Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) will present the findings of a three-year research study into the genetic diversity of Ireland’s brown trout and sea trout populations at a one-day conference at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, on Tuesday, October 17th.
The conference will report on results of genetic work carried out on 4,500 juvenile and 3,000 adult trout sampled by fisheries staff and anglers across selected Dublin rivers, the Moy and the middle Shannon and Lough Ree catchment areas.
Findings to be presented at the conference – entitled ‘Understanding Brown Trout – Genes, Ecology and Citizen Science’ – and will provide valuable information on how genetic diversity is distributed among trout populations within certain catchments.
Dr Cathal Gallagher, IFI’s director of research and development, said: “This exciting project is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe and the results will be of interest to anglers, conservationists, fishery managers and the general public.”
Speakers will include Prof Paulo Prodohl (QUB) and Dr Karen Delanty (IFI). A European and international perspective on trout genetics will also be included by experts including Prof Andy Ferguson (retired QUB) and Dr Nigel Milner (Bangor University). The keynote speaker will be Prof Thomas Quinn, University of Washington, USA.
Information from commissioned genetic studies of brown trout in other catchments across Ireland, will also be presented (e.g. Corrib, Sheelin, Ennell and more).
Interested parties are invited to attend. Registration fee is €50 to include tea/coffee break and lunch. Further details at http://www.fisheriesireland.ie, along with conference programme.
Children’s day at Delphi Lodge
Delphi Lodge in Connemara held its annual end-of-season staff and children’s day on Saturday, 30th September. Local children enjoyed a wonderful day’s fishing at this fabulous fishery. Indeed, many had an experience they’ll never forget while managing to land their first salmon.
Later, Michael Wade and his staff hosted an outdoor lunch where the children got to recall their fishing experience. To round off the day, fishery manager David McEvoy demonstrated how salmon are tagged, recorded, and included a brief demonstration on their lifecycle and science used in recording their journey to sea and eventual return.
The Moy River Trust would like to thank Delphi for their support of the children’s angling initiative.
Sea Trout prosper on Lough Inagh
On Lough Inagh, fishery manager, Colin Folan, said the 2017 season was a memorable one for sea trout.
“Not since the collapse in 1988 have we had proper and decent fish with the average size .65kg and bigger,” he said.
In September, Galway angler Tom Burke caught a 2.72kg sea trout on Inagh on a Kate Muddler. In total, 585 were recorded against 432 in 2016.
The salmon season was a frustrating one. June was again the premier month with 39 landed. The yearly total was 58 (68 in 2016) with an average weight of 2.59kg. Cyril Condon caught the best fish of 5.4kg at The Derryclare Butts on a Silver Rat.
Next season promises to be an improved year, as sea lice levels in the bay were excellent this year, according to Folan.
Brown trout were plentiful with 497 recorded (442 in 2016). Three fish weighed 3.62kg (2) and 4kg, and duly released by regular guests.
Sean McCloskey (Northern Ireland) won the end-of-season competition with a 2.26kg grilse from Corloo on a Yellow Ally and 10 brown trout on Inagh.
Lough Inagh Lodge and Fishery would like to thank all its patrons for their loyal custom throughout the year.
Visitors enjoy wind down on Corrib
On Corrib, Larry McCarthy reported a successful wind down to the season at Corrib View Lodge where UK angler Paul Farrell had four fish in the Greenfields area on wet flies, and Blake Brett from Seattle, USA, guided by Larry, had five over two days on dry olives and sedges.
Staying in the Greenfields area, Frank Reilly, Headford and Ronan Broderick, Ballinasloe and London, enjoyed the final day with three trout on dries, with the best fish 1.5kg. Michael O’Connor, Fermoy, with 25 years’ experience on Corrib, landed his personal best of 3.1kg.
Neville Atkinson RIP
Neville Atkinson from Co Offaly, who passed away recently following a tragic accident at his home, was secretary of the Mulcair Anglers for many years during which time he did his utmost to improve the fishery in terms of conservation and general improvements. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him. RIP.
angling@irishtimes.com
