Following conviction, Inland Fisheries Ireland appeals to farming community to check that silage pits are “fit for purpose”
A farmer in County Monaghan has been convicted of allowing silage effluent to enter a local river, following a prosecution taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Mr Thomas McEnaney, a farmer from Ardragh in Carrickmacross who pleaded guilty to charges, was fined €400 and ordered to pay an additional €5,273.15 for costs and expenses.
Sitting at Carrickmacross District Court on May 23rd 2022, Judge Raymond Finnegan convicted Mr McEnaney of a breach of the Fisheries Acts for allowing silage effluent to enter a watercourse.
Picture showing effluent, a highly toxic substance, flowing into a stream
Ailish Keane, a Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland, gave evidence that the silage pit was not fit for purpose when it was inspected as effluent, which is a highly toxic substance, was escaping through a surface water system and into an open watercourse. The silage effluent from Mr McEnaney’s property subsequently polluted a tributary of the Annalee River in the Erne River catchment according to water samples taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Following the conviction, Inland Fisheries Ireland is appealing to the farming and agricultural community to ensure that silage pits are fit for purpose and are regularly checked whilst in use to prevent accidental runoff to rivers and lakes.
Members of the public who wish to report suspected cases of water pollution are encouraged to telephone Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline, which is 0818 34 74 24. The 24-hour hotline is open seven days a week.
Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, has a range of initiatives in place to help the farming community target the improvement of water quality. Further information is available at https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/
Anyone who reads these pages regularly will know that the Killybegs Mariners SAC are one of the most active sea angling clubs in the country. They seem to get out on the water most weeks, and last week saw the final leg of their 15 outing shore league which was held on Rossnowlagh Beach. 14 anglers lined the beach at the off, and things were tight at the top of the table with John Cunningham and Stefan Martin fighting it out for top spot. There were plenty of sea trout caught during the session and flounders also featured prominently in the catches. Johnny Byrne won the night with an impressive 13 flounders with John Cunningham finishing second with two sea trout and two flounders. Unfortunately for John, that wasn’t enough to overtake Stefan at the top of the table, and Stefan’s third place on the night saw him take the title for the year. See Killybegs Mariners SAC for a full report.
The Munster Blackwater was low and clear for most of last week.
Salmon angling was poor on the for the week with most effort on the lower river beats.
A salmon is released on the Blackwater Salmon Fishery last week in low water
Then the rains came and the levels jumped and visibility decreased.
On Friday 25th June, the river came up about 30cm and the gauge read 0.45m at Ballyduff. The river continued to rise, peaking at 1.45m on the 29th putting the river out of order.
A salmon from the weekend at Blackwater Salmon Fishery
As the level drops (0.54m at time of writing) and visibility improves fishing should really take off.
Go Fishing
This large and broad river has a lot of fine salmon fishing spread among many private and club fisheries. They are all easily accessible and most welcome visiting anglers. Spring run improving in recent years. The best grilse fishing is towards the end of the season. For more information see:
Blackwater Salmon Fishery has 3 beats downstream of the weir and 2 upstream of the weir. Blackwater Salmon Fishery offers fishing on approximately 5 miles of the river Blackwater. The fishing is spread throughout the middle section of the river to offer good sport throughout the fishing season. Due to the location of the beats, fishing can still usually be offered in low or high water. Contact Glenda Powell: Lismore, Co Waterford, Email:[email protected] Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929 Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Fortwilliam Fishery & Self-Catering Cottages
Fortwilliam Fishery offers two miles of double bank salmon and trout fishing over five beats on the river Blackwater.
Our salmon include – Springers, May Salmon, Grilse, Back End Salmon, and in Summer sea trout.
Our beats provide a wide variety of water, suitable for both beginners and the more experienced fishermen.
Fortwilliam Fishery, Glencairn, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland Web: www.fortwilliamfishing.ieEmail: [email protected] Tel: (00353) 87 8292077 or 058 75299
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery
Blackwater Salmon and Trout Fishery control a number of beats of the Munster Blackwater. The Ballyduff Bridge beat is almost a mile long offering a huge variety of water and is particularly suited to fly fishing. Upstream near the village of Ballyhooley (a few miles outside the town of Fermoy, Cork) we have two beats. The Ballincurrig Beat is one of the most beautiful locations along the river and has an excellent piece of fly water flowing into a deep pool. Just downstream on the opposite bank we have a short but productive beat, called Magners. This beat fishes also well in high water.
Careysville Fishery offers some of the best salmon fly fishing in Ireland and includes 26 named pools. It is considered by many to be one of premier beats for salmon fishing in Ireland. Wading is excellent and among the numerous streams, pools and glides there is a great variety of fly fishing to suit both complete novice and challenge the most competent of fly casters.
At Lismore Castle & Golf Course Fishery, we offer nearly two miles of two inter-linked beats, the Castle Beat & the Golf Course Beat.
The legendary Castle Beat consistently ranks as one of the top Salmon beats on the River Blackwater, for the number of Atlantic Salmon caught per rod. The Golf Course Beat offers about 1.5 miles of fishable water through meandering majestic countryside. The Golf Course beat offers a number of bewildering pools suitable for unmatched spinning and bait fishing.
For bookings contact Joe Willoughby on Mobile no. 00353 87 8295449 or Email: [email protected]
We provide Day Tickets for some prime Salmon fishing in Mallow Co. Cork. We have excellent fly water, shrimping worming and spinning also. We also have very competitive Day rates and we have very recently upgraded our fishing.
Tickets available from “The Bridge House” and “Vincent Downes Menswear” Mallow.
Located on the Munster Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Situated mid river between the towns of Fermoy and Mallow. A productive left bank beat in stunning surroundings.
For bookings contact Conor Arnold: +353 87 755 4682
For details on availability and conditions of fishing for salmon and trout on the Longueville House waters please contact them at Contact : Longueville House Hotel, William O’Callaghan Address : Mallow, Co. Cork. Telephone : 00 353 22 47156 Email:[email protected] Website: www.longuevillehouse.ie
40 anglers turned out in unseasonal squally, wet and cool weather on Lough Muckno last week to compete in the second round of the Irish Feedermasters competition. Heavy rain overnight brought fresh cold water into the system and this made for tough going for the competitors. But despite the miserable conditions, the winning weight of 13kg was respectable enough. Qualifiers on the day were:
A sea liced 8lber taking a rest before being returned
Jason Nash reports that now they have some water he can send you some reports again!
Low water dominated the week with just a few salmon coming to the usual low water tactics using shrimp and worm. Rain on Friday resulted in a moderate rise in water which provided fantastic sport over the weekend. Many fish were caught on fly, spinner and worm with around 50 fish reported landed and many more lost.
A sea liced 8lber taking a rest before being returned
Salmon ranged in weight from 3-16lb with an even split between fresh and stale salmon.
A few fresh peal were caught but bigger fish were more prevalent.
Unsettled, wet weather has ensured water conditions for fishing are excellent.
Bandon Angling Association have set up a guiding service in conjunction with Jason Nash, Peter Aspinwall and Phil Dewey. Details of the guiding service are provided on the website and they are looking forward to making memories and enhancing people’s fishing experiences on the river Bandon. Day tickets and club membership are also available. Web: https://bandonangling.com/
Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association have 10 miles of fishing between Togher Castle and Manch Bridge (Fly Only). Day / Season tickets from Dunmanway Salmon & Trout Anglers Association +353 (0)23-8855196
Ballineen and Enniskeane Anglers have 4 miles of fishing and day tickets are available for visiting anglers. Day tickets available from Tom Fehily grocers in Bridge Street, Ballineen. Tel:+353 23 47173
Bodo Funke of Angling Services Ireland reports that the pike are biting well in the Boyle area for his angling guests. This week’s guests were Klaus & Klaus from Austria, and it wasn’t only the names that were in the doubles as there were plenty of double-digit pike on offer too…
The lakes at Laois Angling Centre have recently been re-stocked with some mighty-looking fish and anglers are making the most of it by the looks of the photos. With both fly and bait lakes, the centre caters for all types of angler and levels of experience. So if you want to catch a big one, you know where to go…
Fly fishing €25 for half day (4hrs) full day €30.
Bait fishing same price, worms and barbless hooks only.
