Angling Notes: As salmon stocks continue to deteriorate throughout the North Atlantic, it is refreshing to report on a success story that has seen a river exceeding its conservation limit for the first time in more than 100 years.
Antrim and District Angling Association has enjoyed remarkable success in restoring salmon to the Sixmilewater River system. The river is a tributary of Lough Neagh with a catchment of 117 square miles, and has a salmon conservation limit of 1,013 fish. (Conservation limit is the number of spawners required to maximise the next generation.) Local anglers, concerned about the poor state of the river, and virtual disappearance of salmon, got together in the late 1950s to form the Antrim and District Angling Association. They identified pollution and habitat degradation through drainage works and obstructions (weirs built in the 19th century for water power) as the main problems.
A series of surveys established that only a small number of salmon were present, inhabiting just one of six main spawning tributaries. Anglers were dismayed, often catching fewer than 10 fish in a full year.
An opportunity for funding arose in the 1990s and €30,000 was secured from the Sports Lottery to purchase fishing rights on the river. This, in turn, enabled the club to seek compensation from polluters. Recently, a settlement of €30,000 was received for one fish kill.
In the intervening years, grants totalling €250,000 in EU Peace and Reconciliation funding helped to put right the degradation identified some 50 years earlier. Today, the river boasts four fish passes; angling pools; a habitat for spawning fish; access for anglers, and juvenile brood stock planted in areas where stocks were low. A buyout of most of the commercial drift nets on the north Antrim coast in 2001 was jointly funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the North Atlantic Salmon Fund. Antrim and District Angling Association contributed substantially to this buyout fund.
Success came more quickly than had been expected. In 2002, 100 salmon were caught by anglers; in 2003, over 50, and last year in excess of 200 were recorded on rod and line. Anglers released more than half of salmon caught back into the system.
The river now attracts growing numbers of angling tourists, and money raised from day ticket sales has enabled the club to employ a full-time manager. In 2004, Antrim and District were successful in identifying pollution sources, detecting poachers and improving habitats.
This year, efforts will also include preparing an area with facilities for disabled anglers. While much remains to be done in the Sixmilewater River system, the great improvement already achieved offers a perfect example that with a determined and sustained effort, success can be achieved which will benefit not just anglers, but the whole community.
For further information, Newell McCreight may be contacted by phoning 028-908 44636.
• Angling clubs and fishery owners in the Republic are calling on the European Commission to take action under the Habitats Directive to end drift netting for salmon at sea, according to Stop Salmon Drift Nets Now campaign (SSDNN).
Submissions, with assistance from An Taisce and SSDNN, have been made regarding seven salmon-bearing rivers and a further two are in preparation. Representatives of the complainants are expected to meet officials of the Environment Directorate General of the Commission in Brussels to discuss the matter.
The rivers are: the Barrow, Nore, Suir (two complaints); the Slaney (three complaints), the Boyne and Owenmore (one at Ballynahinch). Complaints are being prepared concerning the Lower Shannon and the Bandon.
The complaints say that salmon, a species protected under the Habitats Directive, are being threatened by drift nets while migrating to Special Areas of Conservation. The scientific evidence bears witness to the number of salmon surviving to spawn, and complainants argue it is essential drift netting be ended if stocks are to be revived.
• The fish-pass at Fermoy Weir on the Blackwater River in Co Cork is badly in need of repair, according to Doug Lock from nearby Ghillie Cottage. In 2003, many salmon ready for spawning were trapped below the weir and, in low water conditions, the passage of migrating salmon and sea trout is prohibited, he said.
Recently, Lock engaged a fish-counter designer to draw up a recovery plan. The findings in his report included the sighting of a new pass to the north side of the weir, along with a light emitter diode display showing salmon running through.
Doug Lock can be contacted at 021-2532720.
• Salmon angling remained at low ebb due to high water levels. Watt's Pool on the Lennon River in Co Donegal kept the flag flying with three fish for the week. Nick Bennett recorded two, each about 8lb, on a Flying "C", while Patrick Trainor recorded another eight-pounder on a size 4 double Ally Shrimp variant.
• Around the fisheries
Maynooth Fisheries, Co Kildare: The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association (ILFFA) is holding a training day on Sunday (January 30th) from noon to 4 p.m. No experience is necessary, as tuition and equipment will be supplied.
Also, ladies with fishing experience who are interested in joining ILFFA are welcome to attend. Julie McGeever has further details on 087-9322138.