#ANGLING - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been successful in a circuit court case against a Louth man who appealed a district court decision over illegal salmon fishing.

Pat Smith of Annagassan, who was appealing the severity of the sentence handed down by the District Court in April last year, was ordered to pay two fines totalling €600 and costs of €2,369 to IFI in a hearing at Dundalk Circuit Court on Friday 11 May.

Smith was found to be illegally fishing in September 2010 after fisheries officers from the Dundalk district apprehended him with a fixed net at the shores of Annagassan, the tidal section of the Dee and Glyde rivers.

Court proceedings were initiated and on 14 April 2011 Smith was convicted and fined €600 and ordered to pay total costs of €880 to Inland Fisheries Ireland. 

Smith appealed this case on two counts: first on the townland where the incident took place, and secondly on the severity of the sentence. The first count was dropped by the defendant just before proceedings began in the circuit court.

On the second count witness Assistant Inspector Ronan O’Brien gave evidence of events of the day in question and outlined that all rivers on the East Coast, with the exception of the River Fane, were closed for salmon fishing due to declining salmon stocks.  

Judge Terry O’Sullivan stated that the offence committed was serious and had to be treated as such because salmon stocks were in decline around the country and were an important part of our heritage. He ordered Smith to pay both fines totalling €600 within six months by default or face six months imprisonment. The judge also ordered him to pay total costs of €2,369 to IFI with six months to pay.

Since 2006 IFI has engaged in conservation measures to combat the decline in salmon numbers. This resulted in an end to the interceptory mixed stock fishery for salmon throughout Ireland, and affected newsmen who availed of the Hardship Scheme were compensated for their loss.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the IFI Salmon Conservation Scheme has been extended through this year, with funding increased to a total of €200,000.

The pilot scheme will facilitate the rehabilitation of salmon stocks, giving priority to rivers below their conservation limit which have the greatest prospect of recovery.

According to IFI: "At the peak of salmon production in the 1970s, approximately 3,000 salmon were caught commercially in Dundalk waters. This declined to an all time low in 2006 when only 225 were caught in the entire Dundalk bay area. Annagassan would have been a traditional location for poaching salmon and sea trout in the past.

"Consequently all the rivers on the East coast, with the exception of the River Fane, were closed for salmon fishing. Only this year are the Castletown, Glyde and Dee rivers open for catch-and-release only."

The fisheries body added: "It is hoped that these measures will preserve our stock of Atlantic salmon, which are not only a valuable resource for our economy, but also an important part of our natural heritage as salmon and trout have been running our rivers since the last ice age."

Members of the public can report incidents of poaching and pollution to the IFI at freephone 1890 34 74 24 or for easier recall 1890 FISH 24.

#ANGLING - Two Irish anglers were the top sea trout samplers for the Celtic Sea Trout Project in 2011.

Martin McKenny from the River Dee and Brian McShane from the Castletown River, plus several other Irish winners, will be presented with their valuable tackle voucher prizes by Minister Fergus O’Dowd at a Fisheries Awareness Week event on 20 May at the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan, Co. Meath.

Martin, who regularly fishes the Dee, provided the most sets of sea trout scales from fish he caught on rod and line in his favourite river.

In the runners-up spot was Brian McShane who also provided a large numbers of sets of scales from the beautiful Castletown River. Virtually all fish were returned alive after the small sample of scales had been taken.

Congratulating all the Irish winners, Minister O'Dowd said: "I commend these anglers and their efforts in supporting the Celtic Sea Trout Project. The success of the project is assured with such cooperation from the winning anglers and all participating anglers who have contributed so much to the project."

Since 2010 scales have been collected by anglers from sea trout from priority rivers which flow into the Irish and Celtic Seas in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man.

The scales, which are like life history diaries, will provide scientists working on the Celtic Sea Trout Project with essential information on sea trout populations in the rivers sampled including their age, growth and how many times they have spawned. 

The project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Ireland Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013 (INTERREG 4A), aims to increase our understanding of sea trout, in order to manage them better and increase their contribution to local economies and the quality of life. Full details about the project can be found at www.celticseatrout.com.

Full list of winners in Ireland
Overall winner (covering anglers from Ireland, Wales Scotland, England/Isle of Man): Martin McKenny from the River Dee
Regional winners (1 of 4 Regions): Brian McShane of the Castletown

The following anglers names were drawn at random and have each won £100 (or equivalent value in €) in tackle vouchers (4 winners from 10 draws are from Ireland):
Andy Kelly of the Slaney
Martin McCarthy of the Argideen
Jimmy Condra of the Boyne
John Harmon of the Boyne

#ANGLING - The Irish Times' resident angling expert Derek Evans was on hand at the launch of Sea to Stream, a new film documenting the salmon and sea trout season on Lough Currane in Co Kerry.

The hour-long DVD follows anglers Richie Johnson and Charles Stewart on "a fishing journey" of the lough from the opening day of the fishing season in a fashion akin to their previous effort Follow the Fly in 2010.

Like that film, this one also features narration from noted actor Niall Tóibín (Ryan's Daughter, Ballykissangel), and includes "compelling" photography by cameraman Gary Finnegan.

The action isn't just confined to Lough Currane, however, as Johnson and Stewart also attempt fly fishing in the nearby River Inny and angle for trout on Lough Namona.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

#ANGLING - A landowner in Co Fermanagh has blocked access to a slipway and moorings used by anglers on his land, as BBC News reports.

Fishermen found the road leading to the site blocked by hay bales after the 10-year lease for access to the facility, near Castle Caldwell on Lower Lough Erne, expired recently.

It is believed that the landowner had reported a number of concerns regarding use of the site to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), alledging that some fishermen had been blocking access to his land with their cars and startling farmers' cattle with car horns.

The slipway at the mouth of the Garvary River, which was built with public funds, is reportedly one of the few places boats can be launched between Belleek and Kesh, a popular spot for angling in Northern Ireland.

DCAL says it is negotiating with the landowner and farmers to reopen the lane.

BBC News has more on the story HERE.

#ANGLING - 'Gone fishing' is where Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) wants you to be during Fisheries Awareness Week from tomorrow 12 to 20 May.

Full details of events taking place country-wide for Fisheries Awareness Week are available on FAW.ie. Most events are free and with so much going on and there is sure to be something happening near you.

Something else that's free for the week is your fishing permit. Minister of State for Natural Resources Fergus O'Dowd announced on Tuesday that the permit fee is waived for angling on Inland Fisheries Ireland's trout and coarse permitted fisheries during Fishing Awareness Week.

The minister noted that "recreational fishing in Ireland is often a shared family or group activity, contributing to community cohesion and development. It also provides benefits through its outdoor, physical nature for individuals, and brings a shared responsibility of our fisheries resources."

Encouraging everyone to get involved, IFI head of business Suzanne Campion said: "This is a great opportunity to try fishing. There is old fishing gear lying in the back of sheds all around the country and now is the time to dust it off and get together with friends and family for a fun day's fishing."

Fisheries Awareness Week events include balsam bashes, fly-tying and sea, pike, coarse and game angling. And with 70 events taking place in 22 counties, there is plenty of choice and opportunity.

#ANGLING - A revolutionary new fly-carrying package aims to eliminate the annoyance of going back and forth to replenish your bait supply, as The Irish Times reports.

The Jodea, developed and patented by fly-fisherman Jeremiah O’Dea, can be clipped to an angler’s belt or jacket to hold everything he or she needs mid-stream.

The pack is collapsible and stores as a flat pack, but can telescope forward when required and includes a felt pocket for braids and hook storage.

Launched at last November's Irish Fly Fair and Angling Show, the new invention is considered a necessity for natural bait fly-fishers such as dappers, and is soon to be available in tackle shops nationwide.

For more information visit the Jodea Facebook page or buy online from TheJodea.com.

#ANGLING - Raphoe angler Vincent Walsh did the double in the first rounds in the float and feeder events at the Waterways Ireland NCFFI Irish Team Qualifiers recently.

According to The Impartial Reporter, the float qualifiers will be used to determine Ireland's three international teams for 2013.

In the float event on the River Barrow in Carlow, Walsh's total of 55 fish with a weight of 6.15kg squeaked him just ahead of second-place finisher Glen Lawlor from Co Armagh with 40 fish for 6.03kg.

Walsh also took the top spot in the feeder event, with a total of 40 fish weighing 7.7kg, more than a kilo on his nearest rival Colin Martin with 52 fish for 6.45kg.

The second round of qualifiers is scheduled for Inniscarra Lake in Coachford, Co Cork on the weekend of 19-20 May.

The Impartial Reporter has more on the story HERE.

#ANGLING - Despite the Nor'easterly winds and rain in recent days, anglers on Co Mayo's lakes and rivers have reported good fishing, as Mayo Today reports.

Saturday 28 April was the day for the Trout Federation of Ireland's Connacht Cup on Lough Mask, which saw an impressive count of 149 trout caught by 31 anglers from seven different clubs.

Eugene Nolan of Annaghdown took the top spot with 18 trout, five more than second place finisher Martin Feerick of Partry. Third place was taken by Aidan Hodgins of Loughrea, which also took the overall team title.

Meanwhile, the River Moy had its best week of the salmon season so far, with 70 fish caught throughout the system.

Foxford Salmon Anglers member Joe Cassidy landed an enormous 16lb salmon upstream of Foxford, one of a number of catches in various parts that broke the 10lb mark.

And with water levels good thanks to the recent heavy rains, expectations have been raised for an even better catch this week.

#ANGLING - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has successfully won a court case against a Co Louth man for illegal salmon fishing.

John Carney from Dunleer was given a four-month prison sentence, fined €400 and ordered to pay costs of over €1,400 to Inland Fisheries Ireland in Drogheda District Court on 24 April after he was found to be illegally fishing in September 2011.

Dundalk district fisheries officers apprehended Carney with fixed nets in the tidal section of the River Glyde. When questioned by officers, the defendant was found to have set five nets, was in possession of illegally caught salmon and refused to give his name and address.

Fisheries officers Thomas Duffy, Seamus Kelledy, Paul O’Reilly and Assistant Inspector Ronan O’Brien were present and court proceedings were initiated. Both sides were represented in court and Carney fought the charges being brought against him.

Judge Hamill convicted Carney under Sections 96, 182 and 301 of the 1959 Fisheries Act, for using a fixed engine which was capable of taking salmon or sea trout, being in possession of illegally caught salmon and for refusing to give his name and address when lawfully demanded.

He was given a four-month prison sentence, fined €400 and ordered to pay total costs of €1,440 to Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Carney had been fined and convicted for previous fisheries offences in the area over the last number of years, the most recent being in 2010 when he was convicted for illegal salmon fishing.

IFI says Dundalk's rivers "remain vulnerable" due to the decline of salmon stocks. In 2006 a series of conservation measures were introduced in order to combat the decline in salmon numbers.

"The interceptory mixed stock fishery for salmon ceased throughout Ireland and netsmen who availed of the Hardship Scheme were duly compensated for their loss of the salmon fishery," said IFI. "At the peak of salmon production in the 1970’s, approximately 3,000 salmon were caught commercially in Dundalk waters annually. This declined to an all time low in 2006 when only 225 were caught in the entire Dundalk bay area. Annagassan would have been a traditional location for poaching salmon and sea trout in the past.

"Consequently all the rivers on the East coast with the exception of the River Fane were closed for salmon fishing. The Dee, Glyde and Castletown rivers are open for catch and release only."

The fisheries body added: "It is hoped that these measures will preserve our stock of Atlantic salmon, which are not only a valuable resource for our economy, but also an important part of our natural heritage as salmon and trout have been running our rivers since the last ice age. Anglers also need to continue to be vigilant to report any illegal fishing incidences to the board."

IFI reiterated its call on the public to report poaching and pollution incidences on its freefone number 1890 34 74 24, or for easier recall 1890 FISH 24.

#ANGLING - Inland Fisheries Ireland will sponsor the European Police Coarse Angling Championships on Lough Muckno in Co Monaghan from 5-6 October 2012.

According to the Irish Angling Development Alliance (IADA), delegates from around Europe met at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblaney last week to plan the event and visit local amenities.

The organising committee commented: “The response was so good that it now looks like 22 teams of five will be in attendance in the area for a period of approximately 10 days, with many team members, spouses and friends spending a further seven days after the event.”

Contingents from the Netherlands and Italy are expected to field the greatest number of teams competing in the championships, which bring with them a massive economic benefit for the region.

The IADA has much more on the story HERE.