Applications are invited under the Salmon Conservation Fund, the Midland Fisheries Fund and the new Co-op Funds to avail of the €410,000 funding towards conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource.
The three Inland Fisheries Ireland initiatives are geared to assist stakeholders to undertake projects to enhance habi- tat, stocks, access, invasive species management and ang- ling. The works are important in improving capacity within the resource, estimated to contribute €755 million annually to the Irish economy.
The Minister of State for Natural Resources, Fergus O’Dowd, says: “The inland fisheries sector is fortunate to have such an engaged stakeholder cohort and I am pleased to be able to support IFI in making these funds available to allow for ground up managed sustainable development.”
The new Co-op Funds (available for 2014 only), com- prise the various funds remitted to Inland Fisheries Ireland on the dissolution of the Trout and Coarse Fish Development Societies. The funds will be distributed back to the regions from which they came. A total of €160,000 is available, with more than €130,000 specifically for the old Southern Regional Fisheries Board area.
The Salmon Conservation Fund is now seven years in existence and has allocated funding to 145 salmon projects to which €200,000 is available for distribution under the scheme this year.
The Midland Fisheries Fund, which ran as a pilot scheme in 2013, saw nine projects undertaken in the Midands area developing angling resources, supporting scientific research and conserving fisheries habitat. A further €50,000 is available for 2014.
“Unfortunately the Co-op Funds Scheme is only a once- off opportunity, while the other funds will be reviewed annually,” Mr O’Dowd says.
“I encourage all those interested in fisheries to investigate the possibilities under the various schemes to conserve, develop and promote the resources in their care for the betterment of angling, the inland fisheries resource and Ireland’s economy.”
Full details and application forms are available on fisheries ireland.ie.
Lough Melvin opened for salmon fishing on February 1st. However, it was the second day into the season before the first two were recorded. Kevin Gilmurray landed a 3.6kg salmon trolling the Garrison Shore, while John Flanagan fared better with a fish of 4.1kg close to Flanagan’s Bay.
Since then, Stephen Kennedy from Lisbellaw had a 3.2kg salmon near the Garrison Shore and released two good trout, best of which was about 1.8kg. Jason Martin also released a trout of 3.2kg. (The trout season opened on February 15th on Melvin.)
On the Drowes, just one salmon recorded of 2.7kg on a spinner for Gerry Fox from The Meadow last weekend.
Joshua Higginson (13) from Co Down has won the Dr Arthur Went Award presented by the Irish Specimen Fish Committee for his capture of a twaite shad of 1.35kg using a Tasmanian Devil spinner in the river Barrow at Saint Mullins last May.
Dr Went, a noted fisheries biologist and one of the founder members of the committee, nominated this award for the best specimen of the year, based on the highest percentage of the specimen weight, taken by an angler aged 13 or younger.
Bass expert John Quinlan, based in Waterville, Co Kerry, is offering a special spring offer of two days guiding and three nights full board accommodation in his beautiful thatch cottage for just €250pps.
The offer is available from March to mid-May and includes local transport. For bookings, email thatchcottage ireland@eircom.net.
The Mallard and Claret (below left) has a reputation as a good all-round fly that can be used throughout the season. This particular pattern is easily the most common and is world- renowned as a fantastic fish taker for both brown trout and sea trout on river and lough.
“It is one to start the season off with as it can imitate a number of different insects,” Jimmy Tyrrell says.
See irishflycraft@gmail.com or phone 086-845 1257.
angling@irishtimes.com
