will be fishable for the coming days and from Friday the lake will fish,” he says.
For bookings, contact Colin at Inagh on 095-34706.
Following a light shower, the Owenmore River experienced a “spate” on Sunday which allowed fish to move upriver and many grilse and a few larger fish were landed. The Hairy Mary, Black Doctor and small Shrimp patterns proved most effective flies.
Ballisodare continued to produce good sport, with a weekly total of 135 salmon, half of which were released, while Burrishoole fishery accounted for eight, including three wild fish, also released.
With the evenings now cooling, the Green Peter rises on Lough Arrow are starting to decrease. Late August and early September should see an improvement in day-time fishing.
The Mayfly Hotel in Foxford, Co Mayo, is hosting an open salmon fishing competition on the River Moy in aid of the children’s unit at Castlebar Hospital this Saturday, with fishing 11am to 7pm.
Fisheries to be utilised are Foxford Salmon Anglers’ Water (Bakers and Rinnaney), Gannons, Paddens, The Wood Pool and Cloongee. Entry fee is €25 and juniors are free. Competitors must produce a current salmon licence. Contact 094-9256518 or lisa@mayflyhotel.com
angling@irishtimes.com