Sensas Ireland proudly presents a new river competition to Ireland for 2022.
This is an any method competition held on rivers all around Ireland. There will be six qualifiers held on six different rivers. Sections will be a minimum of ten anglers with each section winner advancing to fish in a two day grand final.
Entry into the qualifiers is €50 with €40 going to the final prize fund. The final prize fund will be depending on entry. Each section winner will win a minimum €100 on the day of each qualifier. This is a chance for anglers to show off their skills on a variety of rivers using different methods and to be crowned Irelands Riverfest champion.
The dates and venues are as follows:
Q1 April 3rd River Suck (Donamon/Emlagh)
Q2 June 5th River Shannon (TBC)
Q3 July 3rd River Barrow (TBC)
Q4 August 14th River Bann (Portglenone)
Q5 September 18th River Erne (TBC)
Q6 October 9th River Blackwater (Fermoy)
The final will take place on November 12th/13th on the River Barrow.
Note: For venues with tbc beside them sections will be decided closer to the time.
To book on to any match send a text to myself or Gavin Walsh with your name and state what qualifier you wish to book on to so we have a record.
Gary 087 7565631/ Gavin 087 6139551
Payment for the qualifiers will be taken on the day of the qualifiers and last day to book on to each qualifier is two weeks before that qualifier to give adequate time to organise pegs.
The final prize fund and final payouts will be posted once the last qualifier is complete. There is no limit to how many qualifiers you can enter.
All matches will be 5 hour matches and bloodworm and joker is not allowed.
Booking on to the qualifiers is open from now so don’t miss out and put yourself in with a chance to be crowned Irelands Riverfest Champion 2022.
13-year-old Shane Gorman from Ferefad in Co. Longford took up fishing a couple of years ago and has been longing to catch a pike ever since. Well, the new year seems to have brought him a bit of luck on that front, as a session on the Fallon River near Clondra early in the new year came up trumps for him. Fishing with a small paddle-tail lure he managed to hook and land a pike of about 3lb, which made his uncle Richard pretty proud of him and it will surely set him up for more success in the future. Congrats to Shane on his first pike and let’s hope we see a few more of his pike in the future.
To boost conservation efforts, anglers who wish to catch and keep wild salmon from the Waterville catchment in 2022, are being advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland that ‘brown tag’ regulations are coming into force from Monday, January 17th 2022.
The measures are included in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations, recently signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D.
Under brown tag regulations, an angler who wishes to ‘harvest’ a wild salmon and keep it, must attach a brown tag as well as a standard blue tag to the fish. To help conserve stocks of wild salmon within the Waterville catchment, a total of 64 brown tags will be available for the season and will be distributed to anglers with a 2022 rod licence through a lottery system.
Three draws are set to take place in 2022 and these will be held on January 10th (to allocate 24 brown tags), February 28th (to allocate 20 brown tags) and finally on March 28th (to allocate the remaining 20 brown tags). Anglers with a 2022 rod licence who are not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon on a ‘catch and release’ basis in the Waterville catchment, where the salmon is returned safely to the same waterbody.
Any anglers that are interested in entering the January draw are being asked to email their request to Inland Fisheries Ireland at watervillebrowntag2022@fisheriesireland.ie between January 1st and January 7th 2022, providing their contact details and quoting their 2022 Salmon Licence number.
The brown tag regulations come into force on the Waterville catchment from January 17th and will remain in place until midnight on May 12th 2022.
Brown Tags Required
Salmon anglers are advised that from 17th January 2022 to midnight of 12th May 2022, Brown Tag regulations will be in force on the Waterville Catchment.
64 Brown Tags are available for the season. Inland Fisheries Ireland hereby gives notice that distribution of brown tags will be by lottery.
IFI will therefore select 24 anglers to receive a brown tag on 10 January 2021.
Any angler requesting a brown tag must be in possession of a valid 2022 Salmon Licence and must apply by email only to: Watervillebrowntag2022@fisheriesireland.ie from 01 January 2022 until midnight on Friday, 07th January 2022.
Anglers must provide intheir email entry:
Name
Contact Address
Telephone Number
2022 Salmon Licence number – including licence letter prefix
This is the only method to apply for a brown tag. Anglers may only fish one brown tag over the full season. Multiple applications will disqualify. Salmon Licences are available to buy online at: https://store.fishinginireland.info
Further lotteries will take place on 28/02/22 for 20 Brown tags. Applications for this draw may be made from 14/02/22 to 25/02/22.
And 28/03/22 for 20 Brown tags. Applications for this draw may be made from 14/03/22 to 25/03/22.
Salmon anglers not in possession of a Brown Tag must fish using Catch and Release methods i.e., single or double barbless hooks. Use of worms is not permitted. A Salmon cannot be taken unless the angler is in possession of a Brown Tag. If a Salmon is taken (‘harvested’), both a Blue and Brown Tag must be affixed to the fish. Failure to do so may result in penalties.
IFI will send all applicants an entry number for the lottery by email before the draw which will take place on Monday 10th January 2022. No personal information will be shared and five reserve licence numbers will be drawn in case the initial offer of a brown tag is not taken up. Tags will be issued to successful applicants by an IFI representative or by post.
Application may be made for the first draw between Saturday 01st January 2022 and Friday 07th January to: Watervillebrowntag2022@fisheriesireland.ie. And other draws during allocated dates.
Late or early applications will be excluded.
For further information, please telephone the Inland Fisheries Ireland office in Macroom on (026) 41221
Conservation Imperative key to addressing Environmental, Climate and Human Challenges Facing Stocks
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has approved legislation that will govern the wild salmon and sea trout fisheries in 2022. These will come into effect from Saturday, 1st January 2022.
Minister Ryan said: “81 rivers will be available for salmon and sea trout fishing in 2022. This will allow careful management of this important natural resource, for which conservation is paramount. 45 of the rivers will be fully open, with a further 36 available on a ‘catch and release’ basis. Improvements in stocks can only be achieved collaboratively over time and are entirely dependent on everybody redoubling our conservation efforts in the face of environmental, climate and human impacts.”
To inform the legislation for 2022, Minister Ryan received management advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland in relation to over 140 genetically individual wild salmon stocks in Ireland, which was supported by individual scientific assessments. The assessments were carried out by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) – an all-island independent scientific group comprising experts from a range of bodies.
This advice was also made available as part of a statutory public consultation process. 100 written submissions were received from stakeholders during this process.
Management advice, based on the TEGOS assessment of rivers/estuaries/harbours, is that:
45 rivers to be open, as a surplus of fish has been identified in these rivers;
36 rivers to be classified as open for “catch and release” angling; and
66 rivers to be closed, as they have no surplus of fish available.
Minister Ryan added: “Ireland is internationally recognised for prioritising the conservation imperative as fundamental to our salmon management efforts. However, it is well over a decade since we adopted our current conservation policy. I believe the time to review and improve this policy has come. Therefore, I intend shortly to publish two policy papers on salmon for consultation. The first of these will explore new options for salmon management with conservation, and how to do it better as the key focus.
“Environmental, climate and human impacts continue to place salmon and other species at risk. I am determined that we raise awareness of all of these challenges. We will develop policy to ensure that we are doing all we can in Ireland, and as far as we can via international co-operation, to improve the resilience of our salmon.”
More information
Please see the attached document [Schedule 2 & 4 Catch Options], with schedules indicating the Open / Closed / C&R (Catch & Release) status of each river. These schedules are from the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations.
Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations S.I. No. 729 of 2021 These Regulations provide for the quotas of fish that can be harvested by commercial fishing engines and rod and line from those rivers identified in Schedule 2. The Regulations also provide for the use of brown tags in specified (low surplus) rivers which are identified in Schedule 4.
Angling Bye-law No. 989 of 2021 This Bye-law prohibits the use of any fish hooks, other than single or double barbless hooks, and also prohibits the use of worms as bait in angling for all species of fish in the waters specified in the Bye-law. This is to avoid the use of hooks and baits which are not conducive to fish survival and to ensure that the objective of C&R fishing is not frustrated.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea trout (Catch and Release) Bye-law No. 990 of 2021 This Bye-law provides for catch and release in respect of salmon and sea trout (over 40cm) in rivers that are meeting at least 50% of their Conservation Limit as mentioned in the Bye-law. The Bye-law also provides for the use of single or double barbless hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait in angling for salmon and sea trout over 40cm.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (River Suir) Bye-law No. 991 of 2021 This Bye-Law provides for catch and release in angling for salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) in the River Suir (including the waters of the Rivers Clodiagh, Lingaun and Blackwater) and also prohibits the use of worms, prawn, shrimp or any other crustacean, or artificial forms thereof, as bait and any fish hooks other than single or double barbless hooks during the period 17th March to 30th September.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (River Slaney) Bye-law No. 992 of 2021 This Bye-Law provides for catch and release in angling for salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) in the River Slaney and also prohibits the use of worms, prawn, shrimp or any other crustacean, or artificial forms thereof, as bait and any fish hooks other than single or double barbless hooks.
Conservation of Sea Trout Bye-law No. 993 of 2021 This Bye-law provides for a daily bag limit of 3 sea trout (less than 40cm in length) and provides for the use of single or double barbless hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified number of sea trout have been caught.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea trout (Bag Limits) Bye-law No. 994 of 2021 This Bye-law provides for an annual bag limit of 10 fish being either salmon or sea trout (over 40cm) per angler and provides for a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1st January to 11th May, a daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12th May to 31st August and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1st September to the end of the season. The Bye-law also provides for the use of single or double barbless hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified numbers of fish have been caught in the specified periods.
Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Closed Rivers) Bye-law No. C.S. 332 of 2021 This Bye-law prohibits the taking or attempting to take by rod and line salmon and sea trout (over 40cm) in the rivers specified in the Bye-law.
After the longest night, tomorrow we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished. As of tomorrow, the days begin to get longer as the light of day grows. While the gentle winter sun slowly opens its eyes, let us all bring more light and compassion into the world. ”
― Dacha Avelin
Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year was yesterday. Here in Ireland, the clouds prevailed, leaving the sunrise event at Newgrange missing it’s star performer, literally. But with every day now bringing more daylight, we look ahead to sunny days, long evenings and good times with friends.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town…
In the meantime, we have Christmas to look forward to this weekend. We hope everyone has been good boys and girls this year, and Santa Claus pays a visit on Christmas Eve night. If you’ve been really good, there might be a new fishing rod or reel under the tree. Fingers crossed!
Santa likes a bit of fishing too apparently!
Sponsorship Programme
With it being Christmas week, there is little angling to report. We do have some news to share, however. Inland Fisheries Ireland has opened its 2022 Sponsorship Programme.
Youth Angling Event
Angling clubs, groups and associations all over Ireland are being invited to apply for sponsorship funding before the January 21st deadline and in 2022, the €30,000 fund will have a particular focus on initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers, as well as events that promote sustainable angling tourism. Check it out here.
A genuine hero
We shared a story earlier this year about a brave young man, 11 year old Callum Clarke from Roscommon. Callum saved the life of his grandfather, Sean after a freak gust of wind capsized their boat while out fishing. Callum kept his head and managed to rescue Sean and bring him to shore safely.
Our colleagues here in Inland Fisheries Ireland heard that Callum lost some of his fishing gear during the accident, so gifted some new equipment to Callum on his 12th birthday last week.
As Callum is a keen pike angler, Andrew Burnett is pictured here presenting him with a new pike rod, a reel and terminal tackle plus a goody bag.
Callum accepting his new fishing gear from Andy
Salmon Licences
Salmon and Sea Trout Licences for the 2022 season are now on sale through the Inland Fisheries Ireland online shop and through distributors that have an online facility. Hard copy licences will be available from distributors in the coming weeks. Get all details, including prices and FAQs here.
National Bass Programme Update
Hot off the the press is the National Bas Programme Update for Anglers 2018-2022. Over the 3 year period covered by the report 47 bass anglers around Ireland submitted the scales and details of 1,304 bass. Almost 80% of the bass were caught between May and September and and an impressive 90% of the fish were returned alive – #CPRSavesFish!
The report goes into great detail, analysing growth rates, year classes, tagging and recaptures and is well worth a read.
IFI National Bass Programme Angler Data Report 2018-2020
Click to download!
Looking Back
With the end of the year fast approaching, we took a look back at some of the photos sent in for the Irish Angling Update this year. Check out our little festive video below showcasing some of the fantastic photos from the Irish angling community in 2021.
From all of us here, a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to send in reports, photos, videos, and who read and shared our angling reports and updates. The update would not be half as comprehensive without your input, and we hope you will continue to support us in 2022.
Míle buíochas daoibh go léir
Stay Safe
We’re all aware of the ongoing threat from Covid-19 and the Omicron variant. We’re not going to rehash public health advice here, but we hope you all stay safe and well this Christmas, and wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. If you get out fishing over the holidays, why not take a photo and drop us a line at anglingqueries@fisheriesireland.ie .
Hot off the the press is the National Bass Programme Update for Anglers 2018-2022. Over the 3 year period covered by the report 47 bass anglers around Ireland submitted the scales and details of 1,304 bass. Almost 80% of the bass were caught between May and September and and an impressive 90% of the fish were returned alive – #CPRSavesFish!
The report goes into great detail, analysing growth rates, year classes, tagging and recaptures and is well worth a read.
IFI National Bass Programme Angler Data Report 2018-2020
Angling clubs, groups and associations all over Ireland are being invited to apply for sponsorship funding before the January 21st deadline and in 2022, the €30,000 fund will have a particular focus on initiatives aimed at beginners and young anglers, as well as events that promote sustainable angling tourism.
Promotion of Angling in Ireland
Over 327,000 adults in Ireland consider themselves an angler (Ipsos/MRBI), while 18% of adults in Ireland that had never been fishing before said that they are “likely” to try angling in the future (Amárach Research). Therefore, the sponsorship programme is one of the main funding mechanisms used by Inland Fisheries Ireland to promote angling in Ireland. It awarded funding to 41 angling events and initiatives across the country in 2021; however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme didn’t go ahead in 2020.
Of the 41 events that received funding, the state agency supported ten national or international competitions and festivals that showcased Ireland’s angling resources and contribution to local economies in 2021. Meanwhile, a total of 28 coaching and juvenile outreach events were supported in 2021, to help increase participation in the sport, along with three public awareness events and angling-related initiatives.
“Top Priority”
Launching the call, Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland, said: “In 2022, our top priority is supporting projects and events that encourage more young people and beginners to try angling sustainably, as well as initiatives that help grow sustainable angling tourism here in Ireland.”
She added: “As more people enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors, mainly driven by Covid-19 guidelines, we are seeing greater levels of interest in angling. For example, nearly one in five Irish adults are “likely” to try angling in the future, according to Amárach Research. In addition to supporting those who would like to go fishing for the first time, we also have a unique opportunity through the Sponsorship Programme to highlight the importance of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable angling.”
Applications for funding from the Sponsorship Programme are now invited from angling clubs, associations or any local group organising an angling initiative in 2022.
Important Deadline
The programme will remain open for funding applications until Friday, January 21st 2022.
Meanwhile, applications for equipment, staff support and biosecurity assistance can be made to Inland Fisheries Ireland throughout the year.
Well, after the turbulence of last week, this week’s weather has been much more of an easy ride as storm Barra paved the way for a spell of settled weather. It’s been a little bit warmer than average and a little bit drier than average, giving us a few calm and clear winter days to enjoy on the run-in to Christmas. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of anglers have begun the wind-down to Christmas already, as once again, angling reports are scarce on the ground this week. Maybe everyone is banking their time, looking forward to trying out a new rod, reel or lure after Santa pays a visit next week…?
We have a couple of sea angling reports in this week, one each from shore and boat. To shore angling first, and West Cork & District SAC held their final match of the year, with two anglers in the running to take the title of Master Angler 2021. Fishing was slow, and any fish were hard-earned, but in the end, JP Molloy just edged Stephen O’Donovan to the title. The junior Master Angler was equally hotly contested, and Liam Davis just pipped Evan Collins on the night.
JP Molloy (right) accepts the Master Angler trophy from Stephen O’Donovan
Some charter boats are still active around the coast whenever a weather window permits taking to sea. Anglers fishing with Killybegs Fishing Trips found such a window but had to deal with a massive swell which made boating and angling conditions tricky. But with some experienced anglers onboard, they were well rewarded for their perseverance and managed to catch a nice stamp of winter pollack. We don’t often see pollock of that quality at this time of year so it wins this week’s Catch of the Week.
We also have a couple of reports in from coarse anglers, as angling clubs fished their last winter league matches of the year. Up on the Erne, the bream were in biting mood (for some anglers anyway) as 29 anglers turned out for the final throw of the year. Mick Mahoney won the day with an impressive 10.280kg of bream. Fishing on Lough Muckno was a bit slower, as Seamus Winter topped the pile with a bag of 4.520kg as CM Lakelands Feeder Club had their last match of the year.
On the media side of things, we have another new angling book which is nicely timed for anybody looking for an angling themed stocking filler. In ‘Haunted by Waters’, journalist Daire Whelan recounts the stories of a year spent fly fishing on numerous rivers and lakes around Ireland where he meets and converses with like-minded souls.
Tonight will be dry and cloudy, with a chance of some light frost in places. Tomorrow will remain predominantly dry, with a chance of some drizzle in the southern part of the country, and the highest temperatures between 6 and 10 degrees. This dry, mostly settled weather looks set to continue until the middle of next week as a high-pressure system dominates.
Peter Driver of Piscari Fly is back for a Christmas special this weekend. This time the focus is on dry flies, and there are some very special, special guests lined up…
The live show will be on the Piscari Fly facebook page and is at 8.30pm on Saturday night. Don’t miss this one!
We have an AMAZING show lined up for this Saturday Night @8.30pm.
Tom Doc
Tom Doc Sullivan will be joining us from the West of Ireland to chat about Dry Fly Fishing on the Lakes. Tom is a World renowned Lough guide and angler and we are delighted he will be joining us this weekend.
George McGrath
Also on this week’s live show is George McGrath from The River Suir. George will be our Guest Fly Tyer. He is a renowned Dry Fly angler from this fabulous River and he will be tying one of his favourite Dry Olives for us.
Our live show is on our facebook page and is at 8.30pm….Don’t miss this one!
Tie a fly…
Peter’s fly shop is at www.piscari-fly.com for all your fly tying and fly fishing needs.
Liam Davis accepts the Junior Master Angler trophy. We suspect it won't be long before he's challenging the senior anglers for the main award!
West Cork and District Sea Angling Club held their final competition of the year over the weekend, and regular contributor Pete Davis has written up another great report.
Saturday evening saw the last outing of the year for West Cork and District SAC. The match was originally scheduled for Garrylucas beach but given predicted high winds and a really strong possibility of weed from recent storms the decision was made to move the match instead to Broad Strand just outside Courtmacsherry. A smaller crew than usual on the evening but it promised to be highly competitive with both the Master Angler title and qualification for next years shore masters at stake for those in the running. The Master Angler title was going to be a straight shoot out between Stephen O’Donovan 2020 winner and JP Molloy with several in the chasing pack in the hunt for the 2 remaining slots for next years Masters.
Tough Fishing
Arriving to Broad Strand on a damp evening, it looked a lot fishier than it actually performed. The barest gentle roll of swell coming in and coloured water had all the makings of a small fish fest but that’s not how it panned out. Differing tactics were selected at lines in, and there were a few surprises as the comp moved through the first hour or two. Numbers of dogfish on the higher pegs were coming to tiny baits fished in close with standard doggie tactics yielding very little. Lee Meiklejohn, Ken Hogan and Liam Davis all getting stuck in whilst the rest of the field struggled. Sandwiched between Lee and Liam in the last 3 pegs on the beach, the comp was nearly halfway through before I managed to find the range and start picking up the high scoring dogfish, turns out they were a hell of a lot closer in than you might have imagined.
With the top half of the beach fishing reasonably well and the bottom half with some of the main protagonists in it not really fishing at all it was clear where the winner was coming from. After a great start, Ken, Lee and Liam went off the fish in the latter half of the match with only an occasional counter hitting the cards, JP Molloy scraped and scrapped his way to 7 fish with Stephen O’Donovan managing 4. Tom Collins put in a late surge with a nice thornback ray on his last cast, ending with 7 fish to move him up the rankings. I was fortunate enough, having found the fish, to stay on them, with fish every cast in the latter half of the competition, a mixed bag of 12 including dogfish, strap congers, flounder and whiting.
A very welcome double shot of a dogfish and a small conger proved just the ticket for Pete David
Lines Up
9pm rolled around quickly enough and a damp bunch of anglers gathered in the small carpark to see how things had gone.
Results on the night as follows:
1st Pete Davis, 12 fish for 437pts
2nd Tom Collins 7 fish for 284 pts
3rd Lee Meiklejohn 5 fish for 179 points
Longest flat went to Tom Collins for a ray of 53cm with the longest roundfish going to Pete Davis for a Strap conger of 55cm.
In the Junior section Liam Davis prevailed with Evan Collins in 2nd place.
Master Angler JP
In the shootout between Stephen and JP, JP prevailed on the night and this year it was JP Molloys turn to take the West Cork and District SAC Master Angler title. Hearty congratulations to JP and hard lines to Stephen, there wasn’t a whole pile in it at all over the year and it could well have been either of them at the finish. The top 4 in the club at the end of the season with automatic qualification for next years Master Angler were as follows:
1st JP Molloy 44 points
2nd Stephen O’Donovan 41 points
3rd Pete Davis 37 points
4th Jason Convery 36 points
JP Molloy (right) accepts the Master Angler trophy from Stephen O’Donovan
The kids are alright!
Liam Davis took the Juvenile Master angler title and was the first recipient of our newly commissioned James O’Donohue memorial shield, a perpetual trophy in memory of a sadly, no longer with us, former member. Evan Collins finished close behind in second place. I have mentioned it before on previous reports but its worth noting once again, just how well these kids have been fishing over the course of the year. It’s been a difficult fishing year, with tides and conditions not being conducive to large catches but these 2 in particular have stuck gamely at it with consistent results over the year that have left many a senior angler trailing in their wake. I have never seen either of their heads drop at any stage even when things haven’t gone so well, they have represented themselves very well.
Liam Davis accepts the Junior Master Angler trophy. We suspect it won’t be long before he’s challenging the senior anglers for the main award!
Get Involved
All in all, whilst on occasion the fishing hadn’t been special it had been a thoroughly enjoyable series. We got off to a late start due to Covid restrictions but once we were up and running there was a lot of fun along the way. Its only my second season with West Cork and District and for anyone thinking of joining and having a go, I can only recommend it. A friendly, helpful bunch of folks with competitive fixtures fished in a pleasant atmosphere. There are some top anglers in the club with many a title to their name to learn from and help is at hand for anyone should they need it.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the lads in the background who all dig in to ensure smooth running of these things, in particular, SOD, Sully, Barry, JP and Tom who look after the bulk of the admin, pegging, FB updating, bean counting end of things. Our fixture list will be published shortly, we are out on Garrylucas on January 23rd, 5-9pm for the first of the 2022 season. If you have any inklings or interest in joining, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Facebook page for more info, we would be delighted to have you.
