IN THE NEWSRecord Fish for Dublin Angling Initiative
A new record has been set by the Dublin Angling Initiative with Eric Cahill, 16 years old catching a fish of a lifetime - a 12lb record ferox trout from Lough Ramor, Virginia, Co. Cavan. This is the biggest fish ever caught by a youngster out fishing with the Dublin Angling Initiative.
A fishing trip for a group of 10 youngsters was organised for Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing club (Dublin 15) to Lough Ramor, Virginia by Des Chew, Dublin Angling Initiative in March. Following an introduction by Des on the setting up of rods, rigs and bait presentation the youngsters were soon fishing for roach, hybrids and perch with others choosing to fish for pike. Great fun was being had by the group who were catching and releasing lots of coarse fish.
Meanwhile, Eric patiently waited for a pike to take his smelt deadbait. He signaled for assistance when his rod tip nodded indicating a take. Under the guidance of Des Chew and Chris McGregor he was instructed to knock his bale arm over so this cagey fish would feel no resistance. Suddenly there was a short run and Eric struck. It was obvious he had a big fish on. When the fish drew close the golden spotted body revealed that Eric was now playing a fish of a lifetime and maybe the first specimen caught by a Dublin Angling Initiative youngster. The fish was landed amidst great excitement by the youngsters, the youth workers and a crowd of local anglers who all looked on in amazement! This was clearly the fish of a lifetime for Eric.
The fish was weighed on certified scales, laid out and measured on an Inland Fisheries Ireland measuring mat. It reached a length of over 80cm and weighed in at over 12lbs. There was jubilation among Eric and his peers. Des announced that Eric had just caught his first specimen that had been recorded from over 10,000 teenagers who have participated in Dublin Angling Initiative courses over the last 15 years. If this fish is ratified by the Specimen Fish Committee it will also be the first specimen recorded from Lough Ramor. Josie Mahon photographed the fish with its proud captor Eric Cahill beside his mentor, Des Chew and the fish was safely released.
Eric Cahill is 16 years old and has been a member of Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing in Dublin 15 club since he has been 10 years of age. During that time he has always shown unique ability to listen and learn angling skills from his DAI tutors. He has attended numerous fishing courses in game, coarse and sea fishing run by the Dublin Angling Initiative with his Foroige youth officers, Bernie Moloney and Siobhan Hennessy. This was truly a very proud moment for Eric and Dublin Angling Initiative who now have a new record to beat!
Media enquiries: Josie Mahon, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. DublinTel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202 email: josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie Website:www.fisheriesireland.ie
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Minister O’Dowd presents specimen fish awards, Press Release 17th February 2013
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) held its Specimen Fish Awards Day on Saturday 16th February at Bewleys Airport Hotel, Swords, Co, Dublin. Successful anglers from all over Ireland who caught specimen fish in lakes, rivers or in the sea in 2012 were congratulated by Fergus O’Dowd TD, Minister of State for Natural Resources, on their excellent achievements. 2012 was a record year with a total of 640 specimen fish being ratified. Photographs of anglers being presented their awards can be downloaded here
The Minister said: “the Government recognises that angling is hugely important to the tourist industry and to the economy generally. Preliminary information from a survey commissioned by IFI estimates that angling tourism spend is €250m million per annum – approximately €150m of which is generated by domestic anglers. Angling opportunities in Ireland are among the best in the world and this is reflected in the demand for the product and the numbers engaged in it both at home and from abroad.
The quality of our angling resource is reflected in the annual report of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee. The Committee accepted over 640 claims in 2012 – a record. Irish anglers took over 90% of these fish with visitors from overseas taking the remainder.”
The Minster also emphasized the importance of the half century of information about large fish caught by anglers in Ireland, both freshwater and marine, which has been collected by the ISFC over the years. This information is not only an important historical and heritage record but also a vital guide for anglers when choosing the best angling venues, dates, times and method to catch large specimens of their favourite species.
Anglers departed the awards event with their certificates and plenty of information to target new species in the new angling season in 2013.
The Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) report 2012 can be downloaded here
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Trevor Champ, ISFC Chairman
Trevor Champ passed way in January following a short illness. He became Chairman of the Irish Specimen Fish Committee (ISFC) in 2002 and served with great enthusiasm until his untimely death. He was proud of the contribution of the ISFC’s annual report to the promotion of quality Irish angling and the collection of data about angler-caught specimen fish. Under his stewardship the ISFC advanced and improved its operations by developing its website, introducing genetic identification for several species, guiding the introduction of additional species to the Specimen Species List and reviewing all species and their specimen weights. The review entailed collating details for over 20,000 individual specimen fish and determining species’ angling status. As Chair, Trevor’s fair-mindedness came to the fore and everybody got a hearing. His immense integrity underpinned his decision making and lengthy meetings were likely to ensure that all angles were investigated. His role as Chair did not prevent him from contributing in other ways – he would always help to set up and dismantle displays for the annual ISFC Awards Day. He was generous and good humoured about giving his time.
Monitoring and managing water quality in Ireland’s freshwater fisheries formed the core of Trevor Champ’s long career in the inland fisheries sector. He was passionate about his work and contributed very significantly to increasing understanding of the nature and extent of water quality and fisheries habitat issues in many parts of the country. Over a 40 year career he became the key strategic environmental player in the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards service, flying the flag for water quality, for habitat and for fish.
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