FISHING on Lough Currane in Waterville, Co Kerry, for the outgoing season turned out to be much like the curate’s egg – good in parts, according to Rod Robinson.
After an excellent spring salmon season, fishing slowed down dramatically. However, from May onwards the sea- trout fishing produced some great catches, including a dozen or so specimens, he said.
Hot weather in July signalled the start of more challenging fishing. Indeed, at one stage in August, not only was there a complete lack of rain but the water temperature exceeded 20 degrees! This lasted for several weeks and echo sounders revealed large quantities of sea trout comatoze 40 feet down in the deepest regions of the lough.
As soon as the weather cooled in early September, sea- trout fishing improved with good bags including many in the two- to five-pound class. These are our “bread and butter fish”, he says.
On the downside, the main grilse run failed to materialise this year. Let’s hope they weren’t lost at sea. On a positive note, there are 20,000 fry in the hatchery, ready for release this month.
“With the ongoing debate in the angling press about hatcheries, we will be keeping in close touch with the science as it develops.”
Somerset and Devon
After many years unsuccessfully promoting the economic and social benefits of their sport, sea anglers will see their efforts recognised on the Somerset and Devon coasts.
“Taking them into account in deciding the regulation of the marine environment is a major shift in the focus of fisheries management,” says Dr Libby Ross, senior environment officer, of Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
She told the conference of Institute of Fisheries Management that after extensive consultation, a sea angling strategy had been produced aimed at working with anglers in the district.
“This comprises three pilot zones to test the design and application of fisheries management through codes of conduct to improve sea angling.”
The zones are the inshore wreck of the Emsstrom off the Devon coast, the coastline in Somerset from Burnham-on- Sea to Brean Down, designated as no-netting or long-lining areas, and the Skerries Bank area in Start Bay, south Devon.
Dr Ross said the Skerries Bank will have limitations preventing future increases in commercial netting and long-lining, banning commercial targeting of plaice and restricting the size of commercial fishing vessels.
There will also be a bag limit for anglers fishing the Skerries to ensure the balance provided by the new management benefits true recreational anglers.
A study of fishing activities within the sites, the socio-economic effects and perceived influence on the angling experience “may provide us with evidence to further develop the angling strategy,” Dr Ross says.
Historic yacht
The Asgard talks continue tomorrow at 8pm in the Howth Sea Angling Club, with a presentation on her life since her launch in 1905 to her current conservation in Collins Barracks Museum.
Her 23-day voyage to collect guns and ammo for the Volunteers and the landing in Howth in July 1914 is covered in detail with photographs. Also covered is her life with the Slua Muiri and her years as Ireland’s first sail training vessel.
The landing of the second half of the arms consignment at Kilcoole is also covered, as is the part played by the Howth fishing boat the Nugget, owned by the McLoughlin family.
Supporting angling
Waterways Ireland Sponsorship Programme is again open for recreational events. Now in its ninth year, the programme to date has supported angling and a host of events along Ireland’s inland waterways.
For an application pack, call 07196-50787. The closing date for completed applications is December 5th.
angling@irishtimes.com
