#ANGLING - A big month for angling in Ireland continues in Galway, as the biggest ever fish caught on the Western lakes now has a permanent home in Clonbur.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Welsh fly fisherman Ceri Jones hooked the 24lb monster trout from Lough Corrib at the end of May.

After authentication by the Irish Specimen Trout Committee, the goliath fish has been declared the biggest catch on record in all of Ireland since 1894, when William Mears landed a 26lb brown trout at Lough Ennell.

Fly Fishing Cork reports that the fish now has pride of place above the bar at Tigh Bhurca in Clonbur, joining a 19lb giant that Jones himself caught a few years ago.

“There was never a question of the fish going anywhere else," he says of the new home for his record-breaking catch. "I got an opening offer of $5,000 from an American who collects such catches but I’d never even consider selling it.

"Clonbur is where the fish should stay and we’ve completed that part of the jigsaw by handing it over here tonight. I got local taxidermist John Thomas from Headford to stuff it and now it’s where I always want it to be.”

Fly Fishing Cork has more on the story HERE.

#ANGLING - Mayo Today reports an extraordinary week of angling on the River Moy, with more than 800 salmon caught.

The best sport on the river was on the East Mayo Anglers' water, where an impressive 179 salmon were snagged on worm, spinner and fly.

The fly catch was particularly good, with visiting anglers Michael O'Kane and John McGinn landing fish of more than 10lbs each.

It marked a second week of great fishing in the region prompted by the persistent rains since June, with the previous week's total nearing 700 on the River Moy alone - the best possible welcome for the visit by Canadian Ambassador to Ireland (and keen Atlantic salmon fly fisherman) Loyola Hearn.

Meanwhile, on the nearby Ballisadore River the fishing was almost as good, with 225 salmon caught during the week.

Topping the catch on that short stretch of water is surely the 15lb monster salmon landed by fishery manager Dermot Glennon taken with shrimp bait.

The situation is very good news in a summer that's seen some concern over salmon stocks in Ireland's rivers.

As reported on Afloat.ie just last month, it was annonced that voluntary conservation measures were being put in place on the Foyle system for the current angling season in response to a "worrying fall" in wild salmon numbers.

#ANGLING - Anglers in Northern Ireland have been warned to watch out for overhead electricity lines when they go fishing, as the Larne Times reports.

The safety call comes from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), which has launched its new 'FishSafe' campaign to remind the angling community of the dangers of fishing close to power lines.

“Electricity can jump gaps and even bringing a fishing rod close to overhead lines can be very dangerous," said NIE safety engineer Hal Steele, who noted that anglers are killed or injured every year through accidental contact with electricty lines.

The new campaign recommends fishing at a safe distance of at least 30 metres from electricty equipment to avoid accidents on the river.

Steele added that even non-metallic lightweight modern rods made from carbon fibre can conduct electricty, reminding that no angler is immune from the dangers of power lines.

The Larne Times has more on the story HERE.

#ANGLING - Derek Evans of Howth Sea Angling Club spoke recently to Noel McGuinness on Near FM's Northside2Day about the activities and competitions hosted by the long-established club.

Even those who have never fished before are more than welcome at the club, which provides expert tuition and guidance for novices aside from the weekly boat trips it organises in Dublin Bay and beyond.

Evans also points out the low cost of entry into angling, something that's especially crucial in these lean economic times.

"Angling is a very cheap sport," says the Irish Times angling correspondent. "All you need really is a rod and a reel."

The podcast is available to listen online HERE.

#MARINE TOURISM - The Loughs Agency has announced the availability of funding of up to £7,500 (€9,200) to support angling development and/or marine tourism projects that benefit the Foyle or Carlingford areas.
 
The limited budget comes by way of the cross-border agency's Sustainable Development Fund, and it advises that only a small number of projects may receive funding.
 
Applications will be accepted under the themes of developing access and other infrastructure for marine tourism and angling; developing marine tourism and angling products; providing accommodation and facilities for anglers and tourists; and training to develop and enhance capacity for angling and tourism.
 
Funding will be at a level of up to 75% of total eligible expenditure, and all public sector requirements apply for procurement (including quotes). Approved projects must also be completed by December this year.
 
Completed application forms must be received at Loughs Agency headquarters by 9.30am on Tuesday 17 July 2012.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has full details HERE on the project criteria and how to apply for funding. Application forms are available on the Loughs Agency website HERE.

#ANGLING - Premium wild Irish salmon will soon be available at fish counters around the country - but only thanks to strict conservation measures, says Inland Fisheries Ireland.

The fisheries body announced a quota of less than 17,000 wild salmon that may be caught either commercially or by anglers during this year's season from 12 May to 12 August to ensure their preservation for future generations.

Only authorised dealers or commercial licensed salmon fishermen may sell wild commercially caught salmon, all of which have a green, white or orange tag attached before processing. Those with a blue tag (not commercially caught) or no tag at all may not be sold.

"Wild Irish salmon are organic, a premium product and part of our natural heritage, we all have a duty to ensure their survival," said Minister of State Fergus O'Dowd.

"Buying or selling illegally caught salmon is an environmental crime and jeopardises Ireland's potential to have a sustainable salmon fishery into the future, and it also damages biodiversity."

The IFI also reminds that farmed salmon are a different product, and are widely available year round. Consumers are advised to ask their supplier if they have any doubts as to the origin of their salmon.


Members of the public can also report incidences of illegal fishing or the sale of illegally caught salmon to the IFI at freephone 1890 34 74 24 or for easier recall 1890 FISH 24.

The news comes as voluntary conservation measures are put in place on the Foyle river system in response to a "worrying fall" in adult salmon numbers in Ireland's rivers.

#ANGLING - Voluntary conservation measures have been put in place on the Foyle system for the current angling season to help shore up wild salmon numbers, The Irish Times reports.

The move is in response to a "worrying fall" in the numbers of adult salmon returning to Ireland's rivers this year - and comes just months after wild Atlantic salmon were spotted in the Tolka in Dublin for the first time in nearly 100 years.

These voluntary measures - which involve catch and release, early closure of some club waters and the imposition of sanctuary areas - are intended to reduce the overall salmon catch, thereby encouraging the spawning rate upstream.

The general public have also been asked to assist by not purchasing any wild salmon - and especially those from the Foyle system, as the purchase or sale of such salmon is an offence.

#ANGLING - Welsh angler Ceri Jones couldn't believe his luck when he fished a record-breaking monster trout from Lough Corrib last weekend.

According to The Connacht Telegraph, Jones hooked the 24lb goliath near the lake's biggest island Inishgoll on Saturday 26 May.

And if declared an authentic specimen by the Irish Specimen Trout Committee, it will rank as the largest trout caught in Ireland since 1894, when William Mears landed a 26lb brown trout at Lough Ennell.

Jones, a freelance photographer with Trout Fisherman magazine, said: “When I hooked it first, I knew instantly it was big fish. It was like hooking a car, the line just streamed off the reel.

“Using this type of big bait, you're either going to get nothing or a big fish,” he added, referring to the roach deadbeat he used to troll the trout for over an hour.

The Welshman plans to have his prize stuffed and mounted in Burke's Bar in Clonbur, Co Galway.

The Connacht Telegraph has more on the story HERE.

#MARINE NOTICE - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) outlines the standards of materials, fixtures and fittings acceptable for use on class-exempt unlicensed vessels, defined as boats carrying passengers for the purpose of angling on smooth water voyages.

The notice is supplementary to the Licensing of Passenger Boats (Exemption) Regulations 2002 and the subsequent amendment of the same year, and it supersedes the particulars of Marine Notice No 1 of 2003.

The standards outlined within require that the hull, machinery and equipment of any vessel should be properly designed, fit for its intended purpose and in good condition so as to ensure to the safety of all on board. 

Guidance is provided on what is to be considered adequate, suitable and approved in relation to the hull, machinery, items, fixtures and fittings on any vessel.

Generally, any item of equipment that bears the Marine Equipment Directive Mark of Conformity is considered complying with the 2002 regulations.

The notice also provides direction on pre-departure safety checks and briefings, and defines the appropriate areas of operation for the class exemption.

Complete details for all boat builders, boat repairers, owners and users are included in Marine Notice No 27 of 2012, a PDF of which is available to read and download HERE.

#ANGLING - Loch An Dochais in Kilcormac will host its annual All Ireland Trout Angling Match for anglers with special needs this Sunday 27 May, as the Offaly Express reports.

The contest is celebrating its 16th year in 2012, and hopes to welcome its biggest ever field of contenders competing for the Mary Robinson Perpetual Trophy.

Fishing commences at 11am till 2.45pm with a bag limit of four trout per angler. All legitimate angling methods are permitted on the day, which also features a youth trout angling competition from 3pm to 5pm.

The Offaly Express has more on the story HERE.