Dundalk Salmon Anglers hold AGM

Fishing on the River Fane

The Dundalk Salmon Anglers Association held their annual general meeting last Sunday.

Approximately 50 members attended the meeting in the clubrooms of the Dundalk Brown Trout Anglers’ Association in Toberona.

The meeting agreed that for 2014 the first time joining fee for senior members would be €80. This would apply to existing and new members and would have to paid before 1st May. After 1st May the fee will be increased to €130. The membership of the club is capped at 175 members each year, so the earlier you get your application in the better chance you have.

The fee for members over 65 is €45 and junior membership is only €10. There is no limit to the number of junior members. Day tickets will cost €15.

The Total Allowable Catch for the River Fane for 2014 is 411.

The average salmon catch on the association’s waters over the last five years (2008 – 2012) was 219, of which the average release back into the river was 40%. The average salmon caught on the Fane weighs 7lbs or 3kgs.

The Association controls fishing on approximately five miles of the Fane. When water conditions are right the fishing for salmon, sea trout can be excellent. There is no commercial fishery on the estuary or the river. The Fane is also one of the country’s top wild brown trout fisheries and a paradise for dry fly enthusiasts.

Any angler wishing to join the association can do so by going to their website www.dundalksalmonanglers.com or email secretary John McCaughey at dundalksalmonanglers@gmail.com or phone 086 067 6380.

Glyde River to open for salmon fishing in New Year

The Glyde River from Annagassan

Wild salmon fishing will be permitted on the Glyde River next year following an assessment of the current state of stocks in the country’s rivers by local TD and Minister of State for Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd.

The Glyde has previously been subject to catch and release restrictionsbut is now deemed healthy enough for a change to “open status”.

Five other rivers around the country have also been reopened, meaning salmon fishing can now take place on 87 rivers nationwide. In total 143 rivers were assessed.

Minister O’Dowd said “I am pleased to note that 87 rivers will open for angling activity in 2014. Fifty seven rivers will be fully open while a further 30 will be open for angling on a “catch & release” basis. This will provide opportunities for commercial fishermen and anglers to share this important resource on a sustainable basis.”

“In 2012 I lowered the cost of fishing licences and I have decided to maintain that price cut for 2014. I am anxious that lower costs will encourage sales of annual licences and incentivise angling tourists to avail of the Ireland’s first-class angling product,” he added.

The change to the status at the River Glyde comes into effect on New Year’s Day.