THE MINISTER for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan, has announced the start of a 30-day public consultation process on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for the 2011 season.
In assessing 141 rivers, the Salmon Standing Scientific Committee has advised that 51 rivers will open and 30 classified as open only for “catch and release”. Sixty rivers are closed, ie 20 less than 2010.
With the exception of a proposed change to the number of blue (angling) tags for a one-day salmon licence, the new draft regulations are unchanged from those introduced following the establishment of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
A number of minor amendments have been recommended to provide a more effective administration of the tagging scheme.
“The 2011 season will see 20 rivers which were closed in 2010 being opened because of an improvement in salmon stocks. Nineteen rivers will be open to angling on a ‘catch and release’ basis and four previously closed, ie Castletown, Suir, Glenamoy and Eske will open with an identified surplus for harvest,” the Minister said.
*Setanta Ireland will televise a six-part series on fly-fishing each Tuesday over the next six weeks. The first of these programmes starts tomorrow at 10pm. The series is produced by Loosehorse (loosehorse.ie).
Stunning landscapes and classic characters come together in a fascinating look into one of Ireland’s most popular pastimes.
Leading chefs take to the rivers and lakes to learn how to fly fish. If they succeed in making a catch, they serve it up in their own style.
Each episode features a different chef exploring the art of fly fishing, as well as a different part of Ireland.
The first programme features chef Kevin Thornton (Thorntons, Dublin) as he spends time on Lough Corrib during the mayfly season to catch a trout. His first trip in blazing sunshine makes for a pleasant boat trip but poor fishing, and his second trip brews up a storm.
*A Japanese angler, Yoshihiro Hasegawa from Tokyo, has claimed a new world record Pacific bluefin tuna.
While fishing out of Onahama, Japan, in September, Hasegawa caught the monstrous 239kg (526lb 14oz) tuna while trolling a Phoenix lure. The fish took three hours to land on 37kg (80lb) line class.
If ratified by the International Game Fish Association, the fish will supersede the existing record of 223.8kg recorded off Greymouth, New Zealand, last year.
*The Loughs Agency reports a new roach and pike fishery at Longvale in Lifford, Co Donegal. Rates are €5 a day and must be pre-booked. The fishery is open seven days a week, email: longvalecoarsefishery@hotmail.com or phone 087-161 0832.
*Due to severe weather, the Slaney River Trust seminar in Bunclody, Co Wexford, last Saturday week, was cancelled. A new date will be fixed early in 2011.
*The second international pike angling festival, supported by Lakelands and Inland Waterways Ireland, will take place on Lough Ree, near Athlone, Co Westmeath on April 13th-15th.
The inaugural event was a resounding success and to win any of the six prizes each day it was necessary to catch a pike of at least 8.2kg (18lb).
The “catch and release” format will again require anglers to measure their own fish, photograph the catch and release fish unharmed. Competitors will get the chance to share in a prize fund that includes €3,000 first prize for the largest fish.
Special festival package breaks and entry forms are available at pikefishinginireland.com or phone 071-964 2743.
*Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Patrick (Pat) O'Molloy who died last weekend after an illness bravely borne.
As secretary of Dublin and District Salmon Anglers' Association, Pat devoted the last 35 years to the rehabilitation of salmon in his beloved River Liffey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.