It has been a pretty cold week, though most days saw periods of dry, sunny weather. Great conditions to be out and about in but from an angling point of view a quite enough few days. The big news of course was Ireland historic victories at the World Shore Angling Championships in Wexford…
On Thursday evening last week official confirmation came through that both the Irish Men’s and Women’s teams took the Gold Medals in the World Shore Angling Championships. With 18 countries and around 250 anglers taking part it was no mean feat, particularly as this was the women’s first time fishing the event. The Lisa Gormley took individual Silver and Anne Whitty won individual Bronze. For the men, Alan Mulcahy won individual Gold and Harry McKee won individual Silver. A huge well done to all involved! Inland Fisheries Ireland was a proud sponsor of the event and the Irish teams taking part. Apart from the financial sponsorship for the event and the teams, staff attended each day of the competition (and the practice day) to peg out the beaches – up to 3km in some of the venues fished, release all caught fish, tag as many bass as possible, and at the end of each day comb the beaches to ensure no hooks or line were left behind to cause a problem for other users of the beaches. Staff also played a key role in logistics and comms through the supply and operation of quads and radios.
Though many charter boats are finished for the winter period, Mark Gannon in Courtmacsherry is still getting out whenever conditions allow and he reports that there are plenty of mackerel, codling, coal fish and good size pollack around. Meanwhile at the other end of the country the third leg of the Carty’s Land & Sea Sports Shore League took place on Rossnowlagh Beach where some lovely flounder to over 40cm were landed.
Coarse anglers are seeing some decent catches fisheries like Tooman’s and Oaklands but many of the wild venues really slowed down with the cold snap. Portumna, which we reported on last week, went from 90lb bags to under 5lb!
Draft salmon angling regulations for 2017 are available online, at IFI’s offices and at the Department’ offices in Cavan for public inspection. Any person may submit observations/objections to the draft regulations at any time during the period of 30 days concluding on 11 December, 2016. More information at http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Public-Consultation/wild-salmon-and-sea-trout-tagging-scheme-regulations-for-2017.html
The Inland Fisheries Ireland Inland Fisheries Ireland Sponsorship Fund for 2017 is open and taking applications. The fund will support angling events and initiatives across the country. Last year the fund supported 44 events to the tune of €30,000. The scheme will remain open for applications until Friday, 9th of December 2016 and all applications can be made online at www.fisheriesireland.ie/funding.
All of us reading this update online or in our email probably take the world wide web for granted, but surprisingly almost one in six adults living in Ireland has never used the internet. The Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme is designed to provide citizens who have never used the internet with the confidence, motivation and skills to reap the benefits of participating in today’s digital world.  The call for proposals is open to all community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for grant assistance to provide basic digital skills training courses in cities, towns and villages across all Counties. Full details about the Grant Scheme are available on the Department’s website at http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Digital-Strategy/Pages/Get-Citizens-Online.aspx
If there is anyone in doubt about the cold spell, today Met Eireann issued a Low Temperature Warning for Munster, Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. Away from the south coast, temperatures overnight will fall to lower than -3C locally. In general high pressure will dominate Ireland’s weather over the weekend and early next week keeping it cold and mainly dry. Friday night will be very cold with a widespread sharp or severe frost with ice in places and patches of freezing fog. Lowest temperatures of -5 to 0 degrees, coldest in Connacht and Ulster. From Tuesday milder, breezier, wetter weather is expected.
Safe fishing to all and tight lines, especially here in Ireland.
Myles Kelly
If you have an angling story to share with the Irish Angling Update please send it to [email protected].
Headlines
Coarse angling reports
Sea Angling Reports
- Gold for Irish Ladies and Men at World shore angling championships
- A cool Rossnowlagh beach in Donegal for the Carty’s Land & Sea Shore League
- Good sized cod and pollack around Courtmacsherry
News Clippings
- Positive promotion for Longford; Lanesboro food and fishing festival to feature on Irish TV – Longford Leader
- Inland Fisheries Ireland sponsorship scheme 2017 open for applications in Longford – Longford Leader
- Silver lining for Lisa and Harry in biggest Irish medal haul – Belfast Telegraph
- Gold Times Two For Irish Teams At Shore Angling Worlds – Afloat.ie
Other News
- Chasing the springers in 2017, Donegal updates you!
- Wild Salmon And Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations for 2017
- Inland Fisheries Ireland Sponsorship Fund 2017 open for applications as potential for Ireland’s growth as angling destination revealed
- Inland Fisheries Ireland calls for vigilance and protection of waterways as high quality river sites in significant decline
