Rose Michael from Malahide, Co Dublin, was recently awarded with a gold badge for her tireless fundraising efforts over the last 40 years on behalf of the RNLI. She received her award from RNLI president the Duke of Kent at a ceremony in London.
Admitting to being speechless when she found out about her award, Rose said: “Knowing that the funds raised by our fundraising teams have contributed towards the brave efforts of the RNLI crews in assisting 1,041 persons to safety in Ireland last year is reward enough.”
Salmon art yields prizes
In conjunction with last week's North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (Nasco) conference in Drogheda, Co Louth, Inland Fisheries Ireland invited schools to participate in an art competition based on the Nasco/Salmon theme. Three local schools took up the challenge. Topics covered by the children included salmon conservation and life cycle; the conference; salmon of knowledge; salmon as a resource and the value of salmon.
Each participating school – and overall winner Karen Wai Leesin from Marymount Girls’ NS – received a Nexus 7 Tablet while the three runners-up – Katya Lalor from St Mary’s Parish PS; Fírinne McIntyre from Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa PS and Lisa Burke from Marymount Girls’ NS – received iPods.
Moy makes the cut
Water levels on the lower Moy finally came into good order, suiting anglers on the Moy Fishery. The week was mainly bright and hot, not wholly suitable for angling. However, over 200 salmon were reported on the system, including nine from the Moy Fishery.
The Ridge Pool yielded seven, including one each for Andrew and John Little and Anthony Harris, and two for Germans Lars Friebertshauser and Frank Linke. The Weir Pool and Cathedral Beat produced one each.
All clear at Galway Weir
Lower water levels, coupled with a run of grilse, produced a great week at the Galway Weir, with 31 fish caught and many more hooked and lost. Fishing is picking up, with 13 landed last Tuesday; at one stage three anglers were playing salmon at the same time!
Good numbers of fish are arriving on each tide and conditions are perfect at the moment. If the run continues, prospects will remain excellent for the next few weeks.
Beltra bounty
Anglers continued to counter fresh run fish in Lough Beltra, where Ben Baynes had two for an evening at Fahy's and Morrison's on a Lord Lewis fly. Ian Conn had great sport with three salmon to 4kg on the Road Shore while Eamonn Kennedy had two of 4.5kg and 5.3kg at Flanagan's Bridge and Tommy's Wall on a Green Peter.
Big catch at Ballincurrig
Valerie James from the UK landed a fine specimen salmon of just under 10kg (22lb) on one of the new beats at Ballincurrig, above Ballyhooly on the Munster Blackwater. The fish fell to a purple Flying "C", as water conditions did not favour the fly.
What's under the Bonnet
Liam O'Donnell from Dromahair, Co Leitrim, caught a brown trout weighing 3.3kg on the River Bonnet last week. This is most unusual, and probably a record for the Bonnet, where even a half-pounder is considered a good catch.
“The biggest trout I ever heard of prior to this was 2.7kg caught a number of years ago. Liam still has the fish in the deep-freeze waiting to get it stuffed,” Sean Clinton said.
Congrats to Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association chairman Pat Foley on winning the National Challenge Trophy at the ITFFA championship on Lough Owel last weekend. Hosted by Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association, the competition was held in blinding sunshine and little wind. Nevertheless, 37 of the 128 competitors returned 45 trout. The Deacy Cup for the heaviest fish of 1.235kg went to Tony Murphy, and Dorrie Gibbons won the McBride Cup for best lady angler.
Successful anglers to go forward to represent Ireland at next year’s international championships include: T Murphy; E Gavin; P Ward; B Fox; G Smith; G Heaslip; B Browne; G Binley; T Murphy and J Brennan.
The Trout Angling Federation of Ireland (Tafi) will host the Fips Mouche 12th World Youth Fly Fishing Championship from July 21st to 26th at venues across Antrim, Louth, Monaghan, Meath and Tyrone. The opening ceremony is scheduled for the Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk (championship headquarters). Hillsborough Castle will host the closing ceremony. This major event is jointly organised by Ulster and Leinster councils and run on a cross-border venture with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Loughs Agency as main sponsors. See wyffc.com and www.facebook.com/wyffc.ireland.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of my friend Philip Lawton who died last weekend following a short illness. Philip was a keen angler, Irish editor of Country Sports and Country Life Magazine, a chorister and a devoted family man.
At his funeral service last Wednesday, All Saints’ Church in Phibsborough was packed to overflowing with family and friends. A true testament to his popularity.