Each year at this time the Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) publishes its eagerly awaited Fishing Auction for what is almost certainly the most extensive collection of quality salmon and sea trout fishing beats available anywhere. The auction provides the trust with its principal source of annual income.
As in previous years, there is a vast array of spectacular river beats on offer. This year there are 240 lots up for auction with prices ranging from a mere £22 (€29) for salmon and trout fishing on the Spey and Feshie rivers for one rod, to £2,600 (€3,4,62) for two days on the River Teith for six rods.
Funds raised from last year's auction enabled the trust to assist research and restoration efforts and to refine specialised trawl gear for the Salmon at Sea (Salsea) research project into salmon mortality at sea. Research cruises begin in earnest this year under the auspices of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (Nasco).
In the interests of transparancy and fairness, the AST has decided to separate the traditional postal auction from the online auction. Thus, the majority of lots will operate in the postal auction process by post, fax or e-mail with a deadline of 9am on February 5th. Bids should be submitted to The AST, King James VI Centre, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG. Contact by fax 01738 472033 and e-mail jenny@atlanticsalmontrust.org. The online auction will consist of an increased number of lots and operate with bidding exclusively on the trust website. This site will close at 5pm on February 4th. See www.atlanticsalmontrust.org and connect by link on the home page.
Bids will be processed on February 5th and successful bidders will be notified within two weeks and put in touch with donor(s) of the lot.
Disappointedly, there is only one donation from Ireland this year. Lot 230 is offered by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board and consists of salmon fishing at the Ridge Pool on the Moy Fishery. One day for two rods is available between August 10th and September 30th (dates to be agreed with donor). The bid is €180 and can only be made online.
To receive a catalogue and further details of the auction, e-mail jenny@atlanticsalmontrust.org.
• Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has been fined £6,700 (€8,922) after pleading guilty to causing crude sewage to enter the Nant Myddlyn River in Llantwit Fardre, resulting in the deaths of more than 150 fish. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £2,249 (€2,995) in the prosecution brought by Environment Agency Wales at Llwynypia Magistrate's Court in South Wales last Friday week.
The pollution extended for two kilometres downstream and resulted in the deaths of mainly roach, stickleback and bullheads. Agency senior environment officer David Norton said: "It's disappointing that for a second time within the last three years this overflow has discharged causing adverse impact on water quality and fish mortality."
• Cork couple with the Baltimore lifeboat have won best photograph in two categories of the RNLI Pentax Photographer of the Year Competition. The results were announced recently on opening day of the London Boat Show.
The winning photographers were Eoin Ryan, a crewmember with the Baltimore lifeboat and his wife, Sheelagh Broderick, press officer with the same station (See Eoin Ryan's photo above).
Sheelagh Broderick's photograph is taken from outside Baltimore boat station as the lifeboat launches in storm force winds to go to the aid of a vessel grounded on rocks at Bull Point.
The RNLI has a long history of capturing rescue images, with the earliest photograph dating back to 1865. In 2006 all lifeboat stations were equipped with digital waterproof cameras from Pentax's Optio 'W' series.
Reminder: RNLI National Fundraising Day is this Friday.
• Our deepest sympathies are offered to Rory Harkin of Rory's Tackle Shop on the death of his beloved wife Miriam last week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.