Angling Notes Northern Ireland will host the Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive (CIPS) world coarse angling championships next year. The event will take place on the Newry Canal, Co Down in June 2004.
Some 150 competitors comprising up to 30 teams from around the world will attend.
Newry and Mourne District Council will host the event, working in partnership with the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland (NCFFI). This is the second occasion for Newry Canal to host this event. Back in 1982, Kevin Ashurst took the individual gold for England.
Contact Mark O'Donoghue, PRO, NCFFI, e-mail: mark.odonoghue@citi.com for more details.
• Recent rainfall brought a spate into Loughs Inagh and Derryclare, Co Galway, accompanied by a good run of grilse. Anglers reported sightings of very large fish at Derryclare Butts, some to 20lb. Nigel Kirkman of the UK, landed a fresh 7lb salmon from the Butts on a size 14 Ally Shrimp and Kieran Power of Galway, took a 6lb grilse on Inagh Lake, on a Wet Daddy. Sea trout fishing has yet to materialise, with August and September traditionally regarded as the best months.
For bookings, contact: Colin Folan, Inagh Lodge, 095-34706.
• Low water levels on the River Moy, Co Mayo, resulted in few fresh fish moving upstream. However, Ballina enjoyed fantastic sport, with the majority of the 340 salmon reported from the tidal stretches. Fly fishing proved the most successful method. Fred Morris's party of four had 35 salmon for the week, including one of 11.5lb and one of 9.5lb.
• Lough Beltra, Co Galway and Newport River, Co Mayo recorded seven salmon, the heaviest at 8lb, caught by John Dunne. Good sea trout fishing reported from Beltra.
• The Galway Salmon Weir Fishery had a surprise visit recently from American and European champion golfer, Mark O'Meara. Accompanied by fellow golfers and anglers, Robb Servick and Peter Paules, O'Meara landed a 6.5lb salmon and Servick caught two for 11lb to fly.
• Due to extreme water clarity on the Shannon systems, coarse anglers are advised to fish early morning and late evening sessions, particularly if conditions are bright and sunny.
With lively tench action reported, fishing before 9 a.m. is recommended, due to light intensity.
• For those interested in fishing for bonefish, tarpon, wahoo, tuna and barracuda in the Caribbean, Pez Raton Lodge on the coral reef of Los Roques off the coast of Venezuela may be of interest.
Frontiers Travel is offering a 25 per cent discount per person to visit the flats of Los Roques in September. Contact Peter McLeod for further details at peter.mcleod@frontierstrvl.co.uk.