FRIENDS of the Irish Environment (FIE) and Save Bantry Bay are claiming that the Department of Agriculture has ‘refused’ to release a report on last February’s loss of 230,000 salmon. A storm on February 1 saw a cage break loose from its mooring and upend itself into another cage at Gerahies. Alex O’Donovan, secretary of Save Bantry Bay [SBB], has claimed that the fish in the area had been ‘virtually wiped out’… Southern Star, 11/7/14. Read the full article ‘Salmon disaster report delay is queried by FIE‘.
The Department of Agriculture has refused, under appeal, to publish a report it commissioned into how 230,000 farmed salmon escaped from cages in Bantry Bay during winter storms. Friends of the Irish Environment and Save Bantry Bay first requested a copy of the Marine Engineering Division report earlier this year. But Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney refused and interested parties in West Cork appealed his decision under internal departmental mechanisms… Irish Examiner, 12/07/14. Read the full article ‘
Congratulations to Ireland’s shore angling teams on winning gold at the home nations’ two-day championships in Montrose on the east coast of Scotland, last weekend. The three teams – women, men and under-16s – swept the board in an unprecedented success story for the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers (Ifsa). The under-21s finished further down the field. Held under the auspices of the Sea Angling Liaison Committee (Salc), the rotating annual event includes teams from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. The teams were supported by Angling Council of Ireland and Inland Fisheries Ireland… Irish Times, 14/07/14. Read the full article ‘Irish teams sweep the board in three events at home nations’ championships in Montrose, Scotland‘.
I WENT fishing the other day. Fly fishing for trout in a small stocked lake. The day was hot, there was no breeze and the sun blazed down on a lake that looked as though it was filled with molten lead. These are not good conditions for catching trout. I thought of giving up even before I’d started. Then I noticed some activity in a shallow part of the lake. Fish were swirling around and I thought that some of them might be taking very small flies on the surface… Irish Examiner, 14/07/14. Read the full article ‘Rudd is making a comeback‘.
Sheila Bromley and Liam O’Brien report that Ballybay Angling held its annual I.F.I 2 day match over the weekend of the 12th & 13th July. 59 anglers fished this 2 day event which was run over 6 sections – 3 were held on the Dromore System and 3 were held on Lough Egish. Fishing was quite difficult over the 2 days, but despite this there were still some amazing bags of fish caught, with U.K. based angler Mick Smith catching over 40kgs on the first day. On the second day the heaviest bag was just over 20kgs, this weight was caught by Irish based Peter Walsh.
Results are as follows:
Day 1.
Section A – Daily winner – Mick Smith. Section B – Daily winner – Ron Jordan.
5 man section winners are as follows: Les Holtzer, Jimmy Gargan, Johnny Keith, Neil O’Brien, Michael Cormican, Cathal Hughes, Sean Brereton, Gary Mc Clelland, Philip Jackson (Arva), Ewan Weed, Jim Mc Allister, Philip Jackson (Jacko).
Day 2.
Section A – Daily winner – Peter Walsh. Section B – Daily winner – Jimmy Gargan.
5 man section winners are as follows: Patrick Smullen, Philip Jackson (Jacko), Neil Mazurek, Gary Mc Clelland, Kevin Norcliffe, Rory O’Neill, Cathal Hughes, Gary Radcliffe, Johnny Keith, Karl Woodhouse, Darren Fairhurst, Glenn Rooney. Overall Winners.
1st Mick Smith 51.390kgs, 2nd Johnny Keith 38.800kgs, 3rd Andy Chapman 36.040kgs, 4th Jimmy Gargan 34.316kgs, 5th Seame Winters 28.030kgs, 6th Glenn Rooney 27.140kgs.
Well done to all the winners.
Ballybay Angling would like to thank Inland Fisheries Ireland for their sponsorship, Irish Bait & Tackle, the Welcome Inn for their kind hospitality over the weekend, I.A.D.A for the use of the scales, the land owners associated with the various sections used, and finally to all the anglers who turned up to fish this 2 day event.
Quality Bass Can Still be Caught But be Prepared to Put in the Time
The days when the bass are on remind us of how lucky we are when we experience the good days and how lucky we have been to have experienced the better days of seasons past.
Over the last while however, the days of of great catches are the exception rather than the rule and I base this not only on my own experiences but on comments from some of those of more capable and experienced bass anglers from Cork to Wexford and from Wicklow to County Louth.
That being said there are still some great bass fish opportunities around but its much tougher now and requires the input of many more hours than before. But when that quality fish arrives or we experience that red letter day when we can do no wrong, then all the other stuff is quickly forgotten.
Jim Hendrick has had a number of bass sessions recently and has described the fishing as “tough” but when you put in the hours and then those extra hours then sometimes you are rewarded with a fantastic fish. But only sometimes!
After all, that’s why bass fishing is so addictive.
A Quality Specimen Bass is Readied for Release by Jim HendrickQuality Bass Can Still be Caught But be Prepared to Put in the Time and Lots of it!
Brian O’Neill reports that he and fishing buddy Ian took a trip to Ballyhoe lakes yesterday which we have not seen in six years and were shocked at it’s transformation. Park bench picnic area excellent parking and spotlessly clean.
We had been fishing about an hour and were approached by Gareth Reilly (Meath Hill Angling Club) who was very pleasant in manner and informed us that it was now a club venue. After a while talking we joined up with the club at a very reasonable price.
The waters here are monitored on a regular basis through the day which leaves you with a feeling of safety and security for yourself your vehicle and belongings.
Brian comments “the fishing has improved at a vast rate and we had lots of different species for the day including pike, roach, skimmer’s and perch”.
With Fins Splayed, This Bass is Given A Chance to Recover Before Release
Peter Cunningham reports on a short bass fishing session yesterday on the County Louth coastline. As in many other Counties, Bass fishing has been tough again this season on the Louth coastline however some bass are still being taken. Generally, lot of hours of fishing are required to secure success. In what can only be described as ideal conditions yesterday Peter had some success as you can see from the pics below. Peter is a supporter of catch and release and releases fish to help maintain and rebuild stocks of this great sport fish.
If you fancy a days guided bass fishing in the north east contact Peter at 086 4682516, email: [email protected] or for up to date information and advice why not drop in to see him at the Drogheda Angling Centre, Boyne Shopping Centre, Drogheda.
A Small But Well Conditioned Bass from the Co Louth CoastlineWith Fins Splayed, Peter Gives This Small Undersized Bass A Chance to Recover Before ReleaseOff He Goes Back to the Bay Unharmed
The Tronixpro Home International Shore Championships 2014 Scotland
This Championship was held from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th July 2014 on the Angus coast and River Tay Estuary on the east coast of Scotland, with our hotel based in Montrose. The senior team travelled on Monday 30th June while the juniors, youths and Ladies teams travelled on Wednesday 2nd July with some anglers having a 2am start that morning to make the 1.30pm ferry from Larine. Arriving in Scotland after a 2 hour ferry crossing we then faced a 5 hour road trip. Finally arriving at 9pm at our hotel our tired and weary anglers made their way to their room for the night.
The Juniors Youths and Ladies teams had practice sessions on both of the match venues on Thursday 3rd July and with information supplied by the senior team who had fished the venue the day before, spirits were high as fish were caught on both venues by all team members.
Home Nations Shore Champions Scotland 2014
The first competition for the teams was fished on Lunan Bay with fishing from 10am to 3pm, a 15 minute drive from our hotel and a 20 minute walk to their pegs, this was to be a 5 hour match and weather wise it was a mild but showery through the competition with a lot of weed showing up . Main species landed were flounder and dab.
The second competition was fished from 12am to 4pm with the ladies, youth and juniors fishing the riverside walk in Dundee between the two bridges on the river Tay, while the seniors were on a rock mark on Vicky Park. The weather was sunny and warm and we fished a 2 down and 2 up tide. Fish were landed from the first cast and continued all through the match with positions changing all the time but the Irish anglers stayed focused to take control in three of the matches but for the youths it was not to be their day and time ran out on them. Main species landed were flounder with the odd eel.
Women’s team
Team Ireland: Senior Men’s Team: Manager John O’Brien, Team: Mike Curtin, Martin Howlin, Joe Carley, Noel Fogarty, Paul Whelan and reserve Peter Atkins
Ladies Team: Manager Jane Cantwell, Team: Lisa Gormley, Paula Johnston, Mary Hyland, Linda Manton, Anne Whitty
Youth Team/Under 21: Manager Jim Snoddy Team: Gavin Fogarty, Alan Turner, Cian Egan, Ross Nolan, Nathan Davidson
Under 16 Team: Manager John Kinsella, Team: Eamon Jones, Conor McDermott, Sean Cushen, Ruari Ganley, David Farrelly
Many thanks to Inland Fisheries Ireland for helping with the sponsorships of the Ireland team Tops. WWW.FISHERIESIRELAND.IE
Frank Maunsell reports on the conditions and prospects on the Owenmore Fisheryin Co. Kerry…
10/07 We had a big flood for five days and the continuous showers kept the water levels up so that it was perfect for day fishing.
There were some good sea trout caught and we had one salmon over 8 lbs. our first on the rod for this year. The lakes fished very well and most of the fishermen that arrived had some fish.
We were one of the few rivers in the Country that had a lot of water so being under Brandon Mountain has its advantages.
There are approximately five miles of fly fishing along the main part of the Owenmore River in Kerry, with 33 named pools and an additional 180 acres of lake fishing in this Kerry beauty spot. The salmon, grilse and sea trout begin to run in April. The runs continue through spring and summer into early October.
