TALKING TAKING OVER FROM FISHING....

It's one of those weeks where talking about fishing has being the order of the day. We had the Derravaragh A.G.M. on Wednesday night last, and on Sunday I.T.F.F.A held their A.G.M. in the Greville Arms. plus I had a meeting with Sorcha O'Brien who is carrying out a survey on Zebra Mussels in the Midlands.

 FREDDY THE FLY-PIKE CATCHER.....

On Sunday 29th January the All-Ireland pike fly-competition was fished on Carramore lake Manualla , Balla Co Mayo. On the day Freddy Miller & Mark Donough represented Lough Glore Angling Club Castlepollard. These two angler are blazing a trail in the fly fishing for pike here in Ireland. On the day Freddy hooked up with a pike weighing 8lbs 10oz which turned out to be the heaviest pike caught on the day. The deadly-duo were sponsored by Castlepollard Angling Centre, and on behalf of Angling Focus we congratulate the Freddy on his fine win. Our fish of the week photo sponsored by Mullingar One-Hour Photo is on its way to Freddy & Mark. 

DERRAVARAGH A.G.M....

On Wednesday night last 1st February Lough Derravaragh anglers held their Annual General Meeting in Murtaghs Bar & Lounge Multyfarnham. This was a lively meeting with plenty of talking points. Derravaragh Chairman Jimmy Nally opened the meeting and was delighted to see such a large turnout of anglers. Some of the main topics discussed was the possibility of catch & release in trout competitions. At present this would not happen on Derravaragh but it will be looked into in the future. Pike handling during competitions was highlighted and there is a need for more weigh-stations -Flag boats etc. Naturally you will have causalities during competitions but the idea of weighing pike that   belly up is not on. My own view on this subject is that Lough Derravaragh have one of the best track records when it comes to pike competitions and they value their pike angling as much as other fish species present in the lake. It is up to the individual angler to do his best when un-hooking pike and if the fish looks in a distressed state it should be released or weighed as soon as possible. On the day of Derravaragh competitions the Competition captain can be contacted by Mobile, and your fish can be weighed. Also there is a Mid-day weigh time in place during Derravaragh Competitions. The club have invested in over 30 holding tanks. On the present stock of fish in Derravaragh, results from a Survey carried out by the ShRFB. last March were read out by Dermott Broughan of the ShRFB. Since Zebra Mussels invaded Lough Derravaragh the roach population has collapsed. Pike numbers are stable and are in a healthy condition. Trout numbers in the survey is also stable. The River Gain was surveyed and there was a very healthy number of trout present in the river. Also 100 pike were removed from the river. and they were transferred to another waterway. During the removal of the pike somewhere in the region of 4,000 trout were seen in the river. This is encouraging news for trout angling on Derravaragh. On the subject of Permits, they will be needed to fish Derravaragh and on the spot checks will take place during 2006. Jet-Skies were mentioned and there is talk of the Crookedwood end of the lake being made available for these machines. Derravaragh produced 11 specimen fish in 2006 which are highlighted in the 50th Anniversary of the Irish specimen Fish 2005 report. Dermott spoke of the new changes and Paddy Isdell gave a very worrying insight into what the Government have in mind for us anglers. As I said it's very confusing and hopefully I will meet up with Paddy Isdell in the coming weeks and have a full report on this matter. Another item covered by Jimmy Nally was the success of their Christmas raffle and their monster Pike competition back on December 27th. These events were well sponsored and he thanked all who helped out during the 2005 season. The competition dates were sorted out for 2006 and coming up on march 26th you will have the Moffatt Cup Pike competition. Finally Jimmy thanked all who attended the A.G.M. especially their guest speakers Dermot Broughan and Paddy Isdell, and he wished everyone tight lines in 2006.  

FINALLY....

I seem to have run out of Ink again, next week sees the trout season opening on the Western lakes & rivers. I will be heading down to Corrib on the 15th.The I.T.F.F.A. (Irish Trout Fly-Fishing Association) held their A.G.M. in the Greville Arms Hotel last Sunday. We will give you a report from this next week. Plus I travelled to Lough Muckno in Co. Monaghan last weekend caught nothing-but photographed some nice pike & trout. Also next week news of a Survey being carried out on our friends we mention from time to time the Zebra Mussel, Westmeath Student Sorcha O'Brien from Athlone is on the trail of the Zebra Mussel. I had a meeting with Sorcha last week here in town and I have some info next week.