Catch and Release not on the way in 2012!!

In a recent consultation with the Loughs Agency I have been informed that Catch and release will not be happening on the Mourne system in 2012.  There will be a reduction in the number of tags but we are unsure as to what number yet!! As a Club we will have to give something back …

View full post

No To Salmon Nets

Omagh Anglers Association is very much in support of the No to Salmon Nets campaign but we are not the lead group in this. Mr S Donnelly is the leading light in this campaign highlighting the issue to all who will listen. We have previously highlighted the online petition for this group and in no …

View full post

Support ‘No to Salmon Nets’ online petition

Click on the link to add your name to this campaign. https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/4thefutureoffishing There is an online petition in which all anglers can show support for this fight to save the Atlantic Salmon from the nets men. Omagh Anglers Association have also printed out letters written by this group which are directed to the Stormont Minister who …

View full post

Omagh Anglers Association Letter to the Loughs Agency

On behalf of Omagh Anglers Association  I corresponded with Mr Anderson about the Loughs Agency stance on catch and release. I queried the methods being used to introduce this policy and also suggested some alternative suggestions about the way forward whereby we can all work together for the betterment of the Foyle system in general …

View full post

Catch and Release on the way!!!!

At a sometimes very heated meeting between the Committee of Omagh Anglers and John Mc Cartney of the Loughs Agency ,Mr Mc Cartney revealed that his preferred method in dealing with the declining numbers of salmon that his counter at Sion Mills was able to verify is Catch and Release. To date his counter only …

View full post
Catch and Release not on the way in 2012!! No To Salmon Nets Support ‘No to Salmon Nets’ online petition Omagh Anglers Association Letter to the Loughs Agency Catch and Release on the way!!!!

Jan
23

Catch and Release not on the way in 2012!!

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

In a recent consultation with the Loughs Agency I have been informed that Catch and release will not be happening on the Mourne system in 2012.  There will be a reduction in the number of tags but we are unsure as to what number yet!!

As a Club we will have to give something back , maybe close the season early, engage in catch and release methods for the last month but we need to do something radical .

Our AGM is on in Omagh Library on the 23rd February 2012 at 7.30pm. Come along and support the club, give suggestions as to what you think is a good idea, maybe take a role as  Secretary, or Treasurer or Committee member. They are all there for taking on if you feel you can add something that is missing from Omagh Anglers Association. It is your club, support it, work in it and help develop it !!

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Jan
16

No To Salmon Nets

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Omagh Anglers Association is very much in support of the No to Salmon Nets campaign but we are not the lead group in this. Mr S Donnelly is the leading light in this campaign highlighting the issue to all who will listen. We have previously highlighted the online petition for this group and in no way wish to take any credit for the sterling work they have carried out in taking this fight to Stormont. A recent article in the Tyrone Herald misleads readers into thinking this campaign is being led by the Association. The campaign is aimed at DCAL licensed nets of which there are none in the Foyle System. They have already got the Minister for DCAL asking for a voluntary cessation of netting for 2012 by the netsmen of the North Coast.
The article also misquotes our Chairman in calling for catch and release being introduced onto the Foyle from 1st May until 1st October. This would make no sense as it would allow fishing of salmon to take place in October when the fish are almost ready to spawn.
I wish to point out again that the views of the club and its members state that catch and release could be employed up to the 1st May and after the 1st October and that there could be a drastic reduction in the number of tags issued to anglers. We also ask that the Loughs Agency think about the introduction of a hatchery using local brood stock instead of waiting until there is no stock left and use more robust scientific methods of measurement if catch and release is to be introduced

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Jan
05

Support ‘No to Salmon Nets’ online petition

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Click on the link to add your name to this campaign.

https://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/4thefutureoffishing

There is an online petition in which all anglers can show support for this fight to save the Atlantic Salmon from the nets men.

Omagh Anglers Association have also printed out letters written by this group which are directed to the Stormont Minister who is responsible for DCAL . DCAL are still issuing licences for nets off the North Coast of Ireland and some of these salmon may be destined for the Foyle.The letters are available in CA Andersons. The person signing adds their name and address to the letter and posts them direct to the Minister. Please feel free to call in , pick up a letter and add your support to this campaign.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Nov
23

Omagh Anglers Association Letter to the Loughs Agency

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

On behalf of Omagh Anglers Association  I corresponded with Mr Anderson about the Loughs Agency stance on catch and release. I queried the methods being used to introduce this policy and also suggested some alternative suggestions about the way forward whereby we can all work together for the betterment of the Foyle system in general and salmon in particular. As a club we put forward several suggestions as listed below:

  • consideration be given to a reduction in the number of tags issued to
    anglers to a more conservative level instead of 25.
  • Many anglers are already employing catch and release methods. Introduce
    catch and release from the start of the season until the 1st of May to
    safeguard returning kelts and again from the 1st October.
  • We wish to see protocols in place which can be managed appropriately, have
    a robust scientific basis and draw the support of angling clubs in implementing
    and upholding the requirements

We also asked if the hatchery at the Loughs Agency headquarters could be brought back into the use for which it was intended. We are still awaiting a response from the Loughs Agency on these matters.

 

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Nov
11

Catch and Release on the way!!!!

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

At a sometimes very heated meeting between the Committee of Omagh Anglers and John Mc Cartney of the Loughs Agency ,Mr Mc Cartney revealed that his preferred method in dealing with the declining numbers of salmon that his counter at Sion Mills was able to verify is Catch and Release. To date his counter only counted 1197 salmon.We are unsure if this means if it will be implemented but his inability to really want to discuss other avenues probably means prepare yourselves for its arrival. He has also included trout in this policy rethink as trout were included in the River Finn Catch and Release policy document. It seems like a case of one cap just has to fit all with the Loughs Agency and that they can not think outside of previous templates or ideas !! I have posted Loughs Agency details below so as anglers can make their feelings known directly to the Loughs Agency and John Mc Cartney. Please do this!!

Email :Loughs Agency on : general@loughs-agency.org Derick Anderson <Derick.Anderson@loughs-agency.org> John Mc Cartney <john.mccartney@loughs-agency.org>
with any suggestions or thoughts on this matter at your earliest convenience. The Loughs Agency had been looking for the views of anglers on this matter but Mr Mc Cartney seems to already have his mind made up. We had invited Lionel Knobbs to a meeting in April with a view to discussing alternatives to Catch and Release but he was unavailable. This is your chance to make your feelings and ideas known to the ‘powerbrokers’ at the Loughs Agency.

Remember, keep the responses clean and free off abusive language!!! Do not let complaints or suggestions be sidelined due to bad language and poor manners!

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Nov
07

Fish Kill on the Owenreagh River June 2010

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Pollution Case near Fintona

At a sitting of Omagh Court on the 12th August 2011, Mr Desmond Moore from 12 Corryglass Road, Fintona was fined for causing deleterious matter to enter the Barr River near Fintona, Co Tyrone.

Loughs Agency Fishery Officers were made aware of the pollution incident after an anonymous call on the evening of Monday 7th June 2010. Upon inspection, the slurry was traced back to a diary farm belonging to Mr Moore and was found to have caused a substantial fish kill.

The District Judge found Mr Moore guilty of causing deleterious matter to enter the river and ordered him to pay a £750 fine and costs of £411.04.

John McCartney, Director of Conservation and Protection commented ‘this case highlights the importance of the public in being observant and reporting concerns they have about possible river pollution through our 24hr response line 02871 342100 ’.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Nov
02

SEND BACK ROD LICENCES AND TAGS TO THE LOUGHS AGENCY

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Can I please remind all anglers to return their unused tags and catch returns as soon as possible to the Loughs Agency Headquarters in Prehen. It is important to do so as the introduction of Catch And Release next year may depend on these returns.

If we don’t do it and it may help then anglers will only have themselves to blame if it could have been a deciding factor.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Oct
30

October 2011

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Another season over and varying reports on failure and success. Some very excellent catches on the Camowen with quite a few salmon returned carefully to the water. The same story on the Drumragh with H Mc Sorley catching and releasing several salmon on the upper reaches of the Drumragh and Owenreagh.

As many will have seen in recent reports in the local press the Omagh District Council have their Hydro scheme almost ready to go with the Archimedes screw now in place. Unfortunately we can see in the paper again this week there is another one planned for just above the Leap Bridge on the Camowen River. This is as big as the Council scheme. This scheme has had to include an environmental study with the plans. It is only approxiamately a half mile above the small hydro at Hamilton Kees farm.
Can I ask all anglers to put in an objection to this scheme picking from any number of reasons such as close proximity to another hydro electric plant, Closeness to a B class listed bridge the Leap Bridge itself, the danger that this scheme could be to salmon, an annex 2 listed species which are offered protection under the European Habitats Directive. It is unreasonable also for planning permission to be given to another one of these schemes when we do not know the impact the councils scheme will have on salmon numbers which are already in decline. I would like anglers to write to :

Area Planning Manager, Western Area Planning Office County Hall Drumragh Avenue Omagh BT79 7AF and quote K/2010/0681/F

and put in a objection to this scheme. A new weir is going to be built at the top of the falls to help direct water to the mill race to power the turbine. We organised over 240 letters of complaint to the last scheme by the council , we need to make our objections heard again. We have to make a complaint because if we don’t then if it goes wrong and salmon stocks are decimated then at least we have told the powers that be it is a mistake.

I will leave a selection of objection letters in Andersons for signatures and names and addresses if anglers would prefer.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Sep
28

End of September 2011

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

The Officers of the Club have had a busy few weeks with several meetings being attended. The Secretary ,Treasurer ,Chairman and Assistant Treasurer all met up with Dr Paul Johnston in the Silverbirch Hotel on the 13th September to discuss the next Hydroelectric scheme on our rivers. It is to be sited directly above the Leap Bridge and will be linked with Mr Cathers house. This scheme is as big as the Council scheme  and at the minute we are waiting on an environmental impact assessment statement to be delivered to the planning office. It will most likely read that there should be no adverse impact on salmon. !! We will be unable to stop its progress but we shall be trying to ensure measures are put in place for the safe passage of salmon both upstream to spawn and downstream forthe smolts going to sea.

The Secretary then met up with The Ulster Angling Federation on the 21st to view the site at the Leap Bridge. We also took a trip to check out the work to date on the Council scheme at the back of the Leisure Centre. We were able to see the fish pass adjacent to the pump house and the actual size of the lade to take water to the Archimedes screw. FASTA have received papers from the Secetary which are being forwarded onto Europe. The meeting also discussed the ‘No to salmon nets in Irish waters’ group strategy. As previously stated The Federation are looking after Omagh Anglers interests in this matter and are at a well advanced stage re net buyouts and proposals to have DCAL nets and other nets removed.

Shane Colgan and Brian Mc Gillion on Saturday the 24th September attended the FASTA meeting in Strabane , the meeting was from 10.30am to 14.45pm and represented the Club on a variety of issues from net buyouts to hydro schemes and also had input on a trout consultation document put forward by the Loughs Agency. It was a long meeting and the Association was thanked for their continued affiliation and also for the donation that is being sent to NASF to continue the fight to safeguard salmon !!

Brian McGillion , Bobby Rodgers (Chairman)and Ivan Grieve(Treasurer) then represented the Association at the ‘No to salmon nets in Irish Waters’ meeting.  As many at the meeting found out, the Associations  and its members best interests are being well looked after by the Ulster Angling Federation.  We have to be very careful that there are not too many bodies presenting the same message, as this dilutes the message and the effect it has on the ears that hear it. Noel Carr of FISSTA was also at this meeting and our own FASTA is affiliated to this FISSTA group.

This morning 28th September the Secretary met with an Official from Strabane District Council in relation to the positioning of two memorial benches at the playing fields at Newtownstewart. This came about after a bit of a battle with Omagh District Council who turned the Club down on health and safety grounds and on the advice of the Chief Executive Danny Mc Sorley. I can only extend my thanks to Strabane District Council for allowing this project to proceed.

I hope from this small section  on our work our members can see that the Association ‘s Officers are representing its members on many fronts and are continuously working tirelessly in a volunteer capacity to ensure that we are heard loud and clear. Officers of the Association are also Directors on the Strule River Trust which has been charged with salmon enhancement work on the River Strule and its tributaries from Cappagh Burn and up to and above Omagh. A large sum of money is at the disposal of this group and the two directors from Omagh Anglers will again be attempting to look after the interests of both the salmon and its members with regards where and what the money will be spent on.  The money is to be spent on salmonoid enhancement schemes in line with NASCO stipulations. This money is being spent on top of the £250.000. that the Club had invested on salmon fishing on our waters from 2006. In this time there has been no money spent on trout stocking as the Loughs Agency have stated our trout rivers are in excellent condition !!

The Face book page has had to close down as the Secretary doesn’t have the time or even a Facebook account and the Assistant Secretary who had looked after the page over the summer has left to go to college and won’t have time to do regular updates. The Facebook page was only a stopgap until the web site was up and running again.

This post has no tag

Leave comment

Sep
12

September 2011

Categories:

by Terry Smithson

Well , we are nearly back on line fully after an absence of about 6 months due to administration problems with our last server. There is still a bit of work to do on the website but when I get some free time I will be busy with getting everything updated.

There is a huge flood in the Strule this morning after all the rain on sunday the 11th Sept and the weir in the town centre has been totally engulfed and only the top of the fish pass is showing. I don’t think that there will be too much fishing effort this evening with the gale force winds forecast.

Last week there were a few fish being caught with E Fisher getting 3 on the Owenkillew and T Mullin also getting one. M. Collins got a nice brace on the Deverney and P ONeill and B Quinn both got a fish apiece on the Drumragh.

Hopefully when the floods drop and also the winds disappear we will get a few more reports in and maybe even some photographs.

This post has no tag

1 comment

Older posts «