NEWS - Combined Second and Third Quarter 2023

On this occasion you have a combined edition of the News page. The last few months, when we have gone from very hot waters to rapid flows on rivers, with still waters nearly overflowing, have presented anglers with challenges. Add to that a couple of trans-Atlantic storms with their associated high winds – well – enough said!

WARNING

Two separate incidents, one in Ireland and one in Wales continue to remind anglers of the need to be vigilant and take appropriate steps for their safety. “It will never happen to me”, is a phrase which needs to be outlawed!

 

On July the 29th Gareth Bowen was fishing at Treaddur Bay in Ynys Mon just after 1900 hrs. He ended up in the water, it being suggested, as a result of a wave. He was not seen alive again. An intense search found no sign of him. His body was discovered on the 2nd of August on the beach at Rhoscolyn, Ynys Môn. The question, no doubt, to be considered at the inquest will be whether Gareth was wearing a life preserver of any sort?

At a recent inquest in County Donegal, Ireland, a very tragic story unfolded, involving a family fishing trip. On the 18th of June Jonathan Christian and his sons Benjamin (15) and Jacob (17), from the Isle of Man, were fishing from a boat on Lough Keel. It appears that a bait bucket went overboard. Jacob tried to swim after it but could not reach it. Attempts to throw a life ring failed. Benjamin and his father Jonathan both went into the water to attempt assistance. Benjamin recalls his father helping him onto some rocks. Thereafter both Jonathan and Jacob drowned. Sadly, parts of this unfortunate incident were captured on a mobile phone video.
No mention in the report I have, is made of life preservers.
Remember always to wear your life jacket.

 

CATCH AND RELEASE

Of interest to all of us, not only those who practice “catch and release” is “An Annotated Bibliography of the Science on Catch and Release Angling of Salmonids” by Brian Hodge.

 

Picture here by courtesy of Brian Hodge
Brian is an aquatic restoration biologist with Trout Unlimited, my professional body in America.

The link to the papers is:
https://www.tu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Annotated-Bibliography-on-CR_TU-Science.pdf

Brian was awarded the Rise to The Future Award from the US Forestry Service in 2015, in recognition of his work in protecting watershed resources in the Routt National Forest.
The Bibliography contains much information and there are some studies dealing with high temperatures, now very relevant to us all.

 

ENFORCEMENT.

Three recent cases have caught my eye. All three were reported in The Fishing News (A commercial fishing weekly)
Following salmon fishing offences off the coast of North Mayo three men appeared in court after being caught with 861m of nets and 27 illegally caught salmon. The “ringleader” O’Donnell was fined €3000 plus €1000 expenses to Inland Fisheries Ireland and €1845 costs also to IFI. The two other culprits were fined. The court ordered a total of €7595 be paid.

Natural Resources Wales took the “ringleader” of a river Teifi poaching operation to court. Emlyn Rees of Cenarth had a total of £18,524:25 confiscated, following the granting of an application for confiscation at Swansea Crown Court. Giving him three months to pay Rees also has, as an alternative, a nine month prison sentence.

Two Limerick men appeared in the Limerick District Court on the 8th of September and were convicted of illegally netting salmon on the River Shannon. Damian Mallard had previously been convicted and given a four month suspended sentence in October 2020. He received a one month prison sentence, and the suspended sentence was activated. Hughes, (the second defendant) was fined €250 with a further €250 costs awarded to IFI.

Well done to all the enforcement teams!

 

SOME FISHING BITS.

I remember mentioning when I gave evidence in the Fishery Inquiry in 2019 suggesting that the IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing) might well have an effect on our salmon stocks at sea. In August the Department of Homeland Security in the USA acknowledged that the import of fish products, from illegal activity may now be worth $2 bn per annum. Recommendations have been made to try and close the avenues available!
Nice to be on the same track as Homeland Security!

Canadian fishermen have called on their Department of Fisheries and Oceans to to assist in a marketing campaign for seal products. Whilst the Dept already issues permits to hunt 60,000 grey seals and 400,000 harp seals each year, the estimates suggest the that the seal numbers now exceed 12m.
They are said to eat 13m tons of fish per annum – more than the amount taken by commercial fishermen!

It was reported in August 2023 that Russian landings of Pink Salmon saw a staggering landing of 154,000t in one week which caused the price of salmon to collapse! Chum Salmon was only fetching 20 cents per pound while Pink Salmon prices were down to 18 cents per pound.

 

PINK SALMON.

Natural Resources Wales have issued an Advisory note in respect of ths alien species of salmon i.e. The Pink Salmon.
To date they have appeared in “odd numbered years” in UK waters e.g., 2019 2021 2023.
As an alien species, anglers have the right to cull them BUT you must be absolutely certain it is a pink!

The Advisory note can be found in the NRW website:
www.naturalresources.wales

 

TICKS.

The UK Health Security Agency has discovered a case of encephalitis in England for the first time, causing concern.
If you fish “off the grid”, where sheep are grazing, make certain you deny ticks access to your skin!

Should you have a tick embedded in you DO NOT simply pull it out!
There are special tweezers available, usually from veterinary clinics, with clear instructions.
I have already noted some instructions on removal I do not agree with! Gone are the days when a hot cigarette worked!

 

Elife RIVER DEE PROJECT.

 

This exciting project continues.
As work continues throughout the Dee Basin, one of the most exciting items will be the work on the Chester Weir. A defunct canoe and fish gate has been removed and a stainless steel gate, operated by a bank side winch has been installed.

The weir is some twenty eight miles from the mouth of the Dee Estuary. The twenty eight miles is navigable and has been used as far back as Roman times.
Salmon tagging continues to provide evidence.

Work on the River Ceiriog continues with steps taken to reduce/remove cattle erosion.
The team visited Jamtland in Sweden in order to visit four Life projects. (NB Brilliant area for cross country skiing! JNH)
The Team now has three drone pilots, and this allows, amongst other things, better site views compared to ground only inspections.

Future work is scheduled for:
The Alwen Culvert on the B4501
The Bala Boulders – 500 tons of boulders will benefit the fish.
Weir Z - Located on the Afon Tryweryn is part of the channel system.

CHURCHILL FELLOWSHIPS 2024.

 

Time to make your application if you wish to pursue a study, anywhere in the world, for 6-7 weeks, funded by the WCMT funds.
The opening date was the 12th of September 2023 and the closing date is 14th of November at 1700 hrs.

The range of current programmes for Fellowships to be awarded in 2024 are:
• Arts and communities.
• Caring for our natural environment.
• Children and young people with experience of care.
• Climate change.
• Education in schools.
• Palliative and end of life care.
• Physical activity for healthier lives.
• Resilient economies and communities.
• Tech for all.

In 2024, The Trust will also be offering an open option for any projects which fall outside of this range, provided they fit the general criteria.

For further details visit: www.churchillfellowship.org

 

2024 EXPLORATIONS.

I hope, in 2024, to re-visit what I consider to be a ”bucket list” fishing locations.

In my mind are:
Scourie Using the Scourie Hotel.
Annan Using the Marchbank Hotel Canonbie.
Corrib Possible but exploring in a visit in October.
I stress this is exploration and not guiding you!

Should any of these spark interest please let me know by email to llynguides@dnetw.co.uk

 

AND FINALLY.

Hearty congratulations to the young lady who took her first brace of Welsh Brownies, just before the end of the season. This, in weather that would challenge any angler.
Congratulations - Llongyfarchiadau
Yes, she knows who she is!