Angling Notes/Derek Evans:With just three weeks left of the season in South-West Wales, anglers are preparing for what is traditionally the best part of the season.
However according to the latest assessments, most salmon stocks across Wales remain under threat.
Practising catch-and-release is one way in which angling can continue to support fisheries and rural communities while still protecting stocks from over-exploitation, according to Environment Agency Wales (EAW).
In recent years anglers have responded positively to the decline by releasing a greater proportion of salmon. The newly formed Carmarthen Fishermen's Federation voluntary catch-and-release scheme awarded its first gold pin to local angler Philip Davies for releasing three salmon. Last season more than 44 per cent were released compared with 10 per cent a decade ago.
Dave Mee, EAW fisheries team leader, said: "It is hoped anglers will continue to embrace catch-and-release where stocks are in difficulty. Other causes of decline such as habitat degradation will continue to be addressed to conserve and restore our precious salmon stocks."
Meanwhile, salmon anglers in the Shannon region are invited to record details of the fish they release from September 1st until close of season. Subject to verification, they will receive a specially commissioned metal pin to commemorate their catch. Photographs can be e-mailed to catchandrelease@shrfb.com.
The Slaney River Trust is holding another catch-and-release prize scheme this year. Paddy Syme from Gorey, Co Wexford, won the competition last year and purchased a new trout rod from Rory's Tackle Shop with the €150 voucher. Attractive badges will be awarded to those who send in the appropriate form, which is available at Andrew@slaneyrivertrust.ie. In stark contact to all this, the River Moy experienced its best week of the season, with a reported catch of 773 salmon, to bring the total for the season, so far, to 8,661. Last year the Moy accounted for almost one third of the total angling catch of 22,361. The Ballina Salmon Anglers' water continued to provide the best fishing but some fresh fish were taken throughout the system. On the Scott-Knox-Gore Coolcronan Water, broadcaster Derek Davis had two salmon, one released, with best at 2.7kg.
• Although still a long way off the Irish record, Peder Hansen's fish of 8.9kg is one of the heaviest brown trout caught in Ireland in the last decade. While trolling with angling guide Tom "Doc" Sullivan on Upper Corrib two weeks ago, Hansen, originally from Denmark and now living in Dublin, successfully landed the huge fish, which measured 37 inches in length.The Irish record lake trout stands at 11.8kg and was caught by William Mears on Lough Ennell in 1894.
• Kinlough and District Anglers held its annual flyfishing competition on Lough Melvin last Saturday week and accounted for 53 fish. Tony Hogg took top honours with a beauty of 2.5kg followed by Seamus O'Dare with seven fish for 2.3kg. Third place went to Ronnie Law with another fine trout of 2kg.
The rain thankfully held off for the barbecue in the evening and all funds raised were donated to the oncology unit at Sligo General Hospital in memory of club member Jim Dillon who passed away earlier in the season.
Minister of State for the Marine John Browne attended the prizegiving ceremony for the Rosslare Small Boats Festival last Friday week in Crosbie's Cedar Hotel, Rosslare, Co Wexford. Now in its 21st year, this four-day species event attracted 90 cross-channel anglers eager to sample the excellent fishing available on Ireland's south-east coast.
Unfortunately, gale force winds curtailed the event to just two days, but this did not dampen the competitive spirit and all legitimate tactics were deployed to win the competition by the 34 boats participating. For the second successive year, Steve Mills from Gosport and District SAC and Dave Timms from Portsmouth emerged clear winners with 20 species and a total weight of 10.54kg.
The Minister said: "I am delighted to attend the prizegiving of the Small Boats Festival. Each year the event grows in popularity as a result of the great sea fishing and hospitality on offer in Rosslare. I would like to thank the organisers, including John Meaney, Phil Hallsworth, the central and eastern fisheries boards and all the sponsors."
• A group from Antwerp, fishing out from Courtmacsherry, west Cork, over several days with charter skipper Mark Gannon, accounted for shark to 160cm, 11.3kg conger, 3.6kg cod, and, on one day, nine specimen coalfish, the two heaviest weighing in at 11kg for Frank Lambrechts and Stefan Soetewey.
For bookings, e-mail: csal@iol.ie.