THE recently-formed River Moy Catchment Trust held a successful Expo evening recently at the Mount Falcon Estate in Ballina, Co Mayo at which over 100 people from the local community and Government agencies attended including 24 private and public sector stallholders.
Those in attendance heard first-hand presentations on the process involved in forming a river trust, its benefits and the assurance of greater awareness with involvement from local communities.
The object of the Trust is to offer a unique nature experience in one of Europe’s last unspoilt catchment areas with over 25 miles of spate water which include an incredible run of fresh salmon.
Local councillor Michael Smyth spoke positively about the council’s role to date and its commitment of support for future developments.
Ray Spain, regional director for water and communities office, outlined his company’s role in facilitating communities to take a greater role in water quality and, went on say that stream funding is now available for community projects.
Hugh Bonner of Mara Media, publishers of Ireland West Airport Magazine, spoke of the potential to develop the Moy Valley as a tourist destination to cater for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Concluding, Mark Horton, Irish director of The River Trust, gave examples of the positive impact the Trust is having on communities and the huge support it receives throughout the UK and Ireland.
The Trust will roll out an education booklet for the catchment to 87 national schools during 2018 – working closely with Mayo County Council and StreamScapes (recent winners of the IPB/LAMA Award for ‘Most Significant Contribution to Water Quality),.
If you would like to get involved, contact ciaranboland@hotmail.com, tel: 086-380 0034 or garysmyth2@gmail.com, tel: 086-8384684.
'Fisheries projects animators'
The Minister with responsibility for Inland Fisheries, Sean Kyne, has welcomed the intention by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) to recruit five ‘fisheries projects animators’ to assist community organisations in realising angling projects and conservation initiatives for 2018.
The new positions form part of the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD), which aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced.
Funding will be awarded to projects that aim to deliver an accessible and sustainable world class inland fisheries and sea angling resource for all. A key element in appointing the animators is to address issues and challenges raised by stakeholders at the NSAD roadshows earlier this year.
Last year, 50 angling development projects were awarded funding to the value of €500,000 under IFI’s 2016 Capital Works Fund.
“These new temporary posts will harness the potential already in the sector to deliver on development projects” said the Minister.
Lough Lene Angling Association AGM
The annual general meeting of Lough Lene Angling Association will take place on Friday, January 19th at 8.30pm in Collinstown Hall, Co Westmeath. Throughout the outgoing season, 4,000 (1kg) triploid brown trout and 11,000 (1kg) triploid rainbow trout were stocked at various intervals.
Restocking for 2018 will be of a similar magnitude provided prices and fish are favourable. The largest fish caught was a brown trout of 3.6kg (8lb). Numerous rainbows and browns of 2.5kg (5lb) and greater were also reported, some of which were returned.
Delphi Lodge taking bookings
At Delphi Lodge, Leenane, Co Galway, bookings are now being taken for the 2018 fishing season. As always, bookings for spring fishing have been brisk with some prime weeks already full. Day permits are also available.
Throughout the season, the lodge will host a number of fly-fishing courses under the guidance of their highly qualified tutor and guide, Robert Gillespie. Price per person €895 includes three nights, full board with two days’ fly casting tuition. For enquiries, tel. +353 (0)95 42222 or info@delphilodge.ie. For course dates, see link Delphi Fly fishing School.
angling@irishtimes.com
