Fishing has been banned from the River Slaney for 2007, the chairman of Slaney River Trust (SRT), Derek Nally, informed delegates at a conference on salmon restoration in the Millrace Hotel, Bunclody, Co Wexford, last Monday.
Entitled Salmon Stock Restoration and Rivers Trusts, the conference was hosted by Slaney River Trust Ltd and the Association of Rivers Trusts (UK), and attended by more than 160 delegates from Canada, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Opening proceedings, the Minister of State for the Marine, John Browne, said river trusts contribute in a major way to conserve and enhance fish stocks through habitat protection and restoration.
"I would like to put on record my appreciation to SRT for the very responsible attitude it took in relation to the closure of the Slaney. Of course that decision has come with a price because Derek Nally has insisted I make money available to improve Clohamon Weir. On this point, I hope to have good news in the weeks ahead."
The Minister intends also to provide all six regional boards with additional resources this year to undertake river habitat improvement projects through a multi-annual capital investment programme. "I am sure that Slaney River Trust has a part to play in this," he said.
On behalf of SRT, the chairman said that while the trust agreed fully with the Minister's decision in relation to conservation of Irish rivers, unfortunately, the Slaney had taken the blunt. "As to whether stocks replenish enough to allow catch and release next year, will be something else," he said.
The conference, under the masterful guidance of Dr Martin O'Grady, covered some 20 presentations on a wide range of topics, from the survival of Atlantic salmon to conservation arising from the driftnet ban to revival of the Ballinderry River in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. The second day of the conference entailed a field visit to the Slaney at Clohamon Fishery and included an enlightening talk by present owner David Dobbs. Clohamon is considered the most productive beat on the River Slaney.
At Clohamon Weir Sean O'Brien from Slaney Rod Anglers explained the background to the famous weir and outlined some current problems.
"Salmon will not travel upstream if water temperatures are below 45 degrees." Also, he said, the eel pass has created controversy and we have a problem with low water in summer (Fahrenheit).
On to Newtownbarry House for coffee. Bordering the town, Newtownbarry was built in the 1880s and is very much a part of Bunclody and the River Slaney. In fact, up until 1950 Bunclody was known as Newtownbarry.
The field tour concluded with a visit to the National 1798 Visitor Centre in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Slaney River Trust was founded in 2004 and represents angling clubs, anglers and fishery owners. Its primary aim is to protect and enhance the ecology, fisheries and riparian wildlife of the Slaney Valley.
Last year, in conjunction with the eastern regional fisheries board (ERFB), the trust undertook important habitat improvement work on several tributary rivers, including the Little Slaney, a tributary that rises on the western slopes of Lugnaquilla.
Eroded banks were built up using pine logs with Christmas tree tops attached. This is a technique whereby gravel suspended in floodwater will catch in Christmas tree branches and gradually rebuild the banks.
Work continued on the Carrigower River, an important spawning tributary for Slaney salmon. As well as fencing work, several new pools and spawning areas were created following a decline in redds over the last few years. The ERFB reports that redd counts are up in these areas.
Upstream of Aghade Bridge in Co Carlow a fish pass was built into a weir blocking access for spawning salmon to the Douglas River last August.
Your columnist would like to thank Slaney River Trust for a most enlightening, educational and enjoyable two-day conference and, in particular, John Carroll for his wonderful organisational skills.
If you would like to support Slaney River Trust and participate in events, send a cheque for €35 to Henry Cowper, Annefield, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
• Successful specimen winners are requested to confirm, by return, their attendance at the Awards Day in the Burlington Hotel on Saturday, March 3rd, by contacting Bridie at 01-8842675 or isfc@cfb.ie