Irish Angling Development Alliance

The 2012 Garda Open will be held on Saturday the 28th of July at Lough Muckno, County Monaghan. This popular open match has been ran sucessfully over the best number of years and attracts anglers from all over Ireland. It is seen as the warm up to the Irish Angling Developments Alliance’s Irish Open which is ran the following day.

The draw will be at 09:00am at the Old Coach Inn in Castleblaney. In keeping with the bio security protocols,  the No Dip No Draw protocol will be compulsory for all fishing this match.

For further details please contact any of the following;

Richard Caplice at iadachairman@gmail.com

Donncha Maguire at donnchamaguire@hotmail.com

Eamonn Bracken at eamonnbracken@hotmail.com

More details to follow soon

Up to 80 people joined with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Irish Angling Development Alliance and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club at their Fisheries Awareness Week event at the Brothers Lake, Dundalk Road, Carrickmacross on Saturday 12th May. The event took place from 10am to 5pm and participants learned how to fish for pike, coarse fish and how to fly fish with qualified angling coaches. A tented area staffed by anglers and coaches provided visitors with expert information on tackle and tactics. There was also lots of literature and contact information available and a fish tank display.

Following a chat in the tented area, visitors were invited to have a go at a number of stands on the lake. All of the children and many adults took the chance to have a go and many caught their first fish. One young boy had 15 roach and it was his first time fishing. A draw was also held for some great tackle and tuition and the prizes will be handed over at a tuition day which is being held in two weeks time. The event was also supported by members of the Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI) Ireland who provided casting instruction and fly tying demonstrations.

The event was so successful that a follow up coaching session is being organised next Saturday at the Brothers lake from 11am until 2pm. The Irish Angling Alliance and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club will be supporting this initiative. Dick Caplice from IADA said that “because of the demand from the youngsters and parents we have to hold this event, this will ensure that they will continue to pursue the sport of angling now that they have been introduced to it. A summer camp being organised and run in July by angling coach Geoff Quinn has also been filled.

This Young Fly Angler Gets Some Advice from Tom Cogan

In advance of Fisheries Awareness Week which will commence on Saturday next 12th May, the Irish Angling Development Alliance (IADA) and Carrickmacross Coarse Angling Club in association with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) ran two information days at O’Gormans Supervalu supermarket in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on Friday and Saturday last 4th and 5th May. The information days were organised to promote the main event; which will take place on Saturday 12th May at the Brothers Lake (Lisanisk), and to let people find out about what will be happening on the day and to give them a chance to sign up for the event. The interactive stand had fish tanks containing an assortment of different fish species including pike, trout, eels, gudgeon and roach which proved very popular with children and adults alike. The feedback that was received by staff about the stand was very positive indeed. Computer slideshows, promotional materials and staff from IADA, Carrickmacross CAC and IFI all provided additional information to members of the public.

It is hoped that the event on the 12th will get a great crowd following the information days and those attending will be treated to a number of great demonstrations from qualified pike  coarse and game angling coaches. There will of course be a chance to have a go and possibly catch your first fish. For further information on this and other FAW events please visit www.faw.ie

Carrickmacross Coarse Angling & Junior Development

Something Fishy Day

12th May 2012 From 10.30am to 5.30pm

at Lisanisk Lake (Brothers Lake), Dundalk Rd, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan

Suitable for children, partial Wheelchair access and Car parking

Coarse use of Pole Whip  Feeder Float,  Pike Use of Lure and Dead Bait, Fishing Fly Tying demonstation Fly ,Casting Demonstration, Bait and Lure Display

Contact details:

Something Fishy Day

Kieran Roche

kieran.roche@hotmail.com

087 3538501

The International Fly Fishing Association Youths Competition will take place at Lough Owel on 1st August 2012 and the Seniors Competition will take place at Lough Sheelin on Friday 17th May 2012. Fisheries Awareness Week will also commence on this day and staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland will host an array of events throughout the country to increase local, national and international awareness of Irish Fisheries and their potential. On May 12th Inland Fisheries Ireland will host an open day at Lough Owel Angling Centre, Tullaghan, Co. Westmeath. Members of the 2012 Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association Youths Team will be at Tullaghan Angling Centre, Lough Owel, to give fly tying and fly casting demonstrations. The angling center will open from 10AM and the main events will take place at about 12 noon. This is a no entry fee to this event and Inland Fisheries Ireland are inviting as many people as possible to come along and learn about Irish Fisheries and angling in Ireland. I would be very grateful if you circulate the content of this email to club members and others who may be interested in becoming involved in angling.

Many Thanks,

Joe Keena http://itffa.webs.com/

The IADA recently introduced it’s No Dip No Draw to a trout competition. Cavan Anglers who are members of the IADA recently held the Ulster Team Qaulifier on the River Annalee. As part of the event they incorporated the No Dip No Draw policy that all of the IADA clubs follow. Peter Walsh attended the event and carried out the dipping of equipment and was able to inform all who attended of the procedure and what it means to angling. The following is a report from Bernard Engle of Cavan Anglers.

On the 28th April, Cavan Anglers hosted the ITFFA Ulster fly fishing competition. A welcome addition was Peter Walsh of IADA who kindly handled the dipping for us. It was the first time biosecurity has been introduced to one of these competitions and we were worried about the response however, soon anglers started to approach Peter asking questions. The event was attended by 17 anglers from around… Ulster and a total of 297 fish were caught and safely released.  At the award ceremony, crystal plates, sponsored by Cavan Anglers as part of their 80th anniversary, were handed to the winners.  The top 5 got places in the Ulster team. Also a big thanks went out to the IADA and Peter Walsh for taking on the biosecurity on the day.  Talking to the anglers after the presentation, a lot of mention was made of the dipping procedure and the overall consensus was that it is a good thing and they were happy some one made move in that direction. Overall, the day was a great success.

Bernard Engle

This is an initiative designed and run by Inland Fisheries Ireland as part of Fisheries Awareness Week.

• When is Fisheries Awareness Week? 12 May to 20 May 2012
• Where can I find out more and how to get involved? http://www.faw.ie/himalayan-balsalm-bash/

Why Himalayan Balsam Bashing?

It is possible to eradicate Himalayan balsam (not an option with most invasive plant species) from infested river catchments because its morphology and life cycle display a number of weaknesses that are uncharacteristic of such high profile invasive species. These include:

• the plant has an annual life cycle, meaning it germinates, grows, flowers, seeds and dies in the one year;
• the tall plant has a shallow root ball so easily removed by pulling;
• the plant has no natural defence mechanisms, such as thorns or    bristles, to make pulling difficult or hazardous;
• the majority of the seeds germinate after one year and
• seeds are the only propagation method of this species.

The combination of Himalayan balsam attributes described above means it is possible for large, well organised groups to physically remove the plants from long sections of river corridor. This over a two year period will deplete the seed reserve within the catchment. This represents an enormous conservation advantage to the aquatic and riparian ecosystem that will preserve the river banks from erosive effects of winter floods.

How to successfully remove Himalayan Balsam from your river bank

The following procedure should apply:

• Balsam bashing programmes should be scheduled before the plant flowers and, certainly, before any seed pods are set. The ideal time is from about mid-May to the end of June.
• On river banks, plant removal should commence at the farthest    upstream site from which the plant was recorded and work progressively downstream.
• The teams of balsam ‘bashers’ should be alerted to any risks or      hazards that may exist in the targeted area (e.g. uneven banks,      steep-sided banks, animal burrows, dense nettle or bramble beds, etc.) before pulling starts.
• Each balsam ‘basher’ should be equipped with strong boots or wellies, long robust trousers or leggings (to ward off the unwelcome attention of nettles or brambles), long sleeved upper garments and long durable gloves (for the same reason).
• As the plants have a very shallow root ball, they are easily removed from the soil by gently pulling. However, in order to ensure the plant does not break when pressure is exerted on it, it is recommended that the ‘basher’ bends and grips the stem about 1 metre above the ground. Here,  the stem is relatively thick and should not break when pulled. As the plants tend to grow in dense patches, it is often possible to remove two or more plants in the one go. The minimum of pressure is normally required      to remove the root in its entirety from the ground.
• Having removed the balsam plant from the ground, it should be thrown landward, away from the river, where another team will gather the plants into large piles
• The piles of Himalayan balsam plants may be left in situ beyond the bankside, if permission from the landowner is granted. Covered with a layer of jute or hession material in order to eliminate light will hasten the demise of the plant and ensure that it will not flower and set seed (it is not uncommon  for plants that have been removed fully from the soil to put all of their remaining energy into flower and seed production before they die.) The jute will rot down with the composting balsam plants. Where it is not possible to leave  the plant piles in situ, they      will be transported to suitable licensed composting facilities.
• The day should end with a hearty barbeque, some cold drinks and a rousing sing-song.
• As the seeds of the Himalayan balsam can remain viable for two   years, it will be important that all participants put the date for the next balsam bash in their diary and bring a friend along to the same site  in 2013.

The welcome news that Inland fisheries Ireland are to sponsor the European Police Coarse Angling championships scheduled for 5th and 6th October 2012 was announced this week and comes as a massive boost to the successful hosting of this prestigious event.
Over the weekend 13th to 15th April 2012, a total of 15 delegates from Europe attended at the Glencarn hotel in Castleblayney to plan the event alongside the team from An Garda Siochana who have responsibility for its efficient and smooth execution.
All of the delegates to a man praised the wonderful warm welcome and help extended to everyone, from courtesy pick up and drop off at Dublin airport by six volunteer cars, to the guided visits to the Lough Muckno sites, the on hand boat guiding service and the wonderful food and entertainment laid on at a number of locations.
Many of the hotels, guesthouses and self catering locations were visited with nothing but positive reaction, to the extent that a large number of the participants spontaneously extended their trips for a further week.
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 approx ten days, with many team members, spouses and friends spending a further 7 days after the event.

This is an unprecedented feature of any such event held on a rotational basis throughout Europe over the last 10 years and the enthusiasm shown in all of what we have to offer, is quite remarkable.
An indication of the approval level is that the Dutch group alone will now consist of five teams of five and a further 15 wives and followers will travel and be in attendance in this area over this ten day period.
Similarly Belgium fielding only one team of five has 17 people travelling in its group for a period of 10 days.
Since returning home on Sunday evening last, the Italian delegation has announced that a total of three teams of five and entourage will travel to Ireland but will now be accompanied by a large group of non police anglers who will practice the soon to be developed angling facilities in Castleblayney adjacent to the venue, while on as a fact finding mission there.
It is confidently expected that the event will amount to filling of a minimum of 1600 bed nights in the local region with a colossal spend on food, drink, entertainment, bait, tackle and other services along with the unusually large crowd of non angling companions and friends in attendance and spending on other general items.

The event will also feature a reception for the teams and entourage at the Glencarn hotel on Wednesday 3rd of October and a celebration Banquet on the closing night 6th October 2012.
This final function is expected to be attended by the Divisional Garda chief, the CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland and possibly by the minister of State at The Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources all of whom will be invited, along with a number of other persons from Local/County Council and voluntary bodies working to make the event a huge success.
The organising committee of the European Angling event extends our sincere thanks to Inland fisheries Ireland for their commitment to this very important event which will have a massive economic benefit for the region and the town of Castleblayney in particular.
The staff members of Monaghan County Council, planning and tourism sections are playing a decisive and central Role in ensuring that the venue is ready for the event and that the development project is over the line in good time by mid September when the advance parties arrive.
If the enthusiasm shown by the delegation in attendance over 13th to 15th April is anything to go by, the positive impact of this European event will be felt far into the future and the economic benefit will be immense.
In economic terms this single event will generate more revenue for the local economy than the entire cost of the wonderful Lough Muckno Development, funded by Interreg and due for completion just two weeks prior to the commencement of the event and without which the event caThe welcome news that Inland fisheries Ireland are to sponsor the European Police Coarse Angling championships scheduled for 5th and 6th October 2012 was announced this week and comes as a massive boost to the successful hosting of this prestigious event.
Over the weekend 13th to 15th April 2012, a total of 15 delegates from Europe attended at the Glencarn hotel in Castleblayney to plan the event alongside the team from An Garda Siochana who have responsibility for its efficient and smooth execution.
All of the delegates to a man praised the wonderful warm welcome and help extended to everyone, from courtesy pick up and drop off at Dublin airport by six volunteer cars, to the guided visits to the Lough Muckno sites, the on hand boat guiding service and the wonderful food and entertainment laid on at a number of locations.
Many of the hotels, guesthouses and self catering locations were visited with nothing but positive reaction, to the extent that a large number of the participants spontaneously extended their trips for a further week.
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 approx ten days, with many team members, spouses and friends spending a further 7 days after the event.
This is an unprecedented feature of any such event held on a rotational basis throughout Europe over the last 10 years and the enthusiasm shown in all of what we have to offer, is quite remarkable.
An indication of the approval level is that the Dutch group alone will now consist of five teams of five and a further 15 wives and followers will travel and be in attendance in this area over this ten day period.
Similarly Belgium fielding only one team of five has 17 people travelling in its group for a period of 10 days.
Since returning home on Sunday evening last, the Italian delegation has announced that a total of three teams of five and entourage will travel to Ireland but will now be accompanied by a large group of non police anglers who will practice the soon to be developed angling facilities in Castleblayney adjacent to the venue, while on as a fact finding mission there.
It is confidently expected that the event will amount to filling of a minimum of 1600 bed nights in the local region with a colossal spend on food, drink, entertainment, bait, tackle and other services along with the unusually large crowd of non angling companions and friends in attendance and spending on other general items.

The event will also feature a reception for the teams and entourage at the Glencarn hotel on Wednesday 3rd of October and a celebration Banquet on the closing night 6th October 2012.
This final function is expected to be attended by the Divisional Garda chief, the CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland and possibly by the minister of State at The Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources all of whom will be invited, along with a number of other persons from Local/County Council and voluntary bodies working to make the event a huge success.
The organising committee of the European Angling event extends our sincere thanks to Inland fisheries Ireland for their commitment to this very important event which will have a massive economic benefit for the region and the town of Castleblayney in particular.
The staff members of Monaghan County Council, planning and tourism sections are playing a decisive and central Role in ensuring that the venue is ready for the event and that the development project is over the line in good time by mid September when the advance parties arrive.
If the enthusiasm shown by the delegation in attendance over 13th to 15th April is anything to go by, the positive impact of this European event will be felt far into the future and the economic benefit will be immense.
In economic terms this single event will generate more revenue for the local economy than the entire cost of the wonderful Lough Muckno Development, funded by Interreg and due for completion just two weeks prior to the commencement of the event and without which the event cannot take place.
In creating a new centre of excellence at the prime resource at Lough Muckno we are truly utilising our best natural resources to stimulate the local economy and create and sustain jobs in the area surrounding.
The tackle sponsor for this event remains Maver UK the company that continues to sponsor the Maver Ireland Garda Siochana team and has done so through our two consecutive wins in this event, leading to the hosting by Ireland in 2012.
Mr Phil Briscoe the CEO of Maver UK and Maver International has also indicated his intention to be in attendance.

Richard Caplice.
Eamonn Bracken.
Donnacha Maguire.
Joe Kiernan.
Organising Committee

On the 31st of March, the IADA held a full day conference with it’s member clubs.  The conference was extremely well attended with a highly positive and interactive session taking place.  Many topics affecting angling across all the disciplines were discussed and from the day, the IADA will be presenting their strategic view on the direction of our sport.

 Pictures of the event at this link

The wonderful Wetlands centre at Ballybay was the venue on Tues Night last the 27th March for the first of three Road shows being facilitated by the IADA covering Bio Security during the spring of 2012 at Monaghan Cavan and Galway venues.   The local Ballybay angling club headed by Liam O’ Brien and Sheila Bromley coordinated the event at local level and the officers of the IADA set the programme and invited some very important speakers on this alarming issue of which little is known in the general public.

The event commenced at 8.30pm to facilitate the now busy farming schedule, in front of an audience of thirty plus people from diverse groups including IFA, IADA, IFI, Monaghan county Council, and angling clubs from as far away as Cavan and Newry Co Down.   Chairman of the IADA Richard Caplice opened the event by introducing speakers from Monaghan Water, Martina Smyth and senior chemist Bernie O’Flaherty who presented a comprehensive programme on the approach to water Quality in Co Monaghan from a local authority perspective.   The keen interest shown in this subject was evidenced by the question session that followed and the just praise articulated by the Councillors, Noel Keelan, Seamus Treanor and Aidan Murray.   The secretary of the Irish Angling Development Alliance Peter Walsh from Dublin then introduced the final two speakers who essentially collaborated in the delivery of a very stark and revealing predicament surrounding all of us with regard to the spread of non native invasive species in Ireland.   Dr Catherine Mc Gavigan from Queens University and Dr Joe Caffrey senior scientist from Inland Fisheries Ireland both renowned in their fields conveyed grim and in places frightening facts, in relation to the invasion by non native species that presently threaten Agriculture and fisheries in Ireland with dire ramifications for the ancillary industries. Angling Tourism will certainly be threatened if not finished, farming damaged, with ominous consequences for communities regarding bank erosion, flooding, water clogging and fish systems will be wiped out if action is not taken now.

The Irish Angling Development Alliance intends to work more closely with the IFA, IFI, Local authorities and other appropriate bodies in an effort to stem the rampant spread of Non Native invasive species in Ireland and more particularly to prevent the introduction of other more harmful ones which have already been identified just outside our shores.   Disinfection programmes are already in place for visiting anglers to our shores and more needs to be done in the areas of awareness, signage and the provision of legislation to halt, the spread of this near plague within our shores. The IADA road shows on Bio Security will continue throughout the year while focused lobbying will continue in an effort to create awareness around this very grave problem at local authority and at Government level.   Inland Fisheries Ireland are leading a campaign to arrest the spread of invasive’s and are in the vanguard in these islands with regard to scientific research and efforts to combat and eradicate selected species.   Dr Joe Caffrey is the leading scientist in charge of this research programme and while he contributes awesomely in his unselfish and generous working and out of hour’s commitment, he and his team deserve to be given more assistance in areas of funding, signage, local regional and national disinfection, local authority awareness and commitment.   A salutary word of warning from Dr Caffrey came in the estimate of losses to the UK agriculture industry last year through the spread of only four invasive plants, estimated in the region of £200 million and that coupled with the potential loss of €150 million if the Angling tourist industry were to be lost or further damaged, could deal another serious blow to this country in difficult economic times.

We must all play our part in stopping the spread

Pictures of the evening are at this link