THE recently published Irish Specimen Fish Committee report for 2013 shows more and more anglers target the bigger fish in the many categories and, of course, that elusive search for a new record.
Up and running since 1955 this voluntary body has received over 25,000 claims since its inception and now boasts a database as being one of the longest running of its type in existence.
No doubt, anglers both at home and abroad will be reading the report carefully to plan their angling trips in Ireland to catch the big fish during 2014.
Last year saw 595 claims ratified including two new records, 48 claims were rejected for non-compliance with the rules and a further 42 require further scrutiny.
The two new records dominate the report. Jason Dingle caught a roach/bream hybrid of 3.376kg in Monalty Lake, Co Monaghan, last May, that pipped the 11-year-old record by just 0.2kg.
Dingle in Co Kerry proved invaluable for UK angler Jeremy Coleman to record a gilthead bream of 3.505kg, thereby nudging out Robert McClean’s 2007 record, again by the tiniest margin of 0.26kg.
The Lee reservoirs in Cork feature heavily in the freshwater listings with bream, rudd and various hybrids most sought after. Species such as thick-lipped mullet and flounder from many different parts of the country were also prominent in catches.
High water temperatures during the summer brought good news for many sea anglers with some of Ireland’s more exotic species like gilthead bream and golden grey mullet to the forefront in the listings.
Specimen smooth- hound and spurdog were also plentiful.
Following the introduction of a length-based system for tope in 2011, it will apply for spurdog and smooth-hound from 2014.
The report is available for free from IFI in Swords, Co Dublin, or to view on irish-trophy-fish.com.
Awards will be held in Bewleys Hotel, Swords, at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Only the hardy
On the Drowes only a few hardy souls braved the severe elements, one of which was Brian McEvoy who recorded a lovely fresh fish of 5.7kg on a Yellow Belly Devon Minnow from the Mill Pool.
Sea-lice lecture
World marine ecology authority Dr Mark Costello will deliver a public lecture at Glasgow University next week on the impact of sea lice on wild and farmed salmon.
The free talk will take place in Lecture Theatre 1 of the Kerr Building of Glasgow University’s Central Campus tomorrow week at 6.30pm.
For details, contact Tony Andrews at 07748 634658 or director@atlanticsalmontrust.org.
Anti-fracking protest
Garrison and Lough Melvin Anglers' Association is organising an anti-fracking protest rally in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, on Saturday, March 1st, to demonstrate against fracking and the effect it could have on angling and the local tourist industry.
Lough Melvin is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and of Special Scientific Interest which protects its unique salmonid species of Atlantic salmon, Artic char, gillaroo and sonaghan trout. Loughs Erne, Arrow, Allen and McNean could also be seriously affected should the threat of fracking proceed, protesters say.
Vehicles and boats will meet at Killyhevlin Industrial Estate at 2pm and move off at 3pm to complete a circuit of the town centre. In order to estimate numbers attending, contact malfin1@tiscali.co.uk or 02866- 326114.
Mayo pike boats
Belturbet Angling and Conservation Club will stage the annual Phil Fitzpatrick Memorial and Grand Pike Boat Competition on the River Erne and local lakes on March 15th and 16th. Last year the event produced 172 pike for 373kg, all returned safely to the water.
Entry fee is €60 per boat with a maximum of four rods. Contact Alan Jones on 087- 1269923 for details.
Swords show reminder
The Irish Angling Expo takes place this weekend at the National Show Centre in Swords, Co Dublin.
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