Jarlaith Gallagher reports on the Rinn-Shannon and District Angling Club’s latest efforts to introduce angling to a wider audience…
The Rinn-Shannon and District Angling Club has been very busy since the opening for trout fishing on its managed lake, Lough Rowan outside Mohill. The club, in existence for over ten years, has devoted a lot of time and energy into providing a first class trout fishery for anglers in the south Leitrim region. The Club is a run by a group of volunteers who have a passion for angling and who work tirelessly to provide angling diversity for locals and visitors alike. In early March the club introduced up to 2000 rainbow and brown trout in anticipation of the 2016 fishing season. These trout, which were expertly reared by Andrew Golden and his team at the Inland Fisheries Ireland fish farm in Roscrea Co. Tipperary, are providing great sport for club members and day permit holders. One of the clubs aspirations is to try and introduce young people to the sport and to give them an idea of why it is so important to protect our environment and a love of nature in order so that future generations will be able to enjoy the gift handed down to us by those who went before us. In this regard the club hold several angling tuition days throughout the year for junior anglers in a safe and monitored environment.
With this in mind, the club was delighted to host St. Mel’s College Fishing Club Longford on Lough Rowan recently. St. Mel’s club was set up only two months ago by one of the teachers, Michael Galvin. There were a number of students who would regularly talk to Michael about their fishing adventure and catches so he decided to hold a meeting to see if there was an interest in setting up a fishing club and if so, what the students would like to do. Almost 30 students turned up. Over the first few meetings the group looked at the current rules and regulations in Ireland in relation to fishing. There was also a big emphasis on catch and release and the health and safety aspects associated with the sport. They learned how to tie knots, set up rigs and the correct rod, reel and lines they should be using. The local tackle shop “Dennison’s of Longford” also came on board in support, offering a discount to members of the club. Michael writes
“As water levels were so high through early spring and it was so cold it was not possible to go on a fishing trip until recently. The first outing was to Lough Rowan trout fishery outside Mohill. It was a misty start to the day but the students were in great form and looked forward to getting started. Fishing was a little difficult due to the recent heavy rain, nonetheless the students fished away with plenty of fish caught and many more hooked and lost. The students thoroughly enjoyed their day on Lough Rowan and all the talk on the bus home was of the ones that got away and when the next visit would be taking place. Thanks to Paul Beck, Jarlaith Gallagher, George Taylor and all the lads from Rinn-Shannon & District Angling Club for hosting us on the day, to Chris Clyne and James Conway for their help. A special word of thanks for Emmet Galvin who brought his boat and introduced some of the students to boat fishing and to increase their chances of catching. Also thanks to Brendan Griffith who donated rods, reels and other fishing tackle to the club and to Dennisons fishing tackle who supplied and who have shown great support for the club.”
Judging from that lovely response from Michael, there is a fair chance that those boys have been expertly introduced to the joys of angling and the club shall be making a return visit to lough Rowan in the not too distant future. Until next time..tight lines
