#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has given notice of public consultations on draft angling byelaws for the Rivers Suir, Nore and Slaney.
The draft angling byelaw for the River Suir provides for catch and release when angling for salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) in the main course and including the waters of the Rivers Clodiagh, Lingaun and Blackwater.
It 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 barbless hooks during the period from 17 March to 30 September 2014.
Meanwhile, the draft angling byelaw for the River Nore provides for catch and release when angling for Salmon (any size) and Sea Trout (over 40 cm) during the period from 17 March to 31 May 2014.
This byelaw also provides for the use of single barbless hooks, prohibits the use of worms as bait during this period, and introduces a bag limit of five fish subject to a daily bag limit of one fish during the period rom 1 June to 30 September.
Once the bag limit has been reached it is prohibited to use any fish hooks other than single barbless hooks as well as the use of worms as bait during this period in angling for salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm) in those waters.
Regarding the River Slaney, the relevant draft angling byelaw extends the annual close season in angling for salmon, sea trout and brown trout in the main watercourse and its tributaries from 26 February to 16 March and from 17 September to 30 September.
The byelaw provides for catch and release during the period from 17 March to 16 September in angling for salmon and sea trout. It also provides for the use of artificial fly only with single barbless hook upstream of the old bridge in Enniscorthy, with provision for single barbless hook and a ban on worms as bait downstream of the bridge when angling for salmon or sea trout.
Submissions on all three draft byelaws can be made to IFI Clonmel by email at [email protected] or by post to Inland Fisheries Ireland, Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. The closing date for receipt of submissions is Wednesday 5 March 2014.
